These lanterns are cute and very bright, but unfortunately, they only work if it is pitch dark. So if you have any other light on near by, the lantern will turn off. So, the solution is to flip it over so the solar panel thinks it is dark. You would think they would have designed the lantern so it could sit either on one end or the other. But flipping it over still works although it is a bit strange to have the wider base on the top. To recharge just simply flip so the solar panel is facing up