If you see a red warning light on your Winix air purifier, don’t worry. This guide will help you resolve the issue quickly.
A solid red light on your air quality indicator signals that the air in your space contains contaminants. The solution is straightforward: increase your unit’s fan speed to improve filtration.
When the filter indicator displays a red warning light, it’s signaling a filter-related issue that needs attention.
In approximately 90% of cases, this indicates your filter has reached the end of its lifespan and requires replacement with a new one.
The red filter light might also appear if your filter is excessively dirty, not properly installed, or if you haven’t reset the indicator after installing a new filter.
Winix produces an excellent selection of air purifiers. We’ve personally tested several models, including the 5300-2, 5500-2, and A231.
From our experience, a flashing red light on a Winix device typically indicates a problem. This often results in searching for the instruction manual (assuming you have it) to determine the meaning of the warning. It’s like an unnecessary treasure hunt.
You can skip that search entirely. This guide explains what each red light on your Winix unit means. It also provides simple troubleshooting steps that require minimal tools, no manual consultation, and very little effort.
What does the red light mean on my Winix air purifier?
A Winix air purifier shows red lights to tell you about its status. Modern Winix models have an Air Quality Indicator (AQI). It shows room air quality with a color-coded bar.
When the bar turns red, it means the air quality is poor. To fix this, turn up the fan speed. This helps your unit clean the air better.
Another red light you might see is the filter indicator. This light turns on when the filter needs cleaning or replacement.
Whether it’s replacing the filter completely or conducting a little maintenance, the red light will soon vanish like the harmful pollutants your Winix unit is removing from the air in your home.
Tip: If you have any other issues with your Winix air purifier, check out our full guide on How To Fix Common Winix Air Purifier Problems
Here are my top tips on fixing that pesky red light.
5 steps to fix the Winix air purifier red light warning
Before you try any of these steps, always remember to turn off your air purifier first and unplug it from the wall.
Step 1: Make sure the filter is installed correctly
Your Winix air purifier may think it needs a new filter, but sometimes, your filter might be installed incorrectly.
- Open up the filter compartment (this differs from unit to unit)
- Remove the filter
- Put the filter back in, making sure it’s installed correctly and fits snugly
Step 2: Check for blockages
You may be unaware of how much dust and dander your air purifier’s filter removes from your air, but it becomes clearly visible when you take a look at the filter itself.
If the filter is blocked up with contaminants, it won’t work effectively and may cause your unit to think it needs a replacement.
While there, check to see that the fan is clear of blockages. This is the perfect time to give your air purifier a little clean so your air purifier can run smoothly.
Step 3: Clean your air purifier thoroughly
Sometimes, instead of replacing the filter when the red light comes on, you can get more life out of it with a little spring cleaning.
You must be gentle because if you damage the pleats in the filter, it will no longer work.
Tip: Check out our full guide on how to clean an air purifier to ensure you are thorough and avoid any damage.
Step 4: Replace your filter with a new one
If the previous steps don’t work, it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a replacement filter.
Unfortunately, HEPA filters don’t last forever, so when they are filled with particles, they become ineffective. The lifespan of a Winix filter is usually 12 months, but this can differ depending on how hard the filter is working.
Step 5: Reset the filter indicator light
After each step, you must reset the filter indicator so the air purifier knows you have fixed/attempted to fix the issue.
- Find the filter reset button (this is sometimes labeled, sometimes not, check the manual to find out)
- Press and hold the button for 5 seconds using a small object like a paperclip
- Release the button
If the red light comes back on, try another step on the list.
Common questions about the red light in Winix units
How do I reset my Winix air purifier?
Some Winix models are different from others, but it is usually one of two methods to reset your air purifier.
1. There will be a button labeled ‘RESET’. Press and hold this down for 5 seconds using a paperclip and release.
2. In the absence of a reset button, there will be a tiny button next to the ‘check filter’ indicator.
What should I do if I am unable to resolve the red light issue?
It may be a fault with the air purifier itself (it is an electrical device, and sometimes they have faults). Contact the shop where you bought the unit, or you can contact Winix directly.
Does a clogged filter affect the performance of the air purifier?
Yes.
HEPA filters work by trapping pollutants from the air that flows through it. If your filter is clogged, then it will become ineffective and you’ll basically be running a big, pointless fan.
This means your air purifier won’t output any clean air into your room.
How long do Winix filters last?
The lifespan of any HEPA filter is conditional on how much pollution it is removing from your air. If you live in a highly polluted area (next to a highway, near a wildfire, extreme dust etc), you may need to change your filters more often than advised by the manufacturer.
With this in consideration, Winix advises that their filters have an expected lifespan of 12 months.
Can I use the air purifier even when the red light is on?
Technically, if the filter is full, you can, but don’t expect your unit to perform to its full capacity. As I mentioned above, when a filter is full of contaminants, it simply can’t trap anymore and stops being effective.
If it’s a fault with the warning light or one of the other issues highlighted above, simply reset the unit and use it normally.
What do the air quality indicator colors on my Winix air purifier mean?
Winix air purifiers equipped with an Air Quality Indicator (AQI) contain intelligent sensors that continuously monitor your indoor air quality. These sensors detect airborne pollutants and display the current air quality status on the control panel.
This real-time monitoring feature enables you to adjust the fan speed settings based on the actual pollution levels in your room, allowing for more efficient air purification when needed.
It shows this data using three colors:
Blue = Good air quality
Orange = Fair air quality
Red = Poor air quality
Final thoughts On Fixing Winix Air Purifier Red Light
WheWhen a red light shows on your Winix air purifier, don’t worry. You don’t need to find the instruction manual that you probably threw away.
This is a common problem with air purifiers. But, it’s easy to fix with just a few simple steps.
In most cases, the red light means it’s time to replace the HEPA filter. This is a normal part of keeping your air purifier working well.
If none of these fixes work, reach out to Winix. The issue might be more serious and need professional help.
Get Garage Tested Deals & Offers
Garage Tested will only send the latest deals and will never share your email with 3rd parties. No more than 1 email/month.
Garage Tested air purifier rankings are based on our internal yee-haw garage testing, actual customer feedback, and the analysis by our editorial team. We have done your homework on these products.
