What Causes A Levoit Humidifier To Fail? Simplest Checks and Fixes

Why is your Levoit humidifier not working? Well, this means that the humidifier is not lowering humidity.

Many things can cause this, such as the ones outlined below:

• The tank is empty or the water level is too low
• Power cord problems
• It needs cleaning; there is scale on the tank
• The tank is not installed correctly
• The humidifier is not placed on a level surface
• Water has leaked into the circuitry
• The ultrasonic disc is dirty

Sometimes, your humidifier fails to work after cleaning if water gets into the circuitry. You see, you cannot just write off the unit because it has failed to work.

10 most common Levoit humidifier problems

From time to time, humidifiers face many issues. If you have one at home, you should learn how to troubleshoot it.

Also read: Does a humidifier increase oxygen?

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) Low or no water

If you notice that the air is still dry after running the humidifier for some time, well, check the water level in the tank.

Of course, a Levoit humidifier will go off as soon as the water level goes down, but it might keep running if there is an inch or two of water left in the tank, but it won’t raise humidity.

If there is no water, just switch the unit off, unplug it, let it cool down for about an hour, then add water to the tank, fix it back properly, and the unit will run accordingly.

Of course, it is a good idea to clean the tank before topping it up if it has been some days since you cleaned it last.

ii) Check the power cord and the socket

Find out whether the humidifier is fully plugged into the socket. 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 yes, just raise it back up and find out whether the humidifier works okay.

The power cord can also be blown if there is a surge. If this is the case, you should smell plastic burning smell when you bring the power cord closer to your nose.

Power cord plugs also have a small fuse that can blow easily. Luckily, both the fuse and the cord are replaceable.

Sometimes, when you run appliances, some switches may flip off automatically. So check that out.

iii) The filter/filter sponge is dirty

As a general rule, clean you Levoit humidifier every week, and right before taking it to storage. To clean the water filter, follow the simple steps below:

• Step 1: Twist the filter in a counterclockwise direction
• Step 2: Remove the water filter sponge
• Step 3: Place the water filter, water sponge, aroma box (if there is one), float, silencer, and water outlet valve in a container, and add vinegar to cover every part.
• Step 4: After letting these parts stay in the vinegar for about 20 minutes, remove and scrub them with the provided brush
• Step 5: Rinse them in cold water
• Step 6: Dry the filter with a piece of cloth, and other parts too before assembling them

iv) The humidifier is not set up properly

Read the Levoit humidifier user manual to learn how to set up your humidifier properly, how to transport it, how to troubleshoot, and much more.

The Levoit brand name has many air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers in its stable. They have a knob-controlled humidifier and a smart Levoit humidifier that you can buy on Amazon.com.

When the unit is delivered, check that it has a user manual. If it does not come with a hard copy, you can get it from their website or other online sources. You can also contact Levoit on their website, or by calling them.

On their official website, you can find a user manual for any of their air purifiers, diffusers, or humidifiers.

You will also find cautions and warnings that you should not overlook. There are clear instructions for setting up the unit, cleaning, and storage.

This user manual also comes with troubleshooting tips. For instance, if the humidifier is running, is not increasing humidity, and is not making a mist, you should check whether the tank is attached properly.

Sometimes, you might notice that the mister is not producing mist. Check the water level, and pour the excess out.

They even have tips for 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 invalidate the warranty.

When you read the user manual, you can retrace your steps to find out whether you missed a step. If everything seems right with the setup, continue reading to the next step.

v) It is not sitting on a flat surface

Modern humidifiers have many safety features. One of them is the anti-tip function, which ensures that the humidifier stays upright all the time.

However, 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 will not turn on, check whether it sits 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, it will refuse to turn on until you switch the function off.

vi) There is white dust after running the unit

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. You can also use a demineralization cartridge in the unit. This is going to prevent the formation of white dust.

While other humidifier types don’t cause white dust, it’s better to use the recommended water type since they can still disperse mineral traces in the mist.

Besides, the humidifier filter will be doing too much work and will need replacement sooner.

vii) 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; 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

viii) The mist has a foul odor

If the mist has a bad smell, it means the unit is dirty. Bacteria, minerals, and mold in the humidifier cause foul odors.

Do not add anything apart from water to the unit. Could also alter the smell of the mist. Watch the video below to see how to clean a Levoit humidifier:

ix) Is it producing minimal mist?

If the water in the humidifier is too cold, the Levoit ultrasonic cool mist might produce a low amount of 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.

x) Levoit humidifier not turning on

If your Levoit humidifier won’t turn on, a few things could cause this. One of them is the humidifier tank being empty. To prevent overheating and other accidents, the unit is simply not going to turn on when it is empty.

The power cord could be faulty. Mostly, this happens when the cord burns out, which you can detect by the smell of burning. In such a case, replace the power cord or the fuse if it is blown.

There is no power in the sockets. This could happen because of various things, such as loss of power in the entire house, or the socket being faulty.

Causes of Levoit humidifier not misting

Sometimes, the humidifier will turn on okay. But it might not produce mist. When people complain of ultrasonic humidifiers not working, mostly, this is what they mean.

How to fix a Levoit humidifier that is not misting

If there is no mist coming from the humidifier spout, there are a few things to consider, which are as follows:

i) Does the unit have enough 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 small amount of water, top it up and check whether it will start producing mist.

ii) The humidifier is not on a level surface

If a humidifier is not on a level surface, some models might refuse to create mist. This safety feature protects the appliance from tipping over.

Therefore, once again, check whether it is level in a flat position. Check whether the humidifier is connected to electricity.

iii) The 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.

iv) Less power

A Crane humidifier might fail to produce mist when there is not enough power. Check the amp rating of the appliance, as given by the manufacturer. Plug it into the appropriate socket.

You can test the socket where you have plugged in the appliance with another appliance. If it works, the humidifier could be the problem.

v) It has outlived its usefulness

Sometimes, an old humidifier might just start failing of its own volition. If it has lasted 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. Call the seller to direct you to their approved repair shop.

Portable humidifiers last 5 to 7 years. If you are fortunate, yours will last 10 years. If you would like a high-quality humidifier, order the Levoit 4-liter humidifier for bedroom from Amazon.com.

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.

It will not produce mist. To get it to work again, clean the heating elements and remove the layer of minerals.

Check the user manual for information about how to remove and clean the heating elements.

If there is no information for such items, email the manufacturer and ask how to remove them.

vii) The nozzle could be clogged

When a humidifier turns water into mist by boiling it or using ultrasonic vibrations, the mist gets out through a small spray outlet.

If you use tap water in the humidifier, it will have a high mineral content. A mineral layer could block the outlet, and no mist will get out.

The same thing would happen if the unit is dirty. If you have hard water in your taps, clean your humidifier as often as possible.

You can read our article here on how to clean a humidifier. There will be no debris blocking the spray hole.

If you do not clean a humidifier, it will pass whatever contaminants might be in the humidifier tank to the mist. If it has mist, you will start to experience signs of mold toxicity.

To unclog the humidifier nozzle easily, fill the tank fully with half water and half white vinegar. Plug it in, run it for 30 to 45 minutes, and stop it.

After it has cooled down, pour the solution, scrub the tank with a soft old toothbrush, and rinse it thoroughly. The nozzle should be totally clean after this.

viii) The ultrasonic disc is dirty

The ultrasonic disc can get dirty from time to time. That’s why your humidifier should come with the right brush for cleaning it.

If the disk is dirty, your Levoit humidifier will not produce mist. The disc is located in the center of the base.

To clean it, you will need to:

• Step1: Detach the tank
• Step 2: Clean it lightly with the provided brush, and be careful not to scrape it
• Step 3: If there is mineral scale on the disc, dab it with white vinegar, and then scrub lightly

Usually, this gets the humidifier working again.

The humidifier ultrasonic disc wears out with time. You might need to replace it with a new one.

Levoit humidifier red light is on and unit is not working

The humidifier red light shows that something is wrong with your unit. If this happens, you need to check a few things in your Levoit mister.

Try the following things:

1. The humidifier float valve is not working

Check whether the float valve is floating just fine. If it is not, your humidifier will not work.

If the valve is not floating, try pushing it with your hand or something to dislodge it. Once it floats, the humidifier will work again.

2. Water leaked into the circuitry

If the humidifier tank is full of water, some of the water could have gotten into the circuitry.

This is easy to fix, but it will take some time. You should try the following things:

• Step 1: Empty the tank
• Step 2: Place the humidifier upside-down to drain all the water out of the base
• Step 3: Leave it that way for several hours
• Step 4: Disassemble the unit and use a screwdriver
• Step 5: Wipe the circuitry with paper towels, dabbing it so the paper towels absorb the water
• Step 6: Air-dry it for several hours or overnight and then put it back together

PLEASE NOTE!: You should never immerse the base in water or any other liquid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Levoit is among the best humidifier brands on the market. This is why many people seek solutions to various issues associated with it. These frequently asked questions and their answers might help you:

How do I get my Levoit humidifier to work?

• Check the water level in the tank. If low, add more. If empty, refill it
• Check whether there’s water in the circuitry. If you have cleaned it recently, place it upside down on a rack for a few days to air-dry the circuitry.
• Unclog the Levoit humidifier. To do this, fill the tank halfway with water and fill the other half with white vinegar.
• Run the unit for about 30 minutes, then switch it off, let it cool down, and remove any visible scale with an old toothbrush. This should unclog the nozzle.

How long does a Levoit humidifier last?

Bigger Levoit humidifiers can work for long hours—up to 40 hours without requiring a refill. But this depends on many things, including the misting output speed that you set.

The 6 liter Levoit humidifier that you can order on Amazon.com can run for up to 50 hours non-stop.

There is also the 4-liter Levoit humidifier that can run for 40 hours without needing a refill. Such a unit would be perfect for maintaining a good humidity level for bedroom.

You can choose the Levoit unit that comes with a thermostat so that it starts automatically when the humidity level goes lower than the set level.

It will also stop automatically when the set humidity level is attained. Of course, you will control the operation of the humidifier using the VeSync app.

Please note that not all humidifiers with this brand name can work with this app.

Can I use tap water for the Levoit humidifier?

Only use distilled water in your Levoit ultrasonic cool mist humidifier to prevent white dust on your surfaces.

Do not use tap water because it contains minerals. If you must, you should use a demineralization cartridge to remove the minerals.

If you have ascertained that there is very minimal mineral content in your tap water, you could use it in the unit.

But if you are not sure, use bottled or distilled water only. If you have a dehumidifier, you could save the water that it collects and use it in your humidifier later.

Is the Levoit humidifier a good brand?

It is a better brand name than many on the market. Their higher-priced units come with smart features and you can order one with a smart thermostat.

By using the VeSync app, you can control the humidifiers remotely using your smartphone.

But in case you are on a low budget, you will find a good unit, which you cannot control from the app. If you are looking for a high-quality humidifier that costs less than $100, get one from this brand name.

How often do I need to clean the Levoit humidifier?

This depends on the frequency of usage. If you use the humidifier daily, you should clean it at least three times a week. If you can clean it more often than that, go for it.

If you do not use it daily, clean it once a week. This means that even if you use it just once a week, you should clean it before using it that day.

The best thing about cleaning the humidifier more often is that you do less work because the scale from the minerals will not have time to accumulate on the tank walls.

To clean the unit, unplug it, let it cool down, remove the tank, and clean it in the sink. If there is scale, use white vinegar to clean it.

If you get the problem of the Levoit humidifier not working after cleaning, you need to check for water in the circuitry. You can also check whether you have placed the tank correctly.

Final thoughts

You have seen a few probable causes of the Levoit humidifier not working.

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.