In a world where the importance of maintaining a healthy living environment is increasingly emphasized, a well-functioning humidifier can make all the difference. Vicks humidifiers, like any other, need regular care and attention to ensure they perform at their best. One key way to do that is by resetting your humidifier.
Vicks humidifiers can be hard reset by unplugging the unit, refilling its water tank and placing it securely back on the unit. In some cases, the humidifier will not reset if the heating element is dirty. Specific instructions are slightly different between models, with many Vicks’ humidifier’s not needing any resetting.
In this guide, we share specific instructions on how to reset all models of Vicks humidifiers. We also cover what the different colored lights mean on your unit, so you won’t be left in the dark.
How to reset a Vicks humidifier
This guide covers all models of Vicks humidifiers, including:
| Vicks Warm Mist Filter-free Humidifier (VWM845) | Filtered Cool Mist with Invisible Moisture Humidifier (VEV400) | Cool Relief Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL600) |
| Embrace Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL900) | Easyfill Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL570) | Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier (V4600) |
| 3 in 1 Sleepytime Humidifier (VUL500) | Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier (VUL575) | Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (V5100-N) |
| Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL545) | Mini Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL525) | Dual Comfort Cool Warm Mist Humidifier (VWC775) |
| Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL520) | Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier (V3700) | NaturalCare Cool Mist Humidifier (VUL530) |
You can scroll through the different units below, or jump to your specific model using the table of contents at the beginning of this article.
Vicks VWM845 humidifier
To reset your Vicks VWM845 humidifier, follow these steps:
- The first step is to confirm if your Vicks humidifier really needs resetting. For this, locate the reset light. You will find it just above the control dial. If this light is on, it means
- The humidifier is either out of water, or
- The device was not properly reset after filling it with water. If your light is on proceed to the next step.
- Turn the power off and unplug your device.
- Refill and replace the water tank. Make sure the water you use is always cool.
- Wait for five minutes.
- Plug the device in and turn the power on.
That’s it, you have successfully hard reset your device!
Sometimes, however, you may find that the reset light is still on. If this is the case, it’s most likely because the heating element is not clean.
How to clean the heating element:
Cleaning the heating element is relatively straight forward:
- Turn the humidifier off and unplug it from its power source.
- Remove the water tank from its place.
- Pour 2 cups of undiluted, distilled white vinegar into the deep reservoir. Make sure it does not spill over into surrounding latches.
- Let it soak for 20 minutes so that any mineral build-up gets loose.
- Now, remove the ‘mist chimney’. For this, you need to move the blue latch towards the front of the unit and then lift the chimney upwards.
- Remove the heating element cover (located at the base of the chimney). To do this, simply lift it up from the large, round opening that you see in the bottom of your chimney.
- Get a soft brush and wet its bristles with vinegar. Gently scrub off any scales on the heating element (and its cover). If you still see scales, moisten a paper towel with vinegar and put it on top of the heating element. Let it soak for 30 minutes to loosen up all scales. Remove the paper towel before proceeding to the next step.
- Rinse the heating element and the water tray with water until you can no longer smell the vinegar.
- Finally, reassemble the device.
- The reset light should now be off when you restart your device.
Please note that these instructions also apply to the VWC775 model if its reset light is blinking red.
However, if your humidifier is clearly not working properly, Plentiful Air has a complete guide on how to fix it here.
Vicks VWC775 Humidifier
To reset your VWC775 Vicks Humidifier, follow these steps:
- Locate the reset light. You should find it next to the power button towards the front of the device.
- If this light is blinking orange, it means the tank is either empty or not attached properly, and needs to be reset. To reset your humidifier,
- Unplug the device.
- Carefully remove the tank from the device. Uncap it by rotating its lid.
- Fill the tank with cool water (even when you want to use the warm mist function)
- Replace the cap and put the tank back in the unit. When the plunger is properly engaged, water will flow from the tank into the reservoir.
- Turn the humidifier on. The orange reset light should now be off.
If the reset light is blinking red, however, it means the heating element has mineral build-up and needs to be cleaned. For this, follow these steps.
Vicks VUL900 Humidifier
Unlike the previous two models we’ve covered, the VUL900 does not need to be ‘reset’ per se.
However, when the tank runs out of water, you will notice that the power button will display an amber or orange colored light. To solve this (and ‘reset’ your humidifier), simply refill the tank and turn the humidifier back on. The amber light should now be gone.
Vicks VE400 and V3700/3700M Humidifiers
For the VEV400 and V3700/V3700M models, there is no particular ‘reset’ function required. However, every 1-2 months, you will need to replace your wicking filter to keep your humidifier working properly.
To replace your wicking filter, follow these steps:
- Unplug the device.
- Remove the water tank from the main device unit.
- You will then notice the wicking filter on a removable tray. Take this filter out and dispose safely.
- Get your new wicking filter (Vicks recommends only using authentic Protec PWF2 filters for this).
- Soak the filter under cold running water in the sink until it gets saturated.
- Fold the filter flat and place it on the removable tray. Put this tray back in the humidifier.
- Make sure to not wring the filter or to squeeze any excess water from it to prevent damage.
- Reassemble the device and run it as usual.
While Vicks do not sell their replacement wick filters on Amazon, Pureburg sell some that are compatible with models V3100, V3500N, V3500, V3700, V3800, and V3900:
Please note that the filter also needs replacement if:
- It’s discolored (often due to mineral build-up)
- The humidifier’s mist output has noticeably decreased
- The top of the wicking filter is not moist to the touch, and,
- There are large tears or holes in the wicking filter.
All other Vicks Humidifiers
For all other Vicks humidifiers, including the VUL545, VUL525, VUL520, VUL575, VUL600, V4600, VUL500, VUL530 and V5100-N models, there is no need to ‘reset’ the device. When the water tank is running out of water, you simply have to refill it and operate it as usual.
For the VUL570 model, you also don’t need to reset the humidifier. The humidifier has an auto shut-off function when the tank runs out of water, and you simply need to refill the tank if that happens and run it again as usual.
Helpful Maintenance Tips
Vicks Humidifier Lights And What They Mean
Red Light
For the Vicks VWM845 humidifier, a red light indicates that the humidifier needs to be reset. For the VMC775 model, however, a red light means that the humidifier’s heating element has mineral build-up and needs to be cleaned.
Instructions to reset your humidifier as well as to clean the heating element are available at the beginning of this article.
Orange Light
In the Vicks VWC775 humidifier model, an orange light indicates that the water tank is empty, or that the tank is not properly secured on its base. For the VUL900 model, an amber light is present instead of orange, but indicates the same issue.
To solve this issue, simply refill your water tank and place it securely on its base. Then turn the humidifier back on, and you should notice that the light is gone.
The humidifier must be turned off before refilling the tank. Otherwise the orange or amber light will not turn off.
For the VWC775, you will also notice an orange light when the humidifier is in warm mist mode. However, this light will be the ‘Mist Output LED’, and not the reset light.
Green Light
A green light on the power button of Vicks humidifiers, such as the VWM845 model, indicates that the humidifier is working well.
This is basically a sign of good humidifier health, and you only need to worry when the light isn’t green.
How to Refill A Vicks Humidifier tank
Refilling your Vicks humidifier tank is a fairly simple process, but these steps should help you do it right in case you are unsure:
- Unplug the device.
- Gently remove the tank by pulling it upwards.
- Turn the tank upside down, and remove the tank cap by rotating it in the direction of the ‘Open Lock’ sign.
- Fill the tank with water from a faucet. Make sure the water is cool, not warm or hot. Doing so may damage your tank.
- Replace the tank cap. Rotate the cap in the opposite direction, aligning the cap’s arrow to the lock symbol on the tank.
- Securely place the tank back on the base.
How To Clean A Vicks Humidifier
Vicks have created a series of videos that step you through how to clean each of their humidifier models. They are easy to follow and available on YouTube in the following playlist:
White dust Around Your Vicks Humidifier
The white dust around a Vicks humidifier is most likely the mineral component present in the water you used to fill your humidifier tank. It’s normal to see this with ultrasonic humidifiers, and is generally harmless.
Ultrasonic humidifiers add moisture to your room by breaking the water down into tiny droplets that come out as mist. Whenever we use mineral rich (or hard) water in our humidifier tank, some of these minerals also come out in these tiny droplets. Once these drops are in the air, the water component evaporates, but the minerals are left behind. These minerals cannot remain suspended in the air without water, however, so you will see them in the form of tiny white deposits around your humidifier.
If you wish to reduce the amount of dust around your humidifier, you should use distilled water, which does not contain any minerals. You can also add demineralization cartridges in certain models to trap the minerals before they are dissipated via mist.
These minerals can also build up on the heating element of your humidifier, and will stop it working properly. You can find instructions on how to clean the heating element and reset your humidifier here.
