Screen turned sideways or upside down on a pulse oximeter (display rotation)

The oximeter has changed its screen layout so the readings face you however you hold it. The numbers mean the same in every layout; only their position and size change.

Check your oximeter’s manual — makers differ.

What it is for

Press the button briefly, or tap, to step through the layouts until the readings face you. Masimo says of the MightySat: “Tap and release the Touchpad to rotate once in a clockwise direction.” Microlife says that on the OXY 300 a short press of the ON/OFF button switches to another of 6 display modes. Beurer says of the PO 60: “To choose among the various display formats (vertical, horizontal etc.), press the power button briefly during operation.”

These pages report what each maker’s manual says and quote it wherever health is involved. They do not diagnose anything, they are not medical advice, and they do not tell you whether an oxygen or pulse reading is right for you or what to do about it; only your own oximeter’s manual and your doctor or nurse can do that for the person you are looking after.

What it looks like: The readings appear rotated, sideways or in a different layout after you press the button or turn the oximeter.
Names makers use: Rotate Main Screen (Masimo MightySat Rx); Display orients automatically (Beurer PO 30); Display formats (Beurer PO 45 and PO 60); Display modes (Microlife OXY 300)

Where makes differ

Some turn by themselves and some by button. Beurer says the PO 30’s “display orients automatically (vertical format, horizontal format)”. The Beurer PO 45 has 7 formats, the Microlife OXY 300 has 6, and the Masimo MightySat turns clockwise one step per tap. Holding the button longer usually changes the brightness instead: Microlife says the OXY 300 then shows «Br 1-10».

What it does not mean

A rotated or rearranged screen is not a fault and does not change the reading. Masimo notes that the rotation does not turn the MightySat’s menu screen.

Sources

No published standard we could check defines what a fingertip pulse oximeter’s display shows, so this meaning is taken from 3 makers’ own manuals and support pages, each fetched and read on the date shown:

Masimo: Masimo MightySat Rx fingertip pulse oximeter — home care manual (PDF) — Using the Touchpad: rotate the main screen for a better view while on the finger — tap and release to rotate once clockwise; this function does not rotate the menu screen. Checked 2026-09-29.
Beurer: Beurer PO 30 pulse oximeter — instructions for use (2020-01-08, German/English, PDF) — Function button note: “The display orients automatically (vertical format, horizontal format).” Checked 2026-09-29.
Beurer: Beurer PO 60 pulse oximeter — US instruction manual (English/French/Spanish, PDF) — Power button: “To choose among the various display formats (vertical, horizontal etc.), press the power button briefly during operation.” Checked 2026-09-29.
Microlife: Microlife OXY 300 fingertip pulse oximeter — instruction manual (IB OXY 300 N-V9, revision 2023-11-30, PDF) — Adjusting display mode and brightness: a short press switches to another of 6 display modes; a long press adjusts brightness, shown as «Br 1-10». Checked 2026-09-29.

Written in our own words; quotations are the makers’ wording.