When it comes to reliable air purifiers, I often recommend Levoit for its quality and dependability.

Even their trusted models, like the Levoit 131, can occasionally face issues—such as not turning on.

Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to diagnose and fix. In this guide, I’ll walk you through simple troubleshooting steps to get your Levoit 131 up and running again.

My Levoit 131 air purifier won’t turn on: Common reasons and solutions

The main power supply for your Levoit 131 air purifier encompasses various components, ranging from the external line connecting to your home to the safety shut-off switch located on the machine.

If your Levoit fails to turn on, the issue likely lies somewhere in the power supply. The good news is that many can be resolved swiftly and easily.

Problem: The power cord is unplugged or supply is faulty

The power cord is made of heavy-duty copper, sheathed in plastic, and wrapped in durable, high-quality rubber.

However, I’ve seen these components break down over time, and the cord prongs can become loose and the copper can degrade.

These issues are rare, but it’s always where I start because they’re easy to check and rule out. Remove the cord from the outlet and the Levoit unit and inspect it from top to bottom.

Ensure the prongs are solid and secure and there aren’t any damaged areas along the cord. If you find issues with the cord, replace it with a new one, and your issue should be solved.

If the cord looks fine, open the power supply and see if the capacitors have leaked, which is common for the Levoit 131.

If you have experience soldering, you can try to replace the 16v 470 uf capacitors with 32v 470 capacitors, as this is a common fix on older models. 

If you have to replace the cord, it’s a good idea to contact customer service to ensure you get the correct rated cord for your model.

Related article: Are air purifiers safe?

Problem: The outlet is not working correctly

The outlets in the wall can also wear out or lose connection from time to time. The plug from your device should fit into the outlet securely without drooping or wiggling.

If it wiggles, the internal connection of the outlet may have worn down.

To test the outlet, plug your Levoit into another outlet that you know works. If it comes on, the issue is with the older outlet and it should be replaced.

If the Levoit air purifiers don’t turn on with a new outlet, keep reading.

Problem: The circuit breaker is tripped

Another factor to consider is the electrical panel or circuit breaker box. Each line in this box controls one or more powered outlets or sections of your home.

Typically, a single breaker is rated between 20 and 30 amps. If more power is drawn from that circuit, the breakers will trip as a safety precaution.

It's highly unlikely that your Levoit 131 will trip a breaker by itself, because it only runs at 0.33 amps. That said, if it is running with other appliances, the entire circuit could trip. 

If the breaker is tripped and flipping the switch does not fix the issue, then you need a new circuit breaker.

Problem: The back cover is displaced

Another super simple diagnostics check I always 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 prevents the unit from turning on unless the back panel is fully seated.

Make sure the push prong on the back panel is not bent or broken, the back panel is securely in place, and the prong engages the safety switch.

Problem: The display is not working

One of my favorite features of the Levoit 131 is how quiet it is, especially on lower settings.

Since it is so quiet, it might 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.

Problem: The fan is not working

If the fans of your Levoit air purifier stop running, the unit won’t work even if it has power.

Your Levoit air purifier fan may automatically shut down or run at a low speed to prevent overheating and ensure safety.

There are several reasons why this may occur, including the age of the unit, higher power draws, or clogged filters.

Regardless of the cause, the air in your home won’t be cleansed when the airflow stops.

To troubleshoot this issue:

1. Turn off the unit and unplug it from the outlet.
2. Let it cool down for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Once it has cooled, plug the air purifier back in and turn it on to check if the fans resume their normal functioning.

If the fans still don’t work, consult the owner’s manual for instructions on replacing the air purifier filters.

Generally, the Levoit air purifier filters should be checked and replaced when the indicator light illuminates, typically every 5 to 7 months. 

However, in highly polluted environments, the filters may need to be replaced sooner, and the filter reset light may not always come on.

Replacing your filters often is super important because one Japanese study found that clogged filters can actually spew bacteria and viruses back into the air. 

Once the fans are changed, ensure that the air purifier filter cover is securely in place and that the fan reaches its maximum speed without any issues.

Problem: All the lights are 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, you 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. 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 stay on and the fan speed will stay on high, even when air quality improves.

This is typically caused by too much dust collecting on the air quality sensor. You will need to clean the sensor and remove accumulated dust particles to return the unit to proper working order.

Changing filters is also another way to remove the red light. If you have clogged filters, 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 filter packaging. Check the vents and intake pots for debris or blockage.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you need to contact customer service 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.

Related article: Air purifiers without filters

Unpleasant smell produced during usage

You will need to replace the filter periodically on your new 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, you should go ahead and change the HEPA filters as well.

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.

If either 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.

You should also always be sure the purifier’s air inlet isn’t blocked so it can remove odors and clean the air effectively.

Allow enough clearance around the purifier and remove objects that may block the inlet and outlet.

Related article: Best air purifiers with washable filters

Air purification is not working properly or reduced air flow

If the unit is not working properly, check the basic setup steps to ensure everything functions as expected.

Air purifier isn’t connecting to the app

Technology has made everything so much easier for me, as long as it works. Sometimes, though, it takes a little extra effort to get it to work.

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, you can be up and running in about 5 minutes.

To begin:

After completing the setup process, you should plan regular and scheduled cleaning of your entire system every few months.

Most owners will schedule their cleanings on the filter change time frame, which works out well.

Keeping the vents and sensors clean with a dry cotton swab and a damp cloth will help prolong the life of your Levoit air purifiers.

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.

Related article: Top air purifiers for VOCs and formaldehyde

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, turned on, and not in sleep mode, look for the small vent on the side of the unit. Inside you will see a small black button.

Use a pencil, pen, paper clip, 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.

If the reset doesn’t work, you may need to contact Levoit’s warranty service for assistance.

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.

Related article: Where to place your air purifier for best results