Coway Air Purifier Purple Light? – (Easy Fix Guide)

Coway air purifier purple light can be confusing to deal with, especially if it appears on a brand-new device.

Coway air purifiers have color-coded warning signs that each signify a specific underlying issue.

A purple light indicates that your air quality is not optimal, but can also be caused by other issues.

To remove the purple light blinking on your Coway purifier, start by resetting the air quality sensor and cleaning the sensor itself. Next, clean and replace the filter if needed and check for nearby pollutants. 

Let’s first see what other issues can cause a purple light:

Why Does My Coway Air Purifier Have Purple Light?

Whenever your Coway air purifier has a blinking purple light, it’s telling you that the air quality has decreased, so you take action.

In some rarer cases, the sensor could malfunction due to an external cause and give a false warning light. 

Here are some of the most likely causes for your Coway purifier having a purple light:

How to Fix Coway Air Purifier Purple Light

Tip: Ensure your Coway air purifier is set on a leveled surface since some smart purifiers might not power on otherwise.

1. Reset the Air Quality Sensor

The first fix we can attempt is to clear the sensor of the warning light.

If the purple light stops blinking after resetting the sensor, it means that it gave a false reading in the first place.

Here are some quick steps to reset your Coway purifier and check for a bad reading: 

1. Turn off the Coway unit and unplug it from the wall.
2. Wait for at least five minutes, and then plug it back in.
3. Turn the cleaner on – this should reset the air quality sensor and the system itself.

Some Coway filters have an internal timer that signifies when a filter change is due that is usually color-coded as red, which could appear as purple.

Note: On some models, you can simply hold the purple light indicator for a few seconds to reset it. 

2. Clean the Sensors

Coway air purifier’s purple light blinking is sometimes due to dust and other particles that can accumulate on your Coway purifier’s air quality sensor, affecting its readings.

In this case, even if your air quality is good, your device might wrongly categorize it due to an obstructed filter.

Here are the steps to ensure your Coway air purifier sensors are clean:

• Locate the air quality sensor on your Coway air purifier.
• Most sensors are located on the top panel or on the side.
• If you are unsure of the sensor location, check the instruction manual, or alternatively, clean the entire Coway air purifier.
• Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the sensor gently; no strong detergents are needed.

Some Coway purifier models may have a sensor cover that you can remove to access the sensor.

Note: When cleaning the sensors or the exterior of the purifier, avoid using harsh or abrasive chemicals.

3. Replace the Filter

With regular use, your Coway air purifier filter will get slowly depleted.

At some point, if the filter gets clogged up, it might not be cleaning the air efficiently, leading to the persistent purple light.

The solution to this is to order a replacement filter and install it. Note that the steps below might vary based on which Coway model your purifier is.

Here is how to replace your Coway air purifier filter:

1. Turn off and unplug the Coway air purifier.
2. Remove the front case or panel.
3. Gently take out the used filter.
4. Position the new filter in the slot and ensure it is fully snapped.
5. Reattach the front case or panel and ensure it’s secured in place. 
6. Plug the Coway purifier in and turn on the power switch.
7. If your Coway model has a filter indicator, reset it as per the user manual (usually by holding the filter indication button for several seconds. 

Note: Always opt for genuine Coway replacement parts when replacing any components.

4. Check for Nearby Pollutants

Coway air purifier’s purple light blinking can be caused by an actual pollutant that is making your filter work overtime to clean the air.

The air purifier might be detecting pollutants or high particle presence from nearby sources.

This could be anything from a recently used cleaning product, cooking odors, or a nearby open window.

Here are some ways to check for nearby pollutants that can cause a purple light alert:

• Choose a new location that’s away from direct sources of pollution, such as stoves, vents, or windows.
• Before placing the purifier, inspect the new location for potential pollutants or sources of dust and dirt.
• Keep your Coway away from humid areas, as excessive moisture can be detected as a pollutant.

Note: Keep track of when you install a new filter so you can replace it timely. 

5. Relocate the Air Purifier

Sometimes, your filter might be positioned in a way that its intake or air vents are obstructed.

These could then result in restricted airflow and a purple warning light.

To prevent these, you must place the air purifier in a different location, preferably in the center of the room, away from walls or corners.

Ensure it’s not near vents or windows to avoid false readings.

Here are some further tips to ensure your Coway purifier is optimally positioned:

• Ensure adequate space around the purifier (typically a foot or two) for proper airflow.
• If the Coway purifier is placed in a smoking area, the filters might get worn down significantly faster.
• Let your purifier run in the new area or room for a while and see if the air quality indicator improves.

Note: An undersized purifier may struggle to clean larger rooms, affecting the air quality readings. 

6. Perform a Hard Reset

Coway air purifiers have sensitive internal software that lets them control the device and receive inputs from the surroundings.

Sometimes, a software error can cause your Coway air quality sensor to malfunction. To prevent this issue, you have to hard reset your Coway device. 

Here are the proper steps to reset your Coway air purifier:

1. Turn off the Coway air purifier using its power button.
2. Disconnect the purifier from the electrical outlet.
3. Let it sit unplugged for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Reconnect the purifier to the electrical outlet.
5. Turn the Coway air purifier back on.
6. If the purifier has a dedicated ‘reset’ button or a combination of buttons for resetting, press it as per the user manual’s instruction.
7. Check to see if the settings have reverted to their default state.

After you reset your Coway device, let it run for some time and note if the purple indicator issue persists.

Remember that issues with the power supply can cause false error-coded lights to blink.

Note: Examine the power cord of your Coway Air purifier for any signs of damage and creasing. 

7. Clean the Internal area

Even if you have replaced your Coway filter, if the internal area is dirty or has dust buildup, it can cause an air quality warning light to appear.

To prevent this from happening, you need to access your Coway internal area around the filter and clean it.

Here are the general steps to clean your Coway air purifier: 

1. Remove the front or side panel of your Coway device by pulling on its upper portion.
2. Carefully remove the pre-filter casing to keep dust particles in place. Some versions allow for easy removal of pre-filters by grasping their handles.
3. Gently extract the pre-filter assembly to reveal the internal filter area.
4. Either vacuum or delicately wipe the pre-filter with a wet cloth.
5. Ensure the pre-filter is completely dried.
6. Attach the pre-filter and its cover, carefully securing it to the Coway purifier.

When unsure about your Coway filter type, consult the user manual for proper cleaning methods.

Note: If your filter is carbon-based, don't wash it with water, which might deteriorate its lifespan. 

Quick Recap

Thus to fix your Coway air purifier’s purple light, first, reset your air quality sensor and clean it thoroughly.

Next, replace the filter and check for nearby pollutants.

Lastly, clean your Coway purifier’s internal filter area and hard reset it.