semiatic

The ramp symbol on a CPAP machine

Ramp starts the night with lower air pressure and builds up to your prescribed pressure, so falling asleep is easier. While it runs, the air can feel weaker than you expect. How each machine shows that ramp is on. Whether to use ramp, and for how long, is set with your equipment provider or clinician.

Therapy settings: This page explains what a CPAP machine’s screen or light is telling you, in the maker’s words. It is not medical advice: ask your equipment provider or clinician about your therapy settings, and do not change your pressure or any prescribed setting because of anything here.

ResMed

  1. ResMed AirSense 10 An icon on the screen

    Ramp Time and Ramp Time Auto icons; the spinning circle

    Ramp Time is the period during which the pressure rises from a low start pressure to your prescribed pressure; with Auto the machine detects when you have fallen asleep and then rises. During ramp the Sleep Report screen shows a spinning circle; once the prescribed pressure is reached the whole circle is green.

    What ResMed says to do

    1. If the air feels too weak, ResMed’s first explanation is that ramp may be in progress: wait for the air pressure to build up.

    Source: AirSense 10 user guide (AirSense 10 AutoSet, AutoSet for Her, Elite and CPAP, with HumidAir) (ResMed, 378947/1, 2021-02), checked 2026-09-29.

  2. ResMed AirMini Something the machine does

    Air feels too weak at the start (ramp in the AirMini app)

    The AirMini’s ramp is set in the app. ResMed lists ramp in progress as one cause of pressure that seems too low; others are a blocked or wet HumidX or a blocked vent.

    What ResMed says to do

    1. Confirm in the AirMini app whether Ramp is enabled; if it is, wait for the air pressure to build up.
    2. Inspect the HumidX and the vent for blockage or damage; the HumidX should be dry when you start therapy.

    Source: AirMini user guide (ResMed, 388135/1, 2020-03), checked 2026-09-29.

Everything else ResMed’s machines show: ResMed CPAP icons and messages.

Philips Respironics

  1. Philips Respironics DreamStation 2 An icon on the screen

    RAMP PLUS (Ramp+) symbol

    RAMP PLUS keeps a lower starting pressure for a set time (30 minutes by default) while you fall asleep. During that time the pressure stays at the starting level unless the machine detects an event and sees a need to increase it; afterwards your prescribed pressure resumes. While it runs, the pressure number on the therapy screen is the pressure being delivered at that moment.

    No action is needed. The manual explains the setting; its levels are for you and your equipment provider to agree.

    Source: DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP / CPAP user manual (Philips Respironics, 1143534 R02, 06/11/2021), checked 2026-09-29.

Everything else Philips Respironics’s machines show: Philips Respironics CPAP icons and messages.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

  1. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare SleepStyle An icon on the screen

    Ramp symbol

    Appears when you press and hold Start/Stop for 3 seconds. Ramp gradually increases to your prescribed pressure over a 20-minute period. Holding Start/Stop for 3 seconds again restarts it.

    No action is needed.

    Source: F&P SleepStyle Use and Care Guide (SleepStyle Auto, SleepStyle CPAP) (Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Use and Care Guide, English section A), checked 2026-09-29.

Everything else Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s machines show: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare CPAP icons and messages.

Other things a CPAP machine shows

Sources

Each maker’s own user guide only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from third-party CPAP forums or “error code” sites.

Find any icon, message or light on your machine →