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Foot Massage Jets Not Working? Fill Level and Shared-Pump Foot Jets Explained

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. How to Tell Whether Your Tub Has Foot Jets
  2. Why They Seem Dead in a Partly Filled Tub
  3. Getting the Foot Jets Running
  4. When You Only Want Your Feet in the Water
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

If your tub has hydro massage, it has foot jets in the footwell, and they are almost certainly working. On a standard hydro package the foot jets share one pump with the jets behind your back and sides, so nothing comes out of the footwell until the tub is filled above the highest hydro jets. Fill to that line, press the hydro button, and the foot jets run together with the rest.

How to Tell Whether Your Tub Has Foot Jets

Look into the footwell, the deeper well in front of the seat, for jet nozzles set into its walls. Ella hydro massage packages include jets there along with the jets behind the back. The exact number varies by model and by the therapy package on your order, so check your order paperwork or call with your model and serial number if you want the figure for your tub. The footwell itself is described in what the footwell is on a walk-in tub, and the jets in what hydro massage jets are.

Why They Seem Dead in a Partly Filled Tub

One pump feeds the upper jets and the foot jets on a standard hydro package. It draws water from the tub and pushes it back out through every jet at once. When the water only reaches the seat, the jets for your lower back are above the waterline, and any jet above the water sprays out into the room rather than into the bath. That is why the instructions say to fill above the highest jets first: with the tub only half full, the upper jets will spray and the bathroom floor will flood. The fill line is explained in what the water line before running the jets is, with model-by-model detail in how much water before turning on the jets.

Getting the Foot Jets Running

  1. Close and latch the door, then fill the tub until the water is above the highest hydro jets, including the jets for your lower back.
  2. Press the hydro massage button. Water should flow from the back jets and the footwell jets together.
  3. If you also have air massage, press its button separately. Air and water are two separate pumps with two separate controls, and they can run together or one at a time.

When You Only Want Your Feet in the Water

The independent foot massage option adds a separate pump dedicated to the footwell. With that pump the tub can be filled only partway and the footwell jets still run on their own. Without it, a foot-only soak is not possible on the hydro system, because the shared pump needs the full fill. The option is described in what independent foot massage is, and the practical side is in how to use only the foot massage without filling the whole tub. If a foot-only soak is what you had in mind, talk with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 about what your model was built with.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Pumps For Each System Ella's Bubbles installs a separate pump for each individual system, including back jets, foot jets, air jets, and MicroBubble.
  2. 0:23 Diverter Valve Limitations Some bathtubs use a small plastic diverter to direct flow between foot jets and back jets, reducing volume from one when the other is active.
  3. 0:52 Ella's Bubbles Independent Pumps Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs provide independent pumps and motors for increased pressure and easier control, allowing all systems to operate simultaneously.

Watch: Experience True Relaxation with Independent Foot Massage Pumps for Walk-In Tubs with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Foot And Body Massage Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs offer independent foot massage and full body hydro massage for powerful therapy.
  2. 0:21 Competitor Single Pump System Competitors use one pump and a diverter valve, which creates a weaker and inconsistent flow.
  3. 0:36 Control Intensity With Dials With two pumps, you can run full power to your feet or body and control intensity with dials.

Watch: Best Walk-In Tub with Independent Foot Massage (Buyers Guide) with chapters and a full transcript.

Common Questions

Does my hydro massage tub have foot massage jets?
Yes. Ella hydro massage packages include jets in the footwell along with the jets behind the back and sides. Look into the footwell for the nozzles, or call with your model and serial number to confirm the layout for your tub.
Why do the foot jets only work when the tub is full?
On a standard hydro package one pump feeds all the jets, upper and foot. It needs the water above the highest jet before it can circulate properly, and jets left above the waterline spray outward instead of into the bath. Filling to the line fixes both problems.
Can I run the foot jets without filling the whole tub?
No, you can only run the foot jets without filling the entire tub if your walk-in tub includes the independent foot massage option. This option features a separate pump specifically dedicated to the footwell, allowing the foot jets to operate even when the tub is only partially filled. On a standard hydro massage package, the foot jets share the main pump with the back and side jets, requiring the tub to be filled above the highest hydro jets for any of the jets to function. If a foot-only soak is what you had in mind, you can discuss your model's features with your Ella dealer or the support team.
Do the air jets need a full tub as well?
Yes, the air jets also require the tub to be filled before they can run. While air massage has its own separate pump and control button, the water level must still be above the highest jets for proper operation. Once the tub is filled to the appropriate line, you can press the air massage button to activate the air jets. Both air and hydro massage systems can be used together or separately after the tub is filled.
Will starting the hydro pump half full damage anything?
The immediate result is water spraying from the uncovered upper jets onto the floor. A hydro pump should also never run without water to feed it, because running dry can burn it out. Fill above the highest jets before pressing the button.
How many foot jets does my model have?
The count depends on the model and the therapy package on your order, so there is no single number that applies to every tub. Check your order details or call with your model and serial number and the team will confirm it.

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.

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