LED when soldered doesn't work, but when removed it works
Verify with Diode test voltage on board terminals for open cct. If shorted then Diode won't work.  
Beware that soldering within 5mm of the base of LED is against best guidelines   
solder time if > 3s can damage the part by shearing the gold wirebond 


even 1um invisible gap is enough to open circuit and "may" re-attach by "fluke" when unsoldering.  If so, not repairable or reliable.



5mm LEDs transfer heat to cathode cup holder where wirebond is made to the crystal chip at the rate of 1mm/s thus 5mm lead keep-out zone is used for hand soldering or must be done quickly, &lt; 3s with skill.  Thermal stress can shear the gold whisker wirebond.  ( been there, done that with clients)




ignore lead shape, but the idea is do NOT bend leads OR solder within 5mm below epoxy base. The needle-nose pliers suggest one way to stop the heat transfer to cathode and top bond connection. But this is not the only way.  Soldertime  &lt;3s is required.  High thermal gradient stress can induce failures from CTE effects.