Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (2024)

Did you know the red or green light on your diffuser is sending you a message?

These lights are crucial parts of every diffuser you use at home or in the office. When the lights aren’t working, it can be tough to deduce the state of the diffuser.

But, what is the message behind the lights? What does a red and green light mean on my diffuser?

Contents

  • What Does the Red and Green Light Mean on My Diffuser?
  • Why Did My Diffuser Stop Working?
    • Low Water Levels
    • Over-filling
    • Obstructed Airflow
    • Overheating
  • How to Properly Clean an Essential Oil Diffuser
  • In Conclusion

What Does the Red and Green Light Mean on My Diffuser?

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (1)

First, never panic when you see the red or green light. These pass a message about the device and help you act.

Usually, the green light means all is okay with the diffuser. Therefore, you can relax and enjoy the lovely aromas from the essential oils. The green light comes on when there’s enough water in the reservoir.

However, when you see red flashes start to appear, it’s time to get up and act. Typically, this is an indicator that you need to refill the water in the reservoir. If you don’t, the diffuser will activate auto-shutoff, which prevents any damage to the device.

Another reason the red light comes on is when there’s an issue with the diffuser. The light can stay on for some time, even after refilling the water tank before the diffuser stops working. Several reasons can cause the diffuser to stop working.

Why Did My Diffuser Stop Working?

Low Water Levels

One reason there’s a red light on your diffuser is low water levels. After some time, you need to refill the water tank.

If you don’t, the diffuser will give a warning light then automatically shut down. The auto-shutoff feature is a safety precaution that protects you and the diffuser.

Over-filling

Every water diffuser has a reservoir that you fill to a certain level. Check for the mark which indicates the right water level before you start using a diffuser.

However, at times you can overfill the diffuser, which causes problems. Over-filling means water can spill to other parts of the device, so the red light comes on. If you notice this or accidentally bump the diffuser, turn it off.

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (2)

Then, drain all the water and start drying the excess moisture. Once you remove as much water as possible, please leave it to air dry for two days before using it again. While the water can evaporate quickly, essential oils take time.

Once all the moisture is gone, refill the water tank and turn on the diffuser. If the green light comes on, you’re good to go. If it’s red, the device still has some moisture and needs time to dry.

Obstructed Airflow

A diffuser requires ample airflow to work properly. Any obstruction causes the red light to flash and eventually turn off the device. That’s why it’s crucial to pick the right place to set up the diffuser in your home.

For instance, avoid soft surfaces that can interfere with air intake. Choosing the right surface ensures the device keeps working and maintains the green light. A level hard surface is the best choice that won’t affect the diffuser.

Also, check if any hair or dust is causing an obstruction. The best way is to clean the device each time before using it to diffuse essential oils.

Overheating

Water in the diffuser needs to maintain a certain temperature throughout the diffusion process. If it overheats, it can cause damage indicated by the red light. It’s not unusual for the water to heat up. But, if it’s too hot, something is wrong.

Normally, overheating occurs due to obstructed airways due to dust and other debris. Additionally, poor cleaning cycles can affect the state of the device. That’s why it keeps flashing red and feels too hot.

That’s why you need to take time and clean the device thoroughly. The best method is a proper cleaning cycle, as indicated in the diffuser manual. Please do this as often as possible since it also increases the lifespan of the device.

Basically, when you fill and clean the diffuser properly, the green light comes on. But overfilling and poor cleaning causes the red light to come on.

How to Properly Clean an Essential Oil Diffuser

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (3)

It’s good to clean your diffusers properly to prevent damage.

The red light means your diffuser isn’t clean. So take time to clean it and enjoy the green light symbolizing that everything is okay.

Below are some steps to help you deep clean an essential oil diffuser.

  1. Start by unplugging the essential oil diffuser and pour out all water left inside.
  2. Next, fill the diffuser with a tap or filtered water. Keep an eye on the water tank to avoid it running more than half away.
  3. Once the water is in place, pour in eight to ten drops of vinegar. The solution works to remove all excess essential oils still clinging to the water tank.
  4. Plug back the diffuser and turn it on. Please leave it to run for 5 minutes, which gives the solution ample time to deep clean the device.
  5. Turn it off and drain out all the vinegar solution once the time elapses.
  6. Take a cotton swab and dip it in vinegar. Take your time to reach the tight spots and corners of the diffuser to remove all dirt.
  7. Pour in clean water and rinse the water tank thoroughly.
  8. Dap a clean cloth in water and wipe the exterior removing all excess dust and dirt.
  9. Check the air vent and remove any debris that can hamper airflow.

Now that your essential oil diffuser is clean, repeat the process every week. But, make sure you rinse out the essential oil solution after every use to prevent build-up.

In Conclusion

Essential oil diffusers can flash a red or green light. Green indicates that the device is functioning well.

However, take note when you see the red light. It’s revealing that something is wrong.

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (4)

Emily Cummings

I currently work as a medical receptionist, but my ultimate goal is to work as an occupational therapy assistant. Helping others achieve a better quality of life is something I’m after. That’s one of the main reasons I started this blog. Learn more about me.

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? (2024)

FAQs

Lights on a Diffuser: What Does the Green and Red Light Mean on My Diffuser? ›

A: Green light mode is intermittent sprays of cold mist. Red light mode is continuous, non-stop mist.

What is the red and green light on a diffuser? ›

The green light indicates the diffuser will remain on until all liquid has been diffused, approximately 2.5 hours. The red light indicates the diffuser will diffuse in spurts of 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off, lasting about 5 hours. You can turn off the light in both green and red modes.

What is the red light on the white company diffuser? ›

It's possible there is no more battery power. Charge the battery, until the red light disappears. If the battery is completely flat, and the product is not turning on intermittently, connect to the power source for a few minutes to allow the appliance to start charging.

Why is my diffuser blinking red and turning off? ›

If the lights on the base of the diffuser start flashing, it means that the Mist Sensor Disc at the bottom of the water tank is dirty and needs to be cleaned (Figure 3). To clean the diffuser, turn it off and unplug it. Remove the glass cover and the water tank cover.

Can I leave my diffuser light on all night? ›

While it's not recommended to diffuse essential oils overnight, you could leave a diffuser with plain water going overnight if you wish. Make sure it has a large enough reservoir to continue diffusing for that length of time. Some diffuser models also have sound or light functions that can be helpful at night.

How do you unblock a diffuser? ›

How to clean:
  1. Make sure your diffuser is switched off.
  2. Add water to chamber to about half way with distilled water.
  3. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to your water chamber.
  4. Diffuse for 5 minutes.
  5. Switch off and empty the liquid out.
  6. Wipe over with vinegar or alcohol for further cleansing (optional).
Jan 10, 2023

What does red light mean on air freshener? ›

A red light will come on to show which fragrance is being released. Every 45 minutes, a different light will come on to show the new fragrance being released. Your Febreze Team. Consumer Service.

Why is there no mist coming out of my diffuser? ›

If your diffuser does not work, the first step is to make sure it is properly plugged in. If it's plugged in, and the lights nor mist will turn on, make sure there is power coming from your source. A possible cause may be mineral or oil buildup, causing the unit to have difficulty misting.

What is red diffuser? ›

Typically, a reed diffuser is a small, long-necked bottle that's filled with essential oils. It contains long, thin strips of material – known as reed sticks – that absorb the oils and diffuse the scent around the room.

How to tell if a diffuser is working? ›

If there is no mist, check if there is any oil left inside the glass chamber. If there is still oil but the oil is not diffusing up the misting pipes, despite the presence of vibration, the cause could be a clogged chamber.

What does the red light on my humidifier mean? ›

When the water level becomes low, the float activates a water level switch and this will activate the red indication. Note: sometimes, this floating ball can be stuck and fail to activate the water level switch. When this happens, your humidifier will not display a low water indicator.

How do I get my diffuser to work again? ›

Do not run your diffuser on a towel or any soft surface that will restrict the air flow. Clean your unit. Unplug, refill if necessary, reconnect and turn the diffuser on again. Make sure you are using only filtered water, tap water or spring water.

What do the lights on my diffuser mean? ›

A: Green light mode is intermittent sprays of cold mist. Red light mode is continuous, non-stop mist.

How do you read diffusers work? ›

Slender reeds or diffuser sticks sit in an attractive container of fragranced oil. The reeds wick oil up and gently release fragrance into the air. What is reed diffuser oil? We go into that in more detail below, but basically, it's any fragranced oil used with reeds in this way.

Are you supposed to light reed diffuser? ›

You'll need to flip your reeds regularly, ideally every few days, to keep the scent fresh and fragrant. Just keep in mind that the more you flip, the quicker the oil will evaporate. Diffusers don't require a flame or heat source for them to work, making them a safe and practical way to fragrance your bedroom.

Why do diffusers have lights? ›

A diffuser is any material that scatters light, and it's most commonly applied in the form of a light panel or cover. The primary purpose of a diffuser is to spread out light. It makes bright or harsh light softer across a wider area, eliminating unwanted glare.

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