There’s nothing worse than stepping into the shower expecting hot water and getting hit with ice-cold water instead. When your water heater not working properly, it can ruin your whole morning. Don’t panic! Many times when your water heater not working, you can fix the problem yourself with simple steps.
Why Your Water Heater Not Working Is More Common Than You Think
A water heater not working affects thousands of San Diego families every year. Water heaters work hard every day to provide hot water for showers, dishes, and laundry. Like any appliance, they can have problems that stop them from working right.
Most water heater not working problems happen because of simple issues like power problems, temperature settings, or small leaks. The good news is that many of these problems are easy to fix without calling a plumber. However, some situations need professional help to stay safe.
Water heater not working issues cost families hundreds of dollars in emergency repair calls. Learning to troubleshoot basic problems can save you time and money while keeping your family comfortable.
Safety First: Important Steps Before Troubleshooting
Before you start figuring out why your water heater not working, you need to be safe. Water heaters use electricity or gas, which can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Safety Steps for Electric Water Heaters:
Turn off the power at the circuit breaker before touching anything. Never work on electric water heaters with the power on. Use a voltage tester to make sure power is really off.
Safety Steps for Gas Water Heaters:
Turn off the gas supply valve before starting any work. If you smell gas, leave your house immediately and call your gas company. Never ignore gas smells or try to fix gas leaks yourself.
General Safety Rules:
Let hot water cool down before working on the system. Have proper tools ready before you start. Call professional plumbers at 619-305-1722 if you feel unsure about any step.
1. Check the Power Supply When Your Water Heater Not Working
The first thing to check when your water heater not working is the power supply. Many water heater problems happen because the unit isn’t getting electricity or gas.
For Electric Water Heaters:
Go to your electrical panel and look for tripped circuit breakers. A tripped breaker will be in the middle position between “on” and “off.” Flip it all the way off, then back to on. Wait 30 minutes and check if hot water returns.
For Gas Water Heaters:
Make sure the gas supply valve is fully open. The valve handle should be parallel to the gas line. If it’s perpendicular (sideways), turn it to the open position.
If your water heater not working after checking power, the problem might be more complex. But fixing power issues solves about 30% of all water heater problems, so this step is worth trying first.
2. Reset the Water Heater When It’s Not Working
Electric water heaters have a reset button that can solve many water heater not working problems. This button is usually red and located behind an access panel on the upper part of the tank.
How to Reset Your Electric Water Heater:
Turn off power at the breaker first for safety. Remove the access panel on the upper part of your water heater. Look for a red reset button behind the insulation. Press the reset button firmly until you hear a click.
Replace the access panel and turn power back on. Wait 30 minutes to see if hot water returns. If the reset button keeps tripping, you have a bigger problem that needs professional attention.
Gas water heaters don’t have reset buttons, but they might have pilot lights that need relighting. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions for your model.
3. Adjust the Temperature Setting
Sometimes a water heater not working is really just a temperature setting that’s too low. Someone might have accidentally turned down the thermostat, or it might have been bumped.
For Gas Water Heaters:
Find the temperature dial near the bottom of the tank on the gas valve. The Department of Energy recommends setting it to 120°F for safety and efficiency. Turn the dial to increase temperature if it’s set lower.
For Electric Water Heaters:
Remove the access panels to find the thermostats. Electric units often have two thermostats – one upper and one lower. Both should be set to the same temperature, usually 120°F.
Wait several hours after adjusting the temperature before testing hot water. Water heaters need time to heat up the water in the tank. If your water heater not working after temperature adjustment, move to the next step.
4. Check and Relight the Pilot Light
For gas water heaters, a water heater not working often means the pilot light went out. The pilot light is a small flame that lights the main burner when hot water is needed.
How to Relight a Pilot Light:
Turn the gas valve to “off” and wait 10 minutes for any gas to clear. Turn the valve to “pilot” and hold down the pilot button. While holding the pilot button, use a long lighter to light the pilot. Keep holding the pilot button for 30 seconds after the flame lights.
Turn the gas valve back to “on” and check that the pilot light stays lit. If the pilot light won’t stay lit or keeps going out, you might have a bad thermocouple that needs professional replacement.
Many newer gas water heaters don’t have pilot lights. Instead, they have electronic ignition systems that light automatically. If your unit has electronic ignition and your water heater not working, you might need professional help.
5. Inspect for Water Leaks
A water heater not working sometimes happens because water is leaking out faster than it can be heated. Check around your water heater for any signs of water on the floor or walls.
Common Leak Locations:
Look at the temperature and pressure relief valve on top or side of the tank. Check the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Inspect pipe connections going into and out of the water heater. Examine the tank itself for rust or corrosion.
Small leaks from valves can often be fixed by tightening connections. However, if water is leaking from the tank itself, you need a new water heater. Tank leaks mean the tank is rusting through and can’t be repaired safely.
If you find leaks, turn off the water supply and call Solid Plumbing & Drains at 619-305-1722. Our emergency plumbing team can help you decide if repairs are possible or if you need a replacement.
6. Test and Replace Heating Elements
Electric water heaters have heating elements that can burn out over time. A water heater not working might have one or both elements failing.
Signs of Bad Heating Elements:
Water takes much longer to heat up than normal. You run out of hot water quickly. Water never gets fully hot no matter how long you wait.
Testing heating elements requires a multimeter and some electrical knowledge. If you’re not comfortable working with electricity, call a professional. Bad heating elements need to be replaced, which involves draining the tank and working with electrical connections.
For gas water heaters, the heating system is different. Instead of elements, gas units have burners that light automatically. If the burner won’t light or stay lit, you need professional service to diagnose and repair the gas system safely.
7. Flush the Tank to Remove Sediment
Sediment buildup is a common cause of a water heater not working efficiently. Over time, minerals in water settle at the bottom of the tank and create a barrier between the heating elements and water.
Signs You Need to Flush Your Tank:
Strange noises like popping or rumbling from the water heater. Water takes longer to heat than it used to. Your energy bills have increased without explanation. Water has a metallic taste or strange smell.
How to Flush Your Water Heater:
Turn off power or gas to the water heater. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Run the other end of the hose to a drain or outside area. Open the drain valve and let water flow out until it runs clear.
Flushing should be done annually in San Diego because our hard water creates more sediment. Our water heater maintenance guide explains how to keep your system running efficiently year-round.
8. Check the Thermostat Function
A faulty thermostat can cause your water heater not working properly. The thermostat controls when the heating elements or burner turn on and off based on water temperature.
Signs of Thermostat Problems:
Water is too hot or not hot enough despite proper temperature settings. Heating elements never turn on or never turn off. Temperature fluctuates wildly from very hot to cold.
Testing thermostats requires electrical knowledge and special tools. If you suspect thermostat problems, it’s safer to call professionals. Solid Plumbing & Drains has the right tools and experience to test and replace thermostats safely.
Bad thermostats need to be replaced rather than repaired. This work involves electrical connections that can be dangerous if done incorrectly.
9. Examine the Anode Rod
The anode rod is a metal rod inside your water heater tank that prevents corrosion. When it’s completely dissolved, your tank can start rusting and your water heater not working efficiently.
Signs of a Bad Anode Rod:
Hot water smells like rotten eggs. Water has a metallic taste. You see rust-colored water from hot taps. The water heater is making more noise than usual.
Checking the anode rod requires removing it from the top of the tank, which can be difficult without proper tools. Most anode rods should be replaced every 3-5 years, but San Diego’s hard water can make them wear out faster.
Professional maintenance includes checking and replacing anode rods as needed. Our Solid Care Plan for just $144 yearly includes annual inspections that catch these problems early.
10. Know When to Call Professional Help
Some water heater not working problems need professional attention for safety and proper repair. Don’t risk injury or damage trying to fix complex problems yourself.
Call Professionals When:
You smell gas around a gas water heater. Electrical components are sparking or making burning smells. Water is leaking from the tank itself. The water heater is very old (over 10 years) and having multiple problems.
Also Call for Help If:
You’re not comfortable working with electricity or gas. Simple fixes haven’t solved your water heater not working problem. You need new parts installed like elements or thermostats.
Contact Solid Plumbing & Drains at 619-305-1722 for professional diagnosis and repair. We offer same-day service for water heater emergencies and can help you decide between repair and replacement.
Common Reasons Why Your Water Heater Not Working
Understanding why water heaters stop working helps you prevent future problems. Most water heater not working issues fall into these categories:
Age and Wear:
Water heaters typically last 8-12 years. Older units fail more often and cost more to repair. If your unit is over 10 years old and your water heater not working, replacement might be more cost-effective than repair.
Lack of Maintenance:
Water heaters need annual maintenance to work properly. Skipping maintenance leads to sediment buildup, corroded parts, and early failure. Regular maintenance prevents most water heater not working emergencies.
Hard Water Damage:
San Diego has hard water that contains minerals. These minerals build up inside your water heater and damage components over time. Water treatment systems can protect your water heater and extend its life.
Preventing Future Water Heater Problems
The best way to avoid your water heater not working is regular maintenance and smart usage habits.
Annual Maintenance Tasks:
Flush the tank to remove sediment buildup. Check the anode rod and replace if needed. Test the temperature and pressure relief valve. Inspect all connections for leaks.
Daily Habits That Help:
Set the temperature to 120°F for efficiency and safety. Don’t overuse hot water all at once. Fix small leaks immediately before they get worse.
Professional Maintenance:
Schedule annual inspections with qualified technicians. Our preventative maintenance approach saves money compared to emergency repairs.
When to Replace Instead of Repair
Sometimes when your water heater not working, replacement makes more financial sense than repair.
Replace If:
The unit is over 10 years old and needs major repairs. Tank is leaking or severely corroded. Repair costs exceed 50% of replacement cost. You’re having frequent problems despite repairs.
Modern Replacement Options:
High-efficiency tank water heaters use less energy. Tankless water heaters provide unlimited hot water and save space. Heat pump water heaters can cut energy costs significantly.
Solid Plumbing & Drains can help you choose the right replacement unit for your home and budget. We install all types of water heaters and offer financing options to make upgrades affordable.
Emergency Water Heater Situations
Some water heater not working problems are true emergencies that need immediate professional attention.
Call 619-305-1722 Immediately If:
You smell gas near your water heater. You see water flooding from the unit. The unit is making loud banging or hissing noises. You see sparks or smoke coming from electrical components.
While Waiting for Help:
Turn off power or gas supply to the unit. Turn off water supply if there’s flooding. Move anything valuable away from water. Don’t try to fix emergency problems yourself.
Our emergency plumbing services are available 24/7 for urgent water heater problems. We respond quickly to prevent water damage and restore your hot water safely.
Understanding Different Types of Water Heaters
Different water heater types have different reasons for not working properly.
Tank Water Heaters:
Most common type with a storage tank. Problems include sediment buildup, heating element failure, and tank corrosion. Usually last 8-12 years with proper maintenance.
Tankless Water Heaters:
Heat water on demand without storing it. Problems include mineral buildup, ignition issues, and venting problems. Last longer than tank units but need regular descaling.
Heat Pump Water Heaters:
Use electricity more efficiently than standard electric units. Problems can include compressor issues and air filter clogs. Need specialized service from trained technicians.
Cost of Water Heater Repairs vs Replacement
When your water heater not working, you need to decide between repair and replacement based on cost and age.
Typical Repair Costs:
Heating element replacement: $200-400. Thermostat replacement: $150-300. Anode rod replacement: $100-250. Tank flushing: $100-200.
Replacement Considerations:
New tank water heaters cost $1,200-2,500 installed. Tankless units cost $2,500-4,500 installed. Modern units are much more efficient than older models.
Making the Decision:
If repair costs exceed half the replacement cost, choose replacement. If the unit is over 10 years old, replacement is usually better. Factor in energy savings from new efficient models.
Conclusion: Don’t Let a Water Heater Not Working Ruin Your Day
A water heater not working doesn’t have to be a disaster. Many problems have simple solutions you can try yourself. Start with basic checks like power supply and temperature settings before moving to more complex troubleshooting.
Remember that safety comes first when dealing with water heater not working problems. Never hesitate to call professionals when you’re unsure about any repair. Gas and electrical problems can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.
Regular maintenance prevents most water heater not working emergencies. Our Solid Care Plan keeps your water heater running efficiently and catches problems before they become expensive repairs.
For professional help with your water heater not working problems, trust the experts at Solid Plumbing & Drains. We’ve helped thousands of San Diego families restore their hot water quickly and safely.
Call us today at 619-305-1722 or contact us online for fast, reliable water heater service. Don’t spend another day with cold showers when professional help is just a phone call away.
