Aquasana Water Filter Troubleshooting

Aquasana has a reputation for manufacturing quality water filter systems, shower filters, and water bottles. They can effectively remove various water contaminants such as chlorine, mercury, detergents, and pesticides, making your drinking water safe.

Due to their efficient yet straightforward functionality, Aquasana water filters hardly break down. Still, you are likely to deal with leaking, slow or no water flow from the faucet, and replacing filters of different models.

Below is a troubleshooting article that will help you fix some of the most common problems encountered using an Aquasana water filter.

How to set up Aquasana water filter

Aquasana water filters have two versions that do not require a professional plumber to set up: the under the sink and the pitcher models. Here is how to set up both versions of the Aquasana water filter.

To set up the Aquasana underwater filter

Tools Recommended for Installation

Variable speed drill w/ 7/32” bit
Adjustable wrench
Measuring tape
Bucket
Phillips head screwdriver
Hammer

Directions

Unwrap the water filter from its shipping packaging and ensure that all the components are in good condition.
Turn off and disconnect your house’s cold water supply.
Connect the threaded ends of the brass tee to the cold water supply line and the shut-of valve and tighten it using an adjustable wrench.
Insert the white tube through the compression nut with the threads of the compression nut facing the end of the white tube.
Attach the white tube into the open end of the brass tee. Hold the white tube in place inside the brass tee and tighten the compression nut around the connection joint to compress the plastic tube and seal it. Use a wrench to ensure it closes fully but do not over-tighten it.
Insert the faucet into the hole in the sink and tighten the nuts to hold the tap in place.
Slide the chrome nut followed by the white color onto the outlet hose.
Insert the outlet hose into the faucet base, run the nut and collar up to the threaded joint and tighten them with a wrench.
Choose a place under the sink to attach your water filter. It should be at least 12 inches from the floor to allow the cold water supply to access the filter easily.
Place the filter onto the surface and mark the placement for the mounting holes with a pencil.
Attach a 7/32 inches drill bit to the drill and make the mounting holes.
Insert the provided plastic anchors into the drilled holes and gently tap them in with a hammer. Mount the filter unit onto the plastic anchors with the screws.
For the AQ-5200 and AQ-5300, remove the protective plastic wrap from the battery compartment. The red LED indicator light will flash and beep five times to indicate that the battery sits correctly.
Align each sump to the bottom of the unit housing and turn it clockwise to hand-tighten the connection and ensure it locks in. Do not use a wrench to tighten the sumps.
Attach the supply lines; insert the tube from the brass tee into the inlet side of the filter unit and the tube from the faucet into the outlet side of the filter unit. Insert the tubing about 0.95 inches into the filter unit to avoid leaking.
Turn on the water supply from the mains and check for any leaking on the connections. If you notice any leaking, disconnect the connections and re-seat the tubing. Open the faucet and allow the water to run through for about 10 minutes to flush out the carbon fines in the filter.
Use the filter with cold water only. If it is well water or rainwater, ensure it is prefiltered to get rid of big chunks of dirt

To set up the Aquasana pitcher water filter.

Remove the water filter from its packaging and make sure there are no damages.
Twist the top cover to the right and lift it.
Insert the filter cartridge with the male end up and press it down firmly.
Place the top cover back and turn it to the left until it locks into its previous position.
Plug the water filter unit into an electrical outlet.
Fill the inner reservoir of the pitcher with cold water through the drop-shaped opening at the top.
Place the pitcher onto the filtration unit until it clicks into place and locks in.
Once the pitcher locks properly onto the filtration dock, it will automatically start filtering. It will take about 5-10 seconds before the outer reservoir begins to fill up with filtered water.
Wait for the indicator light to turn off before disconnecting the pitcher from the dock.
Run one cycle of a full pitcher before consuming the water. This process flushes out carbon particles from the filter. Therefore, it is not suitable for drinking. Pour out the first cycle (or use it in your toilet) and refill the pitcher again for clean drinking water.

How do I reset my Aquasana water filter?

You have to reset your water filter after every filter change. To reset it;

With the water filter still connected to power, remove the pitcher or dispenser from the filtration block.
Disconnect the top cover.
Locate the reset pinhole under the top cover.
Press the reset button with a pin or the front tip of a pen. After a few seconds, the LED light will turn blue.

When should Aquasana filters be replaced?

For the Aquasana under sink water filters, you should replace them every six to twelve months or 600 gallons, depending on sediment levels. You will have to replace the filter cartridge more frequently if you live in an area with hard water; that is, it has a higher calcium and magnesium content.

Check this too: Frigidaire Puresource 3 Water Filter How to & Troubleshooting Guide

How to replace Aquasana filter

The Aquasana water filters are easy to replace without the help of a plumber. Follow the steps below to know how to replace both versions of the water filter.

To replace the under sink water filter.

Turn off the cold water supply valve under the sink. Open the faucet that connects to the filter to release the pressure. Continue with the changing process once the faucet stops releasing water.
Remove the new water filter cartridges from their packaging, and you will notice the cartridges come in colors that match those on the cartridge sumps on the filtration system.
Disconnect the old cartridge sumps from the filtration system by turning them clockwise and then pull them down.
Hold the sump over the sink and turn the bottom part counterclockwise to separate the two parts. Pour the excess water into the sink.
Pull down each old cartridge to detach it from the top half of the sump.
Connect the new cartridge onto the top half of the sump and then reattach the bottom half of the sump and turn it clockwise to tighten it in place.
Reconnect the red sump on the left and the yellow one on the right of the filtration mount. Align the sump to the bottom of the filtration mount, push it up, and turn it to the right to seal the connection. Ensure the connection is secure.
Slowly open the cold water supply valve, turn off the faucet, and check for any leaks.
If there are no leaks, open the faucet and allow the water to run for about 10 minutes before drinking to flush out carbon particles.

To replace the pitcher water filter.

Detach the pitcher from the filtration dock.
Open the top cover.
Remove the old filter.
Press the reset button in the pinhole.
Insert the new filter cartridge.
Replace the top cover.
Run-on pitcher of water to flush the filter and discard the water.

Why is my Aquasana flashing red?

Essentially, Aquasana water filters have a warning LED light that turns solid red when your filter reaches 90 percent capacity－ this is the best time to replace the filter. The LED will blink red when the filter has reached maximum capacity.

At this stage, the filter is too clogged and allows some contaminants to pass through into the water. It is important to periodically replace your water filter as the contaminants clog the filter over time and reduce your water quality.

Other than drinking contaminated water, failure to replace the filter can damage the whole filtration system.

Aquasana whole house filter leaking

Fixing a leaking whole house filter can cost you’re a lot of service charge. Fortunately, the most common cause of a leak from a whole house filter is a faulty O-ring that you can efficiently fix yourself. Follow the steps below to fix the leaking problem.

Shut off the main cold water supply line to the house.
Turn off all appliances that use water, laundry washer, dishwasher, sprinklers, and ice cube maker.
Switch off the valve at the water storage tank.
Turn off the filter housing valve to prevent backflow in the line from coming out of the faucet.
Remove pressure from the system by opening all faucets from the sinks, bathtubs, and showers in the house. You can also depressurize by pressing the red button on top of the housing. You will expect some water and air to come out with the escaping pressure.
Disconnect the filter sump, which usually looks like a large blue drinking glass.
Separate the filter cartridge from the sump and place them in a bucket with clean water.
Check the O-ring around the filter housing. You are likely to see some grit and debris around it, loosen the dirt with a brush, and splash some water to remove any remaining grit. The O-ring seals the connection between the filter bracket and housing. If the rubber ring is too worn out and has flattened out, replace it.
Replace and reconnect the new filter cartridge, making sure it sits correctly around the threads.
Inspect the filter housing for any cracks. These cracks can also cause leaking. If the filter housing is in good condition, clean it with some clean water and cloth and then reattach it.
Turn the water supply on and check for leaks.

How to replace the battery on your Aquasana water filter?

The Aquasana AQ-5300 and AQ-5200 under sink water filters have batteries that power the alarm system to warn you when the filter cartridge needs changing. You will have to change your battery every time you replace the filter. Manufacturers include the battery in all the new filter cartridge package. To change the battery:

After inserting the new filters and installing the sumps, open the battery compartment cover.
Remove the old battery and dispose of it properly.
Place the new battery in the compartment with the positive terminal facing the back.
When you insert it correctly, the filtration system will beep five times and blink red.

Why is my Aquasana water filter beeping?

The filtration system will beep as an indication that the filter needs changing to ensure efficient filtration. If you do not want the alarm system, take out the battery. However, we do not recommend it as you are likely to catch a clogged filter on time.

Why is my Aquasana water filter buzzing?

The Aquasana under sink water filter uses reverse osmosis to filter out contaminants from tap water which may cause unusual noises due to the change in pressure. Several reasons can explain why your water filter is making buzzing or humming sounds.

1. Air pockets in the filtration system

Air bubbles are likely to accumulate in the check valve over time or just after changing the filter, which can cause a sputtering or humming sound. The check valve is an internal valve enclosed in the L-shaped plastic fitting and connects to the tubing that pours filtered water from the membrane housing. To remove the air bubbles, follow the instructions below:

Shut off the water supply valve.
Lift and tilt the filtration system to the right. Place something under the third filter housing to support it in the tilted position.
Gently tap the side of the system and then turn on the water valve and the faucet for about one minute. The water pressure will force the air bubbles out of the system.
Turn off the faucet and then wait for about 10 seconds. Repeat steps 3 and 4 about three to four times.

2. A change in pressure during the filtration process

It is usual for water filters that use the reverse osmosis system to have a slight whining sound after using water from the storage tank. The sound will as long as there is an imbalance in pressure and then disappears when the pressure stabilizes.

3. The drain line is off-balance.

Usually, your filtration unit will produce a relatively low buzz or hum when the water carrying the filtered contaminants discharges into your sink’s drain through a small drain line tube. When this sound is loud, it means the drain line doe not align with the discharge hole.

This drain line is held in place by the drain saddle, and this is the device that is usually out of alignment. Food can also get stuck around the drain hole and restrict the flow of the contaminated water. To fix this, shut off the water valve and realign the drain saddle.

4. Your water filter is running continuously.

The water filter has an auto-shut valve that detects when the system storage tank is full and stops the system from making more water.

When the auto-shut valve is faulty, it will allow the filter to discharge water through the drain line, causing a constant buzzing sound. To check if the auto-shut valve is the problem;

Turn on the filter faucet until about two pints of water has drained to trigger the water filter to start running.
Turn off the shut-off valve on your storage tank to stop water from flowing in or out of the tank and trick the system into thinking the storage tank is full.
Allow the system to run for 5 minutes, which is usually enough time to fill the storage tank. After 5 minutes, the filter should automatically shut off, and no water should be going down the drain line. If the water filter is still running, the auto-shut valve is defective and requires a replacement.

How to replace the auto shut-off valve

Turn off the water supply valve and tank valve.
Turn on the filter faucet to drain out any water from the system.
Locate the automatic shut-off valve and disconnect all the tubes one by one.
The valve is directional; therefore, take note of the ‘In’ and ‘Out” markings on the new valves.
Connect the pre-filter water outlet tubing into the high-pressure inlet and the reverse osmosis membrane water inlet into the high-pressure outlet of the auto0shut valve.
Connect the membrane filtered water outlet tube into the low-pressure inlet and the system tee connector to the low-pressure outlet of the auto-shut valve.
Insert all tubing about 1/2 inch deep into the fittings and seal the connections with locking clips to prevent leaking.
Turn on the water supply valve and check for leaks.
Turn off the faucet after the air has purged out and then turn on the tank valve.

5. A failing check valve.

Besides air bubbles building up in the check valve, a defective check valve can cause a humming sound. The check valve is a device on the tubing that prevents the backflow of water.

If the flow turns back, the check valve shuts off and builds up pressure, triggering the auto-shutoff valve to activate and shut down the system. When the check valve fails, it allows the water to flow into the drain loudly instead of holding water in the storage tank to use from the system’s faucet.

To check if the check valve is functioning correctly;

Turn on the system’s faucet and check if the flow is good to show adequate water in the tank.
With the storage tank valve open, turn off the cold water supply valve to ensure no external pressure goes into the system. If you still hear the noise, the water from the storage tank meant to come out of the faucet is draining into the drain line. It means the check valve on the storage tank is probably defective and requires replacing.

Does the Aquasana water filter remove fluoride?

Aquasana has a water filter with a reverse osmosis system that removes about 85-95% of fluoride and 71 additional contaminants such as chlorine, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, mercury, lead, and asbestos. Reverse osmosis systems use household water pressure to force tap water through the filtration process. The tap water goes through a semi-permeable membrane and other filters such as sediment and carbon filters.

In most reverse osmosis filters, the tap water goes through a series of four filters for optimal water quality water, clean water flows into a storage tank, and the contaminants flush down the drain. To remove fluoride from the water, these are the phases the contaminated water go through in most reverse osmosis systems:

Phase one: This is the pre-filtration stage. It removes fine, suspended particles that can clog and damage the filter’s membranes.
Phase two: This section filters chlorine since it can damage the thin material of the membranes.
Phase three: There is a semi-permeable membrane that removes fluoride and other aesthetic contaminants. The filtered water goes into the storage tank.
Phase four: This is a carbon filtration stage that removes tastes and odors.

Aquasana countertop water filter leaking from bottom

Water leaking is a prevalent issue when it comes to water filters. Here is how to troubleshoot the pitcher water filter that is leaking from the bottom.

Ensure the pitcher or dispenser sits well on the filtration dock. Disconnect it and replace it properly again until it locks into place.
Check the black rubber ring on the bottom of the connection point. Dirt can get caught around the rubber ring and prevent the pitcher from attaching correctly. Pull out the rubber ring and clear any debris or sediments, and replace it correctly.
Check the condition of the pitcher for any cracks on the underside. Sometimes, the pitcher breaks during shipping or when cleaning it and will require replacing.

What should I do if my countertop filter won’t run?

Troubleshooting the pitcher water filter is very straightforward. In case your water filter stops running, follow the steps below.

Make sure the system is connected to a power source and check that the power outlet is working.
Check that the pitcher fully connects to the filtration dock. The system will only run if the pitcher sits correctly. Remove the pitcher and reconnect it to the filtration dock.
Ensure the middle reservoir in the water pitcher contains water. The system will not run without water. Also, you have to use up the filtered water n the outer reservoir to fill up the middle one.
Check for excess water on the filtration dock. Typically, a small amount of water does not interfere with the system. Dry up the excess water with a dry towel and always ensure it is dry when using the system.
Check the lid of the pitcher and make sure it is locked properly. The system will not run if the cover is not attached to the pitcher correctly.

Aquasana water filter making a ticking noise

Because the reverse osmosis system uses water pressure to operate, the entire filtration system will be under pressure after the storage tank is full. When you open the faucet, the system will turn on again to begin the filtration process and refill the tank.

The pressure in the system will cause the tubing to jump and hit the cabinet or system sides which causes the ticking noise. To troubleshoot this issue, disconnect the tubing and shorten the length to reduce its movement and vibration when the system turns on.

Aquasana has no water from the faucet.

If there is no water coming out of the system faucet or the flow is slow, check the following steps to troubleshoot it.

Ensure the cold water supply, tank valve, and check valve are on.
Check the pipeline connecting the system to the faucet is not crumpled or bent, which may prevent the water from flowing from the system to the faucet. Replace the tubing if it is damaged.
Insect the connections under the sink and make sure all the tubes are fitted in properly.
Check if there is water in the storage tank. Water cannot flow out of the faucet if the tank is empty. It may take about three hours to fill the tank depending on the capacity of the water filter model you have.
High tank pressure can cause little or no water from the faucet. The tank is usually pressurized at the factory at about 5-7psi and doesn’t require additional air during installation. If you mistakenly add air into the tank, the pressure will increase, and the air bladder will fill the space needed for water.
Check the automatic shut-off valve and make sure it is installed correctly and is working; otherwise, it will cause the system to operate without filling the tank.

Check this too: Everpure Water Filter How to & Troubleshooting

Conclusion

From the article above, you will know what to do when an issue arises with your Aquasana water filter. You can fix most problems by proper installation and prompt filter replacement. Changing the O-ring regularly will also prevent leaking as it flattens out over time and loosens the connection with the filter.