How to Fix Low / Lite Flush Problem - American Standard Cadet 3 Dual Flush Toilet - doesn’t work

How to make the low / lite flush work correctly on the American Standard Cadet 3 III dual flush toilet. I struggled with the low flush button not working for months. After several calls to customer service, and serious thoughts of purchasing a different toilet, I found a solution! Problem solved! Fixed fast, easy, and free! I will show you how!
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How-to and Reviews

[@johnshook1687]

This exact issue has been plaguing me for over 8 years. My parents never bothered to fix it because the hardware looked new & confusing. Now that they are gone, I am slowly combing over my house to fix everything they wouldn't. Videos like this are a godsend that I will be consulting for any of my household upkeep needs.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! I hope it goes well!

[@marilynpuett9451]

It worked!!! The side for liquid waste flushes just fine now! Thanks again for your ever-so-helpful video!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Excellent!

[@marilynpuett9451]

Thanks for the video. I only have this toilet because my bathroom was damaged by a leak from the condo over me in late 2020 and by the time the owner who was flipping the unit upstairs got around to fixing it it was summer of 2021 and there were supply chain issues. This was the only toilet I could get that didn't break the bank. I replaced the toilets in both bathrooms, and the other one is the standard Cadet 3 with the handle flush. I shall make haste to the bathroom and see if your suggestion does the job. If not, I guess I'll start saving for a new toilet.

[@supernat1978]

I have a glacier bay with similar switch and came across this video, finally fixed my non flushing toilet, thanks!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Nice! Glad it helped!

[@jasonclarke6194]

Great video and a great help. I have the american standard h2option siphonic dual flush with liner, slightly different toilet with almost identical internals but your video was a big help to me fixing this issue. The instructions are not the best when it comes to making adjustments and mine had different settings but it all got figured out. This toilet was a pain for a first install but now that I know what I know thanks to your video I would install another one as it is a good toilet for the price when working properly. The funny thing is, I installed a cheaper store brand dual flush in the basement bathroom and it worked perfectly out of the box. Keep up the great vids.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@jwtoob]

I bought two of the same H2Option w/liner off of Amazon. The first one worked right out of the box, but the second one had the problem with the lite flush. The manual is terrible, and doesn't even show that you can twist and remove the flush tower! I compared settings on the working and non-working unit, and they were both set differently from the factory, and neither one was set to the recommended settings in the manual for the model with liner. They're really setting the average homeowner up for failure with the way they QC these and how the manual is written. Both working great now though, thanks to this video!

[@hollygarden3927]

Tried to fix/adjust this toilet for years- thank you!!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad I could help!

[@masterthinker5001]

Thanks so much for this video. I just purchased the same toilet and was trying to figure out how to correct that issue.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad it helped!

[@andersonclaros5187]

Very helpful video I been stressing I even took the toilet out to make sure nothing was stuck in there and this fixed it

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s great to hear! Glad this helped!

[@davidbeers5174]

I just installed this toilet and stressed over the lite flush not working though the settings agreed with the manual. Your suggested settings took 2 minutes to change and worked perfect. Thanks! I can stop stressing now.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s great to hear. Glad this got it working!

[@brandonious100]

Just moved into a new place and this worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Glad it worked out!

[@debbiewalker9894]

Thank you sooooooo much for this video, we have this toilet and it was driving me crazy that the half flush would never flush, followed your video and it works great now! Thank you, thank you.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s great to hear! It’s definitely a frustrating problem. Glad the video helped!

[@LeeLuker]

Worked for me. Our lite flush did not complete unless you held the button down for the full flush. The full flush worked OK. Adjusted only the Full Flush down to 1 to see the affect and now both work properly with just a quick push. There is still a difference in the amount of water used for each flush so this adjustment does not seem to affect that aspect. Thanks!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Great! Thanks for sharing!

[@russmelgar5353]

Thanks for this you save me a lot of time and money!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@billysonlinesurveychannel8247]

The long strip on mine was set at 4.5!!!! No wonder it wasnt flushing right!!! I set them to 0 and 1 and now its got all the power in the world!!!!!! This video is a godsend and you sir will be given a free pass to heaven!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s great news, glad it helped!

[@db4elle]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

No problem! I’m happy it helped!

[@artemiogonzalez200]

Thank you very much, this video helped me solve my problem.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@williamfeeney2020]

Thank you!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@andyjame6351]

very satisfied with this product

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Nice! Glad you like it!

[@blainf451]

This did the trick - thanks muchly for sharing!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@blainf451]

Guess I spoke too soon... Bowl won't empty at all now. Assuming the flush tower needs to be replaced? Any idea what the part number is? This is one of three AS Cadet toilets I have and the other two work just fine.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@blainf451 Sorry to hear that. I would call American Standard to make sure you get the correct flush tower. They will ask you for the part number printed in your tank, which will dictate the correct flush tower. If you explain that you have two that work, but this one doesn’t, It is possible that they will send you a replacement flush tower at no cost. They sent me parts at no cost when I was struggling to get this toilet working.

[@blainf451]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Thanks, that sounds like a good plan

[@blainf451]

Replaced the valve with a new one from AS and adjusted as per your video. Also adjusted another tab noted in another video for the same issue with the same toilet but still won't flush properly - did so once then back to a half flush. This toilet is garbage. Thanks again for your help though!

[@billysonlinesurveychannel8247]

Ohhhhhhh I have this exact toilet and same issue. I wil try this. Whether it works or not I appreciate you uploading this. Without it so many people would be fucked!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I hope it helps!

[@jessethornsen6500]

I adjusted the light down to 2 and kept the full at 2 and they both work fine now... Not sure they need to be adjusted as much as recommend. Regardless, thanks for the solution, it was driving me crazy. I have two of these toilets and one was fine with factory settings and one wasn't.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I'm glad to hear that it working for you! Higher settings are better in regard to reduced water use, so that is great news that you did not have to go all the way down to 1 and 0. Glad you found it helpful!

[@kumarbhatia6566]

About to flush this toilet down the...wait that is recursive. Did the same but still not enough water pressure during a flush. Will try the vinegar ideas to clean possible clogged pores under the rim to repair. Else shopping next weekend to replace. Thanks for the great video!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I also didn’t care for this toilet and no longer own it. Good luck!

[@kumarbhatia6566]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Just a quick update. After this post, decided to contact American Standard (Canada) for assistance on possible solutions. My thoughts were to use an adjustable float to allow for the tank to fill the water a bit higher to allow for enough volume to flush the bowl. Also requested if a replacement traditional tank exists. After sharing our serial # from inside the tanke - they UPS couriered out a replacement normal style flush tank to repair this unit! I am very impressed that they would do this. Only now returned back to the office from a week fight with covid and hope to perform this repair this weekend. Will update all on the progress but it appears that it is possible to convert this toilet to the normal style with this new conversion kit & tank.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@kumarbhatia6566 That’s great news. That’s a good solution. I had the regular Cadete 3 in a different bathroom and liked it (which is why I bought this toilet). I think you will be happy with it when you get the normal tank installed.

[@roadsterman]

Thank you so much! I am going to buy a real toilet now.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad you found it helpful! That’s a good plan. I would not recommend this toilet.

[@bradpudelko6051]

thankyou for the fix this toilet has caused me alot of grief

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I know that grief! I hope this helps!

[@mccoyshelley]

Ten years ago I was warned by a plumber that these kinds of toilets were a problem. But three years ago I thought they'd certainly improved by now. I was wrong. I'm going to try this fix and if it doesn't work, I'll replace the toilet. I've probably wasted as much water as I was supposed to save by having to flush 2-3 times for it to flush completely.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

That’s exactly how I felt about the toilet. I no longer own this toilet (thank goodness), and I will never buy another one again. I hope this fix helps! Good luck!

[@tomfairbank4715]

Hi, I’ve got the same toilet and found your video. Question is, I went to American standard website and looked at instructions, and it says for an insulated tank, to set the flush valve at 4, and 4.5 for part and full flush. Doesn’t that mean that higher number is more water per flush? I tried adjusting down to zero as in your video but didn’t seem to help and maybe worse, but don’t see on their website anywhere about which direction adjustment adds more flow to flush Thanks

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Hello! Unfortunately (but fortunate for me), I no longer have this toilet. From what I recall, the lower number resulted in more water in the flush. Higher number would be less water in the flush.

[@kingofthehousemedia]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial American Standard factory confirmed you get a larger capacity flush the higher the number....not decreasing it. I also learned they do not come set from factory. Everyone installing has to set them. Low flush ruler easier to set by removing the blue lock button. Then press it back in. Finally the numbers 2, 3, etc do not reference gallons used. Use their recommended numbers or go higher...not lower.. to overcome a bad flush.

[@pattyhollman5024]

Thank you so much !! It worked! I agree… terrible brand of toilet!!!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Glad it worked! I don’t have anything against American standard, but I definitely had something against the toilet.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Lol. Glad it helped!

[@nealespeseth1641]

Great info. The only problem is the low flush adjustment will not move. It is stuck on 4. Cant move it up or down.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

It will move, it needs some force. I was worried about breaking it when I first moved it because it was very hard. But it went.

[@nealespeseth1641]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial I figured it out. I just had to pull the tab out for it to move. Thanks anyway.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@nealespeseth1641 nice

[@nealespeseth1641]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial Me again. The toilet flushed perfectly for a few days then its back to not. I',m thinking of going back to the old flush system toilet Should I replace the dual flush part or are there any other adjustments you can think of?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@nealespeseth1641 I am personally not familiar with any other adjustments. If it was me, I would return it and switch to a normal flush toilet. I did not care for this toilet and would not recommend it. I own the normal flush version of the cadet 3 and like it.

[@01driver]

Have one of these here in the UK.. Don't recommend at all & will replace when I can.. Good video BTW..

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I completely agree. I do not recommend this toilet, and thankfully, I no longer own it. I hope you can replace yours soon!

[@bradwelch6157]

How do you adjust the light flush setting?? Mine is at 4 and I can't move it. Feels like if I press harder I will break it!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Mine felt exactly the same way! Go ahead and press harder.

[@bradwelch6157]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial I'll give it a shot, thanks so much for the video! I spent 2.5 hours cleaning and scrubbing all of the jet holes with vinegar and no improvements whatsoever. This minor, very easy adjustment seems to have fixed the issues we've been putting up with for years!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@bradwelch6157 Glad it helped! I remember the struggles with that toilet!

[@EzaGigglez123]

I tried what you did in this video but it is still not flushing. Do you have an idea of what may be going on?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Unfortunately, I do not. If it is a recent new purchase, I recommend returning it and getting a different one. It will be worth the effort. I hope you get it sorted out!

[@guibox3]

My toilet doesn't have the tap to turn off the water. Do i just shut off the main or can I stick a wet vac hose down there and let it suck while I try the repairs?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

You will need to shut off the main. Otherwise, the tank will just continue to fill when you remove the tower.

[@stevefranks6735]

what the adjustment do? push more water through? more pressure?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I’m pretty sure the adjustment adds additional water to the flush. So, the water saving is reduced.

[@deechicago25]

How do fix the push lever inside the tower from getting stuck after flush?won’t shut.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I apologize, but I no longer have this toilet and am unable to investigate this. Otherwise, I would have been happy to check it out for you. I wish you the best in solving your problem! Let us know how it goes!

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

One suggestion is to call American Standard. They will walk you through fixing it, or they may send you a new flush tower at no cost. They sent one to me when I called for help with the low flush problem.

[@bernie10315]

make sure the tower is seated properly and the water is not overflowing in the overflow tube. Otherwise remove the tower and check the seat for obstruction.

[@JH-ji6cj]

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of the low flow option *fluids* vs the full flush of the *solid* waste side (right side button on top)? If they both flush the same, then there is no reason for the fluid/left vs solid waste/right (full flush) buttons.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I agree that it adds more water volume to the flush. Whether it matches the solid flush or not, I’m not sure. But, it makes it so it works. The alternative is you press the button and it doesn’t work at all and the waste just sits in the toilet bowl. That’s no good either. Especially when guests are trying to use it, and can’t get it to work. I personally do not recommend this toilet. If I could do it over, I would absolutely just buy the regular version with the flush handle on the side of the tank.

[@stevefranks6735]

I'm surprised a company with the reputation(?) of American Standard put this item out without long term use information.

[@DonVail]

Another Fix - if this didn't fix it! So this did not fix mine and I got replacement guts from A.S which also did not fix it. So after cleaning the little holes under the lip of the bowl I decided to put on a rubber glove and check the big opening at the bottom of the bowl which faces towards the tank, not the opening where the poop goes! :) but opposite it. With the glove I could feel what felt like cat litter in there and with a small screw driver I scraped a bunch of this build up from in there... and bam! the toilet flushes with a crazy amount of force. It had not flushed properly in months. We had to use a big cup of water during the flush to actually make it flush before I cleaned the hole out. Anyway - I hope this helps someone out.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Thanks for sharing! I hope it helps someone!

[@wjstewdog]

I agree I would not buy toilet again

[@chessguru900]

How to increase the water flow into the tank could have been mentioned. Tank takes too long to fill up.

[@scottfurlong5475]

I have to conventional style American standard toilets in my home that were installed when the home was built. Both are identical and have all the same interior components. One fills up in under 30 seconds and the other takes over a minute.

[@--B.]

Anything else I can adjust if this didn't solve the problem?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Unfortunately, I am not aware of anything else. I no longer have this toilet so I can’t test anything. Good luck!

[@--B.]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial okay, thank you anyways. This seems to have helped many people.

[@samgruber119]

what wears down so that factory settings no longer work?

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I don’t think anything necessarily wears out. Mine never worked with the factory settings, straight from the factory, brand new. I called customer service several times, and they had me try a few things that didn’t help, but this is what finally got it to work for me.

[@samgruber119]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial great...thanks

[@gwendolynegbert4944]

The first adjusted okay, but the second won't budge. And you used just one hand. I'm baffled.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@gwendolynegbert4944 I agree, the second one does adjust hard. The first time I adjusted it, I remember it being hard to move, and I was worried about breaking it. When I did it again for this video, I just pulled hard, knowing that it would go. Pull down hard, and don't worry about breaking it, it will move.

[@gwendolynegbert4944]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial You were absolutely correct. I tried again and it moved but did not break, and now the toilet actually flushes! What a concept! LOL Thank you so much!

[@angelacookofficial]

I really hate this toilet. The second adjustment won’t move… still doesn’t flush right 😩

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I hated it too. I thankfully no longer own it and would absolutely not recommend it. If you just bought it, I recommend bringing it back to the store and getting a different one. It will be worth it. For the second adjustment, push hard. It is hard to move, but it will move.

[@anythingbutwheelswithdanmi6040]

I’ve had this toilet for six years with no issue

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Nice!

[@chrisryan8894]

ugh, spent an hour messing with this thing, no matter what settings I use it will only flush correctly one time after I adjust the settings, if I wait a minute and try to flush it again, it won't go down

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I understand your pain! I personally no longer own this toilet, and definitely would not buy it again. Even with the flush buttons working correctly, it seemed unsanitary. I wasn’t a big fan of it.

[@chrisryan8894]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial ya. As soon as we can afford to replace it, it’s gone !!

[@dustindhansen]

@@chrisryan8894 Same problem. We have two. One has never had a problem, the other won't fully flush on either button at any setting. I bought a new tower from the local hardware store, but it was too short. Did you find a solution? Gives you a false sense to pride to see it work the first time after tearing it apart, only to not work on the very next flush.

[@chrisryan8894]

@@dustindhansen so true. Countless times I thought I fixed it. Then….nope…I actually put it back together with the plan of just replacing everything inside it, haven’t gotten to it though. The parts are about 60$ CAD, I’ll get to it eventually 😑

[@dustindhansen]

@@chrisryan8894 the amount of time I've watched videos or messed with it, I could have replaced the toilet twice. Now it's more about solving a problem that's driving me crazy

[@SteveHindman]

Didn't work for me, unfortunately. We have hard water here, so I am going to try cleaning out the little holes in the bowl with vinegar and a scrubber.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Worth a try. If you recently purchased it brand new, you could bring it back to the store and exchange it for a regular flush toilet. It’s definitely worth doing if you aren’t satisfied with it.

[@117stve]

I cleaned out the calcium out of the siphon jet mine works like new.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@Alpha-to9od]

I Bouht this toilet 2 months ago, and yes its problematic and not the cheapest 😆.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I agree! I had a regular cadet three, with the flush handle on the outside of the tank, and loved it, which is why I bought this one. I’ve always regretted buying this dual flush cadet three. If I could do it over again, I would definitely buy another regular one! I do not recommend this dual flush toilet, but the normal one is great!

[@googlesucks7954]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial This toilet doesn't flush worth shit.

[@googlesucks7954]

It is one shitty toilet. I call it the AmericanStandard Plunger assisted flushing model.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

@@googlesucks7954 I enjoyed the pun. Yeah, I don’t recommend this toilet and regretted my purchase. I should have returned it immediately.

[@googlesucks7954]

@@HowtoandReviewsOfficial #MeToo Ours also has a styrofoam liner. I wonder whether it might actually work like a toilet is supposed to if I rip out the liner so the bowl can hold a little more water?

[@amg5983]

Toilet is junk thanks for the video

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Yes it is! If you just purchased it, unbolt it from the floor and return it, it’s worth it. Thankfully, I no longer own this toilet.

[@stevefranks8302]

my valve does not have the second level to set, and I cannot find any information on fixing this effin' thing.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I feel your pain. If it is a new toilet, I recommend unbolting it from the floor and returning it. It is a hassle, but you won’t regret it. Fortunately, I no longer own this toilet and I definitely would not recommend it. Even with the fix, I didn’t care for the buttons on top.

[@stonkthecat]

Endless flush issues, never enough flush, I may need to buy a different toilet

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I agree! I personally do not recommend this toilet. If you just bought it, I would unbolt it from the floor and return it while you still can. I also had the cadet three with the regular flush lever and it was great. However, this pushbutton version definitely has issues. Thankfully, I no longer own this toilet!

[@googlesucks7954]

This toilet is so crappy anyone that bought it should get a full refund.

[@FlynnMTaggart]

I've had this toilet for years specifically cause it was the only one at the store that would work with a potty training seat. I would love to get a refund and replace it but I don't want to install another toilet again

[@stevefranks6735]

this has turned into a real nuisance. the valve mechanism in mine is not the same as what is shown here. I spend a ridiculous amout of time holding the float down to get more water into the bowl to get even a lousy flush. what a lousy design. I will probably chuck the whole thing in the trash, and replace it with a single valve unit.

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Sorry to hear that. I get it! I personally no longer own this toilet and definitely would not recommend it.

[@artfay8382]

I took mine to the dump

[@RCRWJR]

I hate this toilet ... the turds go round and round and dont go DOWN

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

I would not recommend this toilet. I do have to normal version with the flush lever on the side, which works great! But this pushbutton flush version is pretty awful.

[@artfay8382]

sounds like there are loads of problems

[@HowtoandReviewsOfficial]

Yes. I would not recommend this toilet. Thankfully, I no longer own it. Good luck!