Hot Tub Startup Fixes

A Troubleshooting Guide for New Owners

After all the anticipation (and the investment), discovering that your new hot tub isn’t working can be incredibly frustrating. The good news? Most issues are simple, solvable, and extremely common — especially during the first week of ownership.

Drawing from more than 20 years in the hot tub industry, I’ve outlined the most frequent problems new owners face and how to fix them quickly and safely.

This guide covers:

Why the jets aren’t working
The best way to fill a hot tub
What to do if you have no power
Whether the factory actually tests hot tubs
What to look for during troubleshooting
How to fix an air lock

🏭 The Factory

Modern hot tubs are built much like cars — assembled by skilled technicians, tested at multiple stations, and water‑run before leaving the factory. Even with strict quality control, things can shift during shipping.

Hot tubs travel long distances on trucks or trains over bumpy roads. Occasionally, a clamp loosens, a wire disconnects, or a fitting shifts.

Before calling your dealer:

Power down the hot tub
Open the service compartment

Look for loose wires (some unused wires may be for optional accessories)

Check for water in the compartment, which may indicate a loose clamp
If nothing stands out, contact your dealer.

Reputable brands will quickly resolve the issue — whether that means a replacement part or, in rare cases, a replacement tub.

⚡ Incorrect Electrical Setup

Even licensed electricians sometimes mis-wire hot tubs. Not all brands use the same wiring configuration, and some require multiple breakers or specific amperage.

If your hot tub:

Won’t turn on
Trips the breaker immediately
Shows no signs of power

…have your electrician recheck the manufacturer’s wiring diagram. If the issue persists, call your dealer for support.

💨 Priming the Pump (Air Lock Issues)

This is one of the most common new‑owner problems.

Symptoms:

Power is on
Pump makes noise
Jets don’t produce water

This usually means the pump is full of air instead of water — an air lock.

How it happens

If you didn’t fill the hot tub through the filter compartment, the pump may not have filled with water.

First fix to try

Remove the filter(s)

1-Insert your garden hose into the filter well

2-Run water for several minutes to force water into the pump

3-If your filter sits on a standpipe, un-thread it for better access.

If that doesn’t work. A more direct method is needed.

Other methods — like removing bleeder hoses or using a plunger over a jet — can work but are less reliable and risk breaking fragile plastic fittings.

💦 The Water Looks Bad After a Week

This is extremely common for first‑time owners — and it’s rarely the hot tub’s fault.

The real culprit? You.

Or more specifically, everything you bring into the water:

Laundry detergent
Body wash
Shampoo
Makeup
Lotions
Deodorants

Chlorine and bromine don’t break these down well. Their job is to sanitize the water against harmful organisms.

How to fix it

Use products designed to target oils and soaps:

Non‑Chlorine Shock
Natural Enzymes

Test weekly for:

Alkalinity
pH
Phosphates

Preventing the problem

Use a hot‑tub‑only swimsuit (washed less often, rinsed thoroughly)
Take a quick pre‑soak shower
Avoid lotions before soaking

If water clarity is still poor, drain half the water and refill. This dilutes contaminants and usually restores clarity.

🌟 Keys to Success for Crystal‑Clear Water

Proper startup
Consistent testing
Managing soaps and oils
Using enzymes and shock correctly

🧭 Conclusion

New hot tub issues can be discouraging, but nearly all of them have simple fixes.

Whether it’s a loose wire from shipping, an electrical misconfiguration, an air‑locked pump, or cloudy water from everyday products, these problems are normal and solvable.

By understanding the common causes — and using the right troubleshooting steps — you’ll protect your investment and get back to enjoying your hot tub the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Smarter Hot Tubbing

Check the service compartment for loose wires or water
Contact your dealer for guidance when needed
Have your electrician verify wiring if power issues persist
Follow proper filling techniques to avoid air locks
Watch the air‑lock video for a step‑by‑step fix
Use enzymes and non‑chlorine shock to manage soaps and oils
Test water weekly and rinse before soaking

Your hot tub is built for relaxation — and with a little proactive care, it will deliver years of stress‑free enjoyment.

Hot Tub Startup Fixes