North Star Insufficient Ion Exchange / Resin Capacity Loss

Water remains hard even after regeneration; no noticeable softening

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Exhausted or fouled resin bed, Incorrect hardness or capacity settings, No brine draw during regeneration, Bypass valve partially open

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off water and place the unit in bypass before opening any plumbing connections.

  • 1. Check bypass position: Verify the North Star bypass valve is fully in the Service position, not partially in bypass.
  • 2. Verify settings: Confirm hardness and capacity settings match your water test and model rating. Increase hardness setting slightly if borderline.
  • 3. Confirm brine draw: Observe a regeneration cycle to ensure the brine level in the tank drops during brine draw. If not, correct brine system issues.
  • 4. Test resin: If the unit regenerates correctly but water is still hard, the resin may be iron-fouled or exhausted. Consider cleaning with a resin cleaner or replacing the resin tank media.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Resin Tank Media
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