Well Pump Won’t Shut Off? Why It Keeps Running and How to Fix It
A well pump should start when pressure falls to the cut-in point and stop when it reaches the cut-out. If yours keeps running, something is stopping it from reaching that number, or stopping the switch from seeing it.
A pump that never stops runs up your power bill and wears out fast, so it is worth finding the cause quickly. Here is how to narrow it down.
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- Watch the pressure gauge while the pump runs. It tells you whether the problem is the switch or the water side.
- If the gauge is at or above cut-out and the pump still runs, the pressure switch is stuck. Replace it.
- If the gauge never reaches cut-out, look for a leak, a low well or a worn pump.
Why Won’t My Pump Shut Off? Quick Checker
Pick what you see at the pressure gauge and switch.
A quick guide to narrow things down, not a diagnosis. Turn off the power before you touch any wiring.
Start With the Gauge
Most pressure switches carry their range on the cover or the label, such as 30/50 or 40/60. The second number is the cut-out, where the pump should stop.
| What the gauge shows | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| At or above cut-out, pump still running | Pressure switch stuck closed, or its sensing tube is blocked |
| Climbs and stalls a few psi below cut-out | Worn pump, cut-out set too high, or low water |
| Barely moves off zero | Big leak, split drop pipe or the well is out of water |
| Normal, then drops fast with no taps open | A leak, or a check valve letting water back down |
These match the standard list of causes for a pump that runs continuously: a pressure switch with welded contacts or wrong adjustment, low water level, a system leak, a worn pump, a blocked intake or a stuck check valve (The Driller (submersible motor troubleshooting)).
Test the Pressure Switch
- With the pump running and the gauge at or above cut-out, tap the switch cover lightly with a screwdriver handle. If the pump stops, the contacts are sticking.
- Switch off the breaker and remove the cover. Look for pitted, burnt or welded contacts and for ants or debris.
- Check the small tube or nipple under the switch. Sediment here stops the switch feeling the pressure. Release the pressure first, then clean or replace it.
- Replace the switch if the contacts are damaged. Match the range (for example 40/60) and fit a new one rather than filing the old contacts.
Pump suppliers advise replacing a faulty pressure switch rather than repairing it (R.C. Worst). Our pressure switch settings guide explains cut-in, cut-out and how to adjust them.
Replacement pressure switch
Most homes use a 30/50 or 40/60 switch. Match the range printed on your old one, and check the tank air charge is 2 psi below the new cut-in.
See options on AmazonFind a Leak
- Turn off every tap and appliance. Listen for a running toilet; a flapper leak is the most common hidden leak.
- Close the main valve just after the pressure tank.
- If the pump now reaches cut-out and stops, the leak is in the house. Check toilets, outdoor taps, the water heater relief valve and any irrigation.
- If the pump still runs with the main valve shut, the leak is between the well and the tank: the yard line, the pitless adapter or the drop pipe.
- Look for a soggy patch in the yard along the line from the well to the house.
When the Pump Is the Problem
If the switch is fine and there is no leak, the pump may simply be too weak to reach cut-out. Older pumps lose pressure as the impellers wear, and a low water level can make it worse.
Do not raise the cut-out to make up for a weak pump; that makes it run even longer. Read signs your well pump is going bad, and check prices in well pump replacement cost.
If your pump does the opposite and switches on and off every few seconds, see well pump short cycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my well pump keep running?
Either the pressure switch is not turning it off, or the pump cannot reach the cut-out pressure because of a leak, a low water level or wear. The pressure gauge tells you which.
How do I stop my well pump from running constantly?
Turn it off at the breaker to protect it. Then check the gauge: if it is at cut-out, replace the pressure switch; if it is below, look for leaks and test the pump.
Can a bad pressure tank make the pump run constantly?
A bad tank usually causes rapid on and off cycling, not nonstop running. A pump that never stops points to the switch, a leak or the pump itself.
Is it bad if my well pump runs all the time?
Yes. Constant running overheats the motor, wears the pump and raises your electricity bill. Find the cause soon.
How long should a well pump run each cycle?
Many pump makers recommend at least about 1 minute of run time per cycle, and it should stop once it reaches cut-out. Running for many minutes with no water in use is a warning sign.
Sources: The Driller (submersible motor troubleshooting); R.C. Worst.
