CPAP Troubleshoot: Power Problems

We hear all the time from CPAP users who are having issues with the power to their device. Sometimes their device won’t turn on. Other times it won’t turn off without unplugging the cord from the wall. There may be a message to “check power source” even though everything appears to be plugged in properly. Or maybe you’ve had a recent power outage, and when the electricity comes back on and you turn on your device, the machine starts flashing error messages or sounding an alarm. Or both!

The PC board is like the brains of the device, and if there’s damage to the board – like there can be in a power outage – it can cause lots of different problems.

For starters, unplug everything then plug the device back in. On some devices, the box attached to the cord has a green light; if it’s illuminated then that means the power supply itself is in good working order. Make sure everything’s plugged in securely to the wall and the device. If the power supply is the problem, the fix might be as easy as replacing the cord and power box.

But many times, the issue has to do with the PC board, not the power supply. The PC board is like the brains of the device, and if there’s damage to the board – like there can be in a power outage – it can cause lots of different problems. It can trigger alarms, throw off your pressure or humidification, disrupt your flow and ramp settings, and more.

Once a PC board has been damaged, there’s not much else that can be done except replace it. Visit CPAP Medic at www.cpapmedic.com to request a free estimate, and make sure you include your power supply so we can determine whether the problem lies with it or the PC board.

Have more questions about CPAP repair? Visit www.cpapmedic.com to learn more about our CPAP repair and maintenance services, or call us at 877.310.0343.