Well Pump Not Working — What to Check and What It Means
The common reasons a residential well pump stops working, in plain English, plus when to stop checking and call a pro.
A well pump that is not working is one that has lost power, lost prime, burned out a motor, lost its pressure switch, or run into a failed check valve or capacitor. The fix could be as cheap as a $20 breaker reset or as involved as a $2,500 pump pull. The checks below take five minutes and tell you which side of that range you are on.
What our team handles on the call
- Breaker, fuse, and disconnect diagnosis
- Pressure switch testing and replacement
- Capacitor and control box repair
- Submersible pump pulls and replacement
- Jet pump priming and impeller service
- Check valve, foot valve, and pipe leak repair
How a service call works
- 1Check the breaker
Reset the well breaker once. If it trips again immediately, leave it off and call us. Something downstream is shorted.
- 2Check voltage at the pressure switch
If you are comfortable with a multimeter, verify 240V at the line side of the pressure switch. No voltage means the issue is upstream (breaker, wire, disconnect). Voltage present but no pump action means the switch, capacitor, or pump has failed.
- 3Tap the pressure tank
A solid sound top to bottom means the tank is waterlogged and may be the real culprit behind a 'failed' pump.
- 4Listen for the pump
If you hear a brief hum but no water, the pump motor may be locked. If you hear nothing with the switch closed, the motor or capacitor is likely failed.
- 5Stop and call
If checks 1 to 4 do not solve it, stop. Repeated breaker resets damage the pump. Call (336) 273-7314 for same-day service.
What does it cost?
The cheapest fix is a pressure switch swap at $250 to $450. The most common fix is a full submersible pump replacement at $1,500 to $3,500 depending on well depth. Capacitor and control box repairs land in between at $300 to $700.
- •Free phone diagnosis
- •Free written on-site estimate before any work
- •Same-day repair for most failures
- •No after-hours upcharge
Every job gets a written, on-site estimate before any work begins. No surprise fees.
Where we work
We diagnose and repair non-working well pumps across the Piedmont Triad of NC. Most homes are in our footprint.
Frequently asked
Why is my well pump not working but the breaker is on?
Most often a failed pressure switch, a burned capacitor, or a pump motor that has finally given out. Less commonly a stuck check valve or a waterlogged pressure tank that fools the switch.
Can I reset the breaker myself?
Once, yes. If it trips again immediately, leave it off and call a pro. Repeated resets on a shorted circuit damage the pump motor and can become a fire hazard.
How do I know if the pump motor is bad?
If the breaker holds, the switch clicks, and there is voltage at the pump but no water flow and no current draw, the motor has likely failed. We confirm with an amp clamp on site.
How much does well pump repair cost?
Most residential well pump repairs in central NC fall between $400 and $1,800 depending on the failed part, well depth, and whether the pump has to come out of the well. A full submersible pump replacement (pump, wire, drop pipe, and labor) typically runs $1,500 to $3,500. Every job gets a written on-site estimate before any work begins. Call (336) 273-7314 for a free phone diagnosis.
Can you come out the same day?
Yes. No-water calls get same-day priority across the Piedmont Triad and our phone is answered 24/7. Most emergency calls are reached on-site within a couple of hours of the first call.
Do you warranty the work?
Yes. You get the full manufacturer warranty on the pump or tank plus our own labor warranty on the install. We answer the phone after the job is done.
More reading
Need help right now?
We answer the phone 24/7. Most calls are reached on-site within a couple of hours.
Call (336) 273-7314Or send a message and we will get back to you.