Troubleshooting a CPAP Machine – What Can Happen and How to To Fix the Problems

Troubleshooting a CPAP Machine – How to To Fix the Problems

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Most of the time, if you are experiencing a problem with your CPAP machine, it’s because of the extensions and not the machine itself. These common problems you might experience with your CPAP machine are easy to fix. You might face a few of these problems when you first start using your machine, because they can take some getting used to. There are a few things you can do and some easy adjustments you can make to make it more comfortable and untroubling. Check out these things before you call up your medical supplier to file a complaint.

Face Masks

You might be having a hard time adjusting to wearing the mask that came with your CPAP machine. Even if you tried on a CPAP mask before you decided to get it, you might not feel the same way about it when you have your head on the pillow and you’re trying to get some sleep.

Some people have complaints about feeling too restrained by the mask or even describe feelings of claustrophobia. Even though the mask is lightweight, it can feel heavy and uncomfortable because you aren’t used to it. If it’s not too tight, try sleeping with it for a few nights to see if you will adjust to it.

If you are having a problem with it being too tight or too lose, you can consult with your doctor to help you pick out a mask and head strap. Don’t worry about seeming too picky or being a bother if you need to get a different face mask. Your comfort is important because if you’re not comfortable, you might not being getting the proper airflow.

Irritated Nasal Passages

With your new supply of air overnight, you might find that your nasal passages and the back of your throat are dry, stuffy, scratchy and irritated when you wake up in the morning. This is another reason why a snug but not too tight fit on your mask is important – if the mask leaks, you will end up with a very dry nose in the morning.

It’s it’s not the mask causing the problem, ask your doctor about using a nasal saline spray to keep your nasal passages moist. If the problem is more severe or doesn’t go away with the use of the saline spray, you might need a nasal steroid spray to get rid of the dryness.

Too Much Air At First

If you have a hard time falling asleep because the air flow is a little too fast, you can use a “ramp”, which automatically adjusts the air pressure to get to the prescribed rate. This feature eases you into it, so that you are asleep by the time you are getting the maximum air pressure that you’re supposed to be getting. Consult with your doctor about getting a ramp and allow him to adjust it for you. Do not try to adjust the amount of airflow by yourself.

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

38 thoughts on “Troubleshooting a CPAP Machine – How to To Fix the Problems

  1. My mche
    My machine ha been hollering lost satellite reception all night . I finally took maak off and unplugged machine

    M

    • Thank you for your comment, Kathy. You can reach out to our Customer Service Department at 877-303-9289. They’ll be able to work with you to troubleshoot your machine.

    • Please contact our Customer Service department immediately at 877-303-9289. They will be able to troubleshoot and assist in remedying your machine.

    • Thank you for your comment, Brian. If you’d like you can reach out to our Customer Service Representatives at 877-303-9289. They will be able to walk you through trouble shooting your CPAP machine.

  2. The air flow on my machine seems very low. Check setting for heated tubing and is set at 15H which is evidently is the current setting. Can you provide instructions on how to correct problem.

    • Have you referred to your owners manual? If you do not have the manual present to walk you through how to operate your machine, you’re welcome to reach out to our service department at 877-303-9289.

  3. My sleep apnea machine keep telling me humidifier need to be replaced I wash my machine like I do every night now it’s not working

    • Thank you for your inquiry, Robin. Did you purchase the machine through us? You’re welcome to contact our Service Department at 877-774-9271.

    • Thank you for your comment, VernonKeehn. We would be happy to help you if you can provide us with a bit more information. Which CPAP Machine and brand do you currently have?

  4. I put my mask on and turn it on and it stops. If I take the mask off it works fine. There is a message data activity do not remove card. It has done this for 2 night. I really need sleep.

    • Thank you for your inquiry. I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our specialists a call at 888-360-9628 or if you prefer email sales@amsrco.com

  5. Changed out water chamber, hose, face mask provided by supply company. I have oxygen bleeding into machine. The pressure starts as usual and within minutes the pressure seems to change and I can’t breathe. I have re checked all connections.

    • To best troubleshoot your issue please give our customer care center a call. They can talk with you can get a complete understanding of what is happening and help you best troubleshoot your exact problem. They can be reached at 877-774-9271

  6. Remstar Auto with Humidifier. If I yawn with the mask on the system shuts off the air then restarts. SOmetimes, if I yawn a couple times, it goes into fault mode (continiuos beeping) and has to be unplugged from the power to reset. Is there a sensitivity adjustment?

    • To best help you troubleshoot your problem please give our customer care center a call at 877-303-989. We look forward to helping you.

  7. There is a low clicking noice from my ResMed AirSense 10 machine. It sounds like it is from the water tub area. I have removed it from the machine and replaced and the clicking noice remains. Do you have an ideas what can be causing the clicking noise?

  8. we are having problems with our machine not recording the correct hours that the mask is on. some nights it is correct and other nights it shows nothing or the incorrect hours that the mask is on the insurance company will not approve if not used the required hours. model #DSXHCPSN SN:H222156939EDC Machine has been replaced. Company read the computer card to see what was going on saw so many errors they do not why. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks for your help

    • Please give our customer care center a call at 877-303-9289 so that they can help you troubleshoot your issue over the phone.

  9. MY wife has a Resperonics System One …DSGHFLG SIN: H14663762EFB6 she misplaced the manual, but the main problem is the heater quit working on it and it is too cold to use for her being winter, is there something I can do? John

    • If your machine is still under warranty or is maintained by a provider I would reach out directly to them for service or for replacement.

  10. My machine just cut off at about 1:00 a.m. Woke up unable to breath. I have checked all electrical connections and they are secure. My machine is a ResMed, I do not know the serial number. I am 88 years old and live alone.

    • Please contact our customer care center at 877-774-9271 so that they can help you troubleshoot the issue over the phone.

  11. I have noticed for the last two nights that the water level in the water chamber is not moving- I usually have to refill everyday. Do you think I have to replace machine?? Sure hope not! They are so expensive. It is a resMed Cpap.

    • It is hard to know. I would give is a few nights to see if it starts using the amount of water you normally see. If not, Call the manufacturer first and see if they might be able to diagnose the issue. Good Luck.

  12. Hello I have an older model CPAP machine the Fisher/Paykal model is reading an error code 5.00 and when this error code is on there is no air coming out I tried unplugging it but that hasn’t work

    • Please contact your equipment provider (where you purchased the concentrator from) or the manufacturer to get your unit serviced.

  13. I haven’t checked my C pap score for a while. This morning I checked my score on the Res Med site and it showed that I had no data from the last week. I have used my machine every night so I know something is wrong. I googled troubleshooting and one thing it said was to make sure the airplane mode was not on. I checked, it is not on. Another idea was to make sure that the local wyfy was working. My husbands c pap is working so I don’t think that is the problem. What should I do to get it to start sending data?

    • Hello Neva, we’d suggest disconnecting the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and connecting them back. For more information please refer to the ResMed Support page.

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