Machine and humidifier
CPAP Machine Too Loud: Why It Is Noisy and How to Quiet It
Modern CPAP machines are designed to run quietly, so new or growing noise usually points to air leaking at the mask or tubing, a dirty filter, or a water chamber that is not seated. Check those first. If the machine itself grinds, rattles or keeps getting louder after you rule them out, contact your equipment provider.
Signs
- Louder hum or roar than when the machine was new
- Noise that changes when you move your head
- Your bed partner hears air hissing
- Rattling or vibration from the machine
- Machine noise keeping you awake
Common causes
- Mask or tube leak
- Fisher and Paykel say most current machines run around 30 dB, about a whisper, and that a noisy machine often means a mask or tubing leak.
- Dirty or blocked air filter
- A clogged filter makes the blower work harder. Fisher and Paykel recommend checking the filter is clean and unblocked when a machine gets louder. Sleep Foundation also lists a dirty filter or loose hose as causes of a louder machine.
- Humidifier chamber not seated or low on water
- A water chamber that is not clicked in, or a missing seal, lets air escape around the machine. Philips lists unseated or missing humidifier seals as a cause of leak or whistling sounds.
- A fault in the machine
- If noise continues after fixing fit, filters and connections, there may be a problem with the equipment itself.
Fixes to try, easiest first
Refit your mask with the air on
Put the mask on, lie down in your sleep position, turn the air on and adjust the straps. Pull the cushion slightly away from your face and let it reseat. Do not overtighten, which can create leaks and marks. Many machines have a mask fit test in the menu that tells you if the seal is good.
Check every tubing connection
Push the hose firmly onto the machine and the mask. Look for cracks or tears in the tube and cuff. Philips advises confirming the device, water tank and tube are connected properly and not leaking.
Clean or replace the air filter
Look at the filter. If it is gray, dusty or blocked, rinse it if it is a reusable type, or replace it if it is disposable, on the schedule in your user guide.
Reseat the water chamber
Take the chamber out and put it back until it clicks in. Make sure the lid seal is present and seated, and fill it with water to the line before bed.
Move the machine or dampen the sound
Place the machine on a firm, flat surface away from walls that echo, and keep it away from bedding that blocks airflow. Sleep Foundation says placing the machine lower, such as under the bed, may dampen sound as long as the hose still reaches the mask, though Fisher and Paykel advise against keeping the device on the floor under normal circumstances, so a low shelf is a good compromise. Earplugs can help a light sleeper or bed partner.
Have the machine checked
If it still rattles, grinds or keeps getting louder, Fisher and Paykel advise contacting your CPAP supplier to check it. Do not open the machine yourself.
Machine noise is usually an equipment issue for your supplier. Call your equipment provider if noise continues after you fix mask fit, filters and connections, or if you hear unusual sounds along with a burning smell, smoke or heat. The FDA tells DreamStation 2 users to unplug and stop using the machine if they hear unusual sounds or notice other signs of overheating. Tell your doctor if noise is causing you to skip therapy.
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.
Moldable ear plugs that block noise from the CPAP, mask vent air or a bed partner.
Soft fabric liners that sit between your skin and the mask cushion to reduce skin irritation, red marks and the noisy leaks some people get from …
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Mask types this applies to
Frequently asked questions
How loud should a CPAP machine be?
Fisher and Paykel say many current machines run around 30 dB, about the level of a whisper, compared with snoring at 60 to 80 dB. If yours is much louder than when it was new, look for leaks or a dirty filter.
Why is my CPAP louder when I lie on my side?
A pillow can push the mask and break the seal, so air escapes with a hiss. A CPAP pillow, a smaller mask style or refitting the mask while lying on your side usually helps.
Can a dirty filter make my CPAP loud?
Yes. A blocked filter makes the machine work harder and can raise the sound level. Replace disposable filters on the schedule in your manual.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error