Sauna blanket not heating up (properly)? A practical troubleshooting guide

If your infrared blanket doesn't heat up, or doesn't heat up properly, that's annoying. Yet the cause is often something simple: the connection, the settings or just not enough warm up time.

This guide calmly walks you through the most common causes, from power to safety features. One important point first: never tinker with the electrical parts or the wiring of your blanket yourself.

First take a calm look, don't worry straight away

Before you conclude that something is broken, it pays to check a few basics. In practice the problem is often found within a few minutes. Work from simple to more complicated, so you don't skip anything. You'll find more about everyday use in the knowledge base on infrared sauna blankets.

Check the power supply

Start with the basics: the power. Go through the following.

• Is the plug firmly in the socket?
• Does the socket work? Test it with another appliance if needed
• Are all connections between the blanket, the cable and the controller properly connected?
• Are you using an extension cable or power strip that might not be working properly?

A loose connection is one of the most common causes, and luckily also one of the easiest to fix.

Check the settings

Sometimes it comes down to the settings on the controller.

• Is the temperature set high enough? On a low setting the warmth feels mild
• Is the timer switched on? On some models the heating only starts once the timer is running
• Is the device actually switched on and not in standby or pause mode?
• Does the display or the indicator light respond to the controls?

If in doubt, grab the manual to check exactly how your model is operated.

Give your infrared blanket time to warm up

A sauna blanket doesn't heat up instantly. It takes a little while before the set temperature is reached. Give the blanket a few minutes and only then feel whether it's getting warm. Sometimes people think something is wrong, when the blanket is simply still warming up. Close yourself in well, so the warmth is kept in and you feel it better.

Keep the overheating protection in mind

Many blankets have a safety feature that steps in when they overheat or after a certain time. If the blanket has switched itself off, it may work normally again once it has cooled down. Switch it off, let it rest for a while and try again following the manual. Also keep in mind that the automatic shutoff can step in as soon as the timer has run out. How that protection is built up from a thermostat, a timer and a thermal fuse, and which signs point to a justified cutout rather than a fault, is explained in overheating protection in infrared blankets and panels.

Nine times out of ten it isn't a defect, but a loose plug, a low setting or too little patience.

Check for visible damage

Inspect the cable, the plug, the connections and the blanket itself for visible damage. Do you see a damaged cable, exposed wiring or other defects? Then stop using the blanket and contact customer service. Safety always comes first. Never keep using a damaged blanket in the hope that it will be fine for a bit longer.

When to get in touch

Does the blanket still not work after these steps, or are you unsure about safety? Then contact customer service or the supplier. Have your purchase details and the model number to hand, as that makes it easier to help you, for example under the 2 year warranty. Don't try to open up or repair the blanket yourself.

What you notice	Common cause	What you do
No warmth at all	Power or connection	Check the plug, socket and connections
Warmth feels very mild	Low setting or felt too early	Turn the setting up and wait a few minutes
Switches off midway	Timer or safety feature	Let it cool down and restart following the manual
Damaged cable or plug	Defect	Stop using it and get in touch

Better to prevent than to fix

You can prevent many problems with proper use and care. Store the blanket dry and loosely folded, don't fold it sharply because of the wiring, never pull on the cable and follow the manual. That way you reduce the chance of faults and considerably extend the lifespan of your infrared sauna blanket.

To sum up

If your sauna blanket isn't heating up properly, calmly go through the basics: power, settings, warm up time and safety features. If there is damage or the problem persists, contact customer service. Want to know more about use and care? Read on in the knowledge base on sauna blankets or take a look at the infrared sauna blankets from Luxyor.