Touch Faucet Not Working – What To Do?

As a homeowner, you may wonder what to do when your touch faucet stops working. Fortunately, we have done the legwork for you, and this is what we found.

A faulty touch faucet could be a result of different problems. The following are things you can do to tackle the issue:

  • Check for dead batteries
  • Check the wire connections
  • Clean your faucet
  • Unclog your aerator
  • Replace the defective solenoid valve
  • Unclog your sink
  • Contact a plumber

Fixing a faulty faucet can be difficult or easy, depending on the cause of the problem. Keep reading to get detailed information on the things to do when your touch faucet is not working.

A black pull down faucet inside a modern kitchen with off white countertop matched with gray runway brick backsplash, Touch Faucet Not Working - What To Do?

How To Fix A Touch Sensor Faucet

When you don't have both hands free and need to wash up or even pour a glass of water, touch faucets can provide a new level of convenience.

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Taking water from the faucet

How Does A Touch Faucet Work?

Touch faucets depend on capacitive sensing to work. This technique relies on the fact that a little electrical charge exists within the human body.

The term "capacitance," expressed in Farads, refers to the body's capacity to store a charge.

Touch faucets contain built-in sensors that can recognize a change in capacitance in the range of 100-200 picofarads, roughly corresponding to the capacitance of an adult human body.

In other words, when you touch the faucet, the sensor picks up your body's charge and activates the tap.

The touch faucets typically have two sensors, one in the handle and another in the spout. Any conductive material linked to these sensors also becomes part of the sensor.

Since the faucet is made of conductive metal, the sensor will be activated whenever your hand or arm touches any portion of the faucet.

The water starts flowing when you touch a touch faucet for the first time. So, you need to touch it again to stop the water flow.

What Should You Do If Your Touch Faucet Isn't Working?

A black pull down faucet inside a modern kitchen with white countertop and light gray cabinets

Fortunately, most faucet issues can be resolved. These are some ways to fix a touch faucet when it stops working:

1. Check For Dead Batteries

Dead batteries are the most common reason why touch faucets malfunction. Often, the faucet has a sensor light that flashes a predetermined amount of times when the battery is low.

Begin troubleshooting your failing faucet by checking the batteries and replacing any dead batteriesYou can consult your user's manual for instructions on replacing the battery.

2. Check The Wire Connections

Check the wire connections if the faucet doesn't work after replacing the battery. Ensure there are no loose connections and the wires are correctly attached. If everything is connected correctly, the faucet itself can be the issue.

3. Clean Your Faucet

It may be necessary to clean the touch faucet if it's still not working. Touch faucets can become dirty and may require cleaning with a light soap and water solution to restore them to proper working conditions.

4. Unclog Your Aerator

The initial assumption when the faucet stops working is that the faucet's touch component is faulty. But the problem may be with the aerator, which is the device located directly inside the faucet's mouth.

These tiny devices may prevent water from flowing if they get blocked by mineral buildup from your water. It would be best to unclog your aerator to get your faucet back in working order.

5. Replace The Bad Solenoid Valve 

A solenoid is a device that directs electricity toward the starter. The solenoid transports the current and transfers the charge from the battery to where it is needed.

The solenoid valve and touch sensor control your faucet's ability to turn on and off. If the valve is worn out, it won't push or pull as forcefully as it should. For this reason, it may need to be adjusted or replaced.

The solenoid valve is located next to the battery pack under the sink. Electrical competence is needed to replace the solenoid. You might want to let a professional tackle this problem as you will be dealing with electricity and water.

6. Unclog Your Sink

The sink may be clogged if you touch your faucet and no water comes out. Turn off the hot and cold valves underneath the sink, then unplug the supply hoses for testing.

Bring in a bucket and check for water by turning on each valve one at a time. If you notice any clogs, remove them as soon as possible to get your faucet working again.

7. Contact A Plumber

You should contact a plumber if the touch faucet is still not working after doing everything mentioned above. They will be able to identify the issue and deal with it for you.

Click here to see this touch faucet on Amazon.

Do Touch Faucets Require Electricity?

Crystal clear water gushing out from the faucet

Touch faucets need energy to function, unlike ordinary faucets.

While dry-cell batteries can power some, others are connected to an electrical outlet under the sink (which uses an AC transformer to supply a low-current current).

The batteries will need to be charged or changed on occasion. Although the power sources vary, all touch or smart faucets need a power source to function.

Do Touch Faucets Turn Off Automatically?

When running, touch faucets shut off automatically after a specified time limit. Generally, when the faucet isn't running, a quick touch will turn it on. If it is on, one more touch will make it switch off.

How Long Do Touch Faucets Last?

The touch faucet's manufacturer and the materials used will influence its lifespan. Furthermore, since more parts are involved, touch faucets will probably need repairs more frequently than standard faucets. 

Fortunately, touch faucet repairs are usually straightforward. In addition, the hardware itself can last almost as long as a conventional sink. Depending on the material, a typical sink can last between 20 and 50 years.

You might also need to replace the touch faucet's battery occasionally. These batteries typically last between one and two years.

How Do You Override A Touch Faucet?

Getting a glass full of water from the faucet

There are many ways to disable the touch sensor on your kitchen faucet. But the methods vary depending on the type of touch faucet you have installed. These are the common approaches:

1. Remove The Batteries

Removing the batteries is one of the simplest ways to turn off the touch feature.

Lift the cover to locate the battery pack and remove them. This method offers a quick and simple solution to switch your touch faucet for a manual one.

2. Unplug The Faucet

Depending on the model, your touch faucet might be powered straight from the wall plug. Unplug it if this is the case. These faucets only require a little energy, so there's no need to be concerned when unplugging.

3. Deactivate The Valve Panel

There should be a manual override option if your faucet includes a valve box, whether it takes the shape of a switch, a slit switch, or a knob to spin.

You can turn the knob, flip the switch, or use the slit switch. You should be able to override the touch feature by doing this.

4. Take Out The Solenoid

You can take the solenoid out. However, this method is typically not an option because of its complexity. A blue, detachable clip often secures the solenoid on most touch faucets.

Why Does My Touch Faucet Have Low Water Pressure?

Debris may get stuck inside the cartridge holes when installing a new faucet. These scraps could be left during soldering, filing, or adding additional plumbing.

The holes in the cartridge allow water to flow from the cartridge into the spout. Water pressure decreases if the holes become wholly or partially clogged.

Final Takeaway

A black pull down faucet inside a modern kitchen with off white countertop matched with gray runway brick backsplash

If your touch faucet is not working, you should tackle the problem as soon as possible. All you have to do is check for dead batteries, clean your faucet, or replace bad valves. You can also contact a plumber to help you fix the problem.

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