What to Do If Your Insulin Pump Malfunctions
Learn immediate steps, causes, risks, and prevention strategies for insulin pump failures with actionable tips for diabetes safety.
Insulin pumps provide precise, continuous insulin delivery for people managing diabetes, improving both glucose control and daily life flexibility. But like any medical device, insulin pumps can malfunction — and knowing what to do in these emergency moments is crucial for your safety. This guide explains how to recognize a problem, take action, and prevent complications if your pump stops working as expected.
Understanding Insulin Pump Malfunctions
Insulin pumps use modern technology to deliver fast-acting insulin through a small catheter under the skin, replacing the need for frequent injections. However, pump therapy comes with unique risks of technical problems, human errors, and mechanical failures. Device breakdowns can interrupt insulin delivery, causing high blood sugar and increasing the risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
- Malfunctions can occur due to device errors, battery/power issues, kinked or disconnected tubing, empty cartridges, occlusions, incorrect programming, or insulin spoilage.
- Warning signs include unexplained high blood sugars, recurring pump alarms, or visible error messages on the device screen.
- Immediate action and backup planning are key to preventing health emergencies.
Common Insulin Pump Problems
- Battery failure or depletion
- Kinked, clogged, or disconnected infusion sets or tubing
- Reservoir or cartridge leaks
- Software malfunction or device freezing
- Pump alarms not responding or error messages appearing
- Spoiled insulin due to heat exposure
Even with proper use, insulin pumps may fail at any time — highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and backup readiness.
Recognizing Signs of Insulin Pump Malfunction
- Persistent unexplained high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) despite giving correction boluses through the pump
- Frequent or persistent pump alarms or alerts
- Ketones showing in blood or urine, especially moderate or large amounts
- Visible leaks, cracked cartridges, or disconnected tubing
- Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA):
- Muscle aches
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Fruity breath odor
- Difficulty breathing or rapid, deep breathing
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
When in doubt, always act quickly to troubleshoot and, if needed, seek medical help for severe symptoms.
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What To Do If Your Insulin Pump Stops Working
- Check your blood sugar immediately.
- Test for ketones: Use blood or urine test strips, especially if blood sugar is above your normal range or you feel unwell.
- Rule out a site issue:
- Inspect the infusion site and tubing for kinks, disconnections, occlusions, or leaks.
- Change the infusion set, tubing, and cartridge if any issues are found.
- If ketones are moderate or high,
- Give a correction bolus via syringe or insulin pen — do not rely on the pump.
- Contact your diabetes care team or follow your sick-day/DKA prevention plan.
- If the pump is unresponsive, broken, or shows an error:
- Switch to your backup method of insulin: multiple daily injections (MDI) using syringes or pens.
- Continue testing blood glucose and ketones every 2-4 hours until you are stable or the pump is replaced.
- If symptoms worsen (nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing), or high ketones persist:
- Go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately — you may be developing DKA, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Preparing a Backup Plan for Pump Failure
Because insulin pump malfunctions can happen unexpectedly, being prepared significantly reduces risk and anxiety. A clear backup plan allows you to rapidly restore insulin delivery, keeping you out of danger.
- Always carry backup supplies:
- Rapid- and long-acting insulin pens or vials
- Syringes or insulin pens
- Extra test strips, blood ketone test strips, or urine ketone sticks
- Infusion sets and tubing
- Fresh insulin vials and spare batteries
- Consult your healthcare provider in advance: Have prescription(s) for long-acting insulin and clear instructions on doses if your pump is ever unavailable.
- Keep a printed copy of your backup plan in your diabetes kit and review it with family or caregivers.
- Know the signs of DKA and when to get emergency help.
Switching to Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) If Your Pump Fails
If your pump cannot deliver insulin, reverting to MDI (syringe or pen) protects you from dangerous highs and DKA. This is temporary but vital until your pump is fixed or replaced.
- Administer a long-acting insulin dose (such as glargine or detemir) to cover your basal needs.
- Use rapid-acting insulin pens or syringes for mealtime boluses and corrections.
- Follow the basal/bolus doses previously established by your diabetes provider until the pump is operational again.
- Monitor glucose and ketones more frequently to fine-tune your MDI doses as needed.
Switching to injections may feel inconvenient and stressful, especially if you are used to a pump, but it is a proven lifesaving strategy when you have no other option.
Troubleshooting Specific Insulin Pump Issues
- Unexplained High Blood Sugars:
- Check infusion site and tubing for leaks or blockages
- Consider pump site failure or insulin spoilage (due to heat exposure)
- Change the infusion set and cartridge, use fresh insulin if needed
- Recurring Pump Alarms:
- Respond to pump alerts promptly
- Check batteries, reservoir levels, and program settings
- Device Will Not Power On or Respond:
- Try fresh batteries; check for error codes
- If the malfunction persists, switch to MDI backup and call your device manufacturer or healthcare provider
When to Call for Medical Help
- Ongoing high blood sugar (>240 mg/dL or as advised by your doctor) despite attempted corrections
- Ketones moderate or high and not improving after injection corrections
- Symptoms of DKA: vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, difficulty breathing
- Pump is physically broken and cannot be replaced right away
- Unsure of your backup insulin doses or how to adjust them for your needs
- Any situation where you feel unsafe managing on your own
Why Do Insulin Pumps Fail?
Pump failures can result from:
- Mechanical/electrical issues (worn-out devices, battery issues, internal errors, broken screens)
- Infusion site problems (kinked sets, accidental pulls, improper insertion)
- Human error (missed reservoir changes, improper programming, forgetting to reconnect after bathing or swimming)
- Insulin spoilage due to heat or freezing temperatures
While most issues are resolved easily, serious pump failures can cause life-threatening low or high blood sugars if unaddressed.
Preventing Complications from Pump Therapy
- Change infusion sets and reservoirs every 48–72 hours to minimize risk of blockages or infections.
- Rotate your infusion sites to prevent skin irritation, scarring, or lipohypertrophy.
- Inspect sites for redness, swelling, or pain — signs of infection or inflammation.
- Store insulin properly to avoid heat-related spoilage. Do not leave the pump or insulin in hot cars or direct sunlight.
- Follow up with your diabetes team regularly and carry up-to-date prescriptions for backup supplies.
Common Skin Complications
- Local reactions (redness, itching, mild swelling)
- Lipohypertrophy (fatty tissue buildup)
- Avoid using affected areas for several weeks to allow healing
- Scarring: Insert sets at 90°, avoid previously scarred sites
- Cellulitis or infection: Clean area, change set, and use antibiotics as needed
Real-Life Experiences: Why Backup Plans Matter
Many people with type 1 diabetes have faced sudden pump failures — at home, while traveling, or even out of the country. Real life stories emphasize the vital importance of having a backup plan and remaining calm:
“The device malfunctioned, and my glucose became very unstable. My experience taught me the importance of having a backup plan — and staying calm under pressure.”
“Having a long-acting insulin prescription as a backup is needed. It provides a safety net and reduces anxiety about pump failures. Being without a pump is torture… unexpectedly switching to multiple daily injections is lifesaving, but it can be very inconvenient.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the first steps to take if my insulin pump fails?
A: Immediately check your blood sugar and ketones, troubleshoot the site and tubing, and switch to injection backup if hyperglycemia persists or the pump won’t work.
Q: How can I tell if my pump malfunction puts me at risk for DKA?
A: Warning signs for DKA include uncontrollably high blood sugar, moderate or large ketones, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fruity breath, or confusion. Emergency care is needed if these occur.
Q: Can I use my insulin pump again after fixing the problem?
A: If the malfunction was minor (such as a kinked site or empty reservoir), you may resume pump use after changing the set and using fresh insulin, unless your healthcare provider says otherwise. Always verify proper function by testing your next glucose dose and monitoring carefully.
Q: How often should I change my infusion set?
A: To prevent site problems, rotate and change infusion sets every 2–3 days (48–72 hours) or at the first sign of discomfort or high blood sugar.
Q: What should I keep in my diabetes emergency backup kit?
A: Your kit should have rapid- and long-acting insulin, syringes or pens, blood and urine ketone test strips, extra infusion sets, batteries, pump supplies, and written instructions for switching to MDI.
Resources
- Talk with your diabetes care provider about your backup plan.
- Contact your insulin pump manufacturer for device support and warranty questions.
- Review your device’s user manual for troubleshooting instructions.
Preparedness, quick troubleshooting, and clear backup plans help prevent health crises and keep you safe, even if your insulin pump unexpectedly stops working.
References
- https://t1dexchange.org/my-insulin-pump-malfunctioned-now-what/
- https://www.emdocs.net/insulin-pumps-complications-and-emergency-department-presentations/
- https://pedsendo.org/patient-resource/insulin-pump-failure-a-guide-for-families/
- https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/insulin-pumps/troubleshooting-pumps/troubleshooting-unexplained-hyperglycemia
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/what-to-do-if-your-insulin-pump-malfunctions
- https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/insulin-pumps/troubleshooting-pumps/pump-back-up-plans
- https://www.rch.org.au/diabetes/diabetes-help/Insulin_pump_malfunction/
- https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/6979
- https://www.bmc.org/diabetes/diabetes-education/troubleshooting-hyperglycemia-pump
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5094340/
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