Air purifier is noisy (popping, crackling, buzzing): troubleshooting guide

Hearing more noise from your Airdog than usual? Don't worry, this is one of the most common questions we get, and it's almost always fixed with a good cleaning and making sure every part is completely dry.

Is some crackling or zapping normal?

Yes. An occasional "zap" or "crack" is normal. It happens when a larger particle gets pulled in and hits the high-voltage field, a bit like a bug zapper. If the sound is constant, it's time to clean the unit. About 80% of noise issues come from dust buildup on the collecting plates or inner chamber, or from plates that are still wet.

Step 1: Give the unit a full cleaning

Follow the cleaning video for your model. Be sure to also wipe the grey rubber sleeves where the collecting plates and wire frame sit.

• X3 cleaning video: https://youtu.be/2ytdrJ0Ncdw
• X5 cleaning video: https://youtu.be/1k6Wep-s2pc
• X8 cleaning video: https://youtu.be/vTbekKzdDCI

Step 2: Make sure everything is 100% dry

Moisture is the most common cause of crackling after a cleaning. Let the collecting plates dry for at least 24 hours. A simple trick: set the plates on top of the unit, turn it on, and let the fan blow on them. You can also place a paper towel under the plates to check that no water is dripping out.

Step 3: Check that the parts are seated correctly

When you put the unit back together, make sure the contact pin goes through the small hole in the rubber sleeve, and that the contact points on the wire frame and collecting plates are clean so they connect firmly.

Step 4: Find which part is making the noise

If it's still noisy, take out both the collecting plates and the wire frame and turn the unit on. If the noise stops, put the parts back one at a time to see which one causes it. Let us know what you find.

Still noisy after these steps?

Our step-by-step noise troubleshooting guide is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WCwur1fGtcllOWqQnQJ8ujWUZ6tVAyF8/view?usp=drive_link. If the noise keeps happening, send us a short video with the sound, photos of all your filters, and your order number. That's usually all we need to sort it out quickly.

Still need help?

We're real people and we're happy to help. Our support team is available Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm Pacific. Email support@airdogusa.com or call 1-800-958-9609 (toll-free), and we'll reply within 1 business day. It helps to include your order number, which Airdog you have, and a photo or short video if something isn't working right.