Mask problems
CPAP Mask Making Noise: Hissing, Whistling and Fixes
A soft, steady whoosh from the vent is normal, because every CPAP mask vents exhaled air on purpose. Hissing, squeaking or whistling that comes and goes usually means a leak at the cushion edge, a worn or dirty cushion, a loose connection, or a part assembled wrong. Refit the mask with the air on, check every connection and replace worn parts.
Signs
- Hissing or whistling from the edge of the cushion
- Squeaking or flapping sounds when you move
- Air noise that wakes you or your bed partner
- Machine or app reports a poor mask seal
Common causes
- Normal vent noise
- Masks have built in vents that flush out the air you breathe out. A steady, quiet airflow from the vent is expected.
- Leak at the cushion
- Air escaping between the cushion and your skin makes hissing or whistling. Poor fit, a dirty cushion and sleeping position are common causes.
- Loose or misassembled parts
- A cushion not fully clicked into the frame, or a loose elbow or tube connection, can whistle.
- Worn cushion
- Old cushions lose shape and do not seal as quietly.
Fixes to try, easiest first
Find where the sound comes from
With the air on, listen and feel around the cushion edge, the elbow and the tube connections. A noise from the vent holes themselves, if steady, is normal. Make sure nothing such as a pillow or blanket is blocking the vent.
Reseat the mask with the air on
Lie in your sleep position, pull the mask slightly away from your face and let it settle back. Adjust the straps evenly.
Check every connection
Make sure the cushion is fully clicked into the frame and the elbow and tube are firmly connected. The AirSense 11 guide lists a poorly connected air tube as a cause of leak messages.
Wash the cushion
Clean the cushion daily with mild soap and water so skin oil does not break the seal.
Replace worn cushions
If the cushion is stiff or misshapen, replace it.
If the noise comes from the machine
If the whistling continues with the mask off and the tube plugged, the sound may come from the machine, tube or humidifier seals. See our page on CPAP whistling noises, and contact your equipment provider if it persists.
Contact your equipment provider if the noise continues after refitting and replacing the cushion, or if your machine keeps reporting high leak. Talk to your doctor if leak noise is disrupting your sleep night after night, since a different mask style may suit you better.
Supplies that can help
Pre-moistened wipes for a quick daily wipe of the mask cushion, mostly to remove skin oils between proper washes.
Plain, mild dish soap is the cleaning agent most CPAP makers and the FDA point to for masks, tubing and humidifier chambers.
A pillow with cutouts or a contoured edge so a mask and hose are not pushed out of place when you sleep on your side.
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Mask types this applies to
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a CPAP mask to make noise?
A quiet, steady airflow from the vent is normal, because the vent lets out the air you exhale. Hissing, whistling or squeaking that changes as you move usually points to a leak. Refit the mask with the air on.
Why does my CPAP mask whistle?
Whistling usually comes from a small leak where the cushion meets your skin, or from a part that is not fully clicked together. Check the cushion seats in the frame and the elbow connection is firm. A worn cushion can also whistle.
Can I cover the vent to make it quieter?
No. Never block the vent holes. They let out the air you breathe out so you do not rebreathe it.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error