WS2812B RGB LED 8X32 Matrix Module Hack

Recently, I purchased 2 WS2812B RGB LED 8X32 Matrix Modules but when I tested them, not all of the LEDs lit up on ether. One did have more LEDs light up but nether had all of the LEDs light up. My program was set for 256 LEDs.

I showed the vendor a video of the problem, they agreed that there was a problem and they gave me my money back and let me keep both faulty matrix.

My question is: can I jumper around the bad pixel to make the rest of the matrix work and if so, what pins do I try? I don’t want to short out anything.

Suggestions please.

Here below is a picture of the bad matrix and a close up of the pixels.

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IMG_1043s.jpg

IMG_1042s.jpg

IMG_1043s.jpg

Can I jumper around the bad pixel to make the rest of the matrix work and if so, what pins do I try? I don't want to short out anything. I cannot answer as I do not know your skill set. You have nothing to lose by trying and it will help you develop skills you need in future projects. I will take a SWAG and say there are some bad solder connections. Before you start get a schematic of the display it will save you a lot of grief.

Gilshultz,

Thanks for the reply.

Honestly, None of the LES strips and metrixs coming out of China have schematics. But these are WS2812B RGB LEDs and most have a positive, negative and a carrier. However, this one has 4 pins & not 3. My hope was that someond on this forum has attempted something like this.

I am somewhat skilled in electronics and tried a few things but discussing with someone that has been successful would help.

The problem is knowing if the fault is with the power, ground or data connections.
If it was my matrix then I would get the datasheet for the WS2812B LED chip.
Without the matrix connected to power start with a multimeter and check continuity between the VDD pins of working/non working LED's.
Repeat for the VSS if you find no breaks with VDD.
If at this point I have not found a break then I would power the matrix and check the VDD on working/non working LED's again.
Run a test sketch that controls all the LED's in the matrix and with a Dupont wire (by hand, not soldering) try to bridge the DOUT of the last working LED to the DIN of a non working LED and see if the rest of the LED's light up.
If they did not then try the DOUT of the LED before the last working one.

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