Softener Not Recharging Automatically

If you are concerned that your softener has not been performing automatic recharges, follow the quick troubleshooting tips below. Your softener uses the Hardness programming and Water Usage to determine how often it cycles.

1. Hardness Programming

The higher this number, the more frequent the unit will cycle. To calculate your appropriate value, visit our Hardness Calculation worksheet.

2. Metering

As long as your softener is metering, it is set to run automatically:

1. Hold the Program/Select button until ‘000’ appears on the screen, then let go. If you see a 000h here, skip to our 000h Code article.
2. Open a softened water faucet downstream of the unit.
   • If the numbers are climbing, your softener has been recharging on its own. Continue to step 3.
   • If the numbers do not move, visit our Failure to Meter Water article.

3. Salt Solidification

Since your softener is programmed correctly and metering water, we want to make sure it can also dissolve salt easily. Push a rounded-end tool (broom handle) into the salt in a few places and see if it feels hard or compacted. If so, skip to our Salt Block / Bridge article.

4. Test

After checking the programming and salt moveability, you’ll want to run a recharge and watch for the salt to drop over the two-hour cycle. Then, test a few cold-water faucets with a hardness test strip – found at most local hardware or pool supply stores. If your water tests hard despite the tips above, please Contact Us.