On average, they last 10,000 to 50,000 hours under normal conditions, though some can exceed 100,000 hours with proper care. Solid State Lasers and Laser Diodes from RPMC Lasers Inc How long will a laser diode last? How long will a laser diode last? Honestly, it depends on several factors, and there is no simple chart to cover everything. Typical diode lifetimes are in the range of 25,000 to 50,000 hours. Key factors like operating temperature, current, and cooling play a. The act of burning releases a lot of gases that can accumulate as a residue on the lens. If not, it's very possible as you say that the diode has degraded to the point where power loss is very noticeable.