5 common water purifier issues and how to tackle them

List of Issues with Solutions

1) Slow water flow or no flow

Likely causes: Clogged filters, low water pressure, choked inlet valve, or a saturated RO membrane in an RO water purifier.

What to do:

• Check the inlet tap and pre-filter first. Clean or replace the sediment cartridge; it is often the bottleneck.

   

• If you use a booster pump, confirm the power and hear the pump prime.

   

• For RO units, test TDS. If TDS creeps up and flow is down, the membrane may be spent.

Prevention: Change pre-filters on time. They are a cheap protection for the expensive membrane and reduce repeated water purifier issues.

2) Bad taste or odour in the output

Likely causes: Exhausted carbon filter, stagnant water in a long unused tank, or high chlorine in the water supply overwhelming the carbon stage. 

What to do:

• Flush the tank and discard the first full cycle after a long gap.

   

• Replace the carbon cartridge if the taste returns quickly after a flush.

   

• Add or upgrade a pre-carbon filter if your city spikes chlorine during the monsoon.

Prevention: Schedule carbon changes every 6 to 12 months. Taste problems are the most reported Common water purifier problem and are usually solved by a timely carbon swap.

3) Continuous drain or too much reject water

Likely causes: Faulty RO solenoid, damaged flow restrictor, high inlet TDS, or incorrect tubing.

What to do:

• Inspect the restrictor and tubing for kinks or incorrect routing.

   

• If the drain runs constantly even with the tank full, the solenoid may be stuck.

   

• Very high TDS will raise the reject ratio; route reject water to mopping to avoid waste.

Prevention: keep pre-filters fresh so pressure and flow stay in the designed range. This reduces the chance of chronic drain water purifier issues.

4) Water leakage around the unit

Likely causes: Loose quick-connect fittings, cracked tubing, worn O-rings, or an overfull storage tank.

What to do:

• Unplug the purifier, close the inlet, and dry the area.

   

• Reseat quick-connects by pushing the tube in fully, then tug gently to lock.

   

• Replace hardened O-rings and any cracked lines.

Prevention: A quarterly visual check avoids expensive cabinet damage. Leakage is a classic Common water purifier problem that begins with a tiny drip.

5) Frequent alarming, tripping, or no power

Likely causes: Faulty float switch, wet internal sensors due to condensation, weak power adaptor, or an ageing pump drawing excess current.

What to do:

• Dry the cabinet, reseat sensor plugs, and test with a known good adaptor.

   

• If alarms recur with normal water quality, schedule service to test the pump and control board.

Prevention: Mount the unit away from heat and steam sources and ensure good ventilation. A dry cabinet prolongs electronics' life in most common water purifier issues scenarios.

Still asking what are common water purifier issues are after running these checks? The pattern above covers more than 80 percent of household complaints and keeps downtime low.

Maintenance Tips

• Filter discipline: sediment and carbon every 6 to 12 months, RO membrane and UV lamp every 12 to 24 months, depending on use and water quality.

   

• Tank hygiene: drain and sanitise the tank monthly, wipe the tap weekly, and discard the first fill after service.

   

• Pressure and TDS log: note the inlet pressure and TDS each season. Shifts explain many common water purifier issues before they become failures.

   

• Pre-filter at the wall: an inexpensive inlet strainer catches silt from tanker lines and extends cartridge life.

   

• Power protection: a basic surge protector saves adaptors and control boards, especially during storms.

When to Call a Professional

• TDS at the outlet rises sharply in an RO water purifier after a fresh carbon swap.

   

• The pump runs hot, rattles, or cuts out.

   

• You see persistent water leakage inside the cabinet after reseating the tubes.

   

• The drain flows constantly despite a full tank and normal pressure.

   

• Electrical smells, charring, or repeated fuse trips.

Technicians carry gauges, TDS meters, spare O-rings, and genuine parts. They also pressure test the system, so a small fix does not turn into a bigger failure. When in doubt, escalate. It is cheaper than a flooded kitchen.

Conclusion:

Most water purifiers fail gracefully before they fail. If you catch the early signs, you can fix them fast. Keep filters on a calendar, treat the inlet with a simple strainer, and clean the tank regularly. Use this guide to triage the usual water purifier issues, then call service for anything electrical or persistent. With these habits, your water purification systems will stay steady, safe, and quiet all year.