Reverse Osmosis Troubleshooting - Little or No Flow from FaucetUpdated a day ago
Reverse Osmosis drinking water systems can look complicated at first, but once you understand how they work, troubleshooting becomes much easier.
If you haven’t already, we recommend starting with our How a Reverse Osmosis System Works video to get the basics down. In this video, we focus on one of the most common issues: low or no water flow from the faucet—even when the tank feels full. This usually points to a problem with the air pressure in the tank or a damaged internal bladder. We’ll show you how to diagnose and fix the issue so you can get your clean drinking water flowing again.
If your reverse osmosis system seems to have a full tank but there’s little to no water coming from the faucet, the issue is likely related to tank pressure—or a torn internal bladder. This is one of the most common RO system problems, and thankfully, it's easy to test and fix. In this video, we’ll walk you through how to check your tank’s air pressure and restore proper water flow. Before you begin, make sure to shut off the water supply and follow the steps below to safely troubleshoot and remedy the issue.
How to Fix Low or No Flow from a Full RO Tank:
Turn off the water source, shut off the RO tank valve, disconnect the tank, and take it outside if possible.
Locate and remove the blue or black plastic cap on the tank to expose the metal air stem valve. If water leaks from this valve or air escapes from the shutoff, the bladder is torn and the tank must be replaced.
Empty the tank completely by opening the valve. If water doesn’t drain fully, use a tire pump or compressor to force out any remaining water.
Using a low-range tire pressure gauge, check the internal tank pressure. It should read between 6–8 psi when empty.
Use a bicycle pump or air compressor to carefully re-pressurize the tank to the recommended level (6–8 psi if not specified on the tank). Do not over-inflate, or you could rupture the bladder.
Reconnect the tank, turn the water back on, and allow it to refill. If you notice the tank regularly losing pressure, it’s time to replace it.