Pool Pump Not Working?
Step-by-step repair guides for every common pool pump failure. Diagnose it yourself, fix it right, and skip the service call.
What Is Your Pump Doing?
No response when switched on — check power, breaker, timer, and motor
Breaker cuts out immediately or after a short run — electrical fault diagnosis
Power is reaching the motor but it won’t spin — usually a capacitor or seized shaft
Water around the pump — shaft seal, O-ring, union, or housing crack
Grinding, screeching, rattling — each noise points to a different cause
Low pressure, cloudy water — blocked impeller, dirty filter, or air leak
Motor hot to the touch or shutting down — blocked vents, failing capacitor
Loses water and air-locks — suction leak, low water level, bad O-ring
Runs briefly then stops — thermal overload, overheating, electrical issue
🔴 Usually urgent | 🟡 Common issue | 🔵 Check when convenient
Repair by Part
Hums, seized, won’t start, needs replacement
The #1 cause of a pump that hums but won’t spin
Clogged or cracked — causes low flow or no flow
Most common source of water leaks around the pump
Cracked or clogged — causes suction problems
Cracked volute, air leaks, structural damage
Repair by Brand
Pool Pump Basics
- How Pool Pumps Work — installation, setup, and plumbing basics
- Variable Speed Pumps — programming, error codes, and efficiency
- Above Ground Pool Pumps — common problems and fixes
- Pool Filter Problems — when the filter is causing the issue
- Maintenance Schedules — what to check and how often
- Full Troubleshooting Index →