Mini Atomization Humidifier Not Steaming & Other Problems

Do you have the problem of a mini-atomization humidifier not working? You have come to the right place.

A humidifier increases the humidity of a room by pumping mist into the dry air. It breaks water into tiny particles, which it releases into your indoor air as mist.

In the past, we have looked at how a humidifier works in detail. In this post, we shall look at why a mini-atomization humidifier might fail to work.

But first things first!

What is a mini atomization humidifier?

Image of mini atomization humidifier not working

As the name suggests, this is a small humidifier that you should use to increase the humidity level of a small room (if the humidity is not too low already).

And by small, we mean minimal, because some of them have a tank capacity of 130 ML of water. This is actually smaller than many battery-operated humidifiers we reviewed earlier.

You will also find that mini atomization humidifiers are battery-powered, so they come with a USB cable for charging.

You can also use them with essential oils to get your aromatherapy. Essential oils can soothe and relax you, and they can help clear congestion.

Because of their small size, they are best used as desktop misters, to be as close to you as possible. Therefore, they will only raise the humidity of the air that immediately surrounds you.

One of the health effects of low humidity is dry, cracked skin and chapped lips. If this is your predicament, this small humidifying unit can moisten your skin.

Mini atomization humidifier not working: Common causes

Here, we have looked at the problem of the Pure Enrichment humidifier not working. We saw just how many things can go wrong with a humidifier.

Home comfort electronics such as dehumidifiers can go wrong at any time. So air purifiers and mini-atomization humidifiers are not any different!

If your small mister is not working as it should, do not throw it into the dustbin right away. Find out whether the problem is rectifiable.

Here is a sneak peek into things that might go wrong with a mini-atomization humidifier:

  • Mini-atomization humidifier not steaming
  • Needs cleaning
  • Leaking water
  • Bad odor from the humidifier
  • It just stops working
  • Overworked

1. Mini atomization humidifier not steaming

Image of mini atomization humidifier not steaming

A humidifier not producing mist is a very common problem. To try and troubleshoot it, always start with the simplest things.

If you realize your mini humidifier is connected to power but is not releasing any mist, check whether it has water.

In another article, we asked: What happens if you run a humidifier without water? And we saw that it wouldn’t produce mist.

The same applies to the mini atomizer humidifier, regardless of the size.

A humidifier runs on water and a power source, of course. If either is not available, there will be no mist!

  • So, is the humidifier plugged in, or is the battery charged? Check!
  • So, it is plugged in and has enough water. Have you switched it on (there should be a switch on it)?
  • It may have water, but not enough

Those are simple checks. If the problem of the mini-atomization humidifier not steaming goes on, you can try some more checks.

It is possible that your humidifying unit could have developed mold inside. Other things that might hinder the steaming of your unit include dirt and mineral buildup inside.

If you have been using tap water, minerals remain behind, and they can clog the humidifier, preventing it from pumping mist.

This brings us to the second point:

2. The mini humidifier is dirty

If a humidifier is dirty, that may hinder its ability to produce and release mist. To reiterate, mineral buildup from tap water can cause this.

Also, with time, grime and grease collect inside the unit, and this might block the nozzle through which it releases the mist.

But that is the least of your problems!

A dirty mini humidifier poses serious health risks for you. You are going to inhale anything it releases in the mist.

Since water and dirt make a good habitat for bacteria, you will inhale them. They will cause humidifier sickness symptoms.

Contaminated humidifier mist can also trigger attacks in people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Solution

Disconnect the humidifier from the charger and twist the top part in the counterclockwise direction to open it. Pour out the old water and clean it gently with a water-white vinegar solution. Gently remove the small suction pipe and clean it too.

You can refer to the mini-atomization humidifier manual to see how to clean it. You do not want to clean it blindly, lest you cause damage.

To avoid this kind of problem from recurring, create a regular cleaning schedule, which can be daily, once every two days, once a week, and so on. Remember, because of its small size, dirt and minerals can build up quickly.

3. Why is my portable humidifier leaking from the bottom?

Image of mini atomization humidifier leaking

You may also face the problem of mini atomization leaking. If you find water on the table where you place the humidifier, it is probably leaking.

The mini atomization humidifier comes with a small suction pipe, which can get blocked. If that happens, the humidifier can start leaking.

Poor placement of the humidifier can also cause it to start leaking. The best position for a humidifier is on a flat surface, level so that it does not lean in any direction.

Solution

Start with the proper placement of the humidifier on a flat and level surface. Also, do not fill the humidifier tank to higher than the recommended level. An over-filled humidifier is more likely to leak.

4. Mini-atomization humidifier producing bad odor

If you experience a musty smell from your mist, something is wrong!

Because of the small size and the low level of mist that this small appliance produces, you might not feel the smell strongly.

The main cause of the smell is mold and bacteria inside the humidifier. If you have neglected to clean your unit frequently, bacteria and mold can thrive.

Solution

Disconnect the humidifier from power and open it up. If you notice a pink discoloration on the walls of the tank, that’s a symptom of mold. Empty the small tank and clean it out with water, soap, and vinegar. Clean the cover too.

5. Mini atomization humidifier not working at all

If you have followed the mini atomization humidifier manual to the letter, and done all the checks that we have shown you here, and it still doesn’t work, perhaps it is just bad.

If the unit is clean, has no mineral clogs, the USB power connection works, and everything checks out, it could be a dead one.

Solution

If the small unit fails to work, just write it off as a bad investment or return it if there is a return policy. Better yet, get a bigger dehumidifier, such as the Honeywell HCM 350 because it gives better value for money.

6. Mini humidifier stops working suddenly

Image of an unhappy face

These types of humidifiers are designed to run for about two hours only. If you run yours longer than that, it can stop working.

Some just fail, and others overheat and stop working as a safeguard. Know the recommended running time of your unit.

Solution

Do not use these units for hefty humidification jobs because they cannot handle them. Switch it off and give it some time to cool down. If it works okay, you have definitely overworked it.

Conclusion

When you buy an appliance, you want to get the most use and value out of it.

However, things don’t always go as planned, and a humidifier failing is a common occurrence. This happens regardless of the size of the humidifier.

Generally, a mini-atomization humidifier not working is an indication of something wrong with it. Luckily, some things are easy to troubleshoot, and the solutions are easy.

If this happens, try a methodical approach, starting with the simplest checks and ending with the more complex ones.

If the problems don’t stop, perhaps it is time to discard the mini humidifier and buy a bigger one.