Homedics Humidifier Won’t Turn On? – (Quick Fix Guide)

If your Homedics humidifier won’t turn on, don’t worry.

The problem is caused by your humidifier not being plugged into the power properly or a clog in the system.

When your humidifier produces no mist or steam, you must look into this closely.

To get your Homedics humidifier to work, perform a power cycle to reset its electronics. You also want to look into the water tank and ensure no dirt build-up problem, especially on the float switch.

Let’s get to the bottom of this!

Homedics Humidifier Won’t Turn On – 10 Surefire Ways to Fix

Now that you have a general idea of this issue, let’s get into the details and look at how to resolve this issue in more detail.

#1: Check the Power Source on Your Humidifier

One of the first things you need to do when your Homedics humidifier is not turning on is to check its power status.

It means you want to check the power cables and source, as the problem is as simple as a loose plug or outlet.

To check on your humidifier’s power status, follow these steps:

1. Check the power cord and ensure it’s plugged into the humidifier’s base.
2. Look at the other end and check if it’s securely plugged into a wall outlet.
3. Test the outlet by plugging in another device to see if it works.
4. Plug the humidifier into a different outlet in another room to see if it works.
5. If you find any damage, do not use your humidifier until you get it replaced.

Tip: We recommend not using a power strip to plug in your humidifier.

#2: Perform a Power Cycle

These humidifiers don’t look like they have a lot of electronics on board. However, there are instances when they will also suffer from minor bugs or glitches.

Whenever this happens, you want to do a power cycle to refresh it and clear any errors.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Turn off your Homedics humidifier.
2. Unplug it from the power outlet.
3. Wait at least 10 minutes for it to cool down and discharge completely.
4. After 10 minutes, plug it into the wall outlet.
5. Turn it on and check if your humidifier is working.

If your humidifier is still not working, you’re not dealing with a power issue.

We recommend you move on to more advanced solutions below.

#3: Inspect the Water Tank and Water Level

If you’re asking why won’t my Homedics humidifier turn on, one common culprit is the water level in the tank.

The humidifier has a water level sensor, and when it gets too low, it will shut down to prevent further damage.

To inspect the water tank and level of your humidifier, follow these steps:

1. Turn off and unplug your humidifier from the wall outlet.
2. Remove the water tank from the base.
3. Check if the water tank is empty or has little water left.
4. If it is, you’re going to need to refill it.
5. Fill it to the maximum fill line, and don’t go over.
6. Wipe any excess water from outside the tank.
7. Place the water tank back into the humidifier.

Pro Tip: When you’re filling up the tank with water, make sure you’re using clean, cool, distilled, or filtered water.

#4: Unclog the Mist Nozzle of Your Humidifier

If you do not use distilled or filtered water, your humidifier won’t turn on because the nozzle is dirty or clogged.

When it’s blocked, the mist or steam can’t come out, which will cause your humidifier to shut down.

In the event that the nozzles are clogged, here’s how you clean it:

1. Remove the water tank from the base.
2. Locate the mist nozzle and inspect it for any visible blockage or build-up.
3. Use a soft cloth, cotton swab, or toothbrush to remove the dirt or residue.
4. If you suspect mineral buildup, poke a hole with a small pin or needle.
5. Dab a piece of cotton in vinegar and leave it on the nozzle for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse the nozzle with clean water and dry it.
7. Replace the water tank and turn on your humidifier.

Important: Don’t use soap, detergent, bleach, or other chemicals when cleaning the nozzle, as they will damage or corrode it.

#5: Clean the Filters of Your Humidifier

Your humidifier will have a filter responsible for keeping the water clean before turning it to mist.

When this is dirty or becomes dirty, worn out, or damaged, it will cause it not to work.

To clean your humidifier’s filter, follow these steps:

1. Remove the filter from the humidifier.
2. Soak the filter in a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water.
3. Wait for at least 30 minutes.
4. Rinse the filter with warm, clean water.
5. Allow the filter to dry completely before installing into the humidifier.

Note: If the filter is dirty and soaking does not get rid of the dirt and deposits, you’re allowed to scrub gently.

It’s recommended that you clean the filter at least once a week or more, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

#6: Make Sure the Heating Element is Free From Mineral Deposits

If your Homedics humidifier won’t turn on after cleaning, the likely cause is mineral deposits on the heating element.

These build up on the heating element over time and will affect the performance of your humidifier.

Here’s how to check and remove mineral deposits from the heating element:

1. Remove the water tank from the base.
2. Locate the heating element found on the bottom of the base.
3. Inspect it and look for any white, crusty, or flaky deposits.
4. Fill a small bowl with white vinegar.
5. Dip a small cloth or sponge into the vinegar.
6. Gently scrub the heating element with the mixture.
7. Rinse the heating element thoroughly and dry it with a soft cloth.

Note: If you have time, you’ll need to fill up the water tank with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and let the heating element soak at least overnight.

#7: Replace the Demineralization Cartridge

Your Homedics humidifier comes with a demineralization cartridge that filters out hard water minerals before they even stick to the filter or heating element.

However, the cartridge can lose effectiveness, causing your humidifier to stop working and won’t turn on.

Here’s how to replace the demineralization cartridge:

1. Remove the water tank from the base of your humidifier.
2. Find the demineralization cartridge on the base and remove it carefully.
3. Get a new cartridge and insert it into the humidifier.
4. Replace the water tank on the base.
5. Plug your humidifier and turn it on.

If your humidifier still does not turn on after removing the mineral deposits, you’ll need to check other factors that will affect your machine.

#8: Set Your Humidity Levels Correctly

You want to check if you have correctly set the humidity levels on your humidifier. If you set it too high, your machine won’t turn on as it senses the air is humid enough.

You want to ensure you put in the right levels so it turns on and off whenever needed.

Here’s how to set the humidity levels on your humidifier:

1. Turn on your humidifier.
2. Find the humidity control knob or buttons.
3. Turn the knob or press the button to increase or decrease the humidity settings.
4. Check the desired humidity settings on the display.

Tip: You want to set your humidity setting between 30 to 60%.

If you live in a dry climate, set it higher for more moisture in the air. However, if you live in a humid environment, you want to lower the humidity level.

#9: Check If the Float Switch is Stuck

A faulty or stuck float switch is one cause of your Homedics humidifier not turning on. It’s a device that detects the water level in the tank and turns off the humidifier when it’s too low.

If the float switch is stuck in the down position due to dirt, debris, or damage, you must fix it.

Here’s how to fix a stuck float switch:

1. Remove the water tank from the humidifier.
2. Locate the float switch inside the water tank.
3. Inspect the float switch for dirt or grime build-up.
4. Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the float switch.
5. Test it and make sure it floats with the water level.
6. If it works, plug the humidifier and turn it on.

Note: If the float switch is still stuck, it means a component is broken, and you will need to get it replaced.

#10: Inspect the Fuse and Circuit Breaker

Finally, if none of these solutions work, you need to go to the source, and that’s the fuse and circuit breaker.

These safety devices protect your humidifier from electrical surges, overloads, or short circuits. 

Your fuse could have blown up, or the circuit breaker has tripped, so your humidifier won’t receive any power until this is addressed.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Locate the fuse on the power cord or plug of your humidifier.
2. Inspect it for signs of damage or burn marks.
3. If blown, you will see a broken wire or blackened spots.
4. If it’s blown, you’re going to need to replace it.
5. Check your home’s circuit breaker panel if that doesn’t work.
6. Look for tripped switches and reset them by flipping them on.
7. Plug in your humidifier and check if it’s working.

If your Homedics humidifier still refuses to turn on, you’ll need to contact Homedics Support to see if there’s an issue with your machine and if it needs repair or replacement.

Quick Recap

When your Homedics humidifier won’t turn on, you must closely examine its water tank and power situation.

Clean the filters and make sure to get rid of any mineral deposits. To avoid this, use distilled or filtered water so they don’t build up.

To know more about your Homedics humidifier, visit our blog!