Vicks Humidifier Not Turning On? – Proven Solutions

Vicks humidifier not turning on can frequently be cause for alarm, as you suspect the device is completely broken.

Don’t worry, as many times this isn’t the case, and regular maintenance or check could resolve the power issue.

To fix your Vicks humidifier not turning on, check the power outlet for issues and ensure appropriate water levels. Next, verify that there are no obstructions or mineral deposits.

With these steps, you have a general idea of the solutions we will try, but let’s first check out the exact causes of the issue: 

Why Does My Vicks Humidifier Not Turn On?

Whenever your Vicks humidifier is not powering on or immediately shuts down when you turn it on, it’s likely due to incorrect configuration.

On some rare occasions, there could be a hardware issue, such as damage from overheating or electrical surges.

Here is a breakdown of the most frequent causes for Vicks humidifiers not turning on:

As we now have a clearer idea of what is causing our Vicks device to not power on, we can begin by addressing each potential issue individually.

How to Fix Vicks Humidifier Not Turning On

Tip: Don't power on your Vicks device while cleaning its components or the device itself.

Step #1: Inspect the Power Source 

If your Vicks humidifier won’t turn on, the first thing to check is for issues related to your power source or electrical outlet.

If your Vicks is not receiving sufficient power or there is an electrical fault, your device won’t turn on.

Here are the steps to check the power source for your Vicks humidifier: 

1. Confirm that your electrical outlet is in working condition by plugging in a different device.
2. If neither the device you plugged nor the humidifier works, the issue is within your electrical outlet.
3. Check if your home anti-surge fuse or circuit breaker was tripped or enabled. The circuit breaker is usually a switch located next to your home’s electrical panel.
4. Prevent overloading your power strip by not plugging too many devices at once.

Note: Vicks humidifiers bought in the USA only work with a voltage of 120V and won't work in areas with different standards.

Step #2: Ensure Water Levels Are Proper

Most Vicks humidifier models come equipped with countermeasures for low or too-high water levels.

Internal sensors or water floats will prevent your Vicks from turning on if the water level is not correct to prevent permanent hardware damage.

Here is how to ensure your Vicks humidifier has the correct water amount filled:

1. Unplug your Vicks device from the outlet.
2. Remove the water tank and look for an indicator of maximum and minimum water levels.
3. If your levels are too low, fill your tank to the appropriate amount and vice versa.
4. When placing your water tank back on, ensure it is fully seated and secured.
5. Ensure that if your device model has a water float, it’s not stuck to the bottom of the tank when water is added.

After performing these steps above, plug in your Vicks humidifier and check if it is now correctly powered on.

If you aren’t sure of the correct water levels, check your model’s instruction manual.

Note: Prioritize utilizing demineralized or distilled water for use with your Vicks device.

Step #3: Clean The Water Tank And Base

A dirty or congested water tank or water intake vent can prevent water from reaching your Vicks humidifier so it can turn it into mist.

To prevent obstruction-related issues from debris and mineral-rich water use, you must regularly maintain the water reservoir.

Here is how to ensure your Vicks humidifier reservoir and intake ports are clean:

1. Start by unplugging your Vicks humidifier.
2. Remove the water reservoir cover panel of your Vicks humidifier.
3. Gently take out the water tank, drain any water, and inspect it for mineralization on its surface.
4. If you notice that plaque has formed on your reservoir, create an anti-mineralization mixture.
5. Take one cup of vinegar and distilled water, stir them together, and pour them into the water reservoir.
6. Let the mixture sit for half an hour to loosen up any deposits.
7. Use a cleaning brush to remove all visible plaque inside; when done, rinse with water and reassemble your Vicks humidifier.

After these steps, your water tank should be properly cleaned. If you notice plaque around the water seal on the Vicks base, be sure it’s also removed. 

If you also plan on disinfecting the water tank, never mix bleach with vinegar, as the result is a dangerous chemical reaction.

Note: Never dilute or mix chemicals or essential oils in your Vicks water tank.

Step #4: Check Cables for Damage

If there is visible damage to your power adapter or the cable connecting your Vicks device to the electrical outlet, it won’t turn on or function at all.

To prevent this instance from occurring, you have to check the cable for issues.

Here is how to check your Vicks humidifier calves for issues:

1. Unplug the Vicks device from the outlet.
2. Visually check the entire length of the power cable, from all sides, for signs of damage or exposed conductive copper.
3. Check if the prongs at the end of the power cable are loose or missing parts.
4. See if the base of the Vicks device where the power cable connects to isn’t shaky or loose.
5. If you notice any damage, please replace the entire cable. If you are unsure how to do this, send the Vicks to a certified repair shop.

Note: Replace damaged power adapters with compatible model-specific parts only.

Step #5: Check For Safety Mechanisms

There are dozens of different Vicks humidifier types currently available. Most of the recent releases may come with an automatic shutdown mechanism that triggers if a condition is met.

If your Vicks isn’t powering on, you need to check for such a mechanism.

Here are some general tips on how to ensure no safety mechanism on your Vicks are on:

1. If your Vicks has a water level sensor or float, ensure it’s clean and not blocked or obstructed.
2. Some devices might not work if they detect they are placed on an uneven surface.
3. If your room humidity levels are too high, some Vicks humidifiers won’t function to prevent over-saturation of moisture.
4. You can use a humidistat to check your moisture levels.
5. Ensure there are no obstructions on the misting vent on top of your humidifier.

Note: The optimal humidity level to prevent mold buildup is around 50%.

Step #6: Clean Nebulizer and Heating Element

If your Vicks device is a warm mist humidifier, ensuring its heating unit is not obstructed is vital.

For cold and warm mist humidifiers, you also have to check if the nebulizer or ultrasonic disk is plaque-free. 

Here is how to clean your Vicks nebulizer and heating element:  

1. Disconnect your Vicks from the power outlet.
2. Find the heating element in case you use a warm mist humidifier (usually inside the water tank).
3. If the heating element is severely congested with mineral buildup, soak the entire unit for 24 hours. 
4. According to your model instruction manual, disassemble your humidifier to expose the ultrasonic disk.
5. Clean the disk with a towel or cloth soaked in vinegar until it’s rid of any mineral deposits.
6. Reassemble the unit and check if it’s now powering on.

Note: Before taking apart your device, ensure it won't void your warranty.

Step #7: Check For External Factors Preventing Use

In case your Vicks humidifier is not placed in an optimal environment, it can break down, malfunction, or otherwise not power on.

One of the most common causes of this is overheating.

Here are some guidelines to keep your Vicks within safe operational temperatures:

1. Don’t leave your humidifier running on for more than 12 hours at a time to prevent overheating.
2. Never place your Vicks humidifiers in extremely close proximity to heaters or hot electrical household appliances.
3. Don’t position your humidifier directly exposed to direct sunlight. 

Note: If your humidity level measures less than 30%, it indicates an issue with your humidifier. 

Quick Recap

Vicks humidifier not turning on can usually be remedied by checking the water levels and ensuring no plaque build-up or power source issues.

If you still can’t get your device to work, it’s best to contact Vicks support.