Reasons Crane Cool Mist Humidifier Does Not Work: Don’t Panic, They’re Fixable
If your Crane humidifier is not working at all or is not working properly, you have come to the right place!
If your cool mist humidifier is not working, it does not necessarily mean that you have to toss it into the trash bin and get a new one.
In the past articles, we have looked at different articles of cool mist ultrasonic humidifiers failing to work. For instance, we looked at the Pure Enrichment humidifier not working.
We have also looked at why a humidifier fails to work after cleaning. This occurs due to several problems.
Cool Mist ultrasonic humidifiers are almost the same across all brand names, so this write-up can apply to many others. It is not just for the Crane ultrasonic cool mist humidifier that you buy on Amazon.com.
However, for style and design, manufacturers add a few or several extras. This is why it’s vital to read the user manual before operating a unit.
What it means when Crane humidifier is not working
The problem of your Crane humidifier failing to work properly could mean the following:
- The humidifier not working right out of the box when you plug it in
- It stops working after a few days, a few weeks, or a few months
- The humidifier has everything—electricity and water—but produces no mist
- The humidifier stops working after cleaning
Crane humidifier troubleshooting tips
Just because you are experiencing an ultrasonic humidifier not producing mist, you don’t need to go into worry mode just yet.
It is time to troubleshoot your appliance and see what could be causing the issue.
Luckily, the operation of a humidifier is not rocket science. If we are dealing with the first instance of a humidifier just not working right out of the box, do the following:
i) Read the Crane humidifier user manual
One of the most popular humidifiers with this brand name is the teardrop-shaped humidifier. This post applies to it.
When you order the Crane Drop Shaped ultrasonic cool mist humidifier from Amazon.com, it comes with a user manual in the box.
Also read: How to control humidity in a grow tent
If it does not come with a hard copy, you can get it from their website or other online sources.
In the user manual, you will find express instructions NOT TO OPERATE the unit before reading the guide.
You will also find cautions and warnings that you should not overlook. There are clear instructions for setting up the unit, cleaning, and storage. You will know how to use the Crane humidifier reset button.
This user manual also comes with troubleshooting tips. For instance, if the humidifier is running, is not increasing humidity, and is not misting, you should check whether the tank is attached properly.
If the humidifier blows cold air but is not producing mist, check the water level and pour the excess out.
They even guide you about transporting the humidifier, making sure it does not spill water in transit.
What we are trying to emphasize here is the need to read the humidifier user manual. Some things, such as opening it up and trying to fix things, can void the warranty.
Even if you do not find the manual in the box, don’t fret. Check it out online on the manufacturer’s website.
When you read the user manual, you can retrace your steps to find out whether you missed anything. If everything seems right with the setup, continue reading to the next step.
ii) Inspect the electrical connection
Check whether you have plugged the humidifier into the socket properly. This is a common occurrence, by the way. If not fully pushed in, the plug will not work.
You can also check whether a switch in the circuit breaker has tripped. If that is the case, raise it back up and find out whether the humidifier starts to work.
Sometimes, when you switch on an appliance, some switches may flip off automatically. So check that out.
iii) Inspect the safety features of the humidifier
Modern humidifiers come with many safety features. One of them is the anti-tip function, which ensures that the humidifier stays upright all the time.
However, on the flip side, a humidifier with this feature might not work if it is not flat on the table.
If you have done everything and the humidifier still won’t turn on, check whether it is level on the table or floor.
Another thing that you might want to check is whether the humidifier has child protection functions.
If such a function is turned on, the humidifier will refuse to turn on until you switch the function off.
iv) The humidifier leaves white dust on surfaces
Ultrasonic humidifiers are notorious for leaving white dust on surfaces if you use hard water. If this happens, just clean the unit and then use distilled water only. Avoid using boiled water since it does not help.
Other humidifier types don’t cause white dust. Still, it’s better to use the recommended water type since it can still disperse mineral traces in the mist.
Besides, the humidifier filter will be doing too much work and will need replacement sooner.
v) The base leaks water
Many things can cause water to spill in the area immediately surrounding the humidifier. However, the most common ones are:
- Placing the unit on a slanted surface: unplug it and place it on a level surface
- The humidity level is set very high, so you need to set it lower
- The mist is falling on a surface, condensing, and rolling down. Just keep the unit a good distance from walls and furniture
vi) The mist has a foul odor
You might not have the problem of the crane humidifier not misting, but the mist could have a bad smell. This means the unit is dirty. Check for symptoms of mold in the tank, usually indicated by pink slime in the tank.
The nasty smell in the mist could also be indicative of bacteria, germs, grease, and other things that should not be there.
Do not add anything apart from water to the unit. Adding essential oils into the water could also alter the smell of the mist.
Vii) It is producing minimal mist
If the water in the humidifier is too cold, the Crane ultrasonic cool mist might produce a low mist. It is a cool mist rather than a cold water humidifier.
If the ultrasonic disc is dirty, the humidifier will also produce a low mist. It can also fail to produce any altogether.
Crane Humidifier Not Misting
Sometimes, the humidifier will turn on just fine. However, it might not produce mist. When people complain about ultrasonic humidifiers not working, mostly, this is what they mean.
How to fix Crane humidifier no mist problem
If there is no mist coming from the humidifier spout, there are a few things to consider, which are as follows:
i) Does the humidifier have water?
When a humidifier is not working, always start with the basic checks. For instance, start by checking whether the appliance has water.
If it has a little water, top it up and check whether it will start producing mist.
ii) Check whether the humidifier is level
If a humidifier is not level, some models might refuse to create mist. This is a safety feature that protects the appliance from tipping over.
Also read: Humidity too high in incubator
Therefore, once again, check whether it is level in a flat position. At the same time, check whether the humidifier is connected to electricity.
iii) The nozzle might be blocked
When a humidifier turns water into mist by boiling it or using ultrasonic vibrations, the mist gets out into the room through a small spray outlet.
However, when you use tap water in the humidifier, the quantity of minerals in the water will be high. A mineral layer could end up blocking the outlet, and no mist will get out.
The same thing would happen if the appliance is dirty. If you have hard water in your taps, get demineralization cartridge. Make a habit of cleaning your humidifier as often as possible.
You can read our article here on how to clean a humidifier. That way, there will be no debris blocking the spray hole.
If you do not clean a humidifier, it will pass whatever contaminants might be lurking in the humidifier tank to the mist. If it has mist, you will start to experience signs of mold exposure.
iv) Check whether there is enough power
A humidifier might fail to produce mist when there is not enough power. If your Crane humidifier stopped working, a lack of power could be the issue.
Check the amp rating of the appliance from the manufacturer. That way, you will know what socket to plug it into.
You can test the socket where you have plugged in the appliance with another appliance. If it works, you will know that the humidifier could be the problem.
v) Its lifespan is over
Sometimes, an old humidifier might just start failing of its own volition. If it has lasted a few to several years, it might be time to buy a new one.
You can take the humidifier to a repair shop. Most likely, if it is too old, it will not be under warranty.
If it is not too old, you can check whether it is under warranty and then call the seller to direct you to their approved repair shop.
vi) Check the heating elements of the warm mist humidifier
A warm mist humidifier has heating elements. They heat the water so that it can start producing mist.
If you have hard water at home, the minerals might cake the heating elements so that they do not work correctly.
Because a warm mist humidifier produces mist by heating the water, the heating element fails if it is caked with minerals. There will be no mist. You have to clean the heating elements and remove the layer of minerals.
You can check the user manual for information about how to remove and clean the heating elements.
If there is no information for such, you should email the manufacturer and ask how to remove them.
vii) Tank is improperly installed
If the humidifier tank is not installed properly, the humidifier might not produce mist.
Remember, you have to detach the tank from the humidifier to fill it with water and then reattach it.
If the tank sits sideways, even by a small margin, it is not going to produce mist. You might feel air coming out, but it will not be misty.
viii) The ultrasonic disc is dirty
The ultrasonic disc can get dirty from time to time. That’s why your dehumidifier should come with the right brush for cleaning it.
If the disk is dirty, your Crane humidifier will not produce mist. The disc is located in the center of the base. Therefore, to clean it, you will need to detach the tank.
Clean it lightly with the provided brush, and be careful not to scrape it. Usually, this gets the humidifier working again.
The humidifier ultrasonic disc wears out with time. You would need to replace it with a new one.
Why do you see a Crane humidifier red light
If you have a Crane humidifier red light, it is an indication that something is not working. Check the following two things first:
i) Check the wiring/circuitry for water
If the humidifier tank is full of water, the first suspect is that the water could have gotten into the wiring. If this is the case, the crane humidifier keeps turning off.
You can fix this on your own by doing the following:
- Empty the tank
- Flip the humidifier upside down to drain all the water out of the base
- Leave it in this position for several hours
Or
- Disassemble the unit with a screwdriver
- Wipe the circuitry with a paper towel
- Give it some time to air-dry and put it back together
ii) Check whether you removed all the plastic packaging
New humidifiers come with plastic or Styrofoam packaging around the pump. If you forget to remove this, the humidifier is not going to work.
It will start blinking red. You have to remove the Styrofoam packaging, fill it up with water, and run it again.
iii) Check the humidifier float valve
Check whether the float valve is floating just fine. If it is not, the humidifier will not work. These appliances are like a precise science.
Everything has to be working for it to work correctly. Check whether the valve is floating. If it is not, nudge it with your hand or something, and once it floats, the humidifier will work.
If it is worn out, you can replace it. Just check on the Crane website.
Crane humidifier not working well: FAQ
While humidifiers are not overly complicated, it still helps to know everything about the things that could make them fail to work correctly. These frequently asked questions and their answers will shed more light:
Where is the reset button on a Crane humidifier?
After cleaning the humidifier, you need to reset it so that it can work correctly. This is why you must know where the reset button for the Crane humidifier is.
Whether you have a small 2×2 humidifier for growing tent from Crane or a 3×3 humidifier for growing tent, you need to know how you can reset it easily.
Depending on your model, the reset button could be located anywhere, but for most of them, it is located somewhere on the base. Still, some of the Crane humidifier models have the reset button near the power button.
But even before you go to all that, perhaps you should try the simplest technique to reset the humidifier. You can just disconnect the humidifier from power, unplug it for a few minutes, and then plug it back in.
If you have the 4-liter Crane warm mist humidifier, the reset button is placed on the bottom of the humidifier. You will need to press it with the tip of a pen or nail to reset it.
You will only need to do this if the humidifier displays a red light instead of a blue light. Remember to unplug the unit from power and empty the water basin first.
Read the Crane humidifier instructions to know where the different buttons are for your model.
Why won’t my Crane warm mist humidifier turn on?
The warm-mist Crane humidifier not turning on can be caused by the same reasons as a cool-mist humidifier.
First, if the cord is broken or there is no power in the outlet, it will not turn on. Try transferring it to another working socket to see.
Check whether the tank has water and that it is attached correctly. Also, check that the mist chamber is attached correctly. If these two are not set properly, the warm mist humidifier is not going to work correctly.
Wrapping Up
Why is my Crane humidifier not working? You have seen a few probable causes.
Sometimes, it could be a manufacturing defect. In that case, you should just return it for a refund or replacement.
That is why it is important to buy your warm or cool mist humidifier from Amazon.com because they have a 30-day return policy.
Whether it is the issue of Crane cool mist humidifier not working, red light, or not producing mist, you now know what to check.
