Oxygen Concentrator Repairs and Maintenance 101

Oxygen Concentrator Repairs and Maintenance 101

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Oxygen concentrators are necessary for many patients. For this reason, it is crucial that your system is in 100-percent working order at all times. Whether you purchase a new or used concentrator, the unit should be cleaned and maintained to prevent costly repairs. However, over time, your concentrator will likely require a professional evaluation and repair work. It is essential to know how to manage your system correctly so that you can keep using it for years to come.

Basic Maintenance

You are required to clean the components on a regular basis to prevent dirt buildup that may cause the unit to break down. Before you start to clean the parts, make sure the unit is turned off and unplugged from the electrical outlet.

Let’s have a look at the basic oxygen concentrator maintenance in these five points:

  • The device – Cleaning companies try to convince patients that they need specialty cleaning formulas for oxygen maintenance – that is incorrect. We recommend wiping the machine with a damp cloth. You may also use a mild detergent, such as Dawn dish soap. This helps get your unit clean without the risk of any harmful chemicals destroying the system. Never spray on the device as the liquid may get inside and damage the device. You can clean the power cord as well, but make sure the unit is completely dry before plugging back in.
  • The cover – Keeping your carrying case or backpack clean should not be ignored since a dirty bag collects dust and may host germs. Shake your bag upside down to get rid of dust and debris. Use mild soap to sponge clean it. Make sure the air vents are clear. Dry your bag before using it.
  • The battery – Wipe the battery clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.
  • The filters – Since oxygen concentrators take in the air and permanently clean it for purer oxygen, unwanted particles are filtered out. This can include dust, pollen and other types of particles that may be in the air both inside and out of your home. For optimal performance, pop the filter out and clean it with mild soap and running water one or two times a week.
  • The cannula – It’s critical to keep the nasal cannula and the tubing clean. Weekly clean the cannula with mild soap and water. Make sure the water does not enter the tubing. You don’t have to change the tubing every month but change the nasal cannula. Moreover, check for any punctures or twists in the tubing that can hinder the oxygen delivery.

If you have any questions, consult your owner’s manual or our maintenance department directly.

Oxygen Concentrator Maintenance

Additional Tips

  1. Don’t overcharge the batteries. Never leave the charger plugged in with a fully charged battery. This can deteriorate the battery capacity overtime. It’s okay to keep the unit plugged in to power outlet, if you don’t have the battery on.
  2. If not using the oxygen unit regularly, then use at least 10 hours per month so that internal components do not jam up. Prolonged storage causes problems and may require factory maintenance.
  3. In the case of portable oxygen concentrator, run them on batteries minimum of 2 hours a month.
  4. If you own multiple batteries, switch them month to month. So that, they are fully cycled and functional.
  5. the unit will alert you when it’s time to replace the sieve bed columns. You’ll have 30 days to change the sieve beds.
  6. Every concentrator comes with specific maintenance instructions. We suggest reading the product manual thoroughly at least once. This will help you mitigate the trouble when you cannot access internet or make calls.

Performing a Hard Restart

Just like, sometimes, our smartphones require a hard restart to turn on, the oxygen concentrators may require it too. Though the situation is rare, here are the steps to perform a hard restart on a portable oxygen concentrator:

  • The machine must be completely shut down.
  • Disconnect the power adapter.
  • Remove the batteries.
  • Let the unit stand for 20 minutes without power.
  • Plug the AC power into the machine – do not attach the batteries yet.
  • Turn the unit on and use it for 10 minutes on AC power.
  • Then, disconnect the power supply to put the batteries back in.

Product Manuals

View additional home and portable oxygen concentrator manuals.

Repair Solutions

The better you maintain your oxygen machine, the less likely you will have problems with it. Still, situations may come up in which your system needs repairs. American Medical Sales and Rentals has state-of-the-art technicians that can help diagnose and fix oxygen concentrator problems.

We service a variety of brands, including:

  • CAIRE
  • Inogen
  • Invacare
  • Respironics
  • SeQual
  • DeVilbiss

It is best to contact our technicians directly with your concentrator make and model—even if it is not included in this list, chances are we can still fix it for you.
Every concentrator undergoes a 12-point check that measures oxygen quality, as well as testing for abnormal vibrations and leaks. The entire repair process takes a few business days, and we accept repairs from all 50 states.

While your oxygen concentrator is out for repairs, it is essential that you have a backup system in place. We can help work with you and your physician to determine the best backup method to service all your oxygen needs over the short-term repair work.

Routine Maintenance for the CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort

Routine Maintenance for the Inogen One G4

Routine Maintenance for the Inogen One G3

Routine Maintenance for the Philips SimplyGo

Routine Maintenance for the Philips SimplyGo Mini

Related Information

Updated: January 26, 2024
Published: April 6, 2020

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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.

55 thoughts on “Oxygen Concentrator Repairs and Maintenance 101

  1. Looking for repair and revision of Devilbliss Igo oxygen concentrator. Where are you located and how do I send you the machine?
    I would like to revise and repair my daughters concentrator. Whee do need to send the concentrator and what companies do you for mailing

    • Thank you for your comment Breck, if you go ahead and give our Service Department a call at: 877-303-9289, they’ll be able to work with you to see if your machine is still under warranty and eligible for repair.

    • Thank you for your comment, Kevin. If you go ahead and give our Service Department a call at: 877-303-9289, they’ll be able to work with you to diagnose your machine.

      • Danielle
        My dad has an Invacare platinum mobile concentrator POC1-100B-C
        Read out is saying “ low oxygen “
        I cannot find anyone near me that repairs or services these units
        Please advise
        Thanks Doug

    • Thank you for your comment, Ronald. Go ahead and give our customer service department a call at 877-303-9289 and they’ll be able to provide you with further information regarding your request.

    • I LIVE IN SOLON SPRINGS WI HOUR AWAY FROM SUPERIOR WI WONDERING IF THERES SOMEWHERE I CAN TAKE MINE IT STOPPED WORKING A COUPLE MO AFTER I GOT IT. IT WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I GOT IT.

      • Please contact your equipment provider (where you purchased the concentrator from) or the manufacturer to get your unit serviced. If you bought a new one, then it might be under warranty.

    • Thank you for your comment, Bill. We will have a representative reach out to you regarding your issue. If you’d like, you may also contact them directly via 877-303-9289 for more immediate assistance

    • Thank you for your comment, Art. Here at the Oxygen Concentrator Store no longer repair units in-house. If your unit requires maintenance, we are happy to work with you and the manufacturer to find a solution. Feel free to give our Service Department a call at 877-303-9289 for more information.

    • Thank you for your comment, Albert. I have passed along your information to an Oxygen Specialist who will reach out shortly regarding your request.

    • Thank you for your comment, Steve. Did you purchase your SeQual Eclipse 3 through us? If so you’re welcome to contact our Service Department at 877-303-9289.

    • Thank you for your inquiry, David. 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

  2. I have a InogenOne. It quit showing my setting and duration of battery. The window lights up , but no information shows .

    • 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

  3. i nees a maintenance check on my concentrator, got it thru rehab, big one, motor on, water boils, no oxygen coming out, live in Chattanooga tn, was a co in Livingston tn, now out of business

    • 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

    • Depending on when the unit was originally purchased it may still be under warranty. You will, however, need to know what company the machine was originally purchased from. The warrenties are held by the ompanies that sell them not the buyer. Depending on what the issue is with the machine you may need to weigh the cost of fixing it.

  4. thanks for the important information you share with us. i have a respironics one for feeding and ozone generator in water treatment. it operator normally for about 12 minutes and there after a red indicator and a continuous alarm. am suspecting contamination of the nitrogen absorbing media. please advise me.

  5. Hello the service light went on on my M 10 respironics unit which is two years old, how could I have this addressed? I live in Manhattan

    • 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.

    • The Oxygen Concentrator was working normal for the past 18 months, stopped with a sound, no oxygen delivery and heating too. I am in India. If I get general tips and probable cause of failure,pl provide.
      With regards
      Chandrasenan Achari

      • There could be a number of causes that can stop the machine from functioning. We’d suggest checking the user’s manual to troubleshoot quickly.

  6. Have a Healthdyne Model H505 floor concentrator, Our supplier was went bankrupt a few years ago and the oxygen machine turns on and rus but no oxygen. No one seems to want to help us or any info where to get it looked at. This thing is heavy. any ideas

    • I am sorry to hear that your supplier has gone bankrupt. There are a couple of things that you might consider. Try picking a new supplier like an Apria or a Lincare and they might be able to help you out. The other option might be to look at purchasing a new home oxygen concentrator. If you have any questions or would like to talk with someone about your options please feel free to give us a call. We will do our best to help you with your current unit. You can reach us at 888-360-9628.

    • Laura, you should call Invacare and see about the warranty and or if the machine needs servicing. Invacare’s customer support line is 1 (800) 333-6900 and you will likely need the serial number from the machine when you talk to them. Good Luck.

  7. We have a simply go Respironics portable concentrator that says no air flow we would like to get it fixed I’d like to know if it can be fixed for a reasonable amount thank you

    • The best thing is to call Respironics first to see what the situation is with your machine. If it is still under warranty, you will be good and they will likely send you a refurbished replacement for you and you will send your machine back to them. You can call their service department at. 1-800-781-0988

  8. Hi am a student of medical engineering in kisiwa technical here in Kenya of diploma.I have been following a lot about how this machine work and am happy since now I know thank you

  9. Hi, I have two Inogen one G -2 units, both have the same issue. Sometimes it shows error “low oxygen”. Can you repair them? Or will I have to buy a new one?

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

  10. Hello,
    I would greatly appreciate it if you help get me the operating/service manual for MF-5A Oxygen concentrator (Microfield Instrument). I am presently having one of this machine belonging to a catholic Hospital in my custody for repairs.

    Thank you

  11. Hi……is it posible to replace the sieve beds or repour them to a Philips Evergo portable concentrator

    • Please contact your unit provider to get the unit repaired. However, I don’t think support is available anymore for EverGo as it was replaced by SimplyGo long back.

    • Hello David, we do not. However, you can watch our maintenance videos on YouTube for quick troubleshooting and upkeeping the unit.

  12. hello. My name is suresh. I have yuwell oxygen concentrator. it is powder like sand from oxygen concentrator hot air outlet. so what is the problem. it is also beap sounding and it blinking orange colour light.

    • Hello Suresh, we don’t deal with that brand. Sorry, we won’t be able to help here. Please contact your supplier or the manufacturer for troubleshooting.

  13. My unit is in like new condition with brand new sieve columns. It turns on and dispenses one burst of oxygen then shuts down. It displays a error code 5. What should I do?

  14. I have a Inogen GS100, it has brand new sieve columns. It turns on and dispenses one burst of oxygen then shuts down. It displays a error code 5. What should I do?

    • If your Inogen at Home (GS-100) is flashing yellow light with a five beep pattern, it’s a high-priority alarm. Flashing light with 5 means the unit has detected smoke. Take the unit to a smoke-free area and restart. If you think it’s a false alarm, contact customer service.

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