The Intex Pool Pump is Running but Not Pumping

Running With No Pressure

• A swimming pool pump is designed to provide a powerful amount of suction by taking the water in at the pool skimmer, running it through the filter and sending it back out the return jet. If the pump motor is running normally but the pump is not filtering, then there's a block in circulation somewhere in the filter system. A dirty filter, air in the lines or a skimmer blockage are common reasons for a drop in pump circulation.

Water

• A filter is designed to be submerged in water. You run the risk of burning out your pump motor if there's not enough water entering the filter system. You will definitely see a loss of filter pumping and circulation. If your pump is not pumping properly, check the water level and make sure it's somewhere between halfway and two-thirds of the skimmer's vertical height. This is the ideal range for your filter and skimmer to work efficiently. Too much water doesn't hurt the filter. It just prevents the skimmer from holding large pieces of debris in its basket. Too little water will burn out the motor.

Dirty Filter

• The filter needs to be cleaned as it will collect a lot of dirt and debris during its normal operation. If the water level is good, but your filter is not pumping properly, it's probably because the filter needs to be cleaned. This occurs when the pressure gauge, measured in pounds per square inch (psi), rises eight to ten psi above the normal operating pressure. Remove the cartridge, hose it off with water and reinsert it into the filter housing.

Other Causes

• Other, less common causes of a loss in filter pumping include dirty filter baskets. The skimmer basket should be cleaned weekly. The pump basket should be cleaned after vacuuming, especially if your pool has had a lot of leaves and small twigs on the pool bottom. The pump basket sits alongside the filter and captures the large pieces of debris during vacuuming. If this debris collects inside the pump basket, it can cause a block in circulation. Also, check your pool hoses. Cracks in a hose or a leaking hose end can cause leaking as well as also a drop in pump circulation.