Why Is My Vornado Heater Not Working?
Why is my Vornado Heater not working? I found a problem while using Vornado Heater and here I will guide you to solve this issue if you are facing the same issue.
I love Vornado because it is small in size and durable, a perfect answer to this question will help you to resolve the question. A Vornado heater can be a great source of warmth during the cold winter months, but it can be frustrating when it suddenly stops working. The problem could be caused by a number of issues, such as a faulty thermostat, a dirty air filter, or power supply issues.
Quick Reply:
Just open the Heater with a screw driver and remove the dust, that can be most common issue, check the cables properly and never forget to unplug it before opening the heater. I would provide you a step by step process to resolve this issue.
Quick Video to Resolve the issue:
Why Is My Vornado Heater Not Working? Fixes & FAQs
As the weather turns chilly, a reliable heater is a must-have in every home. Vornado heaters are popular among homeowners for their efficiency and durability. However, just like any other appliance, a Vornado heater can develop issues, which can be frustrating, especially during the winter season. In this guide, we will show you how to fix a Vornado heater not working, so you can enjoy the warmth in your home.
Does your Vornado Heater not turn on?
Short answers to this question will help you to save a lot of time: Follow this table.
| Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Unpowered wall outlet | Plug heater into another wall outlet, check electric service box, replace blown fuse or reset tripped circuit breaker |
| Broken wall outlet | Try heater on another outlet, replace outlet if necessary |
| Broken power cord | Check voltage with multimeter, replace cord with heavy-duty one if broken |
| Loose contacts or disconnected ON-OFF switch | Check power cord wires and connectors, replace power switch if defective |
The problem may lie somewhere between the heater’s internal power circuitry and your home’s electrical wiring. To pinpoint the cause and fix it, you can follow a few simple steps.
Check Wall Outlet/Power Outlet:
Check the Power Outlet Check if the wall outlet is providing power to the heater.
Plug the heater into another wall outlet that you know works, or use a low-power device such as a phone charger to test the original outlet. If the heater still doesn’t work, move on to the next step.
Solution:
If the heater does not turn on when plugged into a working outlet, the problem is not with the outlet.
Inspect the Electric Service Box:
Check the electric service box in your home and ensure that all fuses are intact and the circuit breakers are in the right position. If you find a blown fuse, replace it with an equivalent fuse. If you find a triggered circuit breaker, switch it back on.
Solution:
The issue may be due to the fuse when it is blown or triggered circuit breaker, the heater should turn on once the problem is fixed.
Test the Wall Outlet:
Test the wall outlet again with a low-power device to confirm that it works. If it does, plug in your Vornado heater and turn it on. If it still does not work, consult an electrician to install higher current fuses or circuit breakers in your home.
Solution:
Have you checked this, the Heater is still not working then there may be an issue with the heater itself.
Check the Power Cord:
Yes, Check the Wall Outlet and Power Cord Test the heater on another wall outlet to see the heater is working. If not, unplug the heater and open its case to access the power electronics. Check the power cord for any signs of damage, such as a loose connection, a short circuit, or a broken wire.
Use a multi-meter to measure the voltage where the power cord and the circuit board connect. If there is no voltage, replace the power cord with a heavy-duty one that can carry 15 amps of current. Cut off the female end, strip the wires, and solder them to the Vornado heater’s circuitry.
Solution:
Repair the Wall or Power Cord to save the time.
ON-OFF Switch:
Inspect the ON-OFF Switch Check the ON-OFF switch for any loose contacts or disconnections. Open the heater’s case and examine the power cord wires for any loose connectors or missing wires.
Measure the voltages on both ends of the power switch and see if they change when you switch the power ON and OFF. If the switch is defective, replace it with a generic power switch that fits.
Adjust the hole size of the switch as needed and connect it to the power cord wires. Generic replacement power switches are available online or in hardware stores. Choose one that closely resembles the original switch.
Solution:
It is better to either to repair the Switch or replace it.
GFCI Trip Off:
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) has tripped. GFCI is not recommended for use and may cause nuisance tripping.
Solution:
If the GFCI is causing nuisance tripping, the best solution is to relocate the unit to a standard wall outlet. This will ensure that the GFCI is not tripped unnecessarily, and your electrical system is protected against ground faults.
It is important to note that GFCIs are highly recommended for use in wet or damp locations, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas, as they provide an additional level of safety against electrical shock. If you continue to experience issues with GFCI tripping, it may be best to consult with an electrician to ensure that your electrical system is properly installed and functioning correctly.
Overheating Issue:
Overheating is a common issue that can occur in heaters, and it can be quite dangerous if not addressed promptly. If you are experiencing an overheating issue with your heater, it is important to take immediate action to prevent any potential hazards.
Solution:
It is essential to understand what causes overheating in heaters. One of the most common reasons for overheating is a clogged air filter. If the air filter is dirty or blocked, it can prevent air from circulating properly, causing the heater to work harder and generate more heat than it can handle. Another common cause of overheating is a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is not functioning correctly, it can cause the heater to operate at higher temperatures than necessary, leading to overheating.
Does the Light turn On or Off?
When you find that the light or display on your Vornado has been illuminated, but the fan and heater refuse to cooperate, it can be an alarming situation. However, before you panic, it is important to understand that the power supply to your heater is likely not the culprit. Instead, the issue likely lies within the internal components of your heater itself.
Faulty Fan while turning On:
It’s possible that the fan simply isn’t turned on. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking for the sake of completeness.
Some Vornado heaters have separate switches for the heater and the fan, so make sure that the fan switch is turned on if your heater has one. This will ensure that the fan is running and distributing warm air throughout the room.
Double-checking this switch is a quick and easy way to troubleshoot your Vornado heater and ensure that it’s working properly.
What if the Fan is stuck?
If you’re having trouble with your Vornado heater, it’s possible that the fan inside is stuck. There are a few reasons why this might be the case, such as a broken fan blade, something blocking the fan, or, less likely, broken bearings.
To check if your fan is stuck, you’ll need to open the case of your Vornado heater and try to rotate the fan manually. Pay attention to how easily the fan rotates, and check the blades for any damage or obstructions.
Keep it out of the reach of children, it’s possible that they may have been playing with the heater and accidentally put something into the fan, causing it to become blocked or damaged.
Regardless of the cause, you’ll need to remove anything that’s blocking the fan’s rotation. If you find that the fan is broken, you can either replace the entire fan or just the fan blades. Replacement parts for Vornado heaters can be found online, such as on aliexpress.com or eBay.
While you’re fixing the fan, it’s also a good idea to lubricate it. Any lubricant will do the job, but WD-40 is a common choice. This will help to improve the rotation of the fan and keep it running smoothly.
Does the fan turn on but it doesn’t blow hot air?
If you’re experiencing a problem where your Vornado space heater turns on but only blows cold air, it can be a bit trickier to diagnose the issue.
Fortunately, we can eliminate a few potential causes right off the bat. Firstly, we know that the fan and power supply are working properly, since the fan is rotating as it should be.
So, what else could be causing your heater to blow cold air? There are a few possibilities to consider, such as a malfunctioning thermostat, a blocked heating element, or a faulty temperature sensor.
To troubleshoot this issue, you may need to take apart your Vornado heater and inspect its components. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional.
Once you’ve identified the cause of the problem, you can take steps to fix it and get your heater working properly again.
Malfunctioning Electronic Components:
Electronic issues in Vornado heaters can range from problems with the thermostat or sensor to malfunctioning components within the electronic circuitry. Even if you’re not familiar with the specific part, a broken capacitor is a broken capacitor, whether it’s in the power module or the thermostat.
To start troubleshooting, inspect the Vornado heater’s circuit board by opening the case and examining it visually. This can be a quick and effective way to identify about 80% of issues without needing to take any measurements.
During the visual inspection, look for any burn marks, blown parts, or deformed capacitors. For circuit boards with integrated circuits (ICs), make sure all the pins are connected to the board as sometimes pins can hover over the solder joint without making a physical connection.
If you do find a broken or disconnected part, you’ll need a soldering iron to replace it, except for parts that have connectors you can simply reconnect. Replacement parts can be found online or at a hardware store.
You can manually check the heater through visual inspection, trace the voltage from the power cord until you see it drop, and then investigate the area in the vicinity of the voltage drop. Something is likely to be off there.
Does the heater turn off after some time?
Is your Vornado heater turning off after a certain period of time? These types of issues are known as “charging effects”, where the problem only appears after the heater has been running for a few minutes.
In fact, many space heater issues are a result of charging effects, where the problem needs to reach a threshold before it causes the heater to shut off.
The good news is that charging issues are often simple to fix.
Electric Charging Issues:
Although it’s unlikely, there’s a small possibility that your Vornado heater could be turning off due to other types of charging issues, such as an overloaded capacitor or a resistor overheating and altering its electrical characteristics.
These issues are very uncommon, though.
To check for these issues, simply open up your Vornado heater and turn it on. Listen for any unusual noises (such as screeching or buzzing) and check for any parts that may be getting hot and emitting smoke just before the heater shuts off.
If you notice these symptoms, replace the affected parts and try again.
Overheat protection triggered:
Overheating is one of the major reasons that keeps the heater to shut off automatically, after a few minutes of use, the most likely cause is the overheat protection being triggered. This type of issue usually arises due to heat buildup within the heater.
Fortunately, it’s easy to resolve. All you need to do is open up the heater’s casing and remove any dust that has accumulated inside. You can use your hands to remove any large dust particles, while a dry toothbrush can be used to clean the finer areas. Another option is to use a compressed air gun to blow out the dust.
It’s crucial to avoid using wet cleaning methods, as this can cause an unpleasant odor that won’t go away. However, if there is grease on the fan blades, you can apply a cleaning product or rubbing alcohol to dissolve it before wiping it away.
Once you’ve cleaned the heater, reassemble it and test it out. In most cases, this will resolve the issue, as around 95% of cases involving heaters shutting off are caused by dust buildup.
What to do if the Heater is not working at All?
If the problem is not resolved, you can buy the another one, I would suggest you rather than purchasing another Vornado heater that is prone to accumulating dust and breaking down, I suggest trying a different type of heater altogether.
Oil-filled radiators are a great option because they don’t have any moving parts and therefore don’t accumulate dust or wear down due to friction. They’re incredibly reliable and can last for 10 years or more.
Consider purchasing the DeLonghi oil-filled radiator, which produces the same amount of heat as a Vornado heater without the risk of it breaking down easily. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.
Selling your broken heater online is also a good idea. Many people enjoy buying, repairing, and reselling broken devices, so there’s a good chance someone will be interested in buying it from you. This way, you can save yourself the hassle of repairing it and someone else can potentially make a profit on it.
Conclusion:
I hope this information will help you to resolve your issue, if you follow the tips and troubleshooting steps properly to fix a Vornado heater that keeps shutting off. You can call an expert to resolve the issue if you are unable to resolve this.
FAQs:
How often should I clean my Vornado heater’s air filter?
It is recommended to clean the air filter of your Vornado heater every 30 days or so. However, if you use your heater frequently or if you have pets or live in a dusty environment, you may need to clean it more often. A clogged air filter can cause the heater to overheat and shut off, so regular cleaning is important for the safety and efficiency of your heater.
Can I use my Vornado heater in a bathroom?
No, it is not recommended to use a Vornado heater in a bathroom. The high humidity levels in a bathroom can cause the heater to malfunction or create a fire hazard. It is important to always use your heater in a well-ventilated area for safe use.
Can I repair a Vornado heater on my own or should I call a professional?
It depends on the issue and your level of expertise. Some simple issues, such as cleaning the air filter or removing dust from the heater, can be easily fixed by following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, for more complex issues such as electrical problems or malfunctioning parts, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional. Attempting to repair these issues on your own can be dangerous and may cause further damage to the heater.
How do I know if my Vornado heater’s thermostat is malfunctioning?
If your Vornado heater is not producing enough heat or if it is overheating and shutting off, it may be a sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning. You can test the thermostat by using a digital thermometer to compare the temperature readings on the thermostat and the thermometer. If they do not match, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Can a Vornado heater cause a fire hazard?
Like all space heaters, a Vornado heater can pose a fire hazard if not used properly. It is important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use, including keeping the heater away from flammable materials and never leaving it unattended while in use. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the air filter and removing dust from the heater, can also help prevent fire hazards.
