Garment steamer not producing steam? Here’s what you can do
· STEAMRS Fashion Care
Garment steamer isn’t producing steam? Here’s what to do
Has your garment steamer suddenly started producing less steam, stopped producing steam altogether, or does it seem to be malfunctioning? Don’t worry: in many cases, the cause is easy to identify.
An empty or improperly inserted water tank, insufficient heating time, or an interrupted water supply can all cause your garment steamer to produce little or no steam.
In this guide, we’ll go through the most common causes step by step. We’ll also explain what to do if your garment steamer sputters, leaks water, makes a strange noise, or produces less steam than usual.
Is there enough water, is the rubber seal closed, and is the tank fully inserted into the garment steamer?
Turn on the garment steamer and wait until it has fully heated up before using the steam button.
Then go through the checks below. Hard water, running it dry, or a technical issue may be contributing factors.
My garment steamer isn’t producing steam
If no steam comes out of your garment steamer at all, that does not immediately mean the appliance is faulty. First, check the points below in this order.
Is there enough water in the tank?
First, check the water level. If there is too little or no water in the tank, the garment steamer obviously cannot produce more steam.
Fill the tank with suitable water, then put it back fully into the garment steamer.
Is the rubber seal properly closed?
Check the rubber seal on the water tank. It must be fully and properly closed.
If the seal is not fitted properly, the tank may leak or the water supply to the appliance may be disrupted.
Is the water tank fully inserted into the garment steamer?
Remove the water tank from the garment steamer and reinsert it. Make sure the tank is securely and fully attached to the appliance.
There should be no noticeable gap between the water reservoir and the garment steamer housing.
Has the garment steamer fully heated up?
Switch on the garment steamer and give it enough time to heat up fully.
Wait until the indicator light shows that the garment steamer is ready to use, and only then press the steam button.
Hold down the steam button for a few seconds
Sometimes the water supply needs to be restarted, for example when the garment steamer has just been filled or has not been used for a while.
Has the appliance fully heated up? Then hold down the steam button for a few seconds and check whether steam starts coming out.
Check the power supply
Check that the plug is fully inserted into the socket. If necessary, try another socket to rule out a problem with the power supply.
Is the garment steamer not heating up at all and is the indicator light off? Then it is especially important to check this first.
Was the garment steamer used with an empty water reservoir?
Think back to when the problem started. Was the garment steamer switched on or used for a long time while the water reservoir was empty?
The appliance may have heated up without an adequate water supply. This is sometimes called a garment steamer “boiling dry”. Running it dry can put strain on the internal heating system and may cause damage in some cases.
Fill the reservoir with suitable water, put it back in place fully, and let the garment steamer heat up again. Then hold down the steam button for a few seconds.
Still no steam coming out? Contact STEAMRS so we can help you figure it out.
Always check that there is enough water in the reservoir before use, and do not leave the garment steamer switched on for a long time with an empty reservoir.
My garment steamer produces less steam than usual
Does the garment steamer still work, but do you notice that significantly less steam is coming out than before? First, check the water level again, make sure the reservoir is correctly positioned, and check whether the appliance has fully heated up.
Have you used the garment steamer for a long time with hard, limescale-rich tap water? Mineral deposits may be the cause. Minerals in the water can build up in the internal water system and eventually obstruct the flow of water or steam.
Descaling your garment steamer
Do not descale your STEAMRS garment steamer as a preventive measure. If, after completing the checks above, you suspect limescale is the cause, read our complete descaling guide first.
View the descaling guide →My garment steamer is sputtering or releasing water droplets
Is water coming out of the steam vents along with steam? First, check whether the garment steamer has fully heated up before pressing the steam button.
Also check what has been used in the water reservoir. Products or additives in the water can affect how the internal steam system works and cause sputtering or residue.
Do
Use only water suitable for your STEAMRS garment steamer.
Do not put in the reservoir
- Laundry perfume
- Scented ironing water
- Essential oil
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning products
Is water clearly continuing to leak from the steam head or another part of the housing while the appliance is fully heated? Stop using it and contact STEAMRS.
My garment steamer is leaking water
First, try to determine where the water is coming from. A leak around the water reservoir often has a different cause than water coming from the steam head or housing.
Water around the reservoir
Check that the rubber seal is fully closed and that the reservoir is fitted securely and straight in the garment steamer.
Also check that there isn’t an obvious gap between the reservoir and the appliance.
Water from the steam head or housing
Is water consistently coming out of the steam head or another part of the housing? That isn’t normal during use.
Turn off the garment steamer, unplug it from the power outlet and contact STEAMRS.
My garment steamer is making a strange sound
Do you hear a bubbling, ticking, or heating sound while it warms up? That doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with your garment steamer.
During use, water is heated internally and converted into steam. The heating system may make some noise. The appliance may make a sound, especially while heating up or when fresh water is being supplied.
Has the sound suddenly changed significantly, and have you also noticed that the garment steamer no longer heats up properly, produces no steam, or leaks water? Please contact STEAMRS.
Did you use anything other than water?
Do not add perfume, oil, detergent, or other products to the water reservoir of your garment steamer. When heated, such additives can leave residue and affect the operation of the internal water system.
Did you accidentally put another product in the reservoir? If so, don’t use the garment steamer on clothes again until the reservoir has been emptied and rinsed thoroughly with clean water.
Laundry perfume does not belong in your garment steamer
Would you like to give your clothes a pleasant scent? Use a product designed for clothing or laundry, following its instructions, but don’t add it to the garment steamer’s water reservoir.
My garment steamer still isn’t working
Have you carried out all the checks above, but your garment steamer still produces no steam or hardly any? There may be another technical cause.
In that case, don’t keep trying the appliance over and over, don’t descale it several times in a row, and don’t try to take the garment steamer apart yourself.
Contact STEAMRS customer service. We’ll be happy to help you find out what’s going on.
If possible, show in the video that the reservoir is filled and correctly in place, that the garment steamer is switched on, and what happens when you press the steam button.
Use it properly.
Care for it properly.
Steam for longer.
Most problems are easy to prevent. Use suitable water, make sure the reservoir is properly in place, and always let your garment steamer heat up fully before you start.
This way, you can take good care not only of your clothes, but also of the garment steamer you use to care for them.
Discover our garment steamersFrequently asked questions about garment steamer problems
Why is my clothes steamer not producing steam?
First, check that there is enough water in the tank, that the rubber seal is closed properly, and that the tank is fully inserted into the clothes steamer. Let the appliance heat up fully, then press and hold the steam button for a few seconds. Also check the plug and socket.
Why is my clothes steamer producing less steam than before?
First, check the water level, the tank, and that the appliance has heated up. Have you been using hard, limescale-rich tap water for a long time? Mineral deposits may be restricting the flow of water or steam. If so, see our descaling guide.
Can a clothes steamer break if the water tank is empty?
If a clothes steamer is used for a long time while the tank is empty, the internal heating system may heat up without enough water flowing through it. This can strain the system and, in some cases, cause damage. Always check that there is enough water in the tank before use.
Why do I need to press and hold the steam button for a few seconds?
Sometimes the water flow to the heating system needs to restart, for example after refilling the tank or when the clothes steamer has not been used for a while. Let the steamer heat up fully first, then press and hold the steam button for a few seconds.
Why is my clothes steamer sputtering water?
Check that the clothes steamer has heated up fully and that you have only used suitable water. Perfume, oil, detergent, and other additives should not be put in the tank and may affect how the steam system works.
Why is my clothes steamer leaking?
If the tank is leaking, check that the rubber seal is closed properly and that the tank is fully in place. There should be no noticeable gap between the tank and the appliance. If water is regularly coming out of the steam head or housing, stop using the appliance and contact STEAMRS.
Is it normal for my clothes steamer to make noise?
A bubbling, ticking, or heating noise while the appliance heats up can be normal. The internal system heats water and turns it into steam. Has the noise changed significantly, along with other problems such as no steam, failure to heat up, or leaking? Contact STEAMRS.
Can I put laundry perfume or essential oil in my clothes steamer?
No. Do not use laundry perfume, scented ironing water, essential oil, detergent, or cleaning products in the water tank. Fill the tank with suitable water only.
Can limescale cause my clothes steamer to stop producing steam?
Mineral deposits may be a possible cause if a clothes steamer produces less and less steam, especially after prolonged use of hard, limescale-rich water. First, check the other causes in this guide. If you suspect limescale, follow our separate descaling guide.
What should I do if my STEAMRS clothes steamer still isn't working?
Have you completed all the checks and is the clothes steamer still not working properly? Contact STEAMRS. If possible, include your order number, a brief description, and a video showing the problem. That way, we can help you more quickly.
