Above Ground Pool Pump Won't Kick on

Power Supply

• A pool pump is an electrical device that requires a current to operate. Ensure that your pool pump is getting supplied with enough electricity to make it come on, which could involve something as minor as plugging the pump into an outlet or flipping on a tripped breaker in the fuse box. It could also be a wiring problem. Check with an electrician if you have examined the plug and breakers and there is no problem with the actual power cord. The wiring may not be suitable for the amount of electricity needed by the pump.

Timers

• You may want to set your pool pump on a timer, which keeps the pump from running when it's not needed and avoids using unnecessary electricity. The timer usually acts as a barrier between the electrical supply, only allowing power to the pump when the designated times arrive. If the timer is currently in an "off" mode because of the time of day, but you want the pump on, you will need to disable the timer.

Sound and Suction

• You can easily tell when the pump is running. It is located near the pool and can be somewhat noisy. But if the noise is there, but there is no evidence that the pump is pulling debris through the skimmer or drain, the pump is not completely on. It doesn't have a prime. A likely reason for this problem is a dirty filter. The filter media may be so full of dirt and debris from the pool that it has caused the filter media to be nearly impenetrable, which restricts the flow of water through the system dramatically and results in little or no suction at the skimmer or drain, making it useless. Cartridge filters will need to be cleaned or changed while DE and sand filters will require backwashing. Other possibilities include suction leaks in hoses or pump housing, clogged pipes and low water levels.

Thermal Overload

• If your pump was running normally and suddenly turns off and will not restart, it could have overheated. The pump may have been running hot without your knowledge. When this thermal overload happens, the pump will shut itself down and will only restart once it has cooled down.