When I got my first air purifier, I was excited about how effectively it cleaned the air in my home.
However, I noticed a blinking red light on my device a few weeks after using my air purifier.
I was worried because the air purifier was working so well at that point, and there was a considerable reduction in allergies and foul odors at home.
If the red light meant that my air purifier was broken, I would have been quite disappointed and frustrated.
So, I went to the internet to look for help and was happy to discover that there’s a good chance that my air purifier isn’t broken.
However, figuring out what the blinking red light on my air purifier meant wasn’t easy.
Each air purifier may use its red light indicator differently so that the red light could mean many things.
I eventually figured that the red light on my particular air purifier meant that I needed to change the filter.
If you’re dealing with a similar issue with your air purifier, you don’t have to struggle as I did.
In this article, I’ll explain what red light could mean on your air purifier and how you can fix it.
As a bonus, I will also give you some maintenance tips so that your air purifier won’t start blinking red in the first place.
What Does a Red Light Mean on My Air Purifier?
If you see a red light blinking on your air purifier, it’s easy to get worried.
After all, most machines use a red light to indicate something’s wrong.
The thing is, a blinking red light on an air purifier can mean a lot of things.
Manufacturers use this indicator in different ways.
Some may use it to indicate low air quality, others to tell that it’s time to change your filters.
In contrast, some manufacturers use the red light to show that your air purifier has technical issues.
This is why it can be hard to figure out the exact cause of the red blinking light on your air purifier.
A red light on an air purifier often indicates something is wrong but fixable.
So, even if there’s an issue with your air purifier causing the red light, there’s no reason to panic, as your problem will most likely be fixable.
How to Fix Red Light Issues with Air Purifier
There are tons of things that cause your air purifier to start blinking red.
The light can be annoying and concerning, but there are usually ways to fix the air purifier on your own.
And in this section, we’ll look at some things you can do when your air purifier’s red light blinks to resolve the issue.
Read the Manual
While it may be obvious, the first step in resolving the issue is opening up your manual and learning what the red light on your particular air purifier means.
One problem is that not everyone has their air purifier’s manual.
If so, you can try searching the internet for a digital copy of the manual, which is usually available online for electronic devices.
From there, it will be much easier to figure out the exact cause of your red light issue.
But, if you’ve already checked out your air purifier manual and haven’t had luck fixing the red light, you should try and move on to the steps below.
Check the Filters
If the manual for your specific air purifier didn’t resolve your issue, the next step is to check the filters.
Many air purifiers use the red light to indicate something is wrong with the filters.
In fact, this was the issue with my air purifier.
When I opened my air purifier to look at the filters, I noticed they were really clogged.
In my defense, I didn’t know that you had to clean filters regularly.
If your air purifier has a blinking red light, try unplugging it, opening it up, then checking the filters.
If you notice the filters are filled with dust or pet hair, try taking them out to clean and dry them (if they can be washed), then reinstall them.
Most of the time, this could fix the red light issue entirely.
Reset the Sensors
Another thing you can do to try and fix the blinking red light is to reset the sensors.
Some air purifiers come with air quality sensors to check the number of particles and contaminants in the air at any time.
These can be very useful in monitoring indoor air quality, but if the sensors malfunction, they might cause the blinking red light.
To reset the sensors, refer to the air purifier manual.
Usually, all you have to do is hold down a button for a couple of seconds to reset the sensors.
Move the Air Purifier
If the air quality in an area is more than subpar, the air purifier may not be able to handle it.
For example, if you live in an area with wildfires, an air purifier can do a great job of absorbing and eliminating smoke.
However, the downside is that some air purifiers aren’t equipped to handle that much smoke.
If there are too many particles for your air purifier to handle, the red light might start blinking randomly.
To fix this, all you have to do is move the air purifier to a place that isn’t as polluted.
This gives the machine an easier time and can keep the light from blinking red.
Switch It On and Off Again
We’ve heard this solution many times, and while it might seem pointless, it could be all your air purifier needs.
Sometimes, the red light starts blinking for no particular reason. This can happen with all air purifiers.
In this case, a good fix is to reset the air purifier.
To do this, simply turn it off and unplug the device.
Leave it unplugged for a couple of seconds before plugging it back in and turning it on again.
There are times when this is all it takes to fix the red light issue, and it could be just what you need to fix whatever problem you’re facing.
How to Maintain an Air Purifier
After reading the manual for my own air purifier, I found out that the reason my air purifier was malfunctioning was mainly a maintenance issue.
It was my first air purifier, and I didn’t know I had to clean and maintain the device to that extent to keep it functioning.
So, if you want to keep the red light issue from bugging you again, the best tip I can give you is to practice proper maintenance with your air purifier.
This might sound like a lot of work, but it isn’t.
Here are some ways to maintain your air purifier, so you don’t have to deal with the red light issue as much:
Clean & Dry the Filters
The most important maintenance you should perform on your air purifier is cleaning and drying the filters.
Most air purifiers use a filtration or ionizer system to clean the air. I recommend avoiding ionizers as they can produce ozone, which is harmful to the body.
Filtration-based air purifiers are much more effective and easy to use. However, these machines require you to clean the filters from time to time.
Ideally, it’s best to get an air purifier with a washable HEPA filter, as all you have to do is rinse this in the sink every couple of months.
Additionally, you might want to wash the pre-filter as well.
The air purifier can capture particles more efficiently, keeping it running better while preventing red light issues.
After cleaning the filters, don’t rush into putting them back into the air purifier.
Make sure the filter has completely dried.
Putting in a wet or damp filter encourages mold and bacteria growth.
On top of that, it can even damage your air purifier.
Use the Right Air Purifier for the Room
Another reason your air purifier may develop red light issues because you’re using the wrong air purifier.
Finding air purifiers designed for the room’s size and air volume is crucial.
If the air purifier is too small for the room and you insist on using it, the filters might get clogged faster, and the air purifier might not work as it’s supposed to.
When the filters get clogged fast, it can cause the red light to start blinking.
Regular maintenance is essential for an air purifier. But if you want to reduce the required maintenance, ensure you get an air purifier that can handle the size of your room.
Change Filters As Needed
While you can wash the filters several times to prevent clogging and make them last longer, you will have to replace them eventually.
This is especially true if you get an air purifier with a carbon filter, as these can’t be washed.
You will have to change the carbon filter every couple of months, and it’s essential to do this at the correct times.
If you don’t, it could result in the red light on your air purifier blinking to indicate that it’s time to change the filters.
Conclusion
A blinking red light on an air purifier can be concerning.
When it first happened to me, I thought it meant my air purifier was broken, and I needed a new one. But after doing the research, I found that that usually isn’t the case.
A lot of the time, the red light on your air purifier just means that you need to clean the filters.
Other times, it might mean you need to reset the machine. But most of the time, these are fixable issues that won’t take too much time.
So, the next time the red light on your air purifier starts blinking, don’t panic.
If you have the manual, go back to it and try and figure out the cause.
And if you don’t have the manual, feel free to try the troubleshooting methods I mentioned above!