Why Does My Air Massage Stay on One Speed?

If the air stays on one speed, the first thing to check is the press sequence, because the three speed air massage does not ramp up the way many people expect. Press the air button once for high, twice for medium, three times for low, and a fourth time to turn the air off. So the very first press gives you the strongest setting, and each following press steps down. Owners who assume the first press is low often stop pressing and conclude the air only works on one speed. The same order applies to legacy Transfer units. On tubs with the digital touchpad the sequence is different: touch the air icon once to start, use plus and minus for intensity, and hold the icon for two seconds to stop. If the presses genuinely do not step the speed, the button air hose at the control box is the next place to look.

Likely Causes

• Expecting low first. The order is high, medium, low, off, as explained in the hydro versus air massage controls guide.
• Pressing too hard or too fast, so the button sends more than one air signal per press and the speeds seem to skip.
• A loose or kinked red air hose between the push button and the blower nipple on the blue control box, so presses do not register.

What to Check, in Order

1. Start from off. If the blower is running, press the air button gently until it stops, then wait a moment.
2. Press once with the palm of your hand and listen for a click inside the control box. The air should come on high. Press again for medium, again for low, and a fourth time for off. Pause a second between presses.
3. On a digital touchpad, touch the air icon once to start and use the plus and minus keys to change intensity. Hold the icon two seconds to stop. The push controls versus digital touchpad guide shows both layouts.
4. If presses do not change the speed, check that the red air hose is seated firmly at the back of the button and at the blower nipple on the control box. Also confirm the hose is on the blower nipple, not the pump nipple, since the two are easy to swap.
5. If a button stays down, it is air locked. Disconnect its tube at the box so it pops up, then reconnect. The push control troubleshooting guide covers this and the resealing of a loose button.

When to Open a Ticket

If the blower runs but no number of gentle presses changes the speed and the hose is seated at both ends, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. Include your serial number, whether your tub has chrome push buttons or the digital touchpad, and a photo of the blue control box showing the air tube nipples.

As the video shows, the push control cycles the air from high to medium to low and off on the fourth press, while the digital touchpad starts the air with one touch, sets intensity with plus and minus, and stops with a two second hold. Watch: Walk-In Tub with Push Controls & Digital Touchpad for Easy, Effortless Bathing with chapters and a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Why Are There Two Crimped Pieces of Tubing on the Air Manifold Under My Tub?
• Why Won't My Ella Digital Touchpad Respond When I Press a Button?
• What Does Each Icon on the Ella Digital Touchpad Mean and Do?

Common Questions