CPAP Troubleshooting: Fix Your Sleep Apnea Device and Sleep Better Tonight

When your CPAP machine, a device that delivers continuous air pressure to keep your airway open during sleep stops working right, sleep suffers—and so does your health. Millions use CPAP for sleep apnea, but many give up because of discomfort, noise, or leaks. It’s not the machine’s fault. It’s usually fixable. You don’t need to quit. You just need to know what’s wrong and how to fix it.

CPAP mask leaks, the most common reason people abandon therapy happen when the seal breaks—often because the mask is too tight, too loose, or the wrong size. A leaking mask doesn’t just wake you up with noise; it lowers pressure, making treatment useless. Try switching from nasal pillows to a full-face mask if you breathe through your mouth. Or replace the cushion every 1–3 months. Even a tiny crack can ruin your night. Then there’s CPAP pressure settings, the air pressure level your machine delivers. Too low? Your airway collapses. Too high? You feel like you’re breathing through a straw. Many people never get their pressure rechecked after weight loss or improvement. Ask your doctor for a titration study if you still feel tired.

Dry mouth, a frequent complaint among CPAP users, often means you’re breathing through your mouth because your nose is blocked. Use a humidifier with your machine, or try a chin strap to keep your mouth shut. If you’re still waking up parched, your machine might need a heated tube to prevent condensation. And don’t ignore CPAP machine noise, which can come from dirty filters, loose hoses, or worn-out motors. Clean your filter weekly. Check for kinks in the tubing. If your machine sounds like a jet engine after three years, it’s probably time for a replacement.

Some problems are psychological. The mask feels claustrophobic. You hate the sound. You wake up frustrated. That’s normal. Many users adapt in 2–4 weeks. But if you’ve tried everything—different masks, humidifiers, ramp settings—and still can’t stick with it, there are alternatives. CPAP troubleshooting isn’t just about fixing hardware. It’s about finding a solution that fits your life. The posts below cover real fixes: how to adjust pressure without a doctor’s visit, why your mask keeps slipping off, what to do when your machine turns off at night, and how to tell if your therapy is actually working. You’ll also find what works for people who can’t tolerate CPAP—and what to try next.