Decoding ResMed AirSense 10 Hardware Failures: A User’s Guide to Error Codes 001 through 020

Quick answer: The AirSense 10 displays both plain-language messages and numbered error codes (001 through 020). ResMed's own manual gives consumers a real fix for a handful of these, including Error 004, but treats every other numbered code the same way: "contact your care provider, do not open the device." A ResMed-authorized repair center has published more detailed breakdowns of what those codes typically mean in practice, useful context, but not the same as ResMed's own documentation.

If your machine is completely unresponsive, no screen, no error code, check the rectangular power supply brick on the cord. If its indicator light is on, the cord and power supply are working, which points to an internal machine fault. If the light is off, replacing the power cord may be all you need.

What Resmed's Own Manual Actually Says

Before getting into repair-center-level detail, it's worth knowing what Resmed's official AirSense 10 user manual tells you directly, because it's more limited than you might expect.

Messages Resmed documents for consumers, with real fixes:

• "High leak detected, check your water tub, tub seal or side cover" — the water tub or its seal may not be inserted properly. Make sure the tub is correctly seated and the seal is properly inserted.¹

• "High leak detected, connect your tubing" — the air tubing may not be connected properly, or the mask may be fitted incorrectly. Check both connections, and use the Mask Fit function to verify your seal.¹

• "Tubing blocked, check your tubing" — check the tubing for blockages, clear the dial to dismiss the message, then restart the device.¹

• "SD card error, remove your card and press Start to begin therapy" — remove and reinsert the SD card.¹

• "Read only card, please remove, unlock and re-insert SD card" — the SD card's physical lock switch is in the read-only position; slide it to unlock and reinsert.¹

• "System fault, refer to user guide, Error 004" — per Resmed's own manual, this can result from the device being left in a hot environment, a blocked air filter, blocked air tubing, or water in the tubing. Try letting the device cool, checking and replacing the air filter if needed, clearing any tubing blockage, emptying water from the tubing, then disconnecting and reconnecting the power supply to restart.¹ This is worth trying before assuming you need a paid repair.

Every other numbered error code (001–003, 005–020): Resmed's official manual treats these uniformly, with the same instruction regardless of which number appears: "An unrecoverable error has occurred on the device. Contact your care provider. Do not open the device."¹ Resmed deliberately doesn't publish consumer-facing detail on what each of these codes specifically means internally.

What a repair technician sees, beyond the official consumer guide. If you want more detail before deciding whether to pursue a repair, an authorized Resmed repair center has published its own breakdown of what these codes typically indicate in practice, based on repair experience rather than Resmed's own published documentation:

Treat this second table as a starting point for understanding your repair options, not a diagnosis. Confirm with Resmed or a certified technician before committing to a repair.

Other plain-language messages worth knowing:

• "Heating system fault, therapy will run without heating" — caused by a faulty heater plate or main PC board. Therapy continues without heated humidification until resolved.³

• "Motor life exceeded, contact care provider" — widely reported to appear around 21,900 hours of use (about 5 years at 12 hours a night). This is a proactive warning; the machine can continue functioning normally, but it's a sign to plan for a replacement or backup rather than wait for a sudden failure.³ ⁴

• "Water is leaking from the chamber" — a water chamber issue, usually resolved by reseating or replacing the chamber.³

Contact Resmed Directly First

For any error code beyond 004, Resmed's own guidance is to contact your care provider rather than attempt to open or diagnose the device yourself.¹ Resmed's general support line is 1-800-424-0737, available Monday through Friday, 6am–3pm PT, for product guidance and manual requests. One thing worth knowing going in: Resmed doesn't sell directly to individual patients and is generally not able to address therapy, insurance, or pricing questions directly, those go through the equipment supplier that provided your machine.² If The CPAP Shop supplied your AirSense 10, our team can help you sort out next steps, whether that's a repair referral or evaluating a replacement.

Should You Repair or Replace?

If you've confirmed a genuine hardware fault, the decision usually comes down to cost and the age of your machine.

Typical flat-rate repair costs for an AirSense 10, based on published pricing from an authorized repair center: about $275 for a blower motor, $325 for the main PC board, or $450 if both need replacing, plus an optional extended warranty.³ Expect the machine to be unavailable for a period during shipping and repair.

Age matters. If your machine is approaching or past the 5-year mark, repairing one component carries real risk that another will fail soon after, since most internal parts share a similar expected lifespan. At that point, upgrading rather than repairing is often the more practical choice. Compare current options in our best CPAP machines roundup.

On insurance coverage: Medicare and most private insurers follow a 5-year Reasonable Useful Lifetime (RUL) standard for CPAP equipment.⁵ Importantly, an internal warning like "motor life exceeded" is not by itself grounds for an early, insurance-covered replacement before that 5-year mark, coverage for early replacement generally requires documented loss, theft, or damage, not just an hour-count warning.⁵ If your machine is under 5 years old, a covered repair (after meeting your deductible) is more likely than a covered replacement.

Protecting Your Machine From Premature Failure

Motor and sensor failures are frequently linked to dust, debris, and airborne particles reaching internal components. A few habits help:

• Replace filters on schedule, roughly every 1 to 2 months, rather than waiting until they visibly darken. A clogged filter forces the motor to work harder pulling in air.

• Keep the machine off the floor, on a nightstand or shelf, to avoid pulling in carpet dust and pet dander.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first if my AirSense 10 is beeping and showing an error?

Attempt a hard reset: unplug the machine, remove the SD card, wait about 5 minutes, then plug it back in. If it's Error 004 specifically, also check for a hot environment, a blocked filter, or blocked/wet tubing before assuming you need a repair.¹

Does "motor life exceeded" mean my machine will stop working immediately?

Not necessarily. It's widely reported to appear around 21,900 hours of use, and the machine can often continue functioning normally afterward. It's a signal to plan ahead for a replacement or backup, not a guarantee of imminent failure.³ ⁴

Will insurance cover a repair or replacement for my AirSense 10?

It depends on the age of your machine. Under the 5-year Reasonable Useful Lifetime standard many insurers follow, a machine under 5 years old is more likely to have a repair covered, while a replacement is typically only covered once the full 5 years have passed, or in cases of documented loss, theft, or damage.⁵

Is the AirSense 10 part of the Philips CPAP recall?

No. Resmed devices use a different sound-abatement foam design and were never part of the Philips Respironics PE-PUR foam recall.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional repair diagnosis or medical advice. Detail beyond Error 004 in this article comes from published third-party repair center data, not official Resmed consumer documentation. If your CPAP machine is malfunctioning, contact Resmed or a certified repair provider to confirm the issue before making a repair or replacement decision, and talk to your doctor if a malfunction is affecting your therapy.

The CPAP Shop carries filters, replacement parts, and current-generation CPAP machines if you're due for an upgrade. Call 866-414-9700 with any questions.

This post was updated on September 22, 2026.

References

1. Resmed. AirSense 10 User Manual, "Device Messages" section. document.resmed.com

2. Resmed. "Contact Us." resmed.com/en-us/contact-us

3. Altra CPAP Repair. "Resmed AirSense 10 Problems and Error Messages" and "CPAP Repair Cost." (Resmed-authorized repair center.) cpap-repair.com/resmed-airsense-10-error-messages; cpap-repair.com/cpap-repair-cost

4. bestcpap.eu. "Resmed Motor Life Exceeded: What It Means & What to Do." bestcpap.eu/blog/motor-life-exceeded-on-a-resmed-cpap-device-what-does-it-mean-and-what-should-we-do

5. LegalClarity. "DME Reasonable Useful Lifetime: Five-Year Replacement Rule." legalclarity.org/dme-reasonable-useful-lifetime-five-year-replacement-rule