Humidifiers are handy tools that help to prevent dryness in the air during winter. It’s a lifesaver for individuals who live in cold climate areas. However, people often face minor issues like the humidifier not producing mist or it starts leaking water. Let us assure you, it’s not something that will require a replacement.
In this article, we will help you to fix your humidifier in no time if it’s not producing mist. Before that, let’s clear some basics first.
Identifying The Type of Your Humidifier
There are various types of humidifiers. The fixtures to the issue for each of these types are different. If you already know the type you have, you can skip this part. If not, let’s figure it out first.
There are mostly 4 types of humidifiers. Such as,
- 1. Warm Mist Humidifiers: Produces warm and visible mist to prevent dryness in the air.
- 2. Cool Mist Humidifiers: Produces cool and invisible mist and uses filters to get rid of debris.
- 3.Ultrasonic Humidifiers: Produces cool fog quietly and uses a vibrating diaphragm at an ultrasonic frequency.
- 4.Wick Humidifiers: A budget-friendly humidifier that circulates air through a moist wick filter using an internal fan.
Once you check and figure out the type of humidifier you have, let’s move to the next part.
Possible Reasons Why Humidifier Not Producing Mist
A humidifier is just another electronic tool. Like any other electronic mechanism, sometimes it also faces minor functional issues as well. The interruption of blowing mist is a common one, however.
Before you can start your inspection, make sure to do the following.
- Read the instruction manual since certain repairs may affect your warranty.
- Get rid of all the water from the reservoir.
- Unplug your humidifier from the power source prior to the inspection.
These are some safety measures to consider before you begin. Here are the major reasons your humidifier not producing mist.
Power Factor
The obvious one. Check if the power is actually reaching the humidifier. It’s possible that if it’s on low power, the humidifier might not work properly. Inspect the digital readout. If the motor has stopped and no lights are on, it’s a power issue.
First, make sure if your power source is okay. Plug any other appliance for testing. A high-power humidifier can trip older-wiring circuits.
If the power source is okay and other appliances are working fine, take it to the nearest repair shop. You might consider taking it to the manufacturer if the appliance is under warranty.
Debris Build-Up
Tap water mostly contains plenty of minerals and impurities. While the water evaporates when in contact with the heat, the minerals don’t. This accumulation of these sediments can clog the filter. The generated heat cannot pass through the debris build-up. Thus, preventing the humidifier from blowing mist.
The solution to this particular issue has two variations.
- Cool Mist: Cool mist humidifiers mostly don’t have a filter. However, some do. You can easily change the filter of a cool-mist humidifier or clean it manually. If you notice that your water tank is not emptying faster like before, it’s time to change your filter. Once you do the same, your humidifier will blow mist like new in no time.
- Warm-Mist: Debris clogging in a warm mist humidifier is a common issue. Since the minerals do not evaporate, these impurities build up debris all over the filter. It creates a dark layer of minerals that prevents the humidifier from turning water into steam. You have to remove this layer from the heating elements.
If your unit has a special tool kit, use it to open the cap and chip off the debris. Use a cloth or soft cotton to do the same. Do not use sharp objects.
Read the user manual to remove the heating elements from the unit and clean it carefully. Once you’re done, close the cap and fill the reservoir. Your humidifier is ready to use again.
Lack of Water
There’s a possible chance that your humidifier is out of water. It can be a reason for the mist to not come out. These units evaporate water and turn it into moisture. The lower level of water is most likely to prevent your device from functioning properly.
Make sure to check the levels of water in the reservoir. You might need to fill it frequently depending on the temperature of your room. Make a mark on the water level and turn on the humidifier.
Let it run for a few hours and check the mark again. If the water level is below the line, you have nothing to worry about. If not, you might consider taking it to your manufacturer.
Remember, if you have an Ultrasonic Humidifier, do not fill it up completely. These units cannot work properly through higher levels of water. Also, try not to carry around the humidifier while there is water in the reservoir. The water can get into the basin and the ultrasonic platter may cease to work.
Lower Settings
Sometimes, if your humidifier is set on minimum settings, its unable to produce mist. Check the settings once. Suppose the power level is set to 40%. The humidifier will shut itself off once the room humidity level reaches the same.
The lower level is easy to reach. Try raising the percentage using the settings button and keep it in check. Some of the humidifiers give you the option to keep them running without a level restriction. If you own one yet face the same issue, consult a professional to solve the humidifier not producing mist issue from the root itself.
Humidifiers rarely face minor technical faults. However, mist not coming out is a common scenario. Hope these small tips will help you to fix the issue. Make sure to conduct a regular maintenance check-up on your humidifier. It can relatively increase its efficiency and longevity.
If any of the above-mentioned tricks fail to fix your problem of humidifier not producing mist, do not hesitate to look for professional help. You wouldn’t want to damage your humidifier unknowingly.