Water Softener Bypass Valve Operation & Repair Guide:

This article explains how to use & repair the water softener or water conditioner system bypass valve. We explain what is the bypass valve on a water softener & where to find it, and we describe when & how to position the valve to take the water softener/conditioner in or out of service.

We detail how to shut down or turn off a water softener - avoid leaks, wasted water when not in use and we answer the frequent question of Which way do I push or turn the water softener bypass valve? Examples are given of various water softener bypass valve types including Autotrol, Culligan & Kinetico water conditioner bypass valve operation as well as standard plumbing valve arrangements.

Q&A on How to Use & Set the Water Softener Bypass Valve

The water softener bypass valve is normally included as part of the control valve assembly on top of the water softener media tank (the smaller tank that handles the actual ion exchange that is the real work of a water softener).

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2021-05-03 - by (mod) -

@Rickster,

Most bypass valves can be disassembled; you may need to remove a circlip - depending on the bypass valve model.

Shown is a "standard"Water Softener Standard Bypass Valve Assembly - Part # 7345388 that is used with many Kenmore water softeners.

The replacement O-rings and often circlip are sold together as a repair kit.

Yes the sliding plunger can be poulled through for O-ring replacement on many bypass valves. You may need to remove a packing nut or a circlip.

On 2021-05-03 by Rickster

Can you remove the plunger handle on a kenmore water softer bypass valve to replace the four o-rings? It has a slow leak at the handle, not at any of the connections.

On 2021-04-28 - by (mod) -

@Imy,

Your water softener looks like most of them it's regeneration cycles or operated by a clock. If you leave the water softener in bypass those for generations get skipped. When you take it out of bypass and put it back into service the next time the clock says it's time for a regeneration it will try to do that. If you like you can run an extra regeneration cycle immediately.

On 2021-04-28 by Imy

My water softener is timed to regenerate every 3d. If my valves are in bypass mode for 7d, will the system still try to regenerate? In bypass mode, do I need to also turn-off the timed regeneration over these 7d? Thank you for your help.

On 2021-01-27 - by (mod) -

Sandy:

Stuck in regen mode is indeed a softener control problem but the only way I can think of it causing you to run out of hot water would be if someone ran your hot water heater output as input to the water softener - that would be very odd.

Normally all building water runs to the softener and out of the softener feeds both hot water heater input and other cold water supply piping.

Let's try the diagnostic and repair steps given at

HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Lost.php

where we discuss the "no hot water" problem. Let me know how that works for you or post further hot water questions there.

Separately, see WATER SOFTENER REGENERATION CYCLE DURATION https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Softener_Cycle_Time.php

for help diagnosing and fixing the "stuck in regeneration mode" problem.

On 2021-01-27 by Sandy

I put my softener in by pass mode because it is stuck in regeneration mode, in the meantime I have ordered new parts. The issue is that one morning we realized we had no hot water, does the softener in by pass mode affect the hot water heater.

On 2019-03-01 by (mod) - softener leaks - put it in bypass mode

Diane

Usually when resin beads appear in the water supply that means that the top or bottom baskets inside the resin tank, intended to act as a filter screen to keep resin beads in the tank, has broken and needs replacement.

I'd like to see some sharp photos of the resin beads as they appear in your water supply - maybe at a sink faucet strainer.

Many water softeners have a bypass valve at the back or bottom of the softener control head.

Even if there is no bypass valve installed there, it's an easy plumbing job to install a couple of tees, a bypass loop, and a shutoff valve in that loop.

All that's needed then are shutoff valves for water entering and leaving the softener, and a control valve in the bypass line.

Closing the valves in and out of the softener and opening the valve in the bypass line puts the softener into bypass mode.

Watch out: don't leave your water softener in "bypass mode" for months on end or you risk scale-clogged water heating equipment and pipes.

See details

at MANUAL WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVES

On 2019-02-27 by DIANE

We have an issue with our softener leaking clear beads into the water system. As we inherited the system when we bought the house we have no instructions & have been unable to identify the make. Ideally we would like to disconnect it as we have water pressure issue, if we can find how to bypass it that will probably suffice.

Any help will be much appreciated. Please see attached photo & the serial number is DS320040710.
IMAGE LOST by older version of Clark Van Oyen’s Comments Box code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-12-29 by (mod) - no soft water because of the bad O rings on the Bipass valve

With the exception of a subtle and unlikely condition, the O-rings you replaced should not have caused excessive water usage.

After all it's opening cops or running Plumbing fixtures in the building that uses more or less water.

The subtle exception might be that for some models of water softener if the unit is not operating correctly it might have been regenerated more frequently than necessary.

That would use additional water.

And of course if the water softener is stuck in regeneration mode it could run continuously. But surely you would notice that.

On 2018-12-28 1 by Dan McDermott

I had no soft water and it was because of the bad O rings on the Bipass valve which were replaced and solved the problem. My question is, when these O rings were defective, would they have caused excessive water usage?

On 2018-08-15 by ckdole

What are the positions of the manual bypass (3 way) to operate softener? Exp: should the" IN" valve be turned inward or outward" The " "OUT" and the MIDDLE

On 2018-06-17 by Sylvia

While taking my water softener off bypass the entire assembly suddenly popped out along with water pressure a fire hydrant would envy. After turning the water off I reassembled the bypass valve and reinstalled it (realized why it came out in the first place) and turned the water back on.

Now I can not get softened water. The display says SOFTENING as it always does but there are no chevrons to clearly show that it’s actually working and I can tell I’m not getting softened water now. How can I get it to work again? I’ve attached a photo.

On 2018-05-07 by (mod) - harm from leaving the softener in bypass mode?

Betty I don't know what's being filtered by your water filter nor the extent of whatever's being filtered that occurs in your water supply.

Watch out: leaving a water softener in bypass log-term has possible effects range from nothing notable to significant.

For example IF your water supply was high in mud and silt you might find that clogging faucets.

IF your filter was being used to treat unsanitary conditions (not something most filters can do by themselves) there could be health risks.

IF your hot water is made using a tankless coil there could be a scale formation clog in the coil reducing hot water flow rate.

On 2018-05-05 1 by Betty

My technician left my water filter in bypass mode and it was 4 days before I realized it, will that harm anything, we also had a leak on our well pump on the 4th day

On 2018-04-12 by (mod) -

Yes that's perfectly safe.

On 2018-04-12 by Lisa

Once I put the water softener in bybass mode, when will I know it is safe to water my grass and flower beds? I have well water.

On 2018-01-27 by (mod) - mistakes about softener bypass valve ON or OFF position

It's possible your tech was mistaken about the valve position - OR the valve is broken internally and is not shutting off.
Indeed with the softener in bypass it should

1. not be treating water since all water is bypassing that device

2. should not be using salt, since even with the clock on, the softener can't intake water to make brine to regenerate

On 2018-01-25 by Tim

I just had my well serviced and the technician pointed out that my water softener was in bypass mode.

I didn’t know about this function and wonder if the last person to service my softener turned it off and forgot to turn it back on. My water quality has never been that great but I wonder why the machine has been using salt if it was being bypassed.

On 2017-10-26 by (mod) - water softener is stuck in regeneration mode

Kim,

Possibly your water softener is stuck in regeneration mode. If you are not running water in the home but water is running through the water softener and out of its brine regeneration drain continuously then that's probably the case.

On 2017-10-26 by kim

I have a whirlpool water softener and I have hard water coming into the house, so went to check on the water softener and the by pass value is in the right position. but sounds like there is water that is running thought the value. what is wrong? can you help me?

On 2017-08-08 by Grandmaman

Theres some material blocking my water supply up toilets wont even fill correctly i looked up n it turns out to be ion exchange resin or cleaning exchange resin would water softener be causing this

On 2017-08-08 by Grandmaman

My watersoftener has three shut off valves going to it is the one in the middle able to shutt water off going to n fromm it i have no bypass like one in picture

On 2017-05-01 by Shelton

I have the red handle type .....it just drips little under the handle....

can I turn the water off above it and start softener to get the water out the lines( less mess) then remove handle and then remove 4 screws on top plate that say service and bypass and get a new o ring???

On 2017-04-03 by (mod) -

By

The position of the bypass switch to put the softener in operation depends on the softener brand and model.

Most have an IN/OUT or RED/GREEN or BYPASS/OPEN position marked on the control.
If your control is a push-pull control, push the green side "in" to put the softener into operation.

On 2017-04-03 by Bypass

Added salt should bypass valve be pulled out to work or in.....

On 2017-02-12 by Mike

I have a culligan gold series. I had to put it on bypass to fix something but now the bypass leaks where the blue knob screws in. I figure I'll shut off the water and replace some o-rings but was wondering do I need to relieve pressure prior to taking the bypass valve apart and how?

On 2017-01-14 by (mod) -

Paul:

I suspect that the bypass valve has broken internally so that even pushing the bypass into the open position may not actually open the valve. That's a bit unusual. Have you tried opening and closing the valve again? Have you done that while running water to confirm by feel (temperature change) that water is nor is not running through the softener? If problems remain the issue, if not in the bypass valve, may be in the control head.

On 2017-01-14 by Paul

I have a culligan medalist water softener. I put it on bypass for a short time and when I took the bypass off it is still acting like its on bypass. The readout shows that its regenerating and the controls turn like normal but no water is running through the softener.

On 2016-10-23 23:46:59.123206 by (mod)

If your building has water pressure when the softener is in bypass mode and no water pressure when you return the system to operation (out of bypass mode) then I suspect a probelm within the bypass valve, or you've not fully changed its position.

On 2016-10-23 23:45:27.313067 by Anonymous

turned off vaule schocked well turned vaule back on no water pressure

On 2016-10-15 18:46:28.603921 by Anonymous

water is continually flowing out of hose

On 2016-09-16 14:57:08.001602 by (mod)

Typically pushing the RED side of the bypass valve IN will put the system into bypass mode - omitting the softener. But check the instructions for your specific brand and model.

On 2016-09-15 23:33:07.095720 by terry

Should my red push button be pushed in or out if I want the softener to work

On 2016-04-03 04:36:22.451757 by (mod)

Anon if this leak is not at a pipe connection nor within the control head, the resin tank probably needs replacement. But first dry off the leak area and inspect carefully: the leak may be at a piping or control head connection that can be repaired.

On 2016-04-02 23:31:25.186599 by Anonymous

Resin tank is seeping water through the resin wrap near top of tank

On 2016-03-12 20:42:04.769485 by free751@aol.com

the regen keeps flashing and cant get the led to show the TOR mode or the regeneration mode to come on the led

On 2015-12-28 18:10:27.618630 by (mod)

Replacing salt doesn't sound right to me; if you have hard water and minerals clogged pipes, a cleanout or pipe replacement will be needed. Salt is not normally "replaced" = it's replenished as it is used.

If you suspect a problem with the water softener start diagnosing by putting it on bypass so that the sofener is not affecting water flow.

On 2015-12-28 18:02:56.470283 by Albert

Water flow in house very low pressure. Turn on two faucets and get only a trickle of water. Noticed it started last time they replaced the salt. What can I do to restore proper water flow into house.

On 2015-11-19 01:56:48.021312 by Anonymous

water softer
is not regenerating

On 2015-10-07 12:14:25.072427 by JP

We've lived in or home for almost 2 years and have never used our water conditioner. It's a culligan mark 29 model. At 4 this morning the "push for soft water" valve blew out of the housing and flooded my basement. There are no service valves so i had to shut the main off to stop the flow. Do I need a whole new bypass valve assembly or could it be something else?

On 2014-08-19 14:55:07.349000 by (mod)

Greg

I hate that rattling pipe noise too.

Take a look at our article on diagnosing and fixing water hammer

https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/Water_Hammer.htm

On 2014-08-19 05:22:03.397320 by Greg Ladd

We have the "Piping Arrangement & Valve Location for Manual Water Softener Bypass Valves" pictured above. If I bypass it to take a shower, the pipes throughout will start rattling with water use soon after. What can I do to prevent this?

On 2014-07-22 13:01:58.493540 by (mod)

Anon
Use our CONTACT link to send me photos of your system bypass valve and the softener brand and model and we can then answer in detail.

On 2014-07-21 23:23:58.178630 by Anonymous

How to turn off water softener with bypass dial?

On 2014-07-21 15:46:51.392020 by (mod)

Use the "Click to Show or Hide FAQs" link just above to see recently posted comments, questions & replies.

Question: questions & answers about using the Bypass Valve on a water conditioner

(Jan 29, 2013) Skyler said:

If you leaving the cold line alone (RAW WATER) and only use hot line will your house still have hard water mixed in when cold and hot are on?

(Mar 29, 2014) Anonymous1said:

when bypass water softener is on water very slow and low

(May 23, 2014) Anonymous2 said:

after you bypass the water softer do you turn the knob back to green

Reply:

Skyler: for the piping system you describe at which the water softener softens only water entering your hot water heating system, at the tap or faucet when both cold and hot water are turned on you will indeed have a mix of hard water coming through cold water lines and sofened water through the hot water lines - a mix.

Anon1: your bypass valve may be clogged, damaged, or not fully switching over to bypass mode.

Anon2: yes you restore the "green" position of the bypass valve when you are restoring the water softener to service.

See these details on water softener bypass valve use

at WATER SOFTENER / TREATMENT TURN OFF

and at WATER SOFTENER / TREATMENT TURN-ON.

...

Continue reading  at WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Water Softener Repair Articles

• WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS - home
• WATER SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS
• WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE
• TURN WATER SOFTENER ON / OFF / OUT OF SERVICE
  • AUTOTROL WATER CONDITIONER BYPASS VALVE
  • CULLIGAN PUSH TYPE BYPASS VALVE OPERATION
  • FLECK or PENTAIR WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE
  • KENMORE (SEARS) WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE
  • KINETICO WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE
  • LEVER BYPASS VALVE on WATER SOFTENER
  • MANUAL WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVES
  • PROTEC WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE OPERATION
  • ROTATING BYPASS VALVE on WATER SOFTENER
• LEAKY WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE REPAIR
• RETURN WATER SOFTENER TO OPERATION
• PIPING ARRANGEMENT & LOCATION of MANUAL BYPASS VALVE
• TURN OFF WATER SOFTENER ELECTRICITY?
• WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE FAQs
• WATER SOFTENER CONTROLS & OPERATION
• WATER SOFTENER MANUALS

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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