April 19, 2023

DIY water softener repair

A water softener reduces wear and tear on your clothing, prevents filmy deposits on your dishes and washes soap from your skin and hair by neutralizing the calcium carbonate in hard water. If your water softener isn't working right, Sears PartsDirect's repair help can pinpoint the problem and show you how to fix your water softener.

When the softener's display flashes a code, use our error code charts to figure out the problem. Once you've pinpointed the issue is, use our DIY repair guides with detailed procedures to replace the broken parts.

If you're not sure whether your water softener is doing its job, our troubleshooting video on how to check water hardness walks you through the possible problems and offers tips and solutions. You can also find out the best place in your house to install a water softener and get answers to common questions on our articles and videos page.

Our DIY help covers Whirlpool, GE and Kenmore water softener repair and troubleshooting topics, although the advice also can help resolve problems with other brands of water softeners.

If you're looking for the owner’s manual or a complete list of replacement parts for your water softener, search for your model number.

Water Softeners

Symptoms for water softeners

Choose a symptom to see related water softener repairs.

Main causes: faulty brine valve assembly, bad rotor valve…

Main causes: clogged drain hose, faulty rotor valve, leaky rotor valve seals…

Main causes: salt bridge inside the salt tank, bad timer, valve motor failure, faulty rotor valve, clogged venturi…

Main causes: loose water line connections, cracked water-carrying components, bad rotor valve seals…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power transformer, faulty timer…

Main causes: empty salt tank, salt bridge, depleted resin, clogged or damaged venturi, broken rotor position switch, fai…

Main causes: broken resin tank screen, bad resin tank seals, cracked upper distributor in resin tank…

Main causes: broken water flow meter, faulty timer, water flow to softener is bypassed…

Repair guides for water softeners

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your water softener.

How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

The rotor position switch detects the position of the valve rotor. If the rotor position switch fails, follow these step…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener timer

How to replace a water softener timer

The timer is the control board you use to program the water softener. If the timer isn’t accepting commands when you pus…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener valve motor

How to replace a water softener valve motor

The valve motor rotates the valve rotor to operate the water softener. If the water softener valve motor fails, follow t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener venturi

How to replace a water softener venturi

The venturi valve in your water softener draws brine water from the salt tank to the resin tank for regeneration. Follow…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Articles and videos for water softeners

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your water softener.

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…

Are DIY appliance repairs safe?

Are DIY appliance repairs safe?

Find out how to stay safe when repairing your appliances.…

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Learn about Sears Technical Institute and the advanced technical content being developed for aspiring appliance techs.…

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.…

What are the most common replacement parts for water softeners?

What are the most common replacement parts for water softeners?

Learn about the parts you may need to replace when your water softener isn't working.…

How to tell if a fuse is blown

How to tell if a fuse is blown

Learn how to tell whether a fuse is blown…

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Learn some of the most common symbols found in a wiring diagram and what they mean.…

Using a wiring schematic to trace a current video

Using a wiring schematic to trace a current video

Find out what’s wrong with your appliance by following a circuit.…

How to read a wiring schematic video

How to read a wiring schematic video

Learn how to decipher symbols so you can buy the right part for your problem.…

Cleaning your appliances after a drinking water advisory

Cleaning your appliances after a drinking water advisory

Find out how to clean and flush household appliances once a boil water advisory is lifted.…

Keeping your smart appliances secure from hackers

Keeping your smart appliances secure from hackers

Find out how to protect your smart appliances from malevolent invasions by hackers.…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…

How to check water hardness and water softener tips video

How to check water hardness and water softener tips video

Learn how to check if your tap water is hard or soft and get tips to troubleshoot water softener problems.…

Where to install a water softener

Where to install a water softener

See what to consider when deciding on the location of a water softener in your home.…

How to clean a water softener nozzle and venturi

How to clean a water softener nozzle and venturi

Learn how to clean the nozzle and venturi in a water softener.…

How a water softener works

How a water softener works

Learn how a water softener works to provide your home with soft water.…

Water softener common questions

Water softener common questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about water softener repairs.…

How to clean a water softener

How to clean a water softener

Keeping a water softener clean inside and out improves operation and appearance.…

How to clear water softener error codes

How to clear water softener error codes

Follow these easy steps to clear error codes from your water softener.…