While water fountains are not as commonplace today as they were in the past, they are one of the most efficient substitutes for bottled water. Water fountains enable people to get access to clean drinking water without having to buy water in plastic bottles.
However, they are prone to breakdowns, just like any other powered gadget. So here is a comprehensive guide to operate your Elkay water fountain better and fix it with much less headache.
Elkay water fountain compressor issues
If the water in the fountain is not getting cold, there is an issue with the compressor. Here are some common compressor issues and how to fix them;
| PROBLEM | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| The compressor is warm or hot and the fan will not shut off. | The relay connection to the compressor is loose. | Push relay on to compressor. | |
| The relay is defective. | Replace relay. | ||
| Refrigerant charge problem. | Contact service agent. | ||
| Condenser fins in front of the fan are covered with debris. | Remove debris with compressed air or vacuum (may have caused overload, relay, or compressor defect). | ||
| The compressor is room temperature. The fan runs continuously. | Possible open overload or relay. | Replace overload and relay. | |
| Possible defective compressor. | The compressor needs to be replaced contact service agent. | ||
| Condenser fins in front of the fan are covered with debris. | Remove debris with compressed air or vacuum (may have caused overload, relay, or compressor defect) | ||
| The compressor is room temperature and the fan will not run. | Power lost to the outlet. | Restore power to the outlet. | |
| Open cold control. | Replace cold control. | ||
| Wire terminal not plugged into cold control. | Locate correct terminal and plug into cold control. | ||
| Compressor or inside of water cooler is hot. The fan is not running. | The fan is blocked by a tube. | Remove the tube from the fan. | |
| The fan is defective. | Replace fan. | ||
| The compressor is making a loud knocking or grinding noise. | Compressor is defective | The compressor needs to be replaced. Contact service agent. |
How to reset Elkay ezH2o water fountain
Follow these steps to reset your water fountain if it has an LED bottle filler counter.
- Remove the top cover of your ezH2O water fountain.
- Then press the black reset button located on the top right side and hold it for at least two seconds before releasing.
- Different messages will flash across the LED interface.
- When the following message ‘RST FLTR’ appears on the screen, press the black reset button on the top right side of the LED bottle filler counter.
- The reset is complete once the filter status light turns green.
- Then replace the top cover of the water fountain.
Water Stream is Too High
| CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| 1 | Water pressure is higher than factory test conditions. | Refer to the manual and adjust regulator screw counter-clockwise to the desired height. |
| 2 | Shut off valve is not open all the way, causing backpressure. | Open shut-off valve all of the way. |
| 3 | Bubbler or orifice is partially restricted with mineral deposits causing back pressure (similar to placing your thumb partially over the end of the garden hose). | Clean or replace bubbler or orifice. |
Water Stream is Too Low
| PROBLEM | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| Stream is too low after the initial installation of the product. | Water pressure is lower than factor test conditions. | Remove sealant and use Teflon tape or compression fitting. | |
| The press bar adjustment screw has not been adjusted for EHF, WC, HAC, or EMABF series water coolers. | Refer to the manual and adjust press bar adjustment screw. | ||
| The solenoid will not open up all the way on EZ, HTV, or electronic eye models. | Replace solenoid. | ||
| The strainer screen is plugged with debris. | Clean or replace strainer screen. | ||
| The water cooler has an added filter that is restricted. | Replace filter. |
| PROBLEM | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| The regulator screw is turned clockwise, and the water flow is still too low. | The water shut-off valve is not open all of the way. | Open shut-off valve all of the way. | |
| The regulator valve is defective or restricted with debris. | Replace regulator. | ||
| A flexible water line is kinked within the water cooler. | Remove the insulation from the line and remove the kink. | ||
| The strainer screen is plugged with debris. | Clean or replace strainer screen. | ||
| The water cooler has an added filter that is restricted. | Replace filter. |
Elkay water fountain stream adjustment
Locate the water stream adjuster on the user manual. Then open the case of the water fountain and use a screw driver or a edged tipped object such as a swiss knife blade to adjust the water stream.
Check this too: Fleck Water Softener How to and Troubleshooting Guide
Filter Status LED Lights Explained
These are the meanings of the different filter colors;
- Green LED: 100%-21%
- Yellow LED: 20%-1%
- Red LED: Replace Filter
- The filter has reached 100% of its life or been in use for 12 months.
- Flashing Red: (only applies to P-SKU’s) Filter is installed backward or an issue with the NFC board in the water fountain or tag on the filter. Remove the filter and reinstall 1800 from the original position. See also the troubleshooting guide.
How do I change the filter on the Elkay ezH2O water fountain?
You should change the filter in the fountain when the filter status turns red or when you know that the filter is due to be replaced, then proceed in changing the filter.
- Remove the bottom access panel from the lower portion of the water cooler.
- Unplug the the water fountain or Turn off the water supply; then dispense water to relieve pressure (through either the bubbler or the bottle filler).
- Turn the used filter clockwise quarter turn to remove from the filter head.
- Replace it with the new Elkay WaterSentry Plus filter.
- Insert the new filter into the existing filter head and turn it counter-clockwise. Make sure you can read the blue label on the front of the filter once it’s installed.
- Turn on the water supply and run a minimum of two gallons of water through the filter to purge air and any fine carbon particles from the filter.
Note: There is no need to turn off the water when replacing your Elkay ezH2O water filter.
If you have the filter status LED light on the top portion of your cooler after the filter replacement, you need to reset your filter status to green.
How to reset the Filter Status Light
On newer models, the filter status light will automatically reset once your new filter is installed correctly.
Here’s how to reset the filter status on older models:
- Remove the top cover of the bottle filling station by unscrewing the two Torx screws.
- Depress the program button for approximately two seconds until the display changes and then release.
- The display will scroll through two messages: “RST FLTR” – Reset Filter Monitor and “SETTINGS” – the System Settings Sub Menu.
- Then the display changes to “RST FLTR,” depress the button again. Finally, the display will change to show “FLTR =.”
- Depress the button again, and the display will show “FLTR =0”.
- The Green LED will indicate that the filter monitor has been reset.
- Replace the top cover of the bottle filling station by replacing the two Torx screws.
- Now replace the lower cover of the cooler using (four) screws.
All Elkay ezH20 troubleshooting error codes: their meaning and fixes
| ERROR CODE | ERROR DESCRIPTION | SOLUTION |
| E001 | Evaporator Thermistor Open Circuit | Verify cable connector is plugged into control board (10 pin connector on harness # 0000001225) If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E002 | Evaporator Thermistor Short Circuit | Check for excessive moisture on control board around ten-pin connector on harness # 0000001225 If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E003 | Evaporator Low Temperature | Unplug the the water fountain for at least 30 seconds and restart Monitor compressor for run-on condition If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E004 | Condenser Thermistor Open Circuit | Verify cable connector is plugged into control board (10 pin connector on harness # 0000001225) If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E005 | Condenser Thermistor Short Circuit | Check for excessive moisture on control board around ten-pin connector on harness # 0000001225 If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E006 | Condenser Over Temperature | Clean condenser if needed Check for proper fan operation (powers on, not obstructed, etc.) Contact certified service professional |
| E007 | Not Used | |
| E008 | Not Used | |
| E009 | Too Many Compressor Cycles | Contact certified service professional |
| E010 | Not Used | |
| E011 | Evaporator, not cooling/Thermistor not measuring | Contact certified service professional |
| E012 | Bottle filler area obstructed | Clean lens on IR sensor Unplug the the water fountain for at least 30 seconds and restart If error repeats, replace IR sensor with 1000002434 KIT – IR SENSOR |
| E013 | Missing or Incompatible Filter | Check that filter is installed correctly (label facing forward, white tag facing back) Unplug the water fountain for at least 30 seconds and restart Replace filter Replace filter head assembly with repair kit – 1000002030 KIT – FILTER HEAD-BRKT-FTGS If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E014 | Missing NFC Board | Unplug the water fountain for at least 30 seconds and restart Verify cable connector is plugged into NFC board on filter head assembly Verify cable connector is plugged into control board (10 pin connector on harness # 0000001225) Replace filter head assembly with repair kit – 1000002030 KIT – FILTER HEAD-BRKT-FTGS If error repeats, contact certified service professional |
| E015 | Missing LED Board | Verify cable connector is plugged into LED board in the bottle filler tower assembly Verify cable connector is fully plugged into the basin from the tower assembly. Verify cable connector is plugged into control board (18 pin connector on harness # 1000001608) Replace LED filter status board with repair kit – 1000002436 KIT – ALPHANUMERIC LED BOARD Replace tower cable harness – 1000001609 HARNESS-BASIN FEED TO BF Replace fountain cable harness – 1000001608 HARNESS-CNTRL BOARD TO BASIN FEED |
Water from the fountain is foul-tasting or has an odor
| CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| 1 | The installer used plumbers putty or other sealants when connecting the water supply. | Remove sealant and use Teflon tape or compression fitting. |
| 2 | The installer used a commercial grade stainless steel braided flex line to connect the water supply to the water cooler. | Remove stainless steel braided flex line and replace it with the appropriate supply line. |
| 3 | Water has bacteria or sulfur content. | Contact your local water department and have the water tested and add an appropriate filter. In addition, the water cooler may need to be flushed with food-grade sanitizer. |
Elkay water fountain not draining
Check to see if the push button cartridge is working and turn it to adjust how far it is pushed to increase the diameter of the drain hole. If the fountain does not drain after this, the push button may be defective and needs to be replaced. Alternatively, the drain hole opening mechanism may be damaged and need to be replaced or fixed.
How to unclog an Elkay water fountain
Use chemical drain cleaners like Drano or liquid plumber, or CLR (Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover). If this does not work, hire a fountain repair professional to fix the fountain.
How to clean Elkay water fountain
You should clean your water fountain regularly to prevent pathogen buildup. This can be weekly or every fortnight, depending on how much traffic your fountain gets, where the water fountain is located, and water quality.
All you need is a soft cloth and mild dishwashing soap to spray and wipe down the water fountain. Pay more attention to the bubbler, pushbuttons, and other water fountain areas that people often touch.
Cleaning the ezH2O flexible fill mat?
- Remove the four screws that secure the flexible fill mat.
- Remove the top section of the mat.
- Spray the fill mat with a mild dishwashing soap solution and wipe down with a microfiber towel.
- Make sure you clean underneath the mat and the top section of the fill mat.
- Then reassemble and replace the top section of the mat.
Cleaning the strainer?
- Unscrew the solenoid valve cap.
- Remove the screen and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Insert screen back onto solenoid valve and make sure o-ring is placed correctly.
- The screw on the solenoid valve cap
How do I make my Elkay water fountain colder?
To adjust the cold feature, unscrew the top part of the water fountain and adjust the toggle switch to the colder setting. The LED display will display the cold setting enabling you to adjust as needed. Refer to your manual for more directions.
If the water fountain’s water is not very cold, check to see if the compressor is low on refrigerant and refill the refrigerant or contact a service agent to do it. Additionally, clean the condenser fins in front of the fan, causing the compressor to malfunction.
You should also check the cold control to see if it is calibrated as needed. If not, recalibrate it and see if this helps to make the water colder. If this does not work, the cold control may be defective and needs to be replaced.
No water flow from the Elkay water fountain
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| The water cooler is an EZ, HTV, or electric eye operated model | No power to the outlet. | Restore power to the outlet. | |
| Wire disconnected from the solenoid. | Find the correct wire and connect it to the solenoid. | ||
| The power cord to the water fountain is open (compressor and fan will not run). | Replace the power cord. | ||
| The water shut-off valve is not open. | Open the shut-off valve. | ||
| Regulator valve defective. | Replace regulator. | ||
| Kinked water line internally. | Locate affected line and remove kink. | ||
| Water is freezing up in the evaporator. | Refer to freeze up the section of “Water won’t flow intermittently.” |
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| No water flow on all other water coolers/fountains. | The water shut-off valve is not open. | Open the shut-off valve. | |
| Regulator valve defective. | Replace regulator. | ||
| Kinked water line internally. | Locate affected line and remove kink. | ||
| The strainer screen is plugged with debris. | Clean or replace strainer screen. | ||
| Water is freezing up in the evaporator | Refer to freeze up the section of “Water won’t flow Intermittently”. |
Elkay water fountain will not stop running
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| EZ, HTV, or electric eye series water cooler and water runs even when the power cord is not plugged in | 1 | Solenoid or solenoid diaphragm is Defective. | Replace solenoid. (To verify: while water is running, unplug the power cord. If the flow does not stop, immediately replace the solenoid.) |
| EZ, HTV series water cooler and water stops whenever you unplug the power cord from the outlet | 1 | The Press bar is sticking and holding the micro-switch down. | Replace the press bar or repair the cause of the sticking press bar, such as the basin hanging on the mounting bracket on the EZ model or the press bar screw too tight on the HTV model. |
| 2 | Micro-switch behind the press bar is defective. | Locate and replace defective microswitch. | |
| EHF, WC, HAC, or EMABF series water cooler | 1 | Press bar adjustment screw has not been appropriately adjusted. | Refer to the manual and adjust the press bar screw clockwise until the flow stops. |
| 2 | The regulator is not stopping the water. | Replace regulator, which could be caused by sand or similar residue, consider adding filter. | |
| All water cooler or fountain models not listed above | 1 | The regulator is not stopping the water | Replace regulator, could be caused by sand or similar residue, consider adding filter. |
Elkay Water Cooler Troubleshooting No Water Flow
Below are some causes of no water flow;
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| The water cooler is an EZ, HTV, or electric eye operated model | No power to the outlet. | Restore power to the outlet. | |
| Wire disconnected from the solenoid. | Find the correct wire and place it on to solenoid. | ||
| The power cord to the water cooler is open (compressor and fan will not run). | Replace the power cord. | ||
| The water shut-off valve is not open. | Open shut-off valve. | ||
| Regulator valve defective. | Replace regulator. | ||
| Kinked water line internally. | Locate affected line and remove kink. | ||
| Water is freezing up in the evaporator. | Refer to freeze up section of “Water won’t flow intermittently.” |
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| All other water coolers/fountains. | The water shut-off valve is not open. | Open shut-off valve. | |
| Regulator valve defective. | Replace regulator. | ||
| Kinked water line internally. | Locate affected line and remove kink. | ||
| The strainer screen is plugged with debris. | Clean or replace strainer screen. | ||
| Water is freezing up in the evaporator | Refer to freeze up section of “Water won’t flow Intermittently”. |
Water Won’t Flow Intermittently
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| Water cooler was manufactured prior to 2001 & water is very cold. | Sensing wire on the cold control has vibrated out of the bulbwell partially. | Push sensing wire down in the bulbwell. | |
| Replace cold control. | Cold control is out of calibration. | ||
| Bulbwell has detached from the evaporator coils. | Evaporator needs to be replaced – contact service agent. | ||
| Condenser fins in front of the fan are covered with debris. | Remove debris with compressed air or vacuum (may have caused overload, relay, or compression defect). |
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| Water cooler was manufactured after 2001 & water is very cold. | Cold control is out of calibration. | Replace cold control. | |
| MODEL | CAUSE | SOLUTION | |
| Water is not very cold & compressor & fan will cycle for Several minutes. | Low on refrigerant or partial restriction. | Contact service agent. | |
| Condenser fins in front of the fan are covered with debris. | Remove debris with compressed air or vacuum (may have caused overload, relay, or compressor defect). |
Elkay Water Cooler Troubleshooting Water Stream from Bubbler is Too Low
Below is a numbered list of the most popular potential causes of low flow bubbler stream and solutions to tackle them;
- If your water cooler is newly installed, then the water pressure in your building might simply be lower than factory test conditions. Remove the sealant and use Teflon tape or a compression fitting.
- If newly installed, you may also need to adjust the press bar adjustment screw. This is for EHF, WC, HAC, and EMABF Elkay water coolers. Refer to your water fountain’s manual for detailed directions.
- The solenoid may also be the cause of a low water stream. This occurs when the solenoid will not open up all the way. The models this is applicable to are EZ, HTV, and electronic eye models. If this is the case, the solenoid needs to be replaced.
- The strainer screen might also cause a low bubbler water stream. Clean or replace the strainer screen in this instance.
- If a new water filter is added and the stream becomes low, that filter may cause the water flow to lessen. If this occurs, then you will need to replace the filter.
Check this too: Navien Tankless Water Heater How to & Troubleshooting Guide
Other low water flow causes and corrective actions:
If your regulator screw is turned as far clockwise as possible and your flow is still too low, the following causes may be the culprit:
- The water shut-off valve is not completely open. Open it completely.
- The regulator valve is defective or blocked by debris. Replace the regulator.
- A flexible water line is kinked. Remove insulation to find and remove kink.
Elkay Water Fountain Troubleshooting Water Stream from Bubbler is Too High
Below are some of the most popular potential causes of high flow bubbler stream and solutions to remedy the situation;
- The water pressure in your facility may be higher than factory test conditions (primarily applies to newly installed water coolers). Refer to the water fountain manual to locate the regulator screw. Then move the screw counter-clockwise until your bubbler stream reaches the desired lowered height.
- The shut-off valve may not be open all the way, causing backpressure. Open the shut-off valve all the way.
- The bubbler stream waterway is partially restricted, causing backpressure. Clean or replace bubbler.
Elkay Water Cooler Troubleshooting Water Stream from Bubbler Continuous Flow
The troubleshooting causes and corrective actions below pertain to EZ, HTV, or electric eye-operated Elkay water cooler models.
- If water continues to run even after the power cord is unplugged. If you unplug the power cord and the water flow does not immediately stop, the solenoid is the issue. This means the solenoid or solenoid diaphragm is defective and should be replaced.
- If the continuous flow immediately stops when the power cord is unplugged, then there are two reasons you may be experiencing constant flow. The press bar is sticking and holding the microswitch down and replacing the press bar or adjusting. Or the microswitch behind the press bar is defective and needs to be replaced.
