NuFACE Not Working, Why It Stopped and How to Fix It
Medically reviewed by
4 independent reviewers
Andrew Conrad Barile, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) | CEO and Founder, Xtreem Pulse LLC
Read bio
Dr. Andrew Conrad Barile is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the CEO and Founder of Xtreem Pulse LLC, the engineering company behind PureLift. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Daemen College and is a licensed physical therapist.
He brings over two decades of clinical and entrepreneurial experience across physical therapy, craniosacral therapy and medical device innovation, built on a working knowledge of human anatomy and muscle physiology.
For PureLift LAB he reviews how current is delivered across all ten levels, from sub-sensory nanocurrent and skin-level microcurrent to motor-level EMS, and how the Infuse pass fits into the same ten-minute routine.
Bertica M. Rubio, M.D.
Board-Certified Physician, Dartmouth Medical School | Medical Director, Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic
Read bio
Dr. Bertica M. Rubio is a board-certified physician and Medical Director of the Antiaging Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Redlands, California. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School and completed her pediatrics residency at UC Irvine Medical Center.
With decades of clinical experience, she specialises in age management medicine, regenerative medicine, wound healing and growth factor therapies, and her practice integrates evidence-based medical science with advanced aesthetic treatment.
For PureLift LAB she reviews articles for medical accuracy across the whole dial, from the gentle nanocurrent and microcurrent settings through to muscle-level EMS and the Infuse pass.
Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Otolaryngologist | Head and Neck Surgeon | Fellow, American College of Surgeons | Mount Sinai
Read bio
Daniel Grinberg, MD, FACS is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at ENT and Allergy Associates in West Nyack, New York. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
He completed his otolaryngology residency at New York University Medical Center, serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
For PureLift LAB he brings a wider clinical lens, connecting at-home facial stimulation from microcurrent to EMS to the anatomy underneath, with the same rigour we apply to every device specification.
Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann
Chair of Angiology, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg | Clinic Director, University Clinic for Angiology
Read bio
Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Buschmann is Chair of Angiology at the Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane and Clinic Director of the University Clinic for Angiology at the Brandenburg University Hospital.
He trained at the University of Hamburg, was a Max Planck Society Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, and held senior consultant posts at the Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin before his appointment as Chair in 2016.
One of Europe's leading authorities on arteriogenesis, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and US and EU patents, he reviews for PureLift LAB how the evidence on electrical stimulation is read and where its limits lie.
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A NuFACE that gives no tingle is often working, since NuFACE says you may feel a mild sensation or none at all, while a device that will not turn on or charge usually needs a long charge or the reset NuFACE describes.
This guide works through the common problems, such as:
- no tingle or a fading sensation
- not turning on
- not charging
- the reset steps
- when to contact NuFACE
and many more!
We make PureLift, a competing device, so every detail about other brands comes from their own pages and published reviews.
Key Points:
NuFACE says you should feel a very mild sensation or none at all, so no tingle does not mean the device is broken.
A sensation that fades usually means the gel has thinned or dried; reapply in sections.
Both spheres must touch the skin at the same time for the current to flow.
NuFACE's guidance for a device that will not charge or turn on is a long charge, then a reset with a paper clip in the reset hole while it sits on the charging stand.
If the reset does not work, contact NuFACE about the warranty rather than opening the device.
First, check whether it is actually broken
NuFACE says you should feel a very mild sensation or none at all. Many people expect a strong tingle and think the device has failed when it is working normally.
NuFACE suggests treating one side of the face and comparing the two sides to see the effect.
This guidance comes from NuFACE's answers on QVC's community page, written for the earlier TRINITY. Check your own model's manual.
Problem one, no tingle or a fading sensation
Reapply gel, working one section at a time so it does not dry. NuFACE suggests adding more primer to areas that feel nothing.
Make sure both spheres touch the skin together.
Remove makeup, oil and sunscreen first. More reasons are in our article on why a device can feel weaker.
Problem two, it will not turn on
Charge it fully. NuFACE's guidance mentions at least 12 hours before first use and up to 24 hours if it is not working, since the battery can drain during shipping.
If it still will not turn on, try the reset below.
Problem three, it will not charge
Check that the device is fully seated in the charging stand and that the cable and plug work.
If the lights do not respond, try the reset.
How to reset a NuFACE
NuFACE's steps for the TRINITY are: remove the Facial Trainer attachment; place the device in the plugged-in charging stand; insert a straightened paper clip into the reset hole beside the serial number label until it stops, without pressing down; listen for two power-up tones; then leave it charging for at least 12 hours.
NuFACE says the lights flash three times and then show a sequential pattern when charging starts. Newer models may differ, so check your manual or NuFACE's support pages.
When to contact NuFACE
If the reset does not work, contact NuFACE before opening the device, which can void the warranty.
Buying from NuFACE or an authorized retailer matters here, as explained in our guide to where to buy.
If you decide to replace it
Compare options in our NuFACE alternatives article and NuFACE Mini vs Trinity.
We make PureLift, so weigh this accordingly. Our devices run nanocurrent at level 1, microcurrent at level 2 and EMS from level 3 to 10 on one dial, publish their output at a stated load, up to 7 mA at 500 ohms on PureLift Face, and work with any water-based conductive serum.
Do not use any facial current device if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, if you are pregnant or if you have epilepsy, and skip broken or irritated skin. The full list is in our safety article.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I feel my NuFACE
NuFACE says you may feel a very mild sensation or none at all. Reapply gel and keep both spheres on the skin.
How do I reset my NuFACE
NuFACE's TRINITY steps: remove the attachment, place it in the plugged-in stand, insert a paper clip into the reset hole until it stops, listen for two tones, then charge for at least 12 hours.
Why won't my NuFACE charge
Check it is fully seated in the stand and the cable works, then charge for up to 24 hours. If nothing happens, try the reset.
Why did my NuFACE stop tingling
The gel has usually thinned or dried. Reapply in sections.
Is my NuFACE broken if I feel nothing
Not necessarily. NuFACE says feeling nothing can be normal.
This article sits inside our full map of the category, where we set out all 33 devices we track, what each one carries and what each brand publishes: Nine Technologies on One Dial, What the Rest of the Market Actually Carries.