NH Well Pump HelpWell pump runs but no water? Likely causes and what’s safe to check
You can hear the pump running, or the pump light is on, but little or no water comes out of the tap. That points to a different set of problems than a pump that’s dead and silent. Here are the usual causes, the few checks a homeowner can safely make, and when to stop and call a licensed pump installer.
Pump completely silent, gauge at 0? Start with our no-water checklist (breaker, outages, freezing) instead.
First: protect the pump
A pump that runs with no water can pull air and damage itself. In its drought guidance, NHDES advises turning the pump off at the home’s electrical panel so it doesn’t keep pumping air and burn out. Leave it off until the water level recovers or a pro has looked at it (NHDES).
What usually causes it
| What you notice | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Little or no water after heavy use (laundry, filling a pool, watering), or during a dry spell; sputtering faucets | The water level in the well has dropped below the pump. University of Nebraska Extension notes this is more likely during heavy use and drought, and that the pump may be set too high in the well (UNL Extension). |
| Pump runs nonstop and pressure never builds | A check valve in the pump or pipe stuck open, or a break in the water line between the well and the house or in the house plumbing (UNL Extension). |
| A soggy patch in the yard between the well and the house (not over the septic field) | Possibly a broken water line (UNL Extension). |
| Cloudy or silty water, sudden pressure drops or surges, air spurting from faucets | NHDES lists these as signs of a water shortage. It also notes the same symptoms can come from problems with the well casing, valves, water lines, pump or pressure tank (NHDES). |
General guidance only. Only a licensed pro testing your system can say which one it is.
Checks that are safe for a homeowner
Confirm it’s not just a power problem
If you’re not sure the pump is actually running, check that other circuits in the house have power, then check the pump’s breaker or fuse (UNL Extension). Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, stop and call a pro.
Do the gauge test
Shut off the water to the house at the valve after the pressure tank, then watch the pressure gauge. If the pressure holds steady, the check valves and lines are probably fine. If it drops, there is likely a leak in the line or a check-valve problem, which a licensed pro should check (UNL Extension).
Walk the line
Look for wet or soggy ground along the path from the well to the house (UNL Extension). Don’t dig. Underground lines and wiring are the pro’s job.
Think about water use and weather
Has it been dry, or did the household just use a lot of water? NHDES recommends acting early in a drought, because demand for well contractors rises and so do wait times (NHDES).
Write it down
NHDES suggests keeping notes for the contractor: dates and times, what you saw, where in the house it happened, and any change in water quality (NHDES).
Find your well record
If your well was drilled in 1984 or later, its completion report may list the depth and yield. You can search for it on NHDES OneStop. That’s useful information to share with a pro.
What not to do
- Don’t adjust the pressure switch or open the control box. University of Nebraska Extension warns that homeowners shouldn’t adjust the pressure switch because it is connected to electric power and could cause serious injury (UNL Extension).
- Don’t keep resetting a breaker that trips again, and don’t leave a pump running dry.
- Don’t open the well cap or try to pull the pump. In New Hampshire, maintenance and repair of wells and pumps must be done by a licensed water well contractor, pump installer, plumber or electrician (RSA 482-B:15).
- Don’t pour water into the well. NHDES says it isn’t legal to put water into a well unless it comes from an approved source and is delivered by a water tank truck (NHDES).
What a licensed pro may do
A pump professional can measure the well’s static water level and its level while pumping, then reset the pump at the right depth (UNL Extension). They can also repair or replace a stuck check valve or find and fix a leak (UNL Extension). If the well itself can’t keep up, NHDES lists options a contractor may discuss. These include lowering the pump, adding water storage, deepening the well, or hydrofracturing (NHDES). If the pump itself has failed, see well pump repair and replacement. If the pump turns on and off every few seconds instead of running nonstop, the pressure tank is a more likely suspect. For budgeting, see our NH cost guide.
Hire licensed
In New Hampshire, anyone in the business of installing or replacing a well pump must hold a pump installer license from the NH Water Well Board (RSA 482-B:5). Licensed plumbers and electricians may repair and service pumps, but need a pump installer license to install or replace one (NHDES). Before you hire anyone, ask for the license number and check it on the NHDES license lookup.