Like any other air purifier, Winix Air Purifiers need filter changes every three months, and after replacement, they need to be reset to work again.
To reset your Winix Air Purifier, press the filter life (or reset button) for 10 seconds. On older models use a paper clip to press the filter reset button for 5 seconds until it beeps, and the filter replacement indicator goes off. For wifi reset, press and hold the wifi button for 5 seconds until it starts flashing.
In this guide, we explain where the reset button is on each model and how to reset it. Plus, how to deal with that pesky red light, and how to clean and maintain them (step-by-step).
How to reset your Winix Air Purifier
All WinixAir Purifiers need to be reset after replacing the filter.
There are a few different models of Winix air purifiers, and the general reset process is similar for all of them. But, there are slight variations between the models which are outlined below.
To reset the filter light on your Winix Air Purifier:
- Locate the filter reset button (see table below) and press it down for 5 seconds.
- Once you hear a beep, the lights on the filter replacement indicator will turn off and you can release the button.
- This will reset the filter, and the system will be ready for use again.
The filter reset button is in a slightly different place on the different Winix models. Use the table below to find your model, and the location of the filter reset button.
Note that the filter reset button is always located near the filter replacement indicator, but in some models (mentioned in the table), they may not be exactly next to each other.
For the better user experience and quality controls, wifi and Alexa compatibility has been introduced in some Winix Air Purifier models. Winix Plasmawave Air Purifiers that do not come with wifi can be controlled by a remote instead.
To reset the wifi on your Winix Air Purifier:
- Plug in the Air Purifier and locate the wifi button (see table below).
- For the C545 and XLC models, press and hold the wifi button down for 3-5 seconds till you hear a beep sound. The LED will start flashing, indicating that the wifi has been successfully reset.
- For the AM90 model, make sure the wifi lights are off. Press the wifi button once, quickly, till it beeps and starts blinking.
- For the XQ model, press and hold the wifi button down for approximately 3 seconds until its LED starts flashing. Release the button once you hear a beep sound.
| Winix PlasmaWave Air Purifier Model | Wifi Button Location |
| C545 | 11th button on the control panel (2nd row) counting from the left |
| XLC | Second last (13th) button on the second row of the control system, counting from the left side of the row located in front of the grill. |
| AM90 | Located between fan speed switch and light sensor on the lower side of the control panel |
| XQ | 1st button on the control system |
How to Clean a Winix Air Purifier
When cleaning a Winix Air Purifier, start with the filters.
- Use lightly running normal water that is cooler than 104°F, and rinse the pre-filter and carbon filter.
- Wipe the sensor with a damp cotton swab.
- Then open the front panel and clean it with a handheld vacuum.
- Follow this by wiping with a damp cotton wipe.
The cleaning process is similar for all versions of Winix Air Purifier. They come with different filters and it’s important to remember that only two of the filters can be washed – the pre-filter and AOC carbon filter.
Filters
Use a soft brush or a vacuum for the pre-filter. If the purifier is well-maintained, the pre-filter won’t have much debris accumulated, so cleaning with a brush or vacuum will be enough.
But if there are excessive deposits on the pre-filter, you should rinse it with room temperature water.
How often the pre-filter needs cleaning depends on your air quality. But generally, you should service them every 14 days.
As for the carbon filter, use lightly running water that is no warmer than 104°F. They should be washed every three months.
Make sure to not use any detergent during the cleaning process. Let the filters dry for 24 hours before using them again.
Sensor
For sensors, use a slightly wet cotton swab or cloth when cleaning the lens and intake area. Wash the sensor area under running water. Once clean, wipe the moisture with a dry cloth or dry cotton swab.
Don’t use alcohol swabs, benzene or other volatile liquids as they can cause discoloration and damage the Purifier.
Interior and Exterior
To clean the interior, open the front panel and vacuum it with a good-quality handheld cleaner. Afterwards, use a damp cotton cloth and wipe both the interior and exterior of the Winix Air Purifier thoroughly.
Once done, use a dry cloth to remove the moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Red Light On My Winix Air Purifier Mean?
The red light on a Winix Air Purifier indicates poor air quality. The Winix Air Quality Indicator (AQI) has built-in sensors that gauge the air quality based on the room’s volatile organic compounds (VOC). Generally, the system will display a red light after calibrating a VOC of 1-3 mg/mᶟ.
Measuring air quality is crucial for the performance of air purifiers. Displaying the measured air quality helps you know the system is working correctly. VOC or volatile organic compounds is the scale on which the contamination in the air is based.
A VOC of 0.3-0.5 mg/mᶟ is an acceptable level. If the VOC in the room is beyond 0.5 mg/mᶟ, it is marginal, and you should be concerned. 1-3 mg/mᶟ indicates poor quality of air.
Winix Air Purifiers come with an air quality indicator that includes an LED. It displays the calculated quality of air by three different levels of lights; blue, orange/amber, and red (colors mentioned in the order of good to bad).
So if the LED on your device is illuminating red, it means the surrounding air is highly contaminated. If the system is set on auto mode, in case of poor air quality, it will raise the fan speed to a maximum. The fan will adjust to the level of pollution, and as it gets better, the fan will reduce the rotation speed.
If the air purifier is working well, the red light will switch to amber and then blue as it cleans the air.
Don’t be concerned if this takes half an hour or more. It just means the air quality was really poor, and the purifier is filtering it.
How Often Do You Change a Winix Filter?
The pre-filter in the Winix Air Purifier is permanent and does not need replacement. In contrast, the AOC carbon filter and the True HEPA Filter last up to 12 months. The filter indicator illuminates when it’s time to change the carbon and HEPA filters. The frequency of replacement may also vary as per the environment.
The pre-filter removes large particles from the air like sand and fibers. In Winix Air Purifiers, the pre-filter is permanent.
Keeping the pre-filter well-maintained prolongs the life of your appliance. It is advised to clean the pre-filter every 14 days or sooner if pollution levels are high.
There are two other filters, the carbon filter and the True HEPA filter, which ensure 99.99% removal of contaminants. The carbon filter is responsible for removing household odors and foul smells from the house.
The HEPA filter is capable of trapping particles as tiny as 0.003 microns, and are effective against pollen, pet dander, etc.
The True HEPA and pre-filter last up to 12 months and should be replaced after a year.
The appliance comes with a filter replacement indicator that lights up to indicate the time to change the filter. When you see the LED illuminating, follow these steps to replace the filter:
- Turn the Air Purifier off and then remove the front panel.
- Detach the pre-filter.
- Remove the plastic bag of filters placed in front of the pre-filter.
- Take the carbon and HEPA filter out.
- Install the filters with the HEPA placed at the back, carbon filter in the middle, and pre-filter at its place in front of the front panel.
- Ensure that the filters are fully in place and then put the front panel back.
- Connect the air purifier to a power supply.
- Locate the filter reset button and press it down for 5 seconds, till the lights on the filter replacement indicator go off.
Are Winix Filters Washable?
The pre-filter and AOC carbon filter in Winix Air Purifiers are washable and should be cleaned with room temperature water that does not exceed 104°F. The True HEPA filter is not washable.
It is safe to wash pre-filter and carbon filters with room temperature water. However, ensure that they don’t come in contact with detergents or volatile liquids like alcohol or benzene.
The True HEPA filter can not be washed and will last up to 12 months, before it is time to replace it.
How to Setup a Winix Air Purifier
To set up your Winix Air Purifier, connect it to a power source and press the power button. Next, select the operating mode i.e sleep or automatic, and enable the PlasmaWave. If your model has wifi compatibility, download the Winix app on the phone and connect it with the appliance.
Winix Air Purifiers are easy to set up. Plug the system into a reliable power source and press the power button on. Locate the fan/sleep/auto button on the control panel and select the desired operating mode.
Press and hold the arrow button on the panel for three seconds to enable PlasmaWave for better air sanitization.
If your model allows wifi controls, connect the appliance to a 2.4Ghz wireless internet and download the Winix smart app on your phone to easily control the machine.
There are some specific features that set Winix Air Purifiers apart from many low-quality and comparatively ineffective alternatives. Here are some of the commonly asked questions and their detailed and comprehensive answers that are essential for a user to know to ensure optimum performance:
Do Winix Air Purifiers Produce Ozone?
Winix Air Purifiers do not produce toxic ozone. They employ PlasmaWave technology, which is safe and creates hydroxyls for the removal of bacteria. Although a small amount of ozone may be created in the process, it is in within ozone emission concentration limits set by the California Air Resources Board.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent, and therefore, it is used in air purifiers. Over time, it has shown some harmful effects as well, and we now know that it is extremely toxic to pulmonary systems and even lethal in high concentrations.
As a safer yet equally super-effective alternative, all Winix Air Purifiers come with PlasmaWave technology. This is a natural process that filters contaminants from the surrounding air using positive and negative ions.
When the system is plugged in, PlasmaWaves produce hydroxyl ions that kill the contaminants and shields you against pollution.
Plentiful Air has detailed information on which air purifiers produce ozone (and which ones don’t) available here.
