Water Softener Not Working (Hard Water Again) — Fixes
If you're suddenly getting hard water (spots, scale, soap not lathering), the water softener has stopped regenerating properly. The causes are usually simple and salt-related.
1. Check the Salt Level and for a Salt Bridge
First, is there salt in the brine tank? Refill it if low. Then check for a "salt bridge" — a hard crust of salt that forms a hollow dome above the water, so the salt isn't actually dissolving into brine. Break it up with a broom handle. A salt bridge is the #1 cause of a softener that "has salt" but isn't softening.
2. Check the Settings and Regeneration
Confirm the softener is set to regenerate (and the hardness setting matches your water). Manually trigger a regeneration cycle and listen/watch — you should hear water moving and the brine tank level change. If nothing happens, the control or motor may be stuck.
3. Salt Mushing
Sometimes salt recrystallizes into a sludge at the bottom of the brine tank that won't dissolve properly. If you suspect mushing, you may need to scoop it out and clean the tank, then refill with fresh salt (pellets resist this better than crystals).
4. Clogged Injector or Resin Issues
A clogged brine injector/venturi (from sediment or salt impurities) stops the softener from drawing brine to regenerate — it can be cleaned. Old resin beads (often after 10-15 years, or fouled by iron/chlorine) lose capacity and may need replacement. These are bigger jobs, often a service call.
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FAQ
Most often a salt bridge (a hard crust that keeps salt from dissolving) or simply being out of salt. Check the salt level, break up any bridge with a broom handle, and run a manual regeneration.
A hard crust of salt that forms a hollow dome over the water in the brine tank, so the salt below stays dry and no brine is made. Break it up and the softener regenerates again.
Always unplug an appliance and shut off its water supply before servicing. This guide is informational and not a substitute for a qualified technician.