App Setup Guide

LED Count and Segments in WLED

LED count and segments tell the WLED controller how many lights are connected and how to divide a roofline into controllable sections. Getting this right keeps presets, effects, and schedules accurate.

  • Accurate light count
  • Correct roofline zones
  • Reliable presets and effects

Quick answer: Set the LED count for each controller output first, using the actual number of connected lights. Segments are optional and let you control sections of a run -- like garage, peak, or porch -- independently once the count is correct.

Before creating effects

Count first, then divide the roofline into zones

The controller needs an accurate map of the physical lights. Set the actual count on each output before creating segments; otherwise colors can stop early or effects can be compressed.

Bright Home app controller output screen showing LED counts

1 · Count

Enter each output's light count

Use the physical number of connected puck lights, not estimated footage.

Bright Home app effects screen showing a roofline segment

2 · Segment

Create named roofline zones

Separate garage, peak, patio, front, or side sections only after the total count is correct.

Bright Home app LED grid used to confirm individual puck-light coverage

3 · Verify

Confirm the final light responds

Run solid-color tests and confirm the first and last light in every output and segment respond.

Set the LED Count

In the Bright Home app:

  1. Open Config

    Go to the Config section for the controller output you're setting up.

  2. Open LED Preference

    From Config, open LED Preference for that output.

  3. Adjust the number

    Enter the actual number of connected lights. If you don't know the exact count, start lower and increase gradually until every light visually turns on.

Tip

Count the physical lights during installation -- it's much easier to get an exact number before the run is mounted than after.

When to Use Segments

Segments divide one controller output into separately controllable sections. They're optional, but make permanent LED lights much easier to manage -- for example, warm white along the front roofline with a color effect on the garage. Use segments to:

  • Separate the left and right sides of a roofline.
  • Control garage, peaks, patio, or side returns independently.
  • Run different effects on different areas of the home.
  • Keep everyday accent lighting subtle while holiday sections use full color.
  • Match app zones to the real layout of the house.

Set Up Segments

Configure the LED count for an output before creating segments on it.

  1. Confirm the LED count first

    Segments are divisions of an already-counted output, so the count must be correct before you split it up.

  2. Create a segment for each zone

    Add a segment for each area you want to control independently -- garage, peak, patio, or left/right roofline -- and name it to match the real layout of the house.

  3. Test each segment

    Run a solid color across each new segment to confirm it covers the intended physical section before layering in effects.

How to Confirm the Count Is Correct

After entering the LED count, run a solid red, green, blue, and white test across the output. Every physical light in the connected run should respond. If the last lights don't respond, the count may be too low, the data direction may be reversed, or the wiring needs to be checked. Save the settings after each change, and reboot only after confirming the count is correct.

Quick LED Count Checklist

  • Count the actual number of pucks connected to each controller output.
  • Set the LED count before creating segments or schedules.
  • Run one simple solid-color test before testing animated effects.
  • Match segment names to real areas of the home -- garage, peak, patio, left roofline.
  • Save settings after each change; reboot only after confirming the count is correct.
  • For multi-output layouts, keep a note of each output and its LED count to make future troubleshooting easier.