Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier Not Working? (Instant Fix)

Vicks Cool Mist humidifier not working, especially when the device is brand new, can be worrying as you can’t identify the issue immediately.

If your device is not starting or quickly shutting off after a few minutes of use, don’t worry; we will guide you through.

To fix your Vicks humidifier not working, start by examining the power supply for issues. Next, Check if the nebulizer area is congested, change the filter, and clean the water tank.

Now that you know the general fixes we will be trying out for your Vicks humidifier, let’s first try to understand the underlying causes of the issue.

Why is My Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier Not Working?

Whenever the issue of your Vicks cool mist humidifier not working presents itself, the causes are either external – such as a faulty power outlet- or internal – due to device configuration.

If your device is not working, sometimes it can be due to a minor fault like a safety switch.

Here are the top most common causes of Vicks Cool Mist humidifier not working:

Now that you are equipped with a better understanding of what causes a Vicks humidifier not to work properly let’s try out some possible fixes!

How to Fix Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier Not Working?

Tip: Whenever possible, only use demineralized or distilled water within your Vicks device.

Solution #1: Check the Power Supply

Before you attempt any other steps in our troubleshooting guide, you must first check if your Vicks Power cable is faulty.

Furthermore, a faulty power outlet can give inconsistent electricity, resulting in your Vicks humidifier malfunctioning.

Here is how to check your Vicks cool mist humidifier for power issues:

1. Unplug the Vicks Cool Mist humidifier from the electrical outlet.
2. Inspect the power cord for any damage or signs of wear.
3. Plug the humidifier into a different outlet to rule out a faulty outlet.
4. Ensure that the outlet is working by testing it with another device.
5. Press the power button to see if the humidifier turns on.
6. Check if any indicator lights come on to confirm power is reaching the humidifier.
7. If the unit still does not work, proceed to the next solution.

Note: Vicks devices bought within the US are only rated to run with 120V power. 

Solution #2: Clean the Nebulizer or Mist Outlet 

A standard yet neglected cause of your Vicks cool mist humidifier not working is a clogged nebulizer or mist outlet.

These vents are responsible for dispersing the fine mist, and if congested, your device might not work.

1. Turn off and unplug the Vicks humidifier.
2. Remove the water tank and set it aside.
3. Locate the nebulizer or mist outlet and gently wipe it with a soft cloth.
4. Use a Q-tip dipped in distilled white vinegar to remove any mineral deposits.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
6. Dry all components before reassembling.
7. Plug the Vicks unit in, then check if it’s operating properly now.

After you have ensured your mist venting ports are cleaned, look for signs of fine white dust being dispersed.

If you see this instance occur, you have to replace the filter and descale the water reservoir.

Note: Your cool mist humidifier is designed to be serviced weekly to prevent bacterial growth.

Solution #3: Change or Clean the Filter

Some Vicks cool mist humidifiers are equipped with a removable filter that is situated inside the water reservoir.

The purpose of this filter, often also called a wicking filter, is to remove heavy particles from the water before it runs through the humidifier.

Here are the general steps to change the filter of your Vicks humidifier:

1. Note if your model uses a filter-free design, skip this solution.
2. Turn off and unplug the cool mist humidifier.
3. Open the filter compartment and remove the old filter.
4. If the filter is reusable, clean it according to the instruction manual.
5. Insert the new filter by ensuring it fits snugly into the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier base.
6. Close the filter compartment securely.

After these steps, plug the humidifier back in, turn it on, and then check for proper mist output.

Note: Always put your cool mist humidifier on a solid, level base to avoid spilling.

Solution #4: Refill or Replace the Water 

Many Vicks cool mist humidifiers have a built-in safety feature that prevents them from working if they detect low water levels or empty reservoirs.

This is because running without water can cause hardware malfunctions. To prevent this, you must ensure optimal water level.

Here is how to correctly fill your Vicks cool mist humidifier: 

1. Power down and unplug the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier.
2. Empty any old or stagnant water from the tank.
3. Clean the tank with a mild disinfectant and rinse it out.
4. Fill the tank with fresh distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.
5. Place the water tank with the cool mist humidifier base.
6. Turn the device on and check for proper mist emission.
7. If no mist appears, proceed with the next troubleshooting step.

Note: When your Vicks humidifier is not in use, its water tank should be fully emptied and dried.

Solution #5: Reset the Humidistat

Vicks Cool Mist humidifier not working after cleaning can be a sign that your device has run into an internal runtime software issue.

Even if your device is adequately serviced, its electronic components can still occasionally run into errors.

To prevent this, you must discharge any static buildup on your Vicks device.

Here are the steps to power cycle your Vicks Cool Mist humidifier:

1. Unplug the humidifier from the power outlet and let it discharge for 15 minutes.
2. Press and hold the power button of your cool mist humidifier while it’s powered off for 30 seconds.
3. Check the humidity level in the room with a hygrometer.
4. If the room’s humidity is above the unit’s set level, the Vicks device may not turn on.
5. Adjust the humidifier’s humidistat to a lower setting than the room’s current humidity.
6. Replug the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier and turn it on.
7. Wait a few minutes for your humidifier to recalibrate and see if it starts to produce mist.

Note: Cool mist humidifiers that Vicks produces are not intended to use essential oils or medicine inside the water tank.

Solution #6: Descale the Water Tank and Base

A necessary step to perform when troubleshooting a Vicks cool mist humidifier that won’t work is to descale or remove any mineralization from its internal components.

This can easily be done by first ensuring that the Vicks water tank is clean. 

Here is a general outline of how to clean your Vicks Cool Mist humidifier water tank:

1. Unplug the humidifier and empty the water tank.
2. Fill the base with undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for 20 minutes.
3. Use a brush to gently scrub away any scale and deposits.
4. Rinse the base and tank thoroughly with water.
5. Dry all the parts completely before reassembly.
6. Fill the tank with clean water, reassemble it, and turn the device on.
7. Observe if the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier starts working properly.

Note: To prevent moisture and mold buildup, always ventilate your room properly when using a humidifier.

Solution #7: Check for Airflow Blockage

If you have followed through with all of the steps in our comprehensive guide on fixing a Vicks humidifier and it still won’t work, it’s likely due to obstructed airflow.

This can cause the device to overheat and turn off to prevent further damage.

Here are the steps to ensure your Vicks humidifier has sufficient air:

1. Turn off and unplug the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier.
2. Remove the water tank and access the base where the fan is located.
3. Clean any dust or debris from the fan area.
4. Ensure that the fan can rotate freely without obstruction.
5. Check the vents for blockages and clear any found.
6. Reassemble the unit and plug it back in.
7. Try to turn on the humidifier to see if the problem is resolved.

Note: It's not advised to let your humidifier run for extended periods of time longer than 4-6 hours.

Quick Recap

Vicks Cool Mist humidifier not working can typically be resolved by fully servicing the water tank and restarting the device.

Sometimes, a filter replacement is also required to resolve the issue.