It can be frustrating when you need to measure your blood pressure and the monitor stopped working. You may have attempted a simple solution, and it still doesn’t work. You’ll need the solution to the question, why has my blood pressure monitor stopped working?
A blood pressure monitor can stop working for 8 reasons:
- Batteries drained and needs changing.
- Batteries are installed incorrectly.
- Ac adaptor is inserted incorrectly.
- Insecure cuff needs readjusting.
- Monitor detected motion while measuring.
- Cuff bladder leak.
- Pulse rate undetected.
- Hardware malfunction.
This blog post will explain each of the above reasons in more detail and inform you how to solve each of them.
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Disclaimer: This post may have some affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate and eBay partner I earn from qualifying purchases.
8 Reasons Why A Monitor Stopped Working and The Solutions
1. Batteries Drained and Needs Changing
This may be the most common reason why a blood pressure monitor stops working. The following may occur if the batteries are drained:
- No power after turning the machine on.
- The machine turns on but the display is dim or doesn’t light up at all.
- The low battery indicator is warning that the batteries are low. Depending on your monitor it may be blinking, turning red, showing empty or an audible warning.
Solution:
- Remove the batteries and replace them with fresh ones.
- Check the manufacturers booklet and be sure to use the type of recommended batteries for your monitor.
My monitor uses 4 AA alkaline batteries1.
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2. Batteries Are Installed Incorrectly
When the batteries are installed incorrectly, the following will occur:
- No power after the machine is turned on. Especially if you just changed the batteries and the monitor was operating properly before changing them.
Solution:
- If you’ve just changed the batteries and the there is no power, remove the batteries and reinstall them again.
- Ensure the polarity is correct. Every battery has a positive end and a negative one. They are identified by a plus and minus sign.
Typically, the negative end (the one with the minus sign) inserts on the spring side of the battery slot. The battery compartment will also indicate somewhere which end of the battery installs on each side2.
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3. AC Adaptor is Inserted Incorrectly
If the AC adaptor is inserted incorrectly the following will occur:
- No power after the machine is turned on.
- The power to the machine intermittently turns on and off.
Solution:
- Push the AC adaptor in all the way.
Sometimes the plug is not completely pushed in. This can cause the monitor to not turn on ((Welch Allyn: Answer Center)).
If the adaptor is loose, vibrations and movement can cause the electrical connection to connect or reconnect. This may cause the power and display to randomly turn on and off3.
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4. Insecure Cuff Needs Readjusting
If the cuff is insecure or loose the following will occur:
- The monitor may not complete the reading.
- An error message may show up on the display.
- The cuff may inflate longer than usual and then stop with an error message.
- The cuff may inflate longer than usual to take the measurement.
- The motor may pump faster than typical.
Solution:
- Readjust the cuff to the proper tightness.
- Ensure the air supply hose is connected properly.
- Relax again for a few moments before restarting the measurement.
Sometimes the cuff is not secured properly or too loose causing the cuff is to inflate longer than usual. You may also hear the motor pumping faster than typical. A loose air supply tube can cause the same problem ((Hypertension: Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association)).
Depending on the manufacturer of the monitor, an error code will display without taking a reading4.
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5. Monitor Detected Motion While Inflating
If the monitor detected motion while inflating the following will occur:
- A motion error code may display, and the monitor won’t take a measurement.
- A motion symbol may display indicating there was too much arm movement during the measurement.
Solution:
- Make sure the cuff is secured properly.
- Relax for a few moments.
- Measure your pressure again while remaining relaxed with no excess movements.
Most home monitors have the excess motion feature. It’s possible your monitor may not have it. Either way, always make sure your body remains relaxed but still ((Welch Allyn: Home Blood Pressure Monitors)).
6. Cuff Bladder Leak
If the cuff bladder is leaking the following will occur:
- The cuff will not fill up with enough air to take the measurement.
- The monitor may inflate longer than typical to fill the bladder with enough air.
- The cuff may inflate longer than usual and then stop with an error message.
Solution:
- Purchase a new blood pressure cuff for your monitor.
The bladder is contained inside the blood pressure cuff material and not visible from the outside of the cuff. The bladder is the part of the cuff which fills up with air.
Unfortunately, if the bladder is leaking you can’t take an accurate blood pressure measurement. Most home monitors sell a replacement cuff for the monitor. Make sure the one you order is the correct size for your upper arm.
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7. Pulse Rate Undetected
The following will occur when the pulse rate is undetected:
- An error code may appear indicating an undetected pulse rate.
- A heart symbol may appear indicating the pulse was undetected properly during the measurement.
- An irregular heartbeat detector may display.
Solution:
- Readjust the cuff to the proper tightness.
- Relax for a few moments and restart the measurement.
- Remain relaxed without excess movement.
- If the irregular heartbeat symbol appears often, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a physician.
8. Hardware Malfunction
The following may occur with a hardware malfunction:
- No power.
- No display.
- An error code indicating a hardware issue.
- The monitor turns off during measurement.
Solution:
- If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer of the monitor.
The following is the manufacturer contact phone numbers of the more common blood pressure monitors:
- Welch Allyn (Hillrom): 1-800-561-8797
- Omron: 1-800-367-4584
- A&D: 1-888-726-9966
- LifeSource: 1-888-726-9966
- ADC: 1-800-232-2670
- Beurer: 1-800-536-0366
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Read More – BP Monitor Related Articles!
How Often You Should Replace Batteries in a BP Monitor
Does Omron Blood Pressure Monitors Need Calibration?
How Often You Should Replace Your Blood Pressure Monitor
How Often Should Home Blood Pressure Monitors Be Calibrated
- Welch Allyn: Home Blood Pressure Monitors [↩]
- Hillrom: Advanced Connected Care [↩]
- Omron: Product Support and Solutions [↩]
- Omron: FAQs: Blood Pressure Monitors [↩]