Control panel powers on but unit will not start a regeneration cycle; pressing REGEN does nothing.

Safety first: Unplug the Tier1 water softener from power before removing any covers. Water softeners operate with low voltage internally but are connected to mains power.

• Check for control lock: Some Tier1 electronic heads support a lock function. Press and hold the REGEN button for 5–10 seconds (or REGEN + UP arrow together, depending on model) to toggle the lock. Try starting a manual regeneration again.
• Power cycle the control: Unplug the power supply for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. Wait for the display to fully boot, then press and hold REGEN for 3–5 seconds to initiate an immediate regeneration.
• Inspect the power supply: Verify the Tier1 wall transformer is firmly plugged into the outlet and the control head. Use a multimeter to confirm the output (typically 12–24 VAC as labeled on the transformer). Replace the transformer if voltage is missing or unstable.
• Check the keypad: With power disconnected, gently press each button several times to free any stuck contacts. If some buttons feel mushy or unresponsive and the unit still will not start a cycle, the user interface membrane or main control board is likely defective.
• Factory reset (if supported): Enter the installer menu (usually by holding SET and UP for several seconds). Navigate to RESET or RESTORE DEFAULTS and confirm. Reprogram hardness, time, and capacity, then test a manual regeneration.

If the softener still will not start a regeneration after these steps, the control board assembly should be replaced.