💧Why Won’t My Water Softener Stop Running? Here’s What To Check

Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Ava

A water softener shouldn’t be noisy — so if yours is running constantly, there’s likely a problem with the regeneration cycle.

Whether it’s stuck in backwash mode or struggling to draw brine, the fix could be simple — or a little more technical. The good news? Most issues can be diagnosed (and often fixed) without calling a plumber.

Let’s walk through what might be going wrong — and how to get your softener back to normal.

⚡ Quick Takeaways:

• 🧠 Check the timer and settings — make sure it’s not stuck
• 🔌 Confirm the unit has power and isn’t glitching
• 🚰 Inspect the brine tank and float for clogs or salt buildup
• 🧼 Clean the injector valve if there’s no brine draw
• 💧 Make sure your home’s water pressure is steady
• 🔄 Test the bypass valve and check for stuck regen cycles
• 🧰 If issues persist, a reset or pro service may be needed

⏱️ When Should You Hear it Run?

For the most part, water softeners are silent. The only time you should hear them is during regeneration — that’s when the system flushes minerals and recharges the resin with saltwater.

It usually happens in the middle of the night and only lasts 2–3 hours.

💡 What you might hear:

• A light whooshing or gurgling as water moves through the system
• A slurping sound during brine draw
• Water draining through a hose or pipe

If you’re hearing those sounds all day or constantly, something’s not right — and that’s when it’s time to start troubleshooting.

🔁 How Often Should It Regenerate?

A well-sized softener typically regenerates every 2–3 days, depending on your water hardness and daily usage.

Most systems are set to cycle overnight, when demand is low — and the process should only last a couple of hours.

🧠 If it’s regenerating more often than that, something might be off with:

• The settings (salt dose or hardness level)
• Your household water use (think guests or laundry overload)
• Or even a leak that’s drawing extra water

Want a deeper dive into how regeneration works?

👉 Check out our full water softener regeneration guide.

If it’s regenerating nonstop, it’s time to dig deeper — we’ll walk through the most common causes next.

⚠️ Why It Keeps Running

If your water softener won’t stop regenerating, here are the most common reasons — grouped for easier troubleshooting:

🔧 Settings & Usage Issues:

• Incorrect programming – Salt dose or hardness level may be set too high
• Power outage reset – Timer might have reverted to factory defaults
• Increased water usage – Extra showers, laundry, or guests can trigger more cycles
• Hidden leaks – A running toilet or outdoor spigot may be drawing water continuously
• Improper setup – If this is a recent install, revisit your water softener setup steps to ensure settings and lines were configured correctly

🧂 Brine Tank Problems:

• Salt bridge – A crust forms over the water, blocking proper brine draw
• Salt mushing – Undissolved salt settles at the bottom and clogs the float
• Clogged float or valve – Prevents the correct amount of water from entering the tank

💧 Water Flow Issues:

• Clogged injector (Venturi valve) – Prevents brine from reaching the resin tank
• Low water pressure – Anything below 40 PSI can stop regeneration from completing
• Clogged resin bed – Especially in areas with high iron or no sediment prefilter
• Blocked brine or drain lines – Kinks or obstructions will halt normal cycling

🧠 Equipment Failures:

Undersized softener – The system can’t keep up with your household’s water needs

Faulty rotor position switch – System can’t detect where it is in the cycle

Control head failure – A broken timer or circuit board can keep it stuck in regen

🧰 How to Troubleshoot a Stuck Softener

If your water softener sounds like it’s regenerating nonstop, here’s a smart step-by-step way to track down the problem — no guessing required:

🛠️ What You’ll Need:

• A clean towel and bucket (just in case)
• Owner’s manual (for model-specific instructions)
• Flashlight
• Optional: TDS meter (for testing water softness)

🔍 Step-by-Step:

🔧 Step	What To Do
🔎 1. Check Water Usage	Look at recent bills or think about extra guests, appliance use, or hidden leaks.
🧪 2. Test TDS	Use a TDS meter to check for hard water. High readings mean the softener isn’t working properly.
🔌 3. Confirm Power	Make sure the softener is plugged in and the display isn’t blank or flashing error codes.
⚙️ 4. Review Control Head Settings	Check for salt dose, hardness level, or reset timers — especially after a power outage.
🧂 5. Inspect Brine Tank	Look for a salt bridge or salt mushing that may be blocking water flow inside the tank.
🚫 6. Activate Bypass Mode	Stop water flow to the system using the bypass valve so you can safely inspect components.
🧼 7. Clean the Float Valve	Remove and scrub the float assembly. Built-up salt or sludge here can cause endless regen cycles.
🧰 8. Clear the Injector Valve	Take out the venturi valve and clean away any buildup, then test by running a manual cycle.
📞 9. Still Stuck?	If the system keeps running or draining, shut it off or leave it in bypass mode and call a professional.

📞 When to Call a Pro

Most softener issues can be fixed with a bit of patience and a few tools. But sometimes, it’s just not worth the time or risk — especially if electrical components or water quality are involved.

Here are some signs it’s time to bring in a technician:

• ⚠️ Sudden change in water quality – Hard water returns or your water tastes off
• 🟤 Brown or discolored water – May indicate rust, sediment, or prefilter failure
• 🚱 No brine draw – Even after clearing blockages, brine still isn’t reaching the resin tank
• 💥 Electrical issues – Power surges or error codes that won’t clear
• 🚿 Hard water despite cycling – If your system’s running constantly but not softening
• 🔄 Stuck in regen after everything else checks out – May point to a failed rotor switch or control board

💡 Helpful to know: Calling a pro may cost a little upfront, but it can save you time, prevent bigger problems, and keep your system running safely.

🧠 Final Thoughts

If your water softener won’t stop running, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t always mean something major is broken.

From salt bridges to simple valve cleanings, many fixes are quick, easy, and totally DIY-friendly. But if your system is older, oversized for your needs, or constantly acting up, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

👉 You can compare the latest water softeners here if your current setup is no longer pulling its weight.

Whether you troubleshoot it yourself or bring in a pro, the sooner you solve it, the better — because every extra day of hard water means more limescale, more cleaning, and more wear on your home.