Pool Pump Not Working? Troubleshoot It Before You Replace It
August 24, 2026 · 5 min read A dead pump means no filtration, and in Florida no filtration means green water within days. Before you buy a replacement, rule out the cheap fixes.
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The pump hums but will not spin
That is usually a failed start capacitor or a seized shaft. Cut power first. If the motor spins freely by hand, the capacitor is the likely culprit — an inexpensive part compared to a full motor.
The pump runs but there is no suction
Water level below the skimmer mouth — the most common cause of all.
Full skimmer or pump basket.
A cracked pump lid or dried-out lid o-ring pulling air.
A clogged impeller packed with leaves and hair.
A partially closed valve after a filter clean.
The pump trips the breaker
Stop testing and call an electrician or a pool tech. Repeated trips point to a shorted motor winding or moisture in the wiring — both are shock hazards, not DIY items.
When replacement is the right call
If the motor is over eight years old, leaking at the seal, or single-speed, a variable-speed replacement usually pays for itself in energy savings within two to three seasons — and Florida code favors it on replacements.
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Written by the Skeet's Pool Service team.