Water softener is stuck in regeneration and continuously runs water to the drain.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Immediately place the softener in BYPASS to stop water flow and prevent drain overload. Unplug the unit.
- Step 1 – Bypass and depressurize: Move the bypass valve to BYPASS and open a nearby faucet to relieve pressure.
- Step 2 – Inspect drive assembly: Remove the control cover and inspect the drive motor and rotor/cam assembly for broken parts or obstructions.
- Step 3 – Manually reposition valve: With power off, gently rotate the cam to the SERVICE position (refer to GE service diagrams). Do not force it if it is seized.
- Step 4 – Replace damaged parts: If the cam gear is stripped or the rotor is damaged, replace the rotor & seal kit and/or drive motor.
- Step 5 – Test regeneration: Restore water and power, then run a manual regeneration to ensure the valve advances through all steps and returns to service.
Warning: Prolonged flow to the drain can waste large amounts of water and may cause flooding if the drain is restricted.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.