Water remains hard at all faucets even though the Kinetico water softener appears to be operating and regenerating.

Safety first: If you need to open any plumbing, shut off water and relieve pressure first.

Simple checks:

• Confirm the bypass valve is fully in SERVICE, not partially in BYPASS.
• Verify the salt level in the brine tank and correct any salt bridging.
• Check controller settings for water hardness and ensure they match your actual hardness (have water tested if unsure).

Test hardness:

• Use a hardness test kit to measure water before and after the softener.
• If hardness is the same before and after, the resin is likely exhausted or fouled.

Regeneration and cleaning:

• Initiate a manual regeneration and allow it to complete.
• If iron or manganese is present, consider using a resin cleaner approved for Kinetico systems (follow product instructions).

Resolution: If hardness remains high after proper regeneration and cleaning, the resin media may need replacement. This requires depressurizing, disconnecting the resin tank, and carefully replacing resin and gravel—typically a job for a professional technician.