Pool Pump Will Not Start - Humming Noise

From www.swimmingpo... - If you try to turn your pool pump on and it just makes a humming noise instead of starting normally then there are a few things you can check to see if you can resolve this problem. Most often this will be a result of a partially tripped electrical breaker or as a result of the pump impeller being seized.

[@lilmakmcallister5572]

Was about to hit the pool store for a new pump. Came across your vide. Hit the pump with a mallet. Started right up. Thank you

[@edbryant3039]

Qq

[@patmassiah3547]

Steve for President! Mallet suggestion worked like a charm - feel like I just saved $400 bucks. Thanks Bro

[@FunnyCTgirl]

Thank you! Single older woman mid-50's Whacked the motor a few times and saved me a bunch of money. You're doing God's work lol.

[@thestevenaitor7428]

You are a life saver!!! My Pool was full and it was raining hard. Being Sunday I thought I was up for a huge call out fee and you're advice worked. A million times thank you!

[@moonlightfordf1005]

My pool pump wouldn’t turn on, just a humming. Watched this and YES! I reset the breakers and it came right on! You saved me a cool G my friend. Thank You!

[@JoelNunezMusic]

Madman, really appreciate this. I’m only an electrician, but this is very helpful, because I can rule out if it’s an electrical problem or a motor problem! Thanks

[@robertnavigato6829]

Yesterday my brand new Doughboy Powerline XP PUMP STOPPED WORKING. It was humming and tripping the breaker. I was several videos on how to remedy this and the one that worked was the rubber mallet. You just saved me about $350.00 Steve. Thankyou.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Did the pump fail after this or did it keep running for you?

[@MarkWarbington]

Old Pentair Challenger. Running fine for the first two weeks of the season. Today it only hums. Watched your video. Hit it three times with a deadblow hammer. All is good. Motor is very old and we run it 24/7 for five months of the year, so I've ordered a replacement. Thanks!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Glad this helped you. Save your change for a new pump. It usually is a downhill process once they start doing this. You might get lucky and it was a little rust, but more likely you will find it does this again.

[@bq6162]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve Mine was doing this. I opened it up and there was some mild corrosion on the brushes and magnets. I blew it out with a compressor and now it seems to be working fine. Do you suspect I’ll have problems in the immediate future? The pump is only 2 years old. Thanks for any info you can provide

[@DutchBombDisposal]

Thanks brother, reset the breaker switch worked for me. After opening my pump and put it back together 🤣 Many youtubers won't mention this, thanks.

[@nypd78]

Just went down your list, didn’t have a rubber mallet but gave it a couple slaps with my hand and it did the trick! Thanks! Currently looking into my warranty because I know it’s on the way out.

[@margaretholst1531]

Thank you SO MUCH! Back up and running and will hopefully last until new and better pump arrives! I did enjoy smacking the motor. :) Smacking didn't help but turning the impeller did the job.

[@Handd4u]

Thanks for sharing. You did vaguely mention the capacitor. If all else fails remove the capacitor (careful!!! you must release a possible electrical charge stored in the capacitor) test it, if bad, replace it.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I did not mention and yes definitely you are correct about it being the likely source of the problem...but also that sudden discharge part from the cap makes me not inclined to have home owners messing with it. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Same with wiring questions for pumps. I just stay away from it.

[@utgrad95]

How would one release a possible electrical charge stored in the capacitor? Thanks

[@danielbernier8886]

Thanks Steve. Turned the impeller with a screw driver and the pump turned back on!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Did the motor end up failing after this? Was it a problem every time you turned it off following this?

[@mistrr_v]

Woo hoo!! Thank you for this video! I almost went to buy a new pump and I did what you said and spun the little motor by hand and it was good to go!

[@roncea9513]

Thanks, I removed the impeller cover. Sprayed silicone lubricant on the shaft, gave it a spin, and it worked just fine.

[@kevinmills7477]

Tapping the motor with a hammer did the trick! Thanks man!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

You spelled rubber mallet wrong ;)

[@stevenbeckerman7460]

Thanks for the tip. I tapped the motor a few times with a mallet and that did the trick!

[@extendedp1]

Thanks for the info! You didn't mention the starting capacitor, but thats ok, all the other videos do, and you give info they do not.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

cheers

[@heidis8713]

00:46

[@TheNine6]

The laziest way, try on/off on/off a few times in 5 seconds. If it works great, if it trips the breaks. ...hammer time 😂

[@ouchman4212]

Thank you! Rubber mallet trick worked. I hit it a couple of times before I tried the breaker again and it came back on immediately.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Could you update to let us know what happened after you did this? Is your pump still in service or did it die shortly after this? Usually you can coax it along with the mallet for a bit but eventually it just will not go.

[@ouchman4212]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve It was an almost new pump and it hasn't had any issues since. It has worked as expected without having to use the mallet again.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

@@ouchman4212 Thank you so much for your follow up. I am betting your pump had a tiny bit of rust preventing it from starting to spin. The mallet got it over that and since it is regularly used now the rust was not a problem again. Cheers.

[@Steudmuffin]

Love reading and learning...Thank You for this information...can hardly wait for daylight to try it...Love my rubber mallet use it often. Love saving money unnessarily... Fingers crossed till new one is replaced. This old blonde ain't nobody's fool. Thanks again for helping others. 😇

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

You are so welcome!

[@mustufaz50]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve hi. I have a Pentair pump and it turns on for 3-5 seconds and then turns off. The error message is Alarm Priming Dry. I am not sure how to fix it. The skimmer has plenty of water. Please help! Thanks!

[@dm5043]

I tried everything mentioned. I found that the impeller was not turning. The one thing I did not pay attention to when putting the new motor together. Beyond new seals and the spring seal, inside my impeller was a brass sleeve the shaft goes through. At first glance it looked ok, but with a closer look, it had little copper strings that had unraveled and causing the shaft to stick. Replaced the impeller and boom, works like a charm. My pool man told me the motor was bad, or should I say my ex-pool man. The upside is that I now have a good back up motor, lol.

[@sidewayzmike]

Are the spring seals one time use only, or can I open up the pump, and reuse the spring seals?

[@richalbee6360]

Thanks, just a light tap on the motor and it started moving water!

[@r.j.7898]

Thanks. Breaking the impeller loose worked for me.

[@michaelcaron4967]

Alleluia!! Thanks it finally worked and got a wife happy!!

[@LeafyPea]

Thanks Steve - the rubber mallet trick worked!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Always happy to hear when my videos help people out

[@joburgdave]

Worked for me too. Didn't have a mallet but just gave it a smash with the side of my fist and it turned. Thanks Stece

[@rbaraj]

Using the Mail it worked awesome thank you very much for this tip simple but effective

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Glad it worked. So what happened afterwards? Did it need to be jogged every time you stopped it? Did you replace it right away, and if not how long did it run for after you experienced this problem?

[@adamcompean9385]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve HI, spa motor 4hp 2 speed. Works but when kick in hi jets the motor goes fast & then goes low rpm for a few seconds & returns to high rpm. Continues doing full time. What could be wrong? TY

[@makajajaja1106]

Finally some one really helping

[@renekellydyer6358]

Thanks Steve. The rubber mallet worked fro me, Cheers

[@brianchichi]

Thanks Steve for the great info.

[@gilbertposadas6421]

Thanks man, this worked, not sure which fixed issue, but i did mallot and manual turning at the same time so I wouldn't have to flip breaker over twice, either way, wifes happy!!!

[@bubaks2]

Educational content. Thanks.

[@richardmeggison9579]

Straight to the point thank u

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Cheers

[@appstategrad1999]

What is the typical life span of a 1.5 HP single speed pump? My pump makes a very brief humming noise when the breaker is flipped, but then goes right to the "regular" pump noise. Should I start shopping for pumps?

[@jlee5155]

Had problem with pumps twice, first one was seized motor bearing caused by leaked mechanical seal. The other time was faulty capacitor

[@TheBillbee]

Try the capacitor as well it's usually the problem cheap to replace

[@georux6783]

All good but, if 1 leg of the 220 is out it will not receive 110 v, it will receive 0 vac. They need each other to complete the circuit. Yes, there is 110 on one terminal and it will still bite you but it's not applied to the motor without the other leg. If it's humming and the shaft, or impeller, is spinning freely, it's most likely the capacitor. Thanks!

[@thefilipinomom3796]

Thank you for this information!

[@ericcote6920]

Good video, not sure if you still monitor this but... I have a two speed motor. Low works, high hums. I can switch from low to high and then high works. I suspect it’s a starter capacitor. Is replacing one possible/an easy ordeal?

[@mohammadrezayaesubi9254]

Thank you, I did the kick the blades and it back on.

[@christinevanderyajt]

My 1 year old pump was running dry without my knowledge. Hours… days..: I don’t even know how long. It only hums now. Is troublshooting worth it or is it most likely ruined from being dry for so long?

[@abeluribe10]

Hey man my hums then turns off. But while it hums I turn it manually with hand and turns on. But if I turn it off I have to repeat the same thing manually. What can be the cause ? Thanks

[@flyingdutchman2556]

Touching the impeller is fine even when unplugged ? Not electrician but I know capacitors carry a charge on their own. So if their is capacitors I wouldn’t recommend taking it apart on your own.

[@delcapslock100]

Impeller only turns with force and a scraping sound. No joy with rubber mallet. Safe to assume bad motor?

[@TheHairykoala]

Thank you sir! Big help!!!

[@hotrodchevy56]

I had to give it the business but it broke free. Thanks.

[@antoniocampos9363]

Mine was the capacitor. Thank you

[@joemug4079]

After watching numerous videos on what COULD be wrong....just by a new motor. I agree, once it starts going bad...

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Yup, and make it a variable speed pump.

[@jeffwoodiwiss2806]

Thank you, that worked.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Right on. I am happy this info help you out.

[@ZeroaCompetitive]

Thank you thank you.

[@swedishkev]

Hi there, mate,I have a balboa control unit, And the flow was not working as strong as it should. I thought it was the pump, The jet button when pressing started to stop working and just become to have a mind of its own. I notice once the pump started without pressing any button and once just stopped also. So because I was not getting much flow, first bought a new impellor, because the other one was destroyed. Did not solve the problem, still low flow. Now I have installed a new pump, And the same problem. So there was nothing wrong with the original pump. Now I installed the new pump today, normally it goes on PR for about 7 minutes then it all starts up normally. So when I put the breakers on, the pump was running on low speed, Straight away, that was strange, never done that before when PR is starting up the on process but is a new pump. The jet button stopped working again with a clicking sound coming from the Balboa control box. Could this just be a fuse problem, possibly. or a relay ,what does a relay look like ? I am dumbfounded here. So now it is not the pump or capacitor, all new so , ruled out. The heating element is all fine and working, all checked there.I have a video ,if you were interested to look at.

[@acearvingando6848]

hello, my motor is humming. after turning it on, the breaker would kick in and stop the pump. my pump is hayward maxflo xl 2hp. i already change the capacitor. i already tried jump starting the pump, although rotating when off, after starting the pump, i can’t rotate the impeller. after checking the motor, the body chassis under the motor has been damage by water. it’s like showing the bone coz there is no skin. can it still be fix? if yes, how? if no, any recommendation?

[@Scubasteve171]

my problem is that my pump starts fine but if I have to turn it off for any reason and then turn it back on it will just hum. Then I have to wait about 45 min for it to cool down before it will start again. It's been like this since I purchased it brand new two seasons ago. The local store wouldn't exchange it. It's a 230 volt US Motor 1.5 Horsepower.

[@kurtatwood1056]

Very helpful! Thanks

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chloekemp4399]

Have you tried more peirs Morgan’s??

[@leonajademagtanong]

sir just wanna ask..our motor starts then..cuts of when presure is achieved...then did not cut in again..even when tje pressure is below the cut in pressure..hope u could help me...tnx in advance....godbless sir

[@solexxx8588]

If it only starts when you hit it with a hammer, you have a short. When it hums it is usually the start cap or the start relay for the start windings. Beating it with a hammer won't fix these problems.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Yeah, it is not about fixing these problems it is about getting the pump to run and circulate water while you shop for a new one. It would definitely be better to hit the pump with a mallet and have it running until the new pump arrives versus having the pump arrive to a fully green swamp.

[@alex190303]

it'll loosen any possible corrosion as a quick fix

[@ocaiera]

Was expecting a practical tutorial by the pool side. your thumbnail shows a pump so expected you to show us you attempting to fix one. This just sounds like my Father in law who seems to know everything.

[@samcontrasto3245]

To stop the humming I flipped the breaker, checked the motor shaft, tested the capasitor, and made sure all wires were secured. All was fine but the motor still humms. I believe the motor windings may be fried although I can't smell that, and the motor housing gets hot. We were away for 2 weeks and just realized this problem when the garden sprinkles did not come on.

[@6977warrior]

Incomplete video. These are the 4 main things that cause a pool motor (or most any electrical motor) to not start and just hum and trip the breaker. 1. Impeller clogged 2. Start up capacitor blown 3. Centrifugal switch stuck open 4. Bearings seized or getting rusty and tight. You're welcome.

[@naseemaldano6755]

thank you but when can i find the capacitor

[@mikes8235]

i just got mine to start. it is seizing, and i gave it a couple wacks and started. I can't use the timer now because i have to manually stop and start the motor.

[@dianegray7179]

He said that in his video if you watched it and had your sound on.

[@Slinky511nx7]

@@naseemaldano6755 Whenever you want! It's up to you!

[@alex190303]

A 'need to be right' ? like my Mother always says.....is it better to be right or better to be kind? He did this as a courtesy to you. Where's your video?

[@WeiNingKhaw]

Thank u it worked

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Glad this helped you

[@thilosavage]

"And the pump is only receiving 110 volts currently".... I see what you did there

[@DamionandDorraine]

My pool pump Is humming spinning freely and new capacitor. It still doesn’t spin.

[@toddfunk6432]

I re-set breaker, changed the capacitor, banged it with rubber hammer and motor spins freely. Still just hums, Any aother suggestions? Thanks

[@AB-jc7rm]

If it's still humming and doesn't pump water don't let it stay running it means the coil is burning

[@flintsanchez571]

The water pump runs but does not have pressure to pump water, what is wrong with the water pump?

[@jesusmylife6565]

Hi. Im no elcteician. my swimming pool motor authomatically shut off and turns on authomatically. As far as i remember we dint put a timer. Its turns on atleast 4 minutes then shuts off for 3 minutes then turns on again. Hope u can advice me what to do on this matter.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Your pump is failing form heat damage. This article explains what is happening to your pump: www.swimmingpoolsteve.com/pages/too-hot.html

[@crippledbazooka]

how do i prevent the motor from rusting and seizing?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

It usually happens in seasonal areas where the pump is turned off and sitting outside buried in snow for the winter. Often it only requires this tap with the mallet once in the spring. Any other condition where you have to jog with a mallet regularly instead of once per year to get the pump out of hibernation really indicates that you need a new pump, not a bigger mallet ;)

[@alex190303]

As I like to say "get the hammer!!!"

[@joemoore8421]

What if i have power but wont even hum and the pump is not froze/locked up tried new start capacitor

[@ateamofone]

Or a bad capacitor.

[@jfmc2581]

It can't receive only 120 from the breakers, the other side is the return path so zero current can flow

[@georux6783]

haha, I just wrote the same thing.

[@senyumlahsikit]

Better off with writting a blog with the Damn teori. You should make it literally practical on video.

[@christinevanderyajt]

My 1 year old pump was running dry without my knowledge. Hours… days..: I don’t even know how long. It only hums now. Is troublshooting worth it or is it most likely ruined from being dry for so long?