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Hot Spring spa pool troubleshooting guide | HotSpring Spas

Hot Spring spa pool troubleshooting guide

A soak is the fun, exciting and/or tranquil ending to a spa owner’s day. Until it’s not.

Perhaps you see an error code on your spa pool control panel. Perhaps you press a button and nothing happens. Perhaps your water doesn’t look or smell quite like it should. Hot Spring spa pools are ultra-reliable, particularly when they are maintained as they should be. Nevertheless, issues do sometimes arise.

That’s why we've created the troubleshooting chart below to help you solve your spa pool problems, whether with jets, pumps, heaters, electrical systems, controls or water. It covers dozens of the most common spa pool issues, as well as their potential causes and fixes.

Before we get stuck in, remember to always consult your owner’s manual when an issue arises. If you have questions about routine maintenance, repairs or your warranty, be sure to get in touch with your local Hot Spring dealer.

 

 

How to fix common spa pool problems

To troubleshoot an issue with your spa, find your problem in the left hand column of the chart below, then scan across to find the causes, the solutions, and whether you require professional help.

Fix your spa pool’s operational problems

The problem

The likely cause/s

Troubleshooting solutions

Do you need to call a professional technician?

The spa is inoperative

Power failure

RCD has tripped

Heater's high-limit thermostat has tripped

Spa lock is activated

Check for problems with your power source

Reset the RCD

Disconnect the power for 30 seconds to reset the thermostat then check for clogged filters

Deactivate the spa lock

Contact an electrician if your power source is inoperative

Call for spa service if the RCD won't reset

Call for spa service if the high-limit thermostat has tripped

The spa won't heat, even while the jets and lights operate (green logo “Ready” and blue logo “Power” indicators are blinking)

Integrated pressure switch is open

Circulation pump thermal cut-off has tripped

Air lock was created after filling the spa

Check for clogged filters; the switch should reset once the water is again flowing through the heater

Check for clogged filters and air locks in the plumbing, and disconnect power to the spa so the pump can cool; the pump should reset once it has cooled and the power is reconnected

Place the water hose down the main filter in the filter compartment, and fill the spa completely to push the air lock out

Call for spa service if the heater trips frequently

Call for spa service if the circulation pump trips frequently

Jet operation is weak or surging

Spa water level is too low

Filters are clogged

Comfort Control® lever is closed

Add water to the spa

Clean the filters

Open the Comfort Control® lever

Reach out to your dealer if you have further questions about optimal jet performance and maintenance

Light is inoperative

Spa lock is activated

Light wiring or assembly is faulty

Deactivate the spa lock

Replace the light assembly

Call for spa service if you are unsure of how to replace your light assembly

Moto-Massage® DX jet is inoperative or erratic

Comfort Control® valves are closed

Filters are clogged

Open the Comfort Control® levers

Clean the filters

Contact your dealer for more questions about jet maintenance

Blue logo “Power” indicator is blinking

The heater's high-limit thermostat has tripped

Disconnect the power for 30 seconds to reset the heater's high limit; check for clogged filters

Call for spa service if the thermostat continues to trip

Green logo “Ready” indicator is blinking

A problem with the temperature sensor

Disconnect the power for 30 seconds

Call for spa service if the indicator continues blinking

Control touchscreen is on but inoperable

Remote control is too far away from the spa

Communication between the control system and the remote is interrupted

Move the remote closer to the spa

Press the ‘Jets’ button on the dock unit; if it's necessary to reset the panel, press and hold the touchscreen in any blank area until it turns black

Contact your dealer to learn more about the possibilities of customising your spa pool soak through the intuitive control panel

Control touchscreen is off and black

Power to the spa is off

Battery needs to be recharged

Battery is in shut-down mode

Battery is not recharging

Turn the power on

Put the remote control back in the docking tray to recharge

Press the touchscreen and wait 40 seconds

Call an electrician if your power to the spa will not turn on

Call for spa service if your battery is not recharging

Remote responds intermittently within the 9m range

An outside source is interfering with the signal

Change the channel on the remote by pressing the ‘Lights’ button on the dock unit until the buttons flash and you see a change channel screen on the remote; press UP or DOWN to adjust the channel, and OK to set it

Reach out to your dealer with further questions about operating your control panel and remote

Touchscreen continues to read “Searching for spa” on a black screen

Remote is not paired with the control panel

Press the ‘Jets’ button on the dock unit until the buttons flash; press and hold on the screen until ‘Pairing Yes/No’ displays; press Yes to pair

Contact your dealer for technical support if problems with your control panel or remote continue

Fix your spa pool’s water quality problems

 

The problem

The likely cause/s

Troubleshooting solutions

Do you need to call a professional technician?

Cloudy water

Filters are dirty

Excessive buildup of oils and organic matter

Improper sanitation

Suspended particles or organic matter

Overused or old water

Clean the filters

Shock the spa water with sanitiser

Add sanitiser as your owner's manual recommends; adjust the pH and/or the alkalinity to the recommended range

Run the jet pumps and clean the filters

Drain and refill the spa

Contact your dealer with any questions about proper water sanitation and maintenance for your spa model, or to purchase new filters as needed

Water odour

Excessive buildup of organic matter

Improper sanitation

Low pH

Shock the spa water with sanitiser

Add sanitiser in the appropriate quantity

Adjust the pH to the recommended range

Contact your dealer with any questions about proper water sanitation and maintenance of your spa model

Chlorine odour

Chloramine level is too high

Low pH

Shock the spa water with sanitiser

Adjust pH to the recommended range

Contact your dealer if you're unsure about proper water sanitation and maintenance practices for your spa model

Musty odour

Bacteria or algae growth in the spa

Shock the spa with sanitiser; if the problem persists, drain, clean, and refill the spa

Contact your local dealer for tips on keeping this problem in check in your climate

A ring of scum around the spa

Organic buildup of oils and dirt

Wipe the scum off with a clean rag; if the layer of scum is heavy, drain the spa and use a spa surface and tile cleaner to remove the scum before refilling the spa

Contact your dealer for cleaning recommendations and tips to prevent future buildup

Algae growth

High pH

Low sanitiser level

Shock the water with sanitiser and adjust the pH to recommended levels

Shock the water with sanitiser and maintain the sanitiser level

Contact your dealer for advice on how to avoid buildup of algae, mould, and mildew

Eye irritation

Low pH

Low sanitiser level

Adjust the pH

Shock the water with sanitiser and maintain the sanitiser level

Ask your dealer about system options for reliably clear and gentle spa water, such as the FreshWater® Salt Water System

Skin irritation or rash

Unsanitary water

Free chlorine level is above 5 ppm

Shock the water with sanitiser and maintain the sanitiser level

Allow the free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before using the spa or add water until 5ppm reached.

Contact your dealer for advice on managing your chlorine level or for alternatives to chlorine water care

Stains

Total alkalinity and/or pH are too low

High iron or copper content in the water source

Adjust the total alkalinity and/or pH

Use a metal deposit inhibitor

Contact your dealer for advice on keeping your home spa looking like new

Scale

Water has high calcium content, and total alkalinity and pH are too high

Adjust the total alkalinity and pH. To remove the scale, drain the spa water, scrub off the scale, refill the spa, and balance the water

Contact your dealer for tips on how to prevent future scale buildup

 

You should exercise caution around your spa pool's mechanical and electrical parts. Not only can they be dangerous, undertaking repairs that require professional attention can void your warranty.

Your Hot Spring spa pool offers incredible health, wellness, social and lifestyle benefits. Proper spa maintenance ensures you can keep enjoying these perks for years to come while saving time and money on potentially costly repairs.

 

 

While many of the most common spa pool issues can be relatively easy to solve, your best bet is to avoid them in the first place. Some helpful preventative maintenance tips include:

  • Use a garden hose to regularly rinse the underside of your spa pool cover to keep algae, mould, and mildew at bay.
  • Rinse your filters every month to keep clear water flowing. (TRI-X® filters are dishwasher-safe and only require cleaning every 3 months).
  • Keep your spa pool covered when not in use to keep debris out and efficiently maintain water temperature.
  • Keep detergents and soaps out of your spa by having a quick rinse in the shower before jumping in.
  • Drain and refill the spa pool as recommended in your owner's manual to keep your water fresh.
  • Only use recommended chemicals and cleaners. Certain pool chemicals and other products can affect your water quality and even do damage to your spa.
  • Purchase authorised Hot Spring parts from your dealer to ensure that you're fitting your spa with quality, lasting components.
  • Keep your spa's serial number on hand in case you need to reference it for more troubleshooting advice or official parts and repairs.

When trouble does strike, this guide can help guide you on possible problems and solutions, and whether or not you need help from the experts, so you can get soaking sooner. 

And when you buy a spa pool from a Hot Spring dealer, you’ll gain access to all the knowledge, advice, support and help you need to set your spa up and keep it running for the long haul.

If you can’t see your problem here, check out our Ownership & Care page or get in touch today!

 

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