CPAP Troubleshooting: Fix Common Sleep Apnea Machine Issues

When your CPAP machine, a device that delivers continuous air pressure to keep airways open during sleep. Also known as continuous positive airway pressure therapy, it’s one of the most effective treatments for sleep apnea—but only if it works right. If you’re waking up with a dry throat, feeling air leaks around your mask, or hearing loud noises, you’re not alone. Many people stop using their CPAP because they think the machine is broken, when really, it just needs a simple fix.

Most CPAP mask leaks, air escaping from the mask seal during use happen because the mask doesn’t fit right—not because it’s worn out. A new cushion or a different style (nasal pillows vs. full face) often solves it. Then there’s CPAP humidity issues, dry nose, sore throat, or congestion caused by dry air. Turning up the humidifier setting or adding a heated tube can make a huge difference. And if your machine sounds like a jet engine, it’s probably not the motor—it’s a clogged filter or a loose hose connection. Cleaning or replacing these parts takes five minutes and costs almost nothing.

Some problems are harder to spot. Like when your machine turns off during the night. That’s usually a leak so big the machine thinks you’ve removed the mask. Or when you wake up with water in your tubing—condensation from a humidifier set too high, especially in cold rooms. A tube cover or lowering the humidity helps. Even the pressure setting matters. If you’re still snoring or gasping, your pressure might need adjusting. That’s not something you do yourself—talk to your sleep doctor. But before you call, check the basics: filter, mask, tubing, humidity. Most issues are fixed before you even pick up the phone.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from people who’ve been there. No fluff. No marketing. Just step-by-step solutions for the most common CPAP problems: mask leaks, dry mouth, noisy machines, humidifier mishaps, and why your machine keeps shutting off. These aren’t theory—they’re what actually works for people using CPAP every night. If your sleep’s suffering because your machine isn’t cooperating, you’re about to find out why—and how to fix it.