Pool Pump Hums but Won't Start

[TimStinson-mp]

So I followed these steps but the pump continued to hum.
I turned the shaft knob while the power was on, and that helped kick-start the pump, and it started working as normal.
But when I turned the power off and then back on, the pump went back to humming.
I kick-started it again and the pump started operating as normal once again.
Do I just need to do this until the pump starts running normally without being kick-started?

[Fondlyours]

Spray it down with WD-40. I use that all the time on my shaft. It works really well. It keeps corrosion away.

[stacymarroquin]

Omg this video was so helpful literally called three companies for quotes to get it replaced and i decided to go on utube and turning the shaft worked!!

[chasemallet]

I had the same issue (humming and not starting). I checked the breaker at the pool and the breaker at the house and neither were flipped. I turned of and back on the breaker at the house and that did not fix the problem. I then turned off the breaker and back on at the pool breaker box and that DID fix the problem. So even thought he breakers did not appear to be flipped, turning it off then back on was sufficient.
Also as a word of caution, capacitors can still be dangerous even if power is turned off at the breaker. A capacitor is a "battery" that stores up electricity in order to deliver a large jolt of power to "kick" the motor on then the lesser power through the breaker is sufficient to keep the motor going. This is the same with capacitors for hvac unit (in fact they are the same capacitors). If the capacitor itself fails then theoretically it holds no charge. And if the problem wasn't the capacitor, the charge would theoretically discharge itself into the motor when it is off. But if the problem was for example a wire to the capacitor rusted off, and the capacitor was unable to discharge to start the motor then it could still hold a charge when you go to service it even if the breaker is off. The shock from a capacitor is enough to possibly kill someone, lose a finger, or cause other injury. I know many hvac techs say it is very rare but it doesnt shock you until it does.So please be careful when serving near a capacitor and if you are going to touch the capacitor, please beforehand look up how to safely test and discharge a capacitor to ensure you don't hurt or kill yourself. I am always an advocate for diy but I also don't want anyone to get hurt or worse and leave their family without you.

[anamariejuarez]

Ours was working then all of a sudden turned off. It does make the humming sound. My husband turned off the breaker and checked the impeller, it turned fine. Is there something else we can check?

[MarkIvancic]

Best advice ever! Everyone else told me to change the capacitor but only you said to check the propeller - twisted it twice and everything works great. Thank You!

[mildzz]

You just saved my life and my pool!! Thank you!

[tonyrpacheco]

Ima try this tomorrow since mine is humming too.

[theresanietzel]

YOUR MY HERO YES POOL TIME THIS MEMORIAL WEEKEND! Thanks a million my friend!!!

[drjohnson]

You just saved me a nightmare having to tell my dad I broke the pump lol just unscrewed one screw and turned the thing manually once and boom it worked!! Thank you’

[URLex]

Of course mine has a more complicated design lol

[billstokes]

Terrible audio! Cant hear you! How'd you turn it? What tool? how it!!!

[dannizmail]

You are awesome. Your advice was spot on. I was able to start my pump within minutes with your advice by turning it manually. I didn't use my pool last year due to the pandemic. Corrosion was the culprit. Pliers and clockwise turns did the trick. I had to try it twice - just like you! Would some lubricant like WD-40, etc. be advisable?

[geraldferguson]

I had order a capacitor before I saw this. I did what he did. It took 2 x and started working. It’s been running all day. Was lucky enough to cancel the capacitor.

[tobyjusevitch]

Super helpful. I knew there had to be a way to unstick the pump. Works great now. Thanks

[awhitingstl]

Pump hummed when turning it on after backwash and cleaning the basket. Pine needles and debris were at the impeller. Turned the shaft as instructed. Still hummed and didn't run. More shaft turning for about 10 minutes. That did the trick. Thank you. A great repair for me and my 15 year old son. His eyes lit up with our success. Thank you!!!

[jonasbrock]

Worked out fine once I manually turned the shaft and freed it up thanks for the video

[jonasbrock]

Worked out fine once I manually turned the shaft and freed it up thanks for the video

[shannanmichael]

I was able to turn the shaft and the pool start back up

[purged]

I have a lot of pine needles that have a tendency to get through the skimmer baskets all the way to the pump and I usually have to stick my hand in through the back of the pump and try to pry the stuff out when the impellor gets clogged. I tried this method instead and it was much easier and worked like a charm! Thanks!