Garment steamer produces no steam? Here's what you can do
Is your garment steamer suddenly producing less steam, no longer producing any steam at all or does the appliance seem not to be working properly? Don't worry: in many cases, the cause is easy to identify.
For example, an empty or improperly positioned water reservoir, insufficient heating time or an interrupted water supply can already cause your garment steamer to produce little or no steam.
In this guide, we go through the most common causes step by step. We also explain what you can do when your garment steamer sputters, leaks water, makes a strange noise or produces less powerful steam than usual.
Is there enough water, is the rubber seal closed and is the reservoir 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, dry operation or a technical problem may be contributing factors.
My garment steamer produces no steam
If no steam comes out of your garment steamer at all, that does not necessarily mean the appliance is defective. First check the points below in this order.
Is there enough water in the reservoir?
First check the water level. If there is too little or no water in the reservoir, the garment steamer cannot produce new steam, of course.
Fill the reservoir with suitable water and then put it back fully into the garment steamer.
Is the rubber seal properly closed?
Check the rubber seal of the water reservoir. It must be fully and correctly closed.
If the seal is not fitted properly, the reservoir may leak or the water supply to the appliance may be disrupted.
Is the water reservoir fully inserted into the garment steamer?
Remove the reservoir from the garment steamer and put it back in. Make sure the reservoir is firmly and completely connected to the appliance.
There should be no clearly visible gap between the water reservoir and the housing of the garment steamer.
Has the garment steamer fully heated up?
Switch on the garment steamer and give the appliance enough time to reach the right temperature.
Wait until the indicator light shows that the garment steamer is ready for use, and only then press the steam button.
Hold the steam button down for a few seconds
Sometimes the water supply needs to start flowing again, for example when the garment steamer has just been filled or has not been used for a while.
Has the appliance reached the right temperature? Then hold the steam button down for a few seconds and check whether steam production starts.
Check the power supply
Check that the plug is fully inserted into the socket. If necessary, try a different socket to rule out the possibility that the problem is with the power supply.
Is the garment steamer not heating up at all and is the indicator light not on? 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 an extended period while the water reservoir was empty?
The appliance may have heated up without a sufficient water supply. This is sometimes also called ‘dry boiling’ of a garment steamer. Dry operation can put strain on the internal heating system and in some cases cause damage.
Fill the reservoir with suitable water, place it back fully and allow the garment steamer to heat up again. Then hold the steam button down for a few seconds.
Is there still no steam coming out afterwards? Then contact STEAMRS so we can help you investigate the issue.
Before use, always check that there is enough water in the reservoir and do not leave the garment steamer switched on for an extended period with an empty reservoir.
My garment steamer produces less steam than normal
Does the garment steamer still work, but do you notice that clearly less steam comes out than before? First, check the water level again, the placement of the reservoir, and whether the appliance has fully heated up.
Have you used the garment steamer with hard, limescale-rich tap water for an extended period? Mineral deposits may then be a possible cause. Minerals from the water can accumulate in the internal water system and eventually obstruct the water or steam flow.
Descaling a garment steamer
Do not descale your STEAMRS garment steamer as a preventive measure. Do you suspect after performing the checks above that limescale is the cause? Then read our complete descaling guide first.
View the descaling guide →My garment steamer is sputtering or producing water droplets
Is water coming out of the steam openings along with steam? First check that the garment steamer is fully heated before using the steam button.
Also check what has been used in the water reservoir. Products or additives in the water can affect the operation of the internal steam system and cause sputtering or residue.
Do
Use only water that is suitable for your STEAMRS garment steamer.
Do not put in the reservoir
- Laundry perfume
- Scented ironing water
- Essential oil
- Detergent
- Cleaning products
Does water continue to leak from the steam head or another part of the casing 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. Leakage from the water reservoir often has a different cause than water coming from the steam head or casing.
Water around the reservoir
Check that the rubber seal is fully closed and that the reservoir is firmly and straightly inserted into the garment steamer.
Also check that there is no clear gap between the reservoir and the appliance.
Water from the steam head or casing
Is water consistently coming out of the steam head or another part of the casing? This is not normal during use.
Turn off the garment steamer, unplug it from the socket and contact STEAMRS.
My garment steamer is making a strange noise
Do you hear a bubbling, ticking or heating sound while it is warming up? This does not automatically mean that something is wrong with your garment steamer.
During use, water is heated internally and converted into steam. The heating system may therefore be audible. The appliance may make noise, especially while heating up or when new water is being drawn in.
Does the sound suddenly change significantly, while the garment steamer also stops heating properly, produces no steam, or leaks water? Then contact STEAMRS.
Have you used something other than water?
Do not add perfume, oil, detergent, or other products to your garment steamer's water reservoir. Such additives can leave residue when heated and affect the operation of the internal water system.
Did you accidentally put another product in the reservoir? Do not use the garment steamer on clothes again until the reservoir has been emptied and thoroughly rinsed with clean water.
Laundry fragrance does not belong in your garment steamer
Would you like to give your clothes a pleasant fragrance? Use a suitable clothing or laundry product according to its instructions, but do not add it to the garment steamer's water reservoir.
My garment steamer still doesn't work
Have you carried out all the checks above and is your garment steamer still producing no steam or hardly any steam? There may be another technical cause.
In that case, do not keep trying to use the appliance endlessly, descale it several times in a row, or attempt to disassemble the garment steamer yourself.
Please contact STEAMRS customer service. We would be happy to help you determine what is happening.
If possible, show in the video that the reservoir is filled and correctly fitted, that the garment steamer is switched on, and what happens when you press the steam button.
Use it correctly.
Take good care.
Steam for longer.
Most problems are easy to prevent. Use suitable water, make sure the reservoir is properly fitted, and always allow your garment steamer to heat up fully before you begin.
This way, you not only take good care of your clothes, but also of the garment steamer you use to care for them.
Discover our garment steamersFrequently asked questions about problems with a garment steamer
Why isn't my garment steamer producing steam?
First check whether there is enough water in the reservoir, whether the rubber seal is properly closed and whether the reservoir is fully inserted into the garment steamer. Let the appliance heat up completely, then press and hold the steam button for a few seconds. Also check the plug and the power outlet.
Why is my garment steamer producing less steam than before?
First check the water level, the reservoir and the heating process. Have you used hard, mineral-rich tap water for an extended period? Mineral deposits may be obstructing the water or steam flow. In that case, consult our descaling guide.
Can a garment steamer break if the water reservoir is empty?
If a garment steamer is used for an extended period while the reservoir is empty, the internal heating system may heat without sufficient water supply. This can put strain on the system and, in some cases, cause damage. Therefore, always check before use whether there is enough water in the reservoir.
Why do I need to press and hold the steam button for a few seconds?
Sometimes the water supply to the heating system needs to start flowing again, for example after the reservoir has been refilled or when the garment steamer has not been used for a while. Let the steamer heat up completely first, then press and hold the steam button for a few seconds.
Why is my garment steamer spitting water?
Check that the garment steamer has heated up completely and that you have used only suitable water. Perfume, oil, detergent and other additives should not be added to the reservoir and may affect the operation of the steam system.
Why is my garment steamer leaking?
If there is leakage around the reservoir, check that the rubber seal is properly closed and that the reservoir is fully in place. There should be no obvious gap between the reservoir and the appliance. Is water consistently coming out of the steam head or housing? Stop using the appliance and contact STEAMRS.
Is it normal for my garment steamer to make noise?
A bubbling, ticking or heating sound during warm-up can be normal. The internal system heats water and converts it into steam. Has the sound changed significantly and is this accompanied by other problems, such as no steam, failure to heat up or leakage? Then contact STEAMRS.
Can I put laundry perfume or essential oil in my garment steamer?
No. Do not use laundry perfume, scented ironing water, essential oil, detergent or cleaning product in the water reservoir. Fill the reservoir only with suitable water.
Can limescale cause my garment steamer to stop producing steam?
Mineral deposits may be a possible cause when a garment steamer produces less and less steam, especially after prolonged use of hard, mineral-rich water. First check the other causes in this guide. Do you suspect limescale afterward? Then follow our separate descaling guide.
What should I do if my STEAMRS garment steamer still doesn't work?
Have you performed all the checks and is the garment steamer still not working properly? Then contact STEAMRS. Preferably include your order number, a brief description and a video showing the problem. This will help us assist you more quickly.
