Philips Respironics · Auto CPAP (APAP)
Philips DreamStation (CPAP, CPAP Pro, Auto CPAP)
The original DreamStation came in CPAP, CPAP Pro and Auto CPAP versions, with an optional add-on heated humidifier and heated tube, a control dial and a non-touch color display. It is one of the machines in Philips' June 14, 2021 recall over breakdown of the PE-PUR sound abatement foam inside. If you still have one, the first steps are to talk to your clinician and check your registration with Philips.
On June 14, 2021 Philips recalled the DreamStation, along with other CPAP, BiPAP and ventilator models, covering all serial numbers made before April 26, 2021, because the PE-PUR foam used to reduce sound and vibration can break down into black particles and release chemicals that could be breathed in or swallowed. In July 2021 the FDA classified it as a Class I recall, the most serious type. In August 2021 the FDA concurred with Philips' repair and replacement plan for DreamStation CPAP, Pro and Auto, and on April 7, 2023 the FDA issued a recall summary for certain reworked DreamStations that were given incorrect or duplicate serial numbers, which could deliver the wrong prescription, factory default settings or no therapy. On April 9, 2024 a federal court entered a consent decree requiring a Recall Remediation Plan that gives affected patients a new or reworked device or, for certain devices, a partial refund. The FDA's current advice is to talk to your health care provider before deciding whether to stop, switch or keep using a recalled device, register your serial number with Philips (877-907-7508), not use ozone or UV cleaners, not add a filter to the machine, and not try to remove the foam.
Specifications
| Noise | 27 dB(A) device, 29 dB(A) with humidifier (uncertainty 2 dB) |
|---|---|
| Power | 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz with 80 W power supply; 12 VDC, 6.67 A with Philips DC cord |
| Weight | About 2.94 lb (1.33 kg) with power supply |
| Display | Color LCD with control dial (not a touchscreen) |
| Data card | SD card slot on the side of the device |
| Dimensions | 6.2 x 7.6 x 3.3 in (15.7 x 19.3 x 8.4 cm) |
| Humidifier | Optional DreamStation heated humidifier and optional heated tube |
| Connectivity | Built-in Bluetooth for DreamMapper; optional cellular modem, Wi-Fi accessory or Link Module |
| Pressure range | 4 to 20 cm H2O, in 0.5 cm H2O steps |
Key features
- CPAP (CPAP), CPAP with data such as AHI (CPAP Pro) and auto-adjusting pressure (Auto CPAP)
- Ramp with standard or SmartRamp mode, chosen by your provider
- Flex exhale relief levels 1 to 3 if enabled
- Fixed or Adaptive humidification modes, and a locked Heated Tube mode when a heated tube is attached
- Mask Type (System One resistance) and Tube Type (12, 15, 22) settings
- Check Mask Fit, Sleep Progress screens and 30 minute humidifier preheat
- Automatic altitude compensation up to 7,500 ft
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Many patient comfort settings (ramp, Flex, humidification mode, mask type, tube type) are in the My Setup menu
- Humidifier is a separate module, so the base unit alone is small for travel
- Bluetooth built in, with optional modem or Wi-Fi accessory
- OSCAR can read DreamStation SD card data
Trade-offs
- Subject to the June 2021 Class I recall for PE-PUR foam breakdown
- Not sold new in the US; Philips stopped selling new CPAP devices in the US in 2021
- Humidifier and heated tube are extra modules rather than built in
- Not suitable for airline use with a modem or humidifier installed, per the manual
- The display is not a touchscreen, so every change goes through the dial
Comfort settings you can change
These are in the patient menu. Your prescribed pressure and therapy mode are set by your clinician and are not covered here.
Ramp start pressure
Sets the lower pressure the machine starts at before rising to your prescription.
How to change it: From the Home screen with therapy off, turn the dial to My Setup, press it, choose Ramp and adjust in 0.5 cm H2O steps. During therapy, press the Ramp button on top to start or restart the ramp.
Ramp Time
Sets how long the machine takes to rise from the ramp start pressure to your therapy pressure.
How to change it: My Setup, then Ramp Time. Your provider chooses whether it is a standard ramp or SmartRamp.
Flex
Eases pressure as you breathe out. Level 1 is mild, higher numbers give more relief.
How to change it: My Setup, then Flex, and set 1 to 3. Only appears if your provider enabled it.
Humidification mode
Fixed keeps a set heater output; Adaptive adjusts it. With a heated tube attached the mode locks to Heated Tube humidification.
How to change it: My Setup, then Humidification, and choose Fixed or Adaptive. The manual notes Adaptive can make the water last longer.
Humidifier and tube temperature
Sets the moisture level and heated tube warmth.
How to change it: Only during therapy: turn the dial to the humidifier or tube setting, press and turn to choose 0 to 5.
Mask Type
Matches the machine's pressure compensation to your Philips mask's System One resistance setting.
How to change it: My Setup, then Mask Type. Ask your provider if you cannot find your mask's resistance number.
Tube Type
Tells the machine which hose diameter you use so delivered pressure is correct.
How to change it: My Setup, then Tube Type, and pick 22, 15 or 12. It sets itself when a heated tube is attached.
Check Mask Fit
Runs a 40 second leak test and shows a green check or red X.
How to change it: With your mask on, go to My Setup, then Check Mask Fit, and press the dial.
Preheat
Warms the humidifier water for up to 30 minutes before therapy.
How to change it: With the blower off and humidifier attached, choose Preheat on the Home screen and set it On.
Cleaning and care
Weekly: device exterior
Unplug the machine. Wipe the outside with a lint-free cloth dampened with mild dish soap solution (1 teaspoon per gallon of water), then wipe again with a cloth dampened with plain water to remove soap. Let it dry completely before plugging it in.
Monthly: blue pollen filter
Philips says to rinse the reusable blue pollen filter monthly under normal home use and replace it every six months. Run warm tap water through the white filter media, shake it out and let it dry completely. Never put a wet filter back in.
Every 30 days: ultra-fine filter
Replace the light blue disposable ultra-fine filter every 30 days or sooner if it looks dirty. Do not rinse it. The machine shows a filter reminder every 30 days but does not detect whether you changed it.
Weekly: standard tubing
Clean non-heated tubing before first use and weekly. Fully immerse it in warm water with mild dish soap for 3 minutes, moving it back and forth, rinse for at least a minute and air dry out of direct sunlight. The heated tube and humidifier have their own instructions in the humidifier manual.
No ozone or UV cleaners
The manual says to use only its cleaning methods because Philips cannot verify safety or performance if ozone or other unapproved methods are used. The FDA adds that ozone cleaners may worsen the breakdown of the PE-PUR foam in recalled machines, even if you do not see foam pieces.
Replacement parts
- Tubing
- 22 mm or 15 mm standard tubing, optional 12 mm tubing with adapter, or DreamStation heated tubing.
- Filters
- Blue reusable pollen filter (rinse monthly, replace every six months) and light blue disposable ultra-fine filter (replace every 30 days). Philips filters only.
- Water chamber
- DreamStation heated humidifier water chamber (add-on module).
- Replacement notes
- Philips may still sell accessories, consumables and replacement parts for devices already in use in the US. Philips' 2021 recall notice also reminded users that CPAP devices are typically recommended for replacement after five years, the manual's stated service life.
Troubleshooting
You see black particles in the tubing or mask
This is the foam breakdown the recall describes. Contact your prescribing clinician about your treatment plan, make sure the device is registered with Philips, and report the problem to the FDA through MedWatch. Do not try to remove the foam yourself.
You are not sure whether your DreamStation was repaired
Check your status on Philips' patient portal or call 877-907-7508 with your serial number and registration confirmation number.
Ramp button does nothing
Ramp may not be enabled, your pressure may already be the 4.0 cm H2O minimum, the ramp start may equal your therapy pressure, or ramp time may be 0. Ask your provider if you want ramp enabled.
Pressure feels too high or too low
Check that Tube Type in My Setup matches your hose (22, 15 or 12). Any change to the prescribed pressure itself must come from your clinician.
Tube Temperature is on but the heated tube stays cold
Make sure you are using the 80 W power supply or a compatible battery or DC cable.
Can't adjust humidifier or tube settings
Those settings only appear on the Therapy ON screen. If the blower is running and they still do not show, unplug, check the humidifier and tube contacts, reconnect and try again.
Water runs out before morning
Fill to the max line, fix mask leaks with Check Mask Fit, and consider lower settings or switching from Fixed to Adaptive humidification.
Water spilled into the humidifier basin
Unplug, remove the chamber, pour out the excess, separate the humidifier from the machine, pour out spilled water and dry it once the heater plate cools.
Whistling from the machine (not the mask)
Check the air inlet and filters, confirm the humidifier lid seal and dry box seal are present and seated, and press around them to reseat.
Travel and power
The manual says the DreamStation is suitable for airline use on AC or DC power, but not with a modem or humidifier installed, and it meets RTCA/DO-160G section 21, category M for radio frequency emissions. A note on the bottom identifies it as medical equipment. It runs on 100 to 240 VAC, so abroad you may only need a plug adapter or cord. A Philips DC cord runs it in a stationary RV, boat or from a 12 VDC battery with the Philips battery adapter cable; do not run it from a vehicle battery with the engine on. Keep it in carry-on and empty any humidifier water before travel. Because this is a recalled device, talk to your clinician about whether to travel with it or with a replacement.
Your sleep data
The DreamStation has built-in Bluetooth for the DreamMapper app, and optional cellular modem or Wi-Fi accessories upload to your provider. My Info shows therapy hours, and on Pro and Auto models AHI, mask fit and periodic breathing over 1, 7 and 30 days; Auto models also show 90% pressure. The SD card on the side records detailed data for your provider. OSCAR's Philips loader lists DreamStation CPAP, CPAP Pro and Auto CPAP models, so you can review your own nights from the SD card. Pressure changes based on that data go through your clinician.
Supplies that can help
The air inlet filter keeps dust and lint out of the machine and your airway; it is a cheap part that needs regular replacement.
The plain hose between the machine and the mask; it wears out and should be replaced on a regular schedule.
Plain, mild dish soap is the cleaning agent most CPAP makers and the FDA point to for masks, tubing and humidifier chambers.
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Frequently asked questions
Is my DreamStation recalled?
The DreamStation (CPAP, CPAP Pro, Auto CPAP and BiPAP) is on Philips' June 14, 2021 recall for all units made before April 26, 2021. Enter your serial number on Philips' recall registration site or call 877-907-7508 to confirm and to see whether your unit has already been repaired or replaced.
Should I stop using my recalled DreamStation?
The FDA says to talk to your health care provider and decide together, because for some patients stopping may be riskier than continuing. Your provider may suggest stopping, using a different device, continuing while you wait for a replacement, or another treatment. Philips' original 2021 letter told users to work with their physician or supplier on the best option.
Can I add a filter or clean the foam out of my DreamStation?
No. The FDA says not to add a filter to a CPAP or BiPAP because it may change how the device works and will not reduce contact with chemicals from the foam. It also says not to try to remove the foam, which can damage the machine or release more foam and chemicals.
What does the 2024 consent decree mean for DreamStation owners?
The decree, entered April 9, 2024, requires Philips to carry out a Recall Remediation Plan offering affected patients a new or reworked device or, for some devices, a partial refund, and to contact patients and providers. Registered patients get a notification about their options and next steps.
Is my repaired or replacement DreamStation safe to use?
The FDA's advice for repaired and replaced machines is to keep using them and talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. Separately, in April 2023 the FDA flagged some reworked DreamStations that were assigned wrong or duplicate serial numbers, which could deliver the wrong settings, so check that your machine's settings match your prescription with your provider.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error