Levoit is a brand name known for quality, dependability, and functionality. Their mid-range air purifiers are some of the most popular and widely sold in the country.
If you already own one of these purifiers, such as the Levoit 131, you know how valuable the machines are.
Sometimes, though, things won’t work as expected. Many issues are simple to diagnose and repair yourself in a few moments.
When your Levoit 131 air purifier won’t turn on, though, there can be several reasons. This review will help you troubleshoot, diagnose and repair your machine back to full working order.
My Levoit 131 Air Purifier Won’t Turn On – Common Reasons & Solutions
The main power supply comes in several areas, from the external line to your home to the safety shut-off switch on the machine itself.
There are plenty of reasons for Levoit 131 air purifier not turning on, most of which can be solved quickly.
Power Cord Unplugged or Faulty
The power cord is made of heavy-duty copper, sheathed in plastic, and wrapped in durable, high-quality rubber.
However, over time these components can break down, the cord prongs can become loose, or the copper can degrade.
While rare, it is the easiest thing to check and should be the first thing you do. Remove the cord from the outlet and the Levoit unit and inspect it by hand and eye from end to end.
Ensure the prongs are solid and secure and there aren’t any damaged areas along the entire cord. If you find any issue with the cord, replace it with a new one, and your issue should be solved.
Using a new plug can prevent electric shock, but you will need to contact customer support to ensure you get the correct rated cord for your model.
Outlet is Not Working Correctly
Outlets in the wall, just like any other electrical device, will wear out or lose connection from time to time.
The plug from your device should fit into the outlet securely without dropping or wiggling. If there is wiggle room, the internal connection of the outlet may have worn down.
To test this, find an outlet that you know works by using an outlet tester or one that has a lamp plugged in to verify it works.
Plug the Levoit air purifier into the new outlet and see if it comes on. If it does, the issue is with the older outlet, and that one needs to be replaced.
If the Levoit air purifiers don’t turn on with a new outlet, the issue is something else. Continue down the list of our troubleshooting guide.
Wrong Level Of Power Supply
Another factor, further down the electrical line, can be in your electrical panel or circuit breaker box. Each line in this box controls one or more powered outlets or sections of your home.
The most common rating for a single room is between 20 and 30 amps, and the breakers will trip if more power is pulled from that circuit.
Inspect the breaker box to ensure all breakers are fully on and not tripped. You can also remove the breaker associated with the outlet your Levoit 131 is plugged into to ensure it isn’t burnt or cracked.
If the breaker is faulty, replacing it with a new one will solve your problem. However, if it is tripped, you need to do further inspection to determine if it is strong enough for the air purifier.
The Levoit unit requires up to 15.5 watts which can draw over 20 amps pretty quickly.
If your breaker is not large enough to handle a high load, you may want to move the Levoit air purifiers to a new location on a circuit all its own or one with fewer items plugged in.
Back Cover Displaced
Another super simple diagnostics check is the back panel of the unit. Each Levoit 131 has a safety shut-off switch connected to the back panel.
This small push toggle will not allow the unit to turn on unless the back panel is fully seated.
Look at the back panel and ensure the push prong on the panel is not bent or broken, that the back panel is securely in place and that the prong engages the safety switch.
Display Not Working
Because the unit runs almost silently on lower settings, it may be on and working, but the display panel is burnt out. This can happen due to a blown fuse or loose electrical connection leading to the display.
If you have set up your air scrubber to use the WiFi app, double check the app and change the airspeed to see if you can feel the airflow or hear the fans to verify it is working.
The electrical wiring and display panel can void the warranty if they are tampered with, so you may want to reach out to your dealer or Levoit support before attempting repairs yourself.
Fan Not Working
If the fans stop running, the unit won’t work, even if it does power on. In most cases, the Levoit air purifier fan will shut down or run at a low speed to avoid overheating as a safety precaution.
This can be due to age, higher power draws, or simply a clogged air filter. Regardless, the airflow stops and your home isn’t being refreshed.
The first step is to turn the unit off, unplug it from the outlet and allow it to cool down for 20 to 30 minutes.
After this time, plug the Levoit air purifier in and turn it back on to see if the fans return to working order.
If they do not, you need to replace the filters as instructed in the owner’s manual.[1] The filters in a Levoit air purifier need to be checked and replaced when the light comes on (about every 5 to 7 months).
However, this can happen much sooner in highly polluted environments and the filter reset light may not come on.
Reduced airflow, low fan speed, or sporadic fan speed may also be signs it is time to change the air filter. Ensure the filter cover is in place and that the max speed of the fan is reached without issue.
Even the lowest possible fan speed can indicate an issue as long as you pay attention to your air purifier.
All Lights On
When all the control panel lights are illuminated at the same time, it is an indication that the unit is malfunctioning.
If this happens to you, you will need to reset the unit manually and check if the issue persists.
To reset the unit, hold the power switch down for 3 seconds. Note: you can also reset by holding the filter reset button for 3 to 5 seconds.
When the reset completes, the panel will flash and then shut down. When it powers back up, the unit is reset and everything should be in working order.
Other Problems Of Levoit Air Purifier (+ Troubleshooting Tips)
Aside from the unit not powering on, there are other common air purifier issues to be aware of.
You can check the troubleshooting guide of your owner’s manual for more tips, but the most common troubleshooting issues are discussed right here.
Red Light Won’t Turn Off
The red light on your unit is the air quality indicator light.[2] It lets you know the current status of the air passing through the unit.
The red light means that the air quality is bad, and the machine will run on high until the quality is better.
Sometimes, though, the red light will remain and the fans will stay on high, even when air quality improves.
This is typically caused by dust collected on the sensor. You will need to clean the sensor to return the unit to proper working order.
Changing filters is also another way to remove the red light. If the air filter is clogged or dirty, it can cause dust to activate the sensor.
Beeping Or Making Unusual Sounds
If the unit is making unusual sounds or a rattling noise all of a sudden, it can be from foreign material or other objects inside, plastic still on the filters, or the fan blades may be damaged.
Inspect the filter screens and remove all of the plastic wrapping. Check the vents and intake pots for debris or blockage.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you need to contact the customer support division of Levoit support to get further instructions about a return for a damaged unit.
As long as your unit is within warranty, this will be a simple process.
Unpleasant Smell Produced During Usage
Periodically you will need to replace the filter on your Levoit air purifier. Bad odors can be caused by clogged, dirty, or worn air filters.
Replace the activated carbon filter with a new one to collect odors and eliminate bad smells in the home. If you are replacing the carbon filter, though, it is also recommended you change the HEPA filters as well.[3]
The carbon filter is used to collect odors and some large particles, but the main particle and foreign object collection are done by the HEPA filter.
When either of these becomes too clogged with debris, the fan may only make light turns or not turn at all. To increase efficiency, you should replace the old filter with a new filter regularly.
Air Purification is Not Working Properly/Reduced Air Flow
If the unit is not working properly, there can be several reasons, such as those listed in this article. However, you also want to check the basic setup steps to ensure everything functions as expected.
- Check proper filter placement.
- Ensure the unit is on a flat, level surface.
- Double-check 15-inch clearance on all sides.
- Ensure the unit is plugged in and turned on.
- Double check app settings, auto mode (when the system will stop or start automatically), and sleep mode status.
- Check that the back panel is properly seated.
Air Purifier Isn’t Connecting to the App
Setup for the VeSync app is done through the app itself. Once the app is downloaded, you will be taken step by step through the initial setup process.
If the connection fails at any time, you need to ensure that your mobile device has not changed networks and that it is connected to the WiFi router.
How To Properly Set Up A Levoit 131
Setting up the Levoit air purifier is a quick and simple process. Once you open the packaging and remove the parts, setting up should only take about 5 minutes.
- Open the back cover and remove the filters and their packaging.
- Remove the filters from the plastic packaging to prevent airflow restriction.
- Place the black carbon filter into the Levoit air purifier, followed by the HEPA filter. Ensure the pull tabs are facing outward.
- Replace the back cover, ensuring the push prong engages the safety shut-off switch.
- Push the back cover until it is securely in place.
- Put the air purifier on a smooth, flat surface and ensure there is enough clearance on all sides (15 inches).
- Plug the unit in and turn it on to verify proper operation.
While not officially part of the setup process, you should plan regular and scheduled cleaning of your entire system every few months.
Most owners will use the filter change time frame for their cleaning schedule as well, which works out well.
Keeping the vents and sensors clean with a dry cotton swab and a damp cloth (and a dry cloth to avoid water damage) will help prolong the life of your Levoit air purifiers.
Using a true HEPA filter will also help contribute to fresh air, reduce pet dander in the home, and lower energy costs.
Make sure you avoid abrasive chemicals when cleaning, as this can lead to igniting flammable cleaning agents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being released into the air.
The carbon filter will reduce unpleasant odors, cooking odors and smoke, and push out clean air to keep your home fresh.
Resetting Levoit Air Purifiers
To reset your Levoit air purifier, you will need to locate the reset button or the filter indicator reset button.
With the unit plugged in and turned on, look for the small vent on the side of the unit. Inside you will see a small black button.
Use a pencil, pen, or other small, firm object to reach between the vent louvers and depress the button.
Hold the filter reset button down for 3 to 5 seconds until the unit resets. Should the reset not work, you may need to contact Levoit’s warranty service for assistance.
The only note is to ensure the unit is on and that you exit sleep mode, if enabled, to allow for a full reset.
The auto mode button and sleep mode button may or may not blink when the reset occurs, but once functionality is restored, you can engage either mode once again.
Frequently Asked Levoit 131 Air Purifier Questions
How long does the Levoit air filter last?
The filters in your Levoit machine need to be replaced every 5 to 7 months. The filter indicator light will turn on when it is time to check them.
If they do not need replacing at this time, you should still maintain the 5 to 7 month schedule to ensure proper operation and better air quality.
Don’t be confused by the red air quality sensor light, though. The two are near each other on the panel, and only one will tell you when the filters need changing.
Contact customer support if there are other issues with the lights.
How do I clean the pre-filter on my Levoit air purifier?
Unlike other models, the Levoit 131 doesn’t use a pre-filter. The only filters are the black carbon filters and the white true HEPA filters.
These filters cannot be cleaned and need to be replaced according to the 5 to 7 month schedule.
For models with a pre-filter, though, you can use a vacuum hose attachment to gently remove dust and debris without damaging the filter screen.
How do you connect a Levoit smart air purifier to WiFi?
Since the new Levoit air purifier is a smart device, you can connect it to your home’s wireless network. The VeSync app does all the connecting for you.
Your phone or mobile device needs the VeSync app, which can be downloaded from your device app store.
Once installed, you can run through the step-by-step setup steps that will find and connect to your wireless network and find and connect to the unit itself.
Conclusion
The Levoit 131 air purifier is a mid-range, affordable and functional model. It is easy to set up, operate, and connect to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa through the mobile app.
These are only a few of the reasons for the purifier’s popularity.
From time to time, though, the Levoit air purifiers may need troubleshooting. We covered the basic issues and went into detail about the Levoit 131 not powering on.
Hopefully after reading through the steps, your issue has been corrected, and your unit is back to full operation.
Sources:
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1686410/Levoit-Lv-Pur131s.html
- https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7027e1.htm
Last Updated on February 13, 2023
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