Honeywell Air Purifier Won’t Turn On? – (Quick Fix Guide)

Your Honeywell air purifier won’t turn on and now your house is less cozy, right?

Honeywell air purifiers help many homeowners to keep fresh air and breathe better. That is especially helpful when you live in dusty locations or have a lot of pets.

But you will worry whenever the device refuses to turn on and work as intended!

If your Honeywell air purifier can’t turn on, you will need to clean it thoroughly, check the filters, verify the power feed, and even investigate inner parts such as the motor or fuse.

Below you can find all the ways to get your Honeywell Air Purifier back to work!

Honeywell Air Purifier Won’t Turn On – Check 7 Solutions!

Solution #1: Clean The Device

Sometimes your Honeywell Air Purifier does not turn on because of a simple issue: it is too dirty.

These devices have filters that require cleaning regularly. Not only that, but they get dirty on the surface, on the buttons, and so on.

Thus, here is how you should proceed:

1. Unplug your Honeywell Air Purifier from the wall;
2. Grab a soft cloth and wipe the dust from the surface;
3. Use a soft brush to clean the difficult parts;
4. If you want something liquid to use, apply only isopropyl alcohol with a soft cloth.

Once you have cleaned it thoroughly on the outside, it is time to clean it inside.

Regardless of the filter, other parts might become dirty. Using a vacuum cleaner is the best solution to get rid of all accumulated dust.

Solution #2: Clean/Change The Filter

The filter in your Honeywell air purifier plays a critical role in its proper operation.

Periodically, it may become clogged, impacting the activation of the fan.

If you haven’t cleaned your air purifier’s filter recently, it’s time to do so:

1. Remove the filter from inside the air purifier.
2. Use a vacuum cleaner to gently eliminate debris and dirt.
3. If more dirt remains, use a dry cloth to delicately wipe it away.

Note: Avoid cleaning the Honeywell Air Purifier's filter with water, as it is fragile and can be damaged by moisture. Stick to the materials and methods outlined above for proper cleaning.

When To Change The Filter?

Honeywell recommends users change the filter every 12 months.

The pre-filter must be changed every 3 months. To do that, just remove the filter and discard it.

Solution #3: Check The Inner Motor

One very likely cause of the Honeywell Air Purifier not turning on is the internal motor becoming damaged, dirty, or worn out.

Usually, it is only dirty, which requires a thorough cleaning and nothing else.

We will teach you how to access it:

1. Unplug the air purifier for safety;
2. Remove the filters to access the inner components;
3. Locate the motor behind the filters;
4. Inspect for obstructions or debris around the motor;
5. Clean the area around the motor with a soft brush or compressed air;
6. Check for unusual noises coming from the motor.

If cleaning doesn’t solve it, you will need to check online for a replacement for your Honeywell Air Purifier model.

If you find it, then just detach the old motor and replace it.

Solution #4: Verify The Power Cord

A very appropriate reason behind the Honeywell Air Purifier not turning on is that the power cord has become defective.

If you’ve had the Air Purifier for a while and outages happened, then the cord’s internal conductors have fried.

Alternatively, the device has been working under suboptimal conditions.

Here is a great way to check:

1. Unplug the air purifier;
2. Grab a multimeter;
3. Touch the multimeter’s probes to the power cord;
4. Check for continuity or the device’s VAC (check its user guide);

If the multimeter shows an issue on the power cord, you have found the culprit.

How To Replace The Cord

Replacing the power cord on your Honeywell Air Purifier is very easy.

Only ensure that you buy a replacement with the exact power specs. 

1. Disassemble the air purifier’s base to locate the power cord;
2. Detach the power cord from the device (do it carefully);
3. Attach the new power cord;
4. Ensure all the connections are well placed;
5. Reassemble the air purifier.

Once the air purifier is in place again, test it.

Solution #5: Locate The Fuse

Another cause similar to the failing motor is a failing/blown fuse.

All air purifiers have a fuse, and if the fuse stops working, the entire device becomes unresponsive.

Locating and diagnosing a fuse in a Honeywell air purifier involves a few steps.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Ensure the air purifier is disconnected from the power source to prevent electrical hazards.
2. Use a screwdriver or gently release the clips to detach the cover;
3. Identify the area where the power cord enters the air purifier (this is typically where the power supply components are);
4. Search for a small, cylindrical component that resembles a fuse holder (there may be labeled “FUSE” or have a graphic indicating its purpose);
5. Carefully remove the fuse from its holder;
6. Examine it for damage signs (a broken filament or a discolored appearance).

Test The Fuse

Regardless of the fuse’s appearance, the best way to learn whether it requires replacement is by testing with a multimeter:

1. Set the multimeter to continuity/resistance mode;
2. Touch the fuse’s terminals;
3. If it shows continuity (low resistance), the fuse is likely intact. If there’s no continuity (infinite resistance), the fuse may be blown.

Is the fuse blown? Then check its type and rating to buy a new one. After that, just attach the new fuse to the place where the damaged one was.

Reassemble the air purifier and test it!

Solution #6: Verify The Pre-Filter

The pre-filter is another part that can get clogged, damaged, or worn out. Whenever it does, some inconveniences can happen.

Verifying the pre-filter in your Honeywell air purifier is important to ensure it’s clean and functioning effectively. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the front or rear cover of your Honeywell air purifier to access the filter compartment (The location may vary depending on your model);
2. The pre-filter is typically a washable, reusable filter located in front of the primary HEPA or main filter;
3. Carefully remove the pre-filter from its designated slot in the filter compartment;
4. Examine the pre-filter for visible dust, dirt, or debris accumulation;
5. Check for discoloration or stains on the filter material;
6. Hold the pre-filter over a trash bin or outdoors;
7. Gently shake or tap the filter to dislodge loose dust and particles.

Wash The Filter

Check if your pre-filter is made of polyester or mesh screen. The mesh screen ones cannot be washed.

If the filter you have is made of polyester, do the following:

1. Rinse it under lukewarm running water to remove trapped particles;
2. Allow the pre-filter to air dry completely before reinstalling it in the air purifier;
3. Ensure it’s completely dry to prevent mold growth.

Once the filter is clean and dry, simply put it back into the air purifier.

However, if it is not washable but is too dirty or worn out, simply replace it.

Solution #7: Reset The Unit

Most Honeywell air purifiers have a reset button which is useful when the unit has become unresponsive or glitchy.

Fortunately, the resetting method doesn’t require power to work, so if the device doesn’t power on normally, you can still try it.

Here are the steps:

1. Find the control panel or touch buttons on your Honeywell air purifier.
2. Look for a “Reset” button or a combination of buttons like “Speed” and “Timer.”
3. Press and hold the designated reset button or button combination for approximately 3-5 seconds.
4. You may see indicator lights or a display screen responding to the reset command.
5. Release the reset button(s).
6. Plug in the air purifier and turn it on using the power button or switch.

Once the air purifier powers on, check if it has returned to its default settings or if the issue you were experiencing has been resolved.

Tip: Performing a reset is typically a straightforward process and can help address minor issues or restore your air purifier to its default state. 

It is also a very useful procedure when you have installed new components.

Quick Recap

The Honeywell air purifier won’t turn on likely because of a hardware failure that can be addressed with cleaning and thorough investigation.

Sometimes, you will even need to replace the inner parts. But doing that is not hard at all as long as you follow the instructions closely.