{"id":412392,"date":"2025-12-22T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/why-does-the-pool-pump-start-and-stop-and-how-to-fix-it\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T13:52:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T12:52:24","slug":"why-does-the-pool-pump-start-and-stop-and-how-to-fix-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/why-does-the-pool-pump-start-and-stop-and-how-to-fix-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why does the pool pump start and stop and how to fix it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When <strong>the pool pump starts and stops<\/strong> constantly, it is a clear sign that something is wrong with the filtration system. This behavior, in addition to preventing proper water cleaning, can cause serious damage to the engine if not corrected in time.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As professionals in <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/filtracion-para-piscinas\/bombas-de-filtracion-para-piscina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pool pump maintenance and sales<\/a>, we explain why this problem occurs, how to identify the exact cause and when to repair it or replace it directly with a new, more efficient and reliable pump.<\/p>\n\n<!--more-->\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Most common causes of the pool pump starting and stopping<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most cases, the motor protection system is acting to prevent further damage. Ignoring this problem may end up burning the motor or irreversibly damaging internal components.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motor overheating (thermal protection)<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the <strong>most frequent cause<\/strong>. When the motor overheats, the thermal protector shuts off the power to prevent damage. After cooling down, it starts up again&#8230; and the cycle repeats itself.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common reasons for overheating are:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dirty prefilter or sand filter, one of the most common failures due to poor <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/essential-tips-for-proper-pool-pump-maintenance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pool pump maintenance<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turbine partially blocked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of ventilation in the hut.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pump working without water or with low flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Old motor with loss of efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The professional solution we recommend is to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-clean-pool-pump-filter-turbine-prefilter-and-sand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clean the prefilter and filter<\/a>, check the turbine, improve the ventilation of the house and verify that the pump is always primed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the problem of the pool pump starting and stopping persists, the motor may be deteriorated.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim.jpg\" alt=\"Why does the pool pump start and stop?\" class=\"wp-image-259147\" style=\"width:600px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim.jpg 800w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim-768x653.jpg 768w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim-82x70.jpg 82w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim-480x408.jpg 480w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/motor-bomba-maxim-600x510.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lack of flow or deficient suction<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the pump does not receive enough water, it works forced, <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/swimming-pool-pump-gets-hot-and-stops-why-it-happens-and-solution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">heats up and stops<\/a>. This can be caused by low water level, air in the <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/swimming-pool-pump-and-filter-installation-diagram-distance-and-head\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">installation<\/a> (we explain <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-remove-air-from-the-pool-pump-how-to-bleed-it-and-when\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to remove air from the pool pump<\/a>), poorly sealed prefilter cover, deteriorated o-ring or partially closed valves.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The solution we recommend is:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Raise the water level to the middle of the Skimmer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lubricate or replace o-rings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check suction and valves<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defective capacitor<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The capacitor is responsible for providing the initial impulse to the motor. When it fails, the pool pump starts and stops because it heats up quickly.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This problem is very common in pumps with several years of use. The solution would consist of:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Replacement of the capacitor<\/strong> (if the motor is in good condition).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If the pump is old, consider complete replacement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electrical problems in the installation<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An unstable power supply can cause constant stoppages. Possible causes include a deteriorated plug or base, cable in poor condition, faulty differential or circuit breaker and incorrect voltage (especially in three-phase pumps).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a solution, we recommend:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electrical revision<\/strong> by a professional.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Voltage and protection<\/strong> check.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motor aged or with damaged bearings<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, the bearings wear out, the shaft rotates with difficulty and the motor needs more effort to start. Therefore, the pool pump starts and stops.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In these cases, repair is often costly and uneconomical. If the pump is more than 8 years old, it is most efficient to replace it with a modern model, thus improving the <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/pool-pump-consumption-how-many-kwh-and-watts-does-a-0-75-1-1-5-3-and-4-hp-pump-use-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pool pump consumption<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bomba-piscina-astralpool-verdon-compatible-cloracion-salina-tapa-transparente.jpg\" alt=\"What to do if the pool pump starts and then stops\" class=\"wp-image-396683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bomba-piscina-astralpool-verdon-compatible-cloracion-salina-tapa-transparente.jpg 360w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bomba-piscina-astralpool-verdon-compatible-cloracion-salina-tapa-transparente-281x300.jpg 281w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bomba-piscina-astralpool-verdon-compatible-cloracion-salina-tapa-transparente-300x320.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bomba-piscina-astralpool-verdon-compatible-cloracion-salina-tapa-transparente-75x80.jpg 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which pumps do we recommend if you need to replace yours<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the size and type of pool, <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/espa-silen-nox-and-noxsalt-pump-catalog-12-to-1000m-and-0-33-to-3-hp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ESPA pool pumps<\/a> are a very reliable choice:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you have a <strong>small to medium sized pool<\/strong>, opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/swimming-pool-filtration-pumps\/espasilen-i-swimming-pool-pump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ESPA Silen I<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/swimming-pool-filtration-pumps\/espa-nox-jardino-swimming-pool-filtration-pump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nox<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have a <strong>large pool<\/strong>, opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/swimming-pool-filtration-pumps\/espasilen-s-swimming-pool-pump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ESPA Silen S<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/swimming-pool-filtration-pumps\/espasilen-s2-swimming-pool-pump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Silen S2.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have a <strong>pool with salt chlorination or high salinity<\/strong>, opt for <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/swimming-pool-filtration-pumps\/espa-noxsalt-marine-water-swimming-pool-filtration-pump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ESPA NoxSalt<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more in our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/which-pump-do-i-need-for-my-pool-how-to-calculate-and-choose-the-right-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">which pool pump you need<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about the pool pump that starts and stops.<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does the pool pump start and stop by itself?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Usually because the motor overheats and the thermal protection cuts off the current<\/strong>. It is usually due to dirt, lack of water, poor ventilation or engine wear.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it dangerous for the pump to start and stop continuously?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>. This operation can damage the motor, capacitor and bearings, resulting in a more serious and costly failure.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could it be that the pool pump starts and stops because of a condenser problem?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>. A defective capacitor causes hard starts and fast stops. It is very common in pumps that are several years old.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can dirt in the filter cause this failure?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>. A saturated filter causes the pump to run forced, heat up and stop for thermal protection.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could it be due to an electrical problem?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>. A bad <a href=\"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-connect-the-pool-pump-filter-and-electrical-connection-correctly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">connection<\/a>, incorrect voltage or faulty protections can cause intermittent shutdowns.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is it best to replace the pump with a new one?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the pump is <strong>more than 8 years<\/strong> old, the problem is recurrent or the repair cost is close to the price of a new one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When your pool pump starts and stops, the risk of breakdown is high. This maintenance guide reveals the causes: overheating, lack of flow, electrical faults. Learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem, and decide when it&#8217;s time to repair or replace with a modern, reliable pump.","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":394680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3049],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-412392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pool-equipment"],"acf":[],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=412392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poolcomet.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=412392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}