Cool Mist Humidifier Not Working – (How to Fix)
Did your cool mist humidifier stop working suddenly? It can be so frustrating as you need it to maintain the humidity level at home. Do not fret as this article has got you covered.
Several things can be responsible for this problem, knowing these things and how to troubleshoot them will go a long way in helping to fix the problem.
Just like any other electrical appliance, a cool mist humidifier may run into problems with time. Often, these issues require just a simple troubleshooting step to fix and get the device up and running.
Read on to find out some come issues with the cool mist humidifier, why it suddenly stopped working, and how to troubleshoot.
Without further delay, let’s head right into it!
Cool mist humidifier not working – How to Troubleshoot!
If your cool mist humidifier stopped working suddenly, several things could be responsible for this and it may be the issue below.
Whatever the issue may be, the troubleshooting tips below may help you fix the problem and get your humidifier up and running in no time.
Do note that DIY and self-repairs may affect the warranty period by manufacturers, so always check the user manual for instructions.
First things first, you need to know how your cool mist humidifier works, as this would go a long way to fix the issue with your humidifier quickly, accurately and better.
Irrespective of the cool mist humidifier you use, they can function in one of these two ways;
First, the use of a fan – Cool mist humidifiers that uses a fan to blow and filter to blow dry free air into the room. They come with filters to help remove harmful particles and germs from the water before blowing the moist air into the room.
The next type of cool mist humidifiers use ultrasonic technology to change water into mist that is circulated into the room.
The issue with this type of humidifier is that it creates white dust during use, which is harmful to the human body and causes an increase in the rate of wear and tear on the humidifier.
As stated earlier, knowing the cool mist humidifier you have may help you fix the issue with your humidifier quicker and more efficiently.
Here are some tips on how to troubleshoot a cool mist humidifier that has refused to work:
Power Issues
If your cool mist humidifier stopped working with no prior signs, you need to check it and ensure that it is turned on and has an adequate power supply. When the humidifier is turned off or doesn’t have a power supply, it won’t work.
Ensure the humidifier is plugged into a power outlet that is working and supplying power. If the humidifier is plugged into an outlet that works, is switched on but still not working, then unplug the humidifier and check the power cord.
Check the cord to see if it is burnt and needs replacement. You will perceive the smell of burnt electrical appliances if the cord is damaged because of a power trip. If the power cord is burnt, then replace it with a new one and this should fix the problem.
If you connected the humidifier to a power strip, remove it and plug directly to a wall outlet. Next, check if you’re overloading the outlet and remove some devices connected to the wall outlet or power strip.
When you’re sure this is not a power outlet problem, swap or change the humidifier to a different outlet and see if this fixes the problem. If not, continue the next troubleshooting tip.
Humidifier is out of water
Humidifiers cannot work without water. This means that if the water tank is empty, your device would stop working. Check the humidifier to see if it is empty and fill it back up with clean distilled water.
Next, check if water is licking from the water tank or the device itself. As a safety precaution, turn off the device before checking out for leakages.
If there is leakage, replace the water tank with a new one after trying to fix it. When your humidifier leaks water continuously, the water in the tank will finish quickly, leading to the device not working.
Leakages can create a puddle close to the power cord which can cause damage to the cord and also the device itself as there are certain parts of the humidifier water isn’t supposed to touch when it is in use.
Clean the humidifier
A dirty humidifier can cause it to stop working, hence cleaning the humidifier may help fix the issue with it not working.
Since humidifiers use water, over time deposits from the waters will be left on the humidifier, which may cause it to malfunction and break down if not cleaned regularly and properly.
How to clean a cool mist humidifier:
Step 1: Unplug the device from its power source. Removing the device from its power source before attempting any cleanup is to avoid electrical shock.
Step 2: Remove the water tank and clean it with vinegar. This would help remove any mineral deposits left by water, see visible molds. Use a brush to thoroughly remove every deposit left behind and then rinse properly and leave to dry.
Step 3: Detach the filter and clean with just water and leave it to dry
Step 4: Remove all the other detachable interior parts and clean them thoroughly, removing all dirties and mineral deposits.
Step 5: Clean the exterior with a damp cloth carefully. Do not allow water to get in to avoid electrical burns and damage to the device.
Step 6: Assemble all parts together when they are dry.
Cleaning your cool mist humidifier also means descaling or deliming the humidifier. This is important, as it also removes germs and bacteria from the humidifier that can get into the air and cause serious health issues.
As a way of maintaining your cool mist humidifier, it is advisable to change the water inside the water tank daily if you use hard water, which leaves behind mineral deposits that can cause damage to the humidifier.
Incorrect settings
Incorrect settings during the device installation may be responsible for your cool mist humidifier not working. It is always advisable to follow the user’s manual during installation and put up all the components in the right part.
It is possible that you set your room’s humidity level too low, and the device has reached that level and turned itself off. Some humidifiers come with this auto switch function to protect the device, so check and ensure that your device has not gone off because of that.
Next, your cool mist humidifier may have shut off because of the timer you set for it. Since it reached the number of hours you inputted, it went off. Check the timer and, if it is responsible, change the number of hours on it and your device should be up and running.
How to maintain Humidifiers
- Use only distilled water as hard water leaves behind mineral deposits, which cause malfunctioning and damage of the device.
- Change the water in the water tank daily and replace with fresh distilled water
- Perform a deep clean on the device weekly
Conclusion
There you have it, tips on how to troubleshoot a cool mist humidifier not working. Ensure to try all the tips and see which helps to fix the problem.
Since there may be several reasons your cool mist humidifier isn’t working, consistent and thorough cleaning may help you avoid most of the issues related to humidifiers. Also, avoid usage of hard waters and only use distilled waters.
If you’ve tried everything above and you’re still unable to fix the problem, you may get a professional to have a look or contact your manufacturer for help. As a last resort, replace your cool mist humidifier.