Why My Humidifier No Mist Coming Out? (ULTIMATE DIY Remedy Guide)

Is it that time of the year again?!


The cold and flu season is upon us and that means everyone is bringing out the humidifiers to help humid the air and to help fight the dreadful illnesses.


You turned on your humidifier but there’s no mist coming out?


Sometimes humidifiers do not function properly and require simple repairs and troubleshooting just like all devices.


One of the typical problems is that they won't mist for some reason.


So, what can you do? First, always check your manufacturer’s instructions, and be aware that some repairs you perform yourself may cancel your warranty.


One of the important household appliances is humidifiers. Because the dry air in cold winters is not friendly at all to respiratory symptoms and for skin too.


One more thing, very important, you can save on energy bills because a properly moisturized home feels warmer so you can cut down on the heating.


So, with just a slight care, your humidifier will make your home much more comfortable and you healthier for many years to come.

WHY IS MY HUMIDIFIER NOT STEAMING OR BLOWING MIST OUT?

To raise the relative humidity in room, humidifiers evaporate water.


This is very important at the winter time when the cold outdoor air reduces the moisture inside your home.


Unfortunately, there may come a time when your humidifier stops steaming and the air becomes dry again.


There are several reasons why a humidifier won't work. Here are the most common ones.


LOW OR NO POWER


Check if the power actually reaches the humidifier.


If the motor isn't running, the digital readout is blank, and no other lights are on, there may not be adequate power.


See if the power cable is still plugged into an outlet.


If it's plugged in and the humidifier still doesn't have power, check your circuit breaker.


In homes with older wiring, a higher-powered humidifier can trip circuits.


Still, if you're not sure, connect another working device to the outlet. Like a lamp, for example.


And if the lamp or other device works, then you know there's a problem with the humidifier itself rather than the outlet.


To fix the problem, bring the humidifier into an appliance repair shop or if you have any warranty in place, do make use of the warranty (provided if it doesn't expire) to send it to the manufacturer for repair.

MINERAL BUILDUP

If you have a warm mist humidifier and it’s not steaming, the cause is most likely a build-up of mineral deposits on the heating elements.


In most cases, tap water contains impurities and varying levels of minerals.


Water evaporates when in contact with the heating elements, but the minerals don’t.


In time, they build a dark brown or black coating on the elements and effectively create an insulating layer over them.


So, the generated heat can't pass through the crust to turn the water into steam.


THE SOLUTION?


All you have to do is get rid of that mineral crust and the heat will reach the water and turn it into mist again.


WHAT ABOUT COOL MIST HUMIDIFIERS?


If you have a cool mist humidifier, the cause can likely be the same.


The mineral deposits may be blocking the filter instead of the heating element.


THE SOLUTION?


Many cool mist humidifiers don’t have a filter. But, for the ones that do, getting it working again is usually a simple matter of replacing the old filter with a new one.


Water doesn't pass through old filters easily as should, hampering the abilities of the device.


An indication of an old, dried-out filter is that your humidifier's water tank isn't emptying as fast as it used to.


To find out the exact type of filter you need to consult the humidifier's manual. Get a new one and install it in the device to ensure your humidifier working properly again.


For those who have warm mist humidifiers, chances are you will find a heating rod when you dismantle your humidifier. 


Take a look at this video on how Andrew manage to find mineral buildup on the heating rods and remove them carefully.


LOW HUMIDITY SETTINGS

Did it occur to you “Maybe it’s just set on minimum settings?”


Check the settings on your humidifier because they allow you to choose the humidity output of the appliance.


For example, if you choose a humidity of 40 percent, the humidifier will turn off automatically once the relative room humidity hits this percentage.


And, that level of humidity is actually easy to reach.


THE SOLUTION?


Raise your humidity level by using the settings buttons on your device if your air is still dry once the desired humidity level is hit.


Some types of humidifiers give you the option of running the appliance all the time without a humidity level restriction.


LACK OF WATER


A humidifier adds moisture to your indoor air by evaporating the water from its reservoir.


If there's no steam coming out from the humidifier, check the tank to see if it's empty.


THE SOLUTION?


This one is quite obvious, right? Just fill the tank with fresh water if it's empty.


You may have to refill the reservoir several times daily, depending on the dryness of the air, the size of the reservoir and the type of humidifier the size.


Be sure you fill the humidifier regularly if you want to keep your home's air moist.


EVAPORATIVE HUMIDIFIER DOESN’T MIST?


The moisture released by evaporative humidifier should not be visible, so it is very probable that it is working as it should only you can’t actually see the result.


THE SOLUTION?


Fill the tank with water and mark the water level.


Then, turn on the humidifier and let it run a few hours, and check the water level.


Everything is working just fine if the water level is below the line.


If not, the problem can be more serious and you may need to take it to a professional.


Check out this video to explain how he manage to get the humidifier working when his humidifier fan is struggling to rotate.

(Applicable to most evaporative humidifiers since they need a fan component to produce mist)


ULTRASONIC HUMIDIFIER DOESN'T MIST?


Did you just buy a new ultrasonic humidifier?


You came home and set it up and there is no mist coming out from the humidifier. What disappointment, right?!


But, before you go back to the store and ask for advice or for a replacement with another one because this one won't work, try this.


THE SOLUTION?


It's very easy! Just empty out water tank then fill it again with water, put it back and turn it on.


Be aware to not fill the tank with too much water because ultrasonic platter can't work through the higher levels of water.


Another thing, don't carry around the house humidifier which tank is full of water.


See, when it gets jostled around with the valve open, more water gets into the basin and the ultrasonic platter can't work through the higher levels of water.


Follow these instructions and the problem should be resolved. Now, you should see steam coming out from your humidifier!

HOW TO PREVENT MINERAL BUILDUP ON YOUR HUMIDIFIER

Many people use tap water to fill their humidifier tanks.


In many cases, the tap water contains a number of dissolved minerals and these minerals can form deposits on the humidifier's elements.


Those deposits may inhibit the effectiveness of the device and ultimately shortening its lifespan.


Preventing and removing and mineral deposits is both simple and inexpensive:

  • 1
    First, turn off the humidifier and pull its plug from the wall. Spill out the water from the tank and then refill it with a vinegar dilution.This way you will remove any mineral deposits in your device that exist. For every cup of water add one cup distilled white vinegar. Fill the reservoir with this solution and allow it to soak for up to 4 hours.                                                         
  • 2
    Now it's time to drain the humidifier tank.   Wipe down the inside surfaces with a damp sponge. Dry it with paper towels and then remove any filters, trays or hoses. Wash away all these parts you removed under hot, running water.                                                              
  • 3
    Use undiluted vinegar to treat any visible mineral deposits.  Apply the soft cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar to the affected area. Wash off under running water, and then put it on a clean towel to dry.                                                         
  • 4
    Put back the humidifier parts, and fill the tank with distilled or filtered water.   The other way is to fill the tank with standard tap water and add a water-softening tablet. Do this to help dissolve the minerals.                            

HOW TO REMOVE LIMESCALE FROM A HUMIDIFIER

Actually, I used to have a problem with limescale as well as removing them from the humidifier.


I remember, that I didn’t know much about humidifiers and maintaining them when I bought my very first humidifier.


So, I practice using a tap water to fill a tank in my humidifier. And that was a big mistake, I know now.


Whenever surfaces are exposed to water full of minerals for a long time period, there is a big chance of limescale.


I’ll try a few things but these can be hard to remove, especially when they are on the inside components of a humidifier.


It’s a lot easier to clean device if it can be disassembled. But check it first with user guide and then go along with the directions below.

Steps to remove the limescale:

  • 1
    First, unplug the unit. You shouldn’t clean any part of the humidifier while is plugged in.
  • 2
    Clean it outside with a soft cloth.
  • 3
    Then use a toothbrush to scrub away any limescale or “white powder”.
  • 4
    But if you can’t wipe away mineral deposits with water or water and dish soap, soak a cloth with white vinegar and wrap it around the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes.
  • 5
    Afterward wipe away the loosened deposits with a soft cloth.
  • 6
    The next step is to rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • 7
    It’s possible that deposits are inside the heating unit. In that way, it may require some easy disassembly but not all humidifiers can be taken apart. So, check the manufacturer’s instructions or user guide.
  • 8
    Use the brush and soft cloth to remove as much as possible of deposits. You can also use a dull knife or a spoon to scrape the surfaces clean.
  • 9
    In the case, the deposits will not separate, you should fill a bowl with a few inches of vinegar.
  • 10
    Wash away loosened deposits and rinse well the newly cleaned areas. Once clean, allow it to dry or dry with a soft cloth.
  • 11
    Now it’s time to put together unit parts in the same way that you took when you disassemble them. So, be sure that all screws are back in the right places.

Things To Note


STEP 7:


Look for this two sections – the heating unit and the power cords if the unit can be disassembled.

 

Heating units are the metal shroud or rods that heats the water and will likely hold the build-up. And be aware to don’t disassemble power cordset!

SOME ADDITIONAL ADVICE

  • The heating unit will need to be replaced if you can’t disassemble it to be cleaned. But it may be cheaper to purchase a new humidifier then replacement of the parts.                                                                      
  • Some minerals in the water may be the reason that the dish becomes brown or black. But this has no influence to the purity of the steam. The minerals can be discarded when emptying the water.                                              
  • There are liquids and tablets that are designed to keep minerals from building up on the surfaces of humidifiers. Consider adding these to your humidifier water if your water has a high mineral content.                                    
  • check
    Use distilled water if the limescale is a consistent problem.

To conclude

These are the major issues that are usually associated withe humidifier not producing any mist.


Don't be lazy and clean your humidifier regularly and properly if mineral buildup is always the issue.


This way you should prevent mineral culprit and your humidifier would work just fine.


Just don't forget to remove water reservoirs or to disconnect water supply lines and unplug the electrical power before you attempt to repair any work on the humidifier.


Also, consider using distilled or filtered water in the humidifier.


Use hydrogen peroxide solution to clean humidifier. But do this one time weekly.


Still, if your humidifier gets clogged by mineral build-up, I already explained above how to resolve this problem.



If any of the solutions or problems not addressed in any mist producing, feel free to let us know in the comments and I will help you find a solution for it.


Rule of thumb, if you can't get humidifier to produce any mist despite trying all the solutions mentioned above,you might want to check out this post where I dissect and explain every single humidifier part.


It enables you to identify which humidifier part is not working properly (or not working as it supposed to be) and remedy accordingly.


You can save alot of time (delivery to manufacturer, fixing lead time, asking for followups) and the repair costs and learn here how to repair humidifier that way.


But of course, if you have a hard time applying those solutions or afraid that you might spoil the humidifier, I suggest you to just send the humidifier for repair or use the warranty.


Share your own experience with us.


Did you ever have a problem with a humidifier that doesn't produce mist?


What was the problem with?


How did you resolve that particular problem?


Visit the comments section and share.


Thanks for reading!

1 thought on “Why My Humidifier No Mist Coming Out? (ULTIMATE DIY Remedy Guide)”

  1. Wow! I didn’t know there are other ways to remedy the humidifier faults and fix them without having to send to warranty!

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