10 Common RO Water Purifier Problems and Solutions

In India, most of us use RO water purifiers and oftentimes it gives some problem or the other leaving us wondering what the problem actually is. It could also be frustrating for you to wait days or weeks to get the problem fixed by RO purifier customer service personnel.

Professional help might be required to solve an advanced technical problem; however, there are few problems which you can try to fix it yourself or at least give it a try.

In this post, we have highlighted 10 common problems with RO water purifiers and their solutions. This will help you troubleshoot any problem you might be facing with your RO water purifier sooner rather than later.

Problem 1: RO storage water tank does not fill up

Solution: The main reason for storage tank not filling up can be a faulty float switch. The float switch is used to detect the water level in the storage tank. When the water reaches a pre-set level in the tank, it triggers a micro-switch which in turn signals the RO system to start working and add more water into the storage tank until once again the water level reaches to a pre-set level.

In some cases, the tank does not fill up due to low incoming water pressure or some other problem with the RO system. A weak pump or a worn out RO membrane can also be the culprit.

Problem 2: Weak flow of water into the RO storage tank

Solution: There are several reasons for weak water flow into the storage tank. If the intake pipe is blocked with particles which are too small, they can clog up the filters and reduce or stop water flow into the system. It could also be due to a heavily mineralized or hard water. This might clog up your RO membrane leading to low water flow.

Just as mentioned in problem 1, problem 2 can also be a result of a worn out membrane or faulty pump.

Problem 3: Noisy operation of RO purifier

Solution: There are quite a few reasons for a noisy operation of your RO purifier. A leak in the unit can be one major reason. If there is a crack in the pipe which supplies water to the storage tank, it could result in loud noise during filtration process or when water is being supplied into the storage tank.

Another possible reason could be that the unit is not levelled properly and the pressure in the water supply pipes is causing a noise.

As we have seen, there can be several reasons for noisy RO purifier operation. If you suspect that the pump may be faulty or worn out, please do not go for DIY methods to fix it. It’s important to get your unit serviced by a technician to avoid any damage to the functional parts of the RO purifier.

Problem 4: Water is not clear in RO purifier

Solution: If your RO purifier is producing murky or turbid water, then this might mean that there is a problem with the membrane of the unit. The membrane might be damaged due to sustained exposure to high temperature and it needs to be replaced for proper filtration.

Also, check if your unit’s membrane is still under warranty or not as the company might replace it for free of cost. If under warranty, then go ahead and call the RO purifier customer care helpline for help. If you have damaged your RO membrane yourself, then you might have to pay a certain amount of money to get it replaced.

If your membrane is not covered by any warranty, then you can buy a new one from the store where you bought your unit from.

Problem 5: RO water has an awful smell

Solution: If your RO unit is producing foul-smelling water, then there might be an issue with the activated carbon filter of your system. The active carbon filter needs to be replaced every 6 months. Follow the instructions in your RO manual to change this filter.

If you don’t have an RO manual, then check with your dealer to see how often the active carbon filter needs to be changed. Also, make sure that your container/overhead tank which holds your tap water is clean and there are no residues of any kind in it. If the problem still persists, then contact RO service centre.

Problem 6: Drinking water is brackish or tastes like salt

Solution: High salinity in drinking water can be because of the scale buildup in either the feed line pipe running to your RO system’s storage tank or around its membrane. You might want to check these places for any scaling and flush them out with high pressure water.

You need to make sure that the water which enters your RO membrane is free of calcium or magnesium before it enters the filter. If this problem persists, then you might need to call RO customer support helpline.

Problem 7: RO storage tank has started to smell bad

Solution: If your RO storage tank is smelling bad, then it means that the water inside the tank has gone stagnant. This problem can occur if you are not cleaning your RO tanks on a regular basis or if there are some residues of calcium deposits inside the unit’s pipelines.

Make sure that you clean your RO feed line pipe with a solution of vinegar and water. If you use RO descaler, then it will remove the scale build-up and this problem will be resolved. Also, make sure that your storage tank is clean with no residues inside it which can go bad and smell inside your water purifier.

If there are no problems with your feed line pipe or storage tanks, then this problem might be because of your water source. If the water in your area smells a lot, then you need to purchase a whole house filtration system which removes all odours from water.

Problem 8: Excessive TDS in filtered water after RO purifier installation

Solution: If the TDS value of your filtered water is abnormally high, then it means that there are some heavy contaminants present in your incoming feed line. A certain amount of TDS is allowed to enter the RO membrane. If the TDS value of your incoming water is very high (more than 2000 ppm), water purifier will not work.

Normal TDS value after purification should be in the range of 80 to 300 ppm. If it is more than 500 ppm, it could mean that your water source is very bad and not suitable for drinking even with water purifier.

Another common reason for excessive TDS in filtered water might be because of under-performing activated carbon filters or sediment filters. You need to change these filters for good results.

Problem 9: Airlock in the RO tank

Solution: This is one of the most common problems that an RO system can face. The problem occurs because of air entering your storage tank due to differences in air pressure. Air pockets form which causes water to bubble up through these pockets.

You need to check for cracks or holes in your tanks, especially where the feed line enters the tank. If you find any, then you can use silicone to seal them up. You might also need to install an air release valve in your storage tank.

Problem 10: No power to the water purifier

Solution: There are two causes of no power to the purifier. One reason could be that your home’s circuit breaker has tripped and you need to reset it. The other reason could be the wires in between the system and the outlet have got loose or disconnected. You might want to check this place for any damage or looseness in connection.

Conclusion

RO water purifier plays an important role in keeping your family healthy and safe. With the right care, you can ensure that it will continue running efficiently for longer periods of time. We have addressed some common problems that may arise in RO water purifier. Hope this article helped you understand the issues better. You can try to fix minor issues yourself; however, professional help is advised for major problems.