Water remains hard even though the softener appears to run normally (no error code)
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Shut off water using the bypass valve and depressurize the system by opening a nearby faucet. Unplug the unit before removing the valve head.
Steps:
- Verify operation: Confirm that the unit is regenerating on schedule and that brine is being drawn and refilled correctly.
- Test hardness: Use a hardness test kit to measure water before and after the softener. If both are similar, the resin is not exchanging ions effectively.
- Inspect resin: Remove the valve head from the mineral tank. Look at the top of the resin bed with a flashlight. Resin that is mushy, clumped, or heavily discolored (dark brown/orange) is likely fouled.
- Consider resin cleaning: For iron fouling, you may attempt a resin cleaner (citric acid or specialized iron remover) following the product instructions. This is often a temporary fix.
Resolution: If hardness remains high after cleaning attempts, replace the cation resin media in the mineral tank. This is a moderate to advanced repair and may be best handled by a professional if you are not comfortable handling heavy tanks and plumbing.