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Well Pump Not Working? A Troubleshooting Checklist

Updated November 1, 2026 · General information, not medical or plumbing advice

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The short answer: If you have no water, first check whether other circuits in the house have power, then check the well pump's breaker or fuse (Nebraska Extension). If that does not fix it, call a licensed well contractor. Do not open or adjust the pressure switch yourself. Many well pumps run on 240 volts, and water and electricity are dangerous together.

Electrical safety. Well pumps and pressure switches run on household power, often 240 volts. Turn off the pump breaker before anyone opens a switch or wiring box, and hire a licensed well contractor, plumber or electrician for pump, switch and wiring work. Check local codes and permit rules.

Step-by-step checks

Check for power in the house. Turn on lights or an appliance on a different circuit. If they work, the house has power (Nebraska Extension).
Check the breaker or fuse for the well pump. Flip the breaker switch or change the fuse for the pump circuit if needed (Nebraska Extension). If this does not fix it, call a licensed professional.
Look at the pressure gauge on the tank. It shows the pressure in the water line. Compare it to the usual range, often 30 to 50 or 40 to 60 psi.
Listen to what the pump does. Use the table below.
Stop and call a pro if the cause is not a simple breaker. Most fixes involve the pump, tank, switch or water line.

Match the symptom to the likely cause

What you see	Likely cause (Nebraska Extension unless noted)	Who fixes it
No water; lights and outlets on other circuits also dead	Power outage or house-level power problem.	Utility or licensed electrician.
No water; the rest of the house has power	Tripped breaker or blown fuse on the pump circuit. If resetting does not help: pump, switch or wiring.	Licensed well contractor or electrician.
Pump runs a few seconds and shuts off	Not enough air in the pressure tank; pressure builds too fast. Washington's health department says rapid cycling (more than six times an hour) also points to a waterlogged tank.	Licensed pro. See well pressure tank.
Pump runs nonstop	A check valve in the pump or riser pipe stuck open, or a break in the line between well and house or inside the house. A soggy yard spot (not the septic drainfield) can mean a line break.	Licensed pro.
Little or no water, especially in heavy use or drought	The pump may be set too high in the well. The water level can drop below the pump.	Licensed pro, who can measure static and pumping water levels.
Stale, rusty water at the tap with pump cycling	Washington says corrosion inside a failing pressure tank can cause this.	Licensed pro.

Sources: Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2153; Washington State Department of Health Tech Tips.

One check Nebraska Extension describes: shut off the water to the house and watch the pressure gauge. If it holds steady, the check valves are working and there are no leaks in the lines. If the pressure drops, there is a leak in the line to the house or a check valve problem, and a licensed professional should check it.

After a power outage

The well pump does not work without power, so keep drinking and cooking water on hand. Toilets can be flushed by pouring a bucket of water into the bowl or tank (Virginia Department of Health).
When power returns, check the pump breaker first, then run a tap and watch the gauge and pump.
Using a generator? Virginia says many well pumps run on a 240 volt circuit, so have the connections made by a licensed electrician.
Was the well flooded? Virginia says not to turn on the pump until you are sure the electrical system is completely dried out. It says to consider a submerged well contaminated, disinfect it once the electrics are safe, and not drink the water until lab tests show it is clean. See our bacteria guide.

Do not do these yourself

Adjusting the pressure switch. Nebraska Extension says homeowners should not, because it is connected to electric power.
Pulling the pump. Nebraska says a licensed professional pulls the pump from the well and inspects it for corrosion or malfunction.
Newer variable frequency drive (VFD) pumps. Nebraska Extension says these have sensitive electronic controls and to involve a licensed professional if the pump is a possible source of the problem.

Questions to ask the contractor

Is the problem the pump, the pressure tank, the pressure switch or the water level? (These are the parts Nebraska Extension lists as the mechanical components.)
What will you test before replacing anything?
What are the options and written prices for each?
Are you licensed in my state? (Nebraska's guides assume a licensed professional does this work; check your state's rules.)

Not sure what's wrong with your water?

Our free checker matches what you see, smell or taste to the likely cause, the test to ask for and the type of treatment that fits.

Open the well water checker

Common questions

Why is my well pump not working?

Nebraska Extension lists the common causes: no power or a tripped breaker, a pump set too high in the well so it is no longer submerged during heavy use or drought, a check valve stuck open or a line break (the pump runs continuously), or too little air in the pressure tank (the pump runs only a few seconds). A licensed professional can find the cause.

What do I do if I lose water after a power outage?

Virginia's health department says the well pump will not work when the power goes out, so keep enough drinking and cooking water on hand. When power returns, first check the pump breaker. If the well was flooded, do not turn the pump on until you are sure the electrical system is completely dried out.

Can I run my well pump on a generator?

Virginia's health department says many well pumps run on a 240 volt circuit, so if you plan to use a generator to run your well pump, have the connections made by a licensed electrician.

Can I adjust the pressure switch myself?

No. Nebraska Extension says homeowners should not try to adjust the pressure switch, because it is connected to electric power and could cause serious injury. A licensed professional should do any work on it.

When should I call a well contractor?

Nebraska Extension says to contact a licensed professional if checking power and the breaker does not fix the problem, if the pump runs continuously, if it runs only a few seconds, or if you get little or no water. A pro can pull the pump from the well and inspect it.

Related guides

Sources