An Air Wick Freshmatic will stop working when it is either low on charge or needs a refill. If the refill isn’t inserted properly, because the nozzle is facing backward or the red arm mechanism isn’t raised fully, the fragrance won’t be dispersed around the room.
Freshmatic by Air Wick takes the lead when it comes to home fragrance products, with a single refill lasting up to 60 days. But if your Air Wick Freshmatic isn’t working properly, there are only a few possible reasons why.
This troubleshooting guide has all the possible reasons why your Air Wick Freshmatic isn’t working and how to fix each problem. So that you can get back to enjoying those sweet fragrances smoother.
7 Reasons Why Your Air Wick Freshmatic Isn’t Working
Air Wick Freshmatic automatically delivers bursts of fragrance at regular intervals. Ideally, it should start emitting the perfume or fragrant oil within 15 seconds of turning on.
If that doesn’t happen, one of these problems is likely the cause:
1. Battery
Air Wick Freshmatic operates on batteries. Each battery lasts three refills. If your Air Wick Freshmatic doesn’t start spraying within 15 seconds of turning it on, chances are it has run out of battery.
The Air Wick Freshmatic also starts blinking red when the battery is starting to run low.
To be sure, we recommend first restarting the device. If this doesn’t work, then replace the batteries.
Solution:
To replace the batteries:
- Turn the device off using the left switch.
- Press the top button down and remove the cap.
- Locate the batteries and remove them
- Replace with new batteries.
- When done, reassemble the Freshmatic and turn it back on.
To prolong the lifespan it’s important to use good-quality batteries. For Freshmatic, it’s better to use a new alkaline battery of a reputable brand.
Using zinc-carbon or rechargeable batteries is not recommended for Air Wick Freshmatic, as they are not compatible with the device requirements of continuous, uninterrupted power supply.
2. Empty Canister
The Air Wick Freshmatic has a refill containing the fragrance, which is sent out in small bursts at fixed intervals. If your batteries are fine, the next thing you should do is open the front of the unit and check if the refill is empty.
To take the refill out, locate the square pad button on top of the nozzle and press it down twice. While doing this, make sure the nozzle is directed away from your face. If the Freshmatic doesn’t spray the fragrance out, the refill is empty, and you need to replace the canister with a new one.
Solution:
To replace the refill:
- First, turn the Air Wick Freshmatic off by pressing the left switch.
- Press the button on top and simultaneously pull the front cover out. After taking the lid off, depress the square pad button on top of the nozzle twice and remove the empty canister.
- Replace it with a new Freshmatic refill. Make sure the nozzle is directed towards the front cover. Remember to rotate the red lever clockwise and raise it fully to ensure correct insertion. Once the refill is in place, you will hear a click.
- Close the lid and place the front cover back.
- Adjust the Freshmatic settings and turn it on.
One refill lasts almost 60 days. This varies depending on which fragrance intensity level you have set. We recommend removing both the battery and refill if you aren’t going to be using your Air Wick for a long period of time. This will guarantee both the refill and battery last longer.
3. Red Arm Mechanism
Air Wick Freshmatics have a red arm for support. If the red arm isn’t positioned correctly, there won’t be enough room to allow complete insertion of a refill.
So, if the battery and refill are fine, you need to check the red arm mechanism next.
Solution:
For the Freshmatic to work properly, the red arm needs to be fully raised.
- Locate the arm from the front and see if it is blocking the nozzle.
- Rotate the arm clockwise to the full extent.
- Once done, push the refill inside the gadget as far as it goes.
- Close the front cover and turn the Freshmatic on.
4. Backward Facing Nozzle
The nozzle is the opening on the refill where the fragrance comes out.
Normally, when the device is closed, the tip of the nozzle is visible on the front side of Freshmatic. If you can’t see the nozzle, the chances are that the refill has been accidentally placed backwards..
Solution:
Remove the refill and insert it again, making sure that the nozzle has the open end facing the front.
5. Clogging
Sometimes dust particles and resin deposit in the nozzle and form a clog. This blocks the air passage and the Air Wick Freshmatic is not able to disperse the freshener (although it tries).
Solution:
- If you notice debris at the nozzle opening, clean it to get your Freshmatic working again.
- Take the refill out and use a tissue or q-tip to remove dust from the opening.
- If the deposits are hard, run the nozzle under warm water, and use a dry cloth to dry it up.
6. Settings
Air Wick Freshmatic has adjustable settings. For example, you can choose if you want a slight fragrance in your room or you want to go all out with an intense aroma that spreads rapidly.
If your Freshmatic isn’t emitting any freshener, check the interval settings. The flowers in the switch indicate the time intervals and intensity that it is set at.
If there is a small dot on display, it means the device is turned off. You need to adjust the settings after inserting the refill or replacing the batteries, otherwise the device will stay off.
Solution:
If the panel indicates a dot, you need to adjust the flower settings. There are three flowers:
- Large flower: intense fragrance sprayed every 9 minutes
- Middle flower: a soft aroma of medium intensity emitted every 18 minutes
- Small flower: very slight and subtle fragrance at an interval of 36 minutes
- Dot: device is not spraying any fragrance
7. Location
One aspect that is often ignored is the position of the Freshmatic. If everything, including refill, batteries, nozzle, red arm, and the settings of your Air Wick Freshmatic, is fine, then it should be emitting fragrance perfectly.
However, if this isn’t the case, it’s possible that it’s blocked by something.
For the device to aromatize the entire room, you need to place it at least six feet above ground level, with a clear space around it.
Solution:
Place the Air Wick Freshmatic at a suitable height in an open space like a shelf or on a table. You can even mount it on the wall. Adjust its settings as per your preference, and you are good to go.
What those flashing lights mean on your Air Wick Freshmatic
Blue Light
Air Wick Freshmatics turn blue at small intervals when it is turned on. The blue light will also flash each time the device releases fragrance.
Whenever you turn an Air Wick Freshmatic on by pressing the switch, it flashes a blue light. Immediately after 15 seconds, it will start releasing a fresh smell in small bursts.
Depending on the settings, the LED also flashes blue every time the nozzle emits some of the freshener.
Red Light
An LED blinking red light on Air Wick Freshmatic means one of the two things: low battery or empty canister.
An Air Wick Freshmatic flashing a red light is a common concern. If your device is blinking red, here’s how you should go about fixing it:
1. Check the Refill
The first step is to check if Freshmatic has run out of liquid. To do this, turn the device off and remove the front cover. Take the cap off and press the button on top of the nozzle twice. Ensure that the nozzle is facing opposite your face to protect your eyes from the spray.
Once you depress the square button, the device should immediately emit some fragrance. If the Freshmatic fails to do so, the canister is empty. Replace it with a new refill, put the lid back in place, and turn it on.
2. Replace the Batteries
A single AA Freshmatic battery lasts up to three refills. If you use the device on high-intensity settings, a battery will last for up to three months. If your Air Wick Freshmatic is flashing red and does not require a refill, you need to replace the battery.
The device usually starts emitting fragrance 15 seconds after it is turned on. If the Freshmatic does not work, turn it off and restart. In case it still does not start, get a new AA alkaline battery, throw the old one out and place the new one.
Green Light
Air Wick Freshmatic displays a green light every 5 seconds, this just means that the battery and refill are in good condition and it’s working properly. Note that new versions of Freshmatic do not come with a green light as it helps save the battery.
It’s common for Freshmatics to blink green at fixed intervals of 5 seconds every time you replace the battery or insert a refill. This mens that it’s working perfectly and everything’s in good condition.
If you’ve recently bought a new Freshmatic, don’t worry if it does not have a blinking green light. The new models don’t come with green light settings to preserve the battery, so it is normal for the Freshmatic to not display a green light.
The Lifespan of Air Wick Freshmatic Refills
A single refill in Air Wick Freshmatic lasts 60 days to three months depending on the spray interval settings. The latest Freshmatic diffusers allow up to 60-70 days of fresh smell at the highest settings. When set at the lowest for minimum fragrance, the refill may even last three or more months.
- The largest flower setting gives the maximum intensity of fragrance every 8 minutes and lasts 60 days.
- When set at medium level, you get a soft, fresh smell emitted every 18 minutes and may last two and a half months.
- At the lowest setting, you get subtle fragrance every 36-40 minutes, and refill lasts more than three months.
Some amount of refill can diffuse out even when the device is not in use. Therefore, we recommend removing the refill as well as the batteries if you don’t intend to use the product for days or weeks.
How Often Does Air Wick Freshmatic Automatic Sprayer Spray?
Air Wick Freshmatic sprays every 8, 18, and 36 minutes at high, medium, and low-intensity settings, respectively.
Air Wick Freshmatic allows you to control the intensity of fragrance to suit your taste.
If you like a strong smell, the sprayer will release bursts of fragrance every 8 minutes. At medium and low settings, it emits fragrance every 18 and 36 minutes, respectively.
