The present invention relates to a light emitting diode driver having a protection function that activates hiccup mode for a predetermined period of time when a light emitting diode performs an abnormal operation to thereby protect the light emitting diode. A light emitting diode driver having a protection function according to an aspect of the invention may include: a light emitting unit emitting light; a reference signal generating unit generating a reference signal having pulses with a predetermined period when the light emitting unit performs an abnormal operation; a control unit controlling operating time in hiccup mode according to the reference signal from the reference signal generating unit, the hiccup mode where output is switched on and off at a predetermined period; and a driving unit driving the light emitting unit in the hiccup mode for the operating time determined by the control unit.