Water remains hard at taps even though the Monarch softener appears to run normally (no error code)

Safety first: Ensure you know which valves isolate the softener before making changes.

• Test hardness: Use a hardness test kit on both incoming (hard) and softened outlets. If both are similar, the softener is not exchanging properly.
• Check bypass position: Verify that the Monarch bypass set is correctly configured: inlet and outlet valves open, bypass valve closed. A partially open bypass will dilute soft water.
• Review settings: Confirm the programmed hardness matches the actual incoming hardness. If set too low, the unit will regenerate too late and deliver hard water.
• Force a regeneration: Manually start a full regeneration cycle and retest hardness afterwards. If water remains hard, the resin may be exhausted or iron-fouled and require replacement.
• Consider resin replacement: If the system is old or has been exposed to iron or chlorine, replacing the resin bed with Monarch-compatible resin may be necessary.