Symptoms
- Salt level in the tank hasn't dropped in weeks
- Water feels hard again
- No swishing/regeneration sounds at the scheduled time
- Salt looks caked or crusted
Likely causes
- CommonSalt bridge (hardened crust above the water)A hard crust forms above the water line, leaving an air gap so salt never dissolves into brine.
- CommonClogged injector or venturiSediment blocks the small nozzle that draws brine into the resin tank during regeneration.
- PossibleControl valve not cycling properlyA worn timer or valve motor fails to trigger the regeneration cycle at all.
- PossibleBypass valve accidentally left openIf the softener is in bypass mode, water skips the unit entirely and salt is never used.
What to do
- Check the bypass valve on the unit and make sure it's set to normal operation, not bypass.
- Look inside the brine tank for a hard crust; if present, break it up carefully with a broom handle without hitting the tank walls.
- Confirm the control head's clock and settings are correct, and manually trigger a regeneration cycle per the manual.
- Listen and watch during the manual cycle to see if water flows into and drains from the brine tank.
- Clean the venturi/injector assembly (usually a small removable cap on the valve body) if flow seems blocked.
- Test water hardness with a home test kit after a full cycle to confirm it's working again.
Tools and parts
- Broom handle or dowel
- Water hardness test kit
- Screwdriver
Softener injector/venturi kitSearch: “water softener venturi injector nozzle kit”
When to call a pro
Call a water treatment technician if the control valve doesn't cycle even manually, since the valve motor or circuit board may need replacing.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.