This page is a fast routing tool, not a full repair guide — match your pump’s exact symptom below and jump straight to the dedicated guide with the full diagnosis and fix. Built from the same symptom patterns I’ve seen across thousands of pool pump service calls over 39 years.
Start Here — What Is the Pump Actually Doing?
Work through these questions in order. The first one that matches your symptom is your starting point.
Overview of how water moves through pool equipment — useful context before diving into a specific symptom diagnosis.
Pump Makes No Sound at All
Dead silence when you try to start it → check the breaker and GFCI first, then see Pool Pump Won’t Turn On.
Pump Hums But Won’t Spin
A buzz or hum for a second or two, then silence → almost always the capacitor. See Capacitor Test and Replacement.
Pump Runs But Won’t Build Suction
Motor spins normally but no water fills the strainer basket → see Pool Pump Not Priming. If it primes fine then loses suction after 10–20 minutes, that’s a different cause — see Pool Pump Losing Prime instead.
Pump Runs But Flow Is Weak
Pressure gauge low, returns weak → check the basket first (free fix, 50% of cases), then see Weak Flow or, if pressure is specifically low rather than just flow, Low Pressure.
Pressure Gauge Reads High
See High Pressure — backwashing or cleaning the filter resolves this about 60% of the time.
Pump Is Leaking
Dripping from under the motor → Shaft Seal Leak. Leaking at a union or fitting → Leaking Water for the full location-by-location diagnosis.
Pump Is Making Noise
Grinding or screeching → bearings, see Motor Bearings. Rattling → debris in impeller, see Impeller Clogged. Rushing/gravel sound → Cavitation. Full sound-by-sound breakdown at Making Noise.
Pump Trips the Breaker or GFCI
See Tripping Breaker for general breaker trips, or specifically GFCI Keeps Tripping if it’s a GFCI device tripping rather than a standard breaker.
Pump Smells Burnt
Shut it off immediately, then see Burning Smell — this one requires shutdown before diagnosis, not after.
Pump Starts Then Stops on Its Own
See Starts Then Stops — the exact timing of the shutdown narrows the cause significantly.
Pump Won’t Turn Off
See Won’t Turn Off — this is a control/timer issue, not a pump failure.
Pump Is Vibrating More Than Usual
Brand-Specific Guides
If you’ve identified your pump brand: Hayward Super Pump, Pentair SuperFlo, Pentair WhisperFlo, Sta-Rite, Jandy, Waterway.
Still Not Sure?
Describe exactly what your pump is doing and I’ll point you to the right guide. See Contact or browse the full article library for every guide on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is usually wrong with a pool pump?
In order of frequency across the calls I’ve handled: capacitor failure (humming, won’t start), clogged strainer basket (weak flow), lid O-ring failure (won’t prime), and dirty filter (high pressure). These four causes account for the majority of pool pump service calls.
Should I try to diagnose my pump myself or call a professional?
Most of the symptoms on this page have free or low-cost fixes you can do yourself with basic tools. Electrical work beyond simple capacitor swaps, motor winding diagnosis, or any symptom involving visible water intrusion into the motor wiring compartment are good candidates for a professional if you’re not comfortable with electrical work.
How do I know if my pump just needs a part or needs replacement?
See our repair cost guide for the 60% rule: if a repair costs more than 60% of a new pump, replacement is usually the better choice, especially on pumps over 8 years old.
My symptom doesn’t match anything on this list — what do I do?
Check the full troubleshooting guide page for a more comprehensive symptom grid, or browse all articles for a complete list of every guide on the site.
Is this flowchart specific to any pump brand?
No — the symptoms and general causes apply across virtually all residential pool pump brands. Brand-specific details (part numbers, exact disassembly steps) are in the individual brand guides linked above.