Why Your Geniani Humidifier Is Blinking Red – How To Fix It

Geniani is a popular choice for humidifiers, after all they’re easy to use. These humidifiers have LED lights that blink or illuminate red when there is a problem.

In Geniani humidifiers, the LED blinks red twice when the water level in the tank is low. Three red flashes means the humidifier has started water shortage protection. The LED blinks red four times when the unit cannot control humidification output. A solid red light ring means the unit has entered standby mode.

This troubleshooting guide has everything you need to know about why your Geniani humidifier light is red and how to fix it. There’s also a detailed cleaning guide, and the manuals for each of the models is available at the bottom of the article.

Reasons Why A Geniani Humidifier Light Blinks Red

Geniani have a few different humidifiers, so troubleshooting can differ slightly depending on which model you have. However, this guide is for all models, including:

• Huron Top Fill Humidifier (HURON 2L/4L/6L)
• Huron Large Cool Mist Humidifier (GL-1011, 1012, HURON 4L/6L)
• Erie Travel USB Humidifier (Erie)
• Erie Portable Small Cool Mist Humidifier (KW-JSQ10)

Here are all the reasons why your Geniani humidifier’s light is red:

1. Empty Water Tank

An empty water tank is the most common cause of a red blinking light in Geniani humidifiers. More specifically, the red LED light will blink twice each time the tank runs short of water.

Depending on your model this can also mean that the water shortage protection has kicked in.

For the newer models, including the large and top fill 2L, 4L and 6L models this protection is applied when the light ring blinks red twice. But in older 4L and 6L models, the red light will flash three times to indicate water shortage protection has begun.

Each model has a specific water holding capacity and run time. Since humidification isn’t possible without water, the unit alerts you to refill it once the water level is low or the tank is empty.

The output (mist or steam) will also stop, or the entire humidifier will switch off. The humidifier will only turn off when it has entered water shortage protection mode.

Solution

To fill the water tank and get your humidifier working normally again:

• If the humidifier has not yet entered the auto shut-off mode, turn it off
• Unplug the unit from its electrical outlet
• If the humidifier has been in use for a long time, allow it to cool down for 15 minutes
• Open the tank cap or cocer to access the top of the tank
• If your model has a removable tank, carefully detach it from the system
• Clean the tank if you notice any dust or mineral deposits
• Fill the tank with slightly cold or room temperature water (less than 104°F) to just below the maximum limit mark
• Remember to never add water directly to the mist outlet.
• Place the tank back in place and replace the cover or lid
• Plug in and turn the unit on

The smart mode in Geniani’s top fill humidifier (Huron) enables the built-in water gauge to indicate when the water level is close to the maximum limit.

It’s also best to use distilled or deionized water in the humidifier to help reduce the risk of mineral deposits building up and clogging your unit.

Also, if the tank cap or cover isn’t correctly placed or the tank isn’t tightly secured in its position, the humidifier won’t turn on.

After you have refilled the tank, if the red light is still on you can hard reset the humidifier. Press and hold the power button on your Geniani humidifier until the red light goes off. Then, unplug the humidifier, reconnect it after 10 seconds and switch it on. 

2. Standby mode

The light on a Geniani humidifier will be solid red (not blinking) when it is in standby mode. These humidifiers have a built-in auto shut-off feature or standby mode to help conserve energy, although it is more common in the newer 2L, 4L and 6L Huron and Top Fill models.

If left on, the unit uses electricity for fan rotation, the vibration of the metal diaphragm, etc., without producing any output. To prevent energy wastage, the humidifier automatically turns off.

Solution

Pressing any button is usually enough to bring your humidifier out of standby mode. However, if that’s not working check that the humidifier is on a completely flat and solid surface.

Then disconnect it from the wall for 30 seconds, plug it back in and the red light should be off.

3. Dirty Filter

Most Geniani humidifiers don’t come with a filter, but they can be added to some units and were common in the older 4L and 6L models G-1011 and G-1012. The cotton bar filter is included in the Erie model and travel USB humidifier.

Geniani humidifiers will display a red light when the filter is dirty or clogged as this stops the humidifier from being able to work properly. The unit can then shut-down or enter standby mode, depending on your model.

Solution

Remember to turn off and unplug your humidifier before replacing the filter. Gently wipe out the filter housing area with a dry, soft cloth before installing the new one.

Once you have replaced the filter and turned the unit back on the red light should be off. If not, press and hold the power button on your Geniani humidifier until the red light goes off. Then, unplug the humidifier, for 10 seconds, before plugging it back in and switching it on. 

4. Uncontrolled Humidification Output

The fourth main reason Geniani humidifiers illuminate red is their inability to regulate the humidification output.

Even though humidifiers are made to humidify the air, there is a recommended limit after which it becomes uncomfortable.

A relative humidity of 30-50% is considered ideal, but it can vary slightly based on your personal preferences and where you live. When setting up your humidifier, you should select a specific humidity level within this ideal range.

When your humidifier is working normally it will humidify the air until the room reaches your set humidity level. At this point, it stops producing moisture, allowing the room’s relative humidity to drop. This means the humidifier works periodically, instead of continuously, to keep the humidity in check.

The LED light will flash red four times in a row to tell you there has been a mechanical and/or electrical problem that has stopped the Geniani humidifier from regulating this humidification output. The internal humidification process may still be fine.

The uncontrolled humidity output indicated by a blinking red light refers to excessive moisture production. In contrast, when humidity output is lower than the set limit, it is indicated by orange light.

Solution

There are 4 main reasons why a humidifier can fail to regulate humidity output:

Broken Hygrometer

A hygrometer measures the humidity in the air.

The hygrometer helps the system adjust to ensure that the output always remains within the set range by sensing the relative humidity.

If the hygrometer breaks down due to any reason, the amount of mist/steam produced won’t be controlled.

Wrong Placement

Poor placement of the humidifier can stop it from regulating the humidity. Ideally, it should be placed at least 10 inches from the surrounding walls and furniture and one to two feet off the ground. This guarantees there will be enough airflow for it to work properly.

If it’s not placed correctly, the humidifier can overheat.

Placing it too close to walls or furniture can also cause puddling (or water leakage). The condensation from the water tank can also lead to rot on the floor.

To fix this place your humidifier in the correct location, and check that the surface is level and solid.

Wiring Issues

Check for wiring issues if your unit is new or has recently been repaired. Incorrect electrical wiring disrupts the circuit, leading to an underproduction or overproduction of moisture.

Technical issues in these humidifiers are difficult to fix. We recommend calling the customer support team to diagnose and resolve any problem with Geniani humidifiers.

Dirt Buildup

Our humidifiers are placed in the open and exposed to dust and debris. To add to this, if we use tap water in the tank, it leads to the buildup of mineral deposits. If the unit is not cleaned regularly (once a week), these contaminants clog the drainage, filters, vent, or sometimes the entire system.

These blockages and buildups send the system into overdrive, and it produces more output.

Geniani humidifiers are designed for easy maintenance, follow these steps to completely clean your unit. Apart from fixing your red light problem, Geniani humidifiers should be cleaned once a week when in use.

We’ve also included the manuals for each model here to make it easy for you:

How To Clean Geniani Humidifiers

Here are all the steps you need to clean your unit, remember to turn the humidifier off and disconnect it from the power source.

To clean the water tank

• Drain the water from the tank.
• Remove the mist cover and take off the tank cap (your model may just have a cover)
• Disconnect any filters attached to the tank (this is usually just in the Erie model and older 4L and 6L units).
• If you have an older 4L/6L model you’ll have to remove the water cover sub-assembly by turning it counterclockwise with the water tank lifted.
• Prepare a vinegar solution by mixing one cup of vinegar with one cup of water.
• Add the vinegar solution to the tank and base and leave it in for about half an hour.
• Shake/swish the tank in between.
• After draining the tank, rinse it with cold water, followed by a dry wipe.
• Place the tank back once it’s dry.

To clean the atomizer

Geniani humidifiers have an atomizer that pressurizes water to produce water droplets.

To descale an atomizer:

• Inject 0.34 fl. oz. (10 ml) vinegar on the atomizer surface.
• Immerse the atomizer for 2-5min.
• Use a soft cleaning brush to gently scrub the atomizer.
• Once the scales are removed, wash the atomizer.
• Wipe it dry.

To clean the filter

• Mix vinegar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio
• Immerse the filter in the prepared solution and let it soak for an hour.
• Take the filter out and squeeze it to remove the soaked vinegar solution.
• Leave it to dry up.

You should clean the filters in Geniani humidifiers every ten days. If you notice the blinking red light and the problem is not an empty tank, it’s usually best to replace the filter.

To clean the outer surface

Usually, the dust collected on the outer surface is easily removed with a dry cloth. However, if the unit hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, it can have hard build-ups, which you can clean using a wet cotton cloth.

Just make sure that none of the water goes into the humidifier itself.

Geniani recommends cleaning the atomizer, tank, and water channels every week. It is also best to store the humidifier if you don’t plan on using it for long.

To store Geniani humidifiers:

• First, clean the entire system thoroughly.
• Drain all the tank water.
• Let all the components dry.
• Then, store everything in a cool place until the next use.