Levoit is one of the biggest air purifier manufacturers on the market, having sold millions of devices around the world.
The reason why Levoit units are so popular is because they managed to produce low-cost air purifiers with high performance and good quality materials. Knowing this, it’s no surprise why some of the best air purifiers we’ve tested came from Levoit, including the EverestAir, the Core 600S and the Vital 200S.
But, like any electrical appliance, issues can sometimes occur. In this article, we’ll look into the dreaded red light you will sometimes find flashing on the control panel of your Levoit.
What does the red light mean in a Levoit unit?
If the red light appears on your Levoit air purifier, you may as well throw it in the trash right now.
Just kidding!
This warning light is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s one of the most common issues Levoit users face, and there is usually a super simple solution.
The most common reason why there might be a red light on your Levoit right now is because the filter has reached the end of its lifespan. As Levoit uses mechanical filters, they will become saturated with particulate matter and, over time, lose efficiency.
However, you may also experience the red light if your filter is broken or incorrectly installed. And I’ve also encountered the red light after installing a new filter due to an internal glitch.
Four steps to fix the Levoit air purifier red light warning
Getting rid of the Levoit red light should be an easy fix. Follow these simple steps to get rid of it:
Step 1: Open the filter compartment
First things first, disconnect your device from the power source.
Once it is safe to proceed, open the filter compartment. The filter compartment will vary between models but is usually located inside the purifier chamber, which you access by twisting the casing or top/bottom of the device. Alternatively, it may be a simple hatch door located at the rear.
Step 2: Remove the filter from the unit
Levoit filters usually need to be replaced every 6-8 months. If you can’t quite remember the last time you changed yours, take a peek inside to check its condition.
Filters will display a deteriorated condition over time as they capture polluting particles such as hair, dust and smoke. If your filter resembles the one above, it’s time to clean the pre-filter.
Before going the filter replacement route (step 3), it’s worth testing if the red light is flashing due to the filter not being correctly installed.
If you remove the filter from your Levoit and you can see it’s clean (or if you’ve just installed a new filter but can’t seem to get rid of the red light), try reinstalling the filter and skipping to step 4 in order to reset the red light to see if that fixes the issue.
Levoit Core units have a cylindrical filter that is pretty straightforward to install. Some of them have a top with a legend, so you know the filter goes on top.
The filter on the LV-H132 is a bit different from most Levoit filters, so check out this video to learn how to place it correctly.
The filter in Levoit Vital units is completely different from the two above. Here is a video showing how to remove and replace it:
Lastly, if you own a Levoit EverestAir, then here is a video you can watch to see how to open the filter cover to properly remove and replace the filter:
Step 3: Change your filter
Whether your filter is clogged with pollutants or has broken entirely, you will need to replace it to continue cleaning the air effectively.
Start by carefully removing the old filter and disposing of it appropriately. Next, remove the outer plastic wrapping on your new filter and slot it into place before reassembling the purifier.
Step 4: Hit reset
Some users may find that the red light is still illuminated after you’ve changed the filter. If this is the case, you’ll need to manually reset the filter change timer.
To do this, hold down the filter change button for 3-5 seconds. After that, the light should disappear until it is time to replace the filter again.
For those using the Levoit PUR131, you will need to locate the reset button on the back of the unit and insert a small screwdriver for 5 seconds or until the unit beeps.
Common questions about the red light in Levoit units
If the red light has appeared on your Levoit as a routine filter change warning, there’s nothing stopping you from continuing to use your air purifier while you wait for the replacement to arrive. However, you can expect to see decreased efficiency during this time.
If you are confident the filter doesn’t need to be replaced, reset the warning light and make a mental note to manually schedule future filter changes
The recommended life span of a Levoit filter is between six and eight months, or as long as 15 months for their premium models, such as the Everest Air.
However, it’s important to clarify that a filter’s lifespan may differ between users, depending on how often they use their air purifier and the types of pollutants they commonly face. For example, cigarette smoke and construction dust will clog their filters much faster than everyday pollutants like pollen.
You can also slightly extend the working life of your filter by carefully vacuuming and cleaning the pre-filter from time to time. Never use water or cleaning solutions on the filter.
Once filters become saturated with pollutants, they dramatically lose performance.
As dirty air enters the unit, it passes through the filter, where pollutants are removed. If the filter is full, it hampers airflow (meaning less power) and allows more pollutants to slip through and recirculate into your space.
This is why filters are advertised with a lifespan and why it is so important to keep up with regular filter changes.
Final thoughts
The Levoit red light is one of the most common issues users face and, in the vast majority of cases, will be straightforward to rectify. Remember that red lights on Levoit air purifiers serve as filter warnings, so nine times out of ten, all you need to do is replace the filter.
If none of the solutions above worked for your Levoit red light issue, there may be an internal fault with the appliance. In this case, I recommend getting in touch with Levoit’s Help Center directly.
