When the heated seat and back on your Ella walk-in tub stop warming up, the cause is usually in the wiring rather than a failed heating pad. Start by removing the magnetic access panel and finding the blue control box under the tub. Its green power indicator LED should be lit. If it is, check that both wires are firmly plugged in at the box and at the back of the heat button, then move the small display wire to the opposite set of three prongs on the button. That simple swap resets the button and clears many no-heat complaints.

Step 1: Find the Control Box and Check the Power LED

The access panels are held on with magnets, so slide a butter knife behind the edge and pop one off. Look for the blue electrical control box. Follow the wire from the heated seat and back under the tub and it will lead you straight there. On the face of the box there is a green power indicator LED. If it is not lit, the box is not getting power. Reset the GFCI outlet that feeds the tub and check the breaker. If everything else on the tub is also dead, work through the breaker, GFCI and control box checks for a tub with no power first. If the green light is on, the box has power and the next place to look is the wiring between it and the button.

Step 2: Confirm Both Wires Are Plugged in

Make sure both wires are plugged in at the heated seat and back box and at the back of the button and the light. On the back of the heat button there are two sets of three prongs. The little black wire with the red DISPLAY sticker plugs onto one of these sets. There is no separate heat sensor port on the button. The display port is the only place that cable belongs, and a cable that has slipped off here is a common reason the button lights up but nothing gets warm.

Step 3: Swap the Button Wire to the Other Prongs

1. Unplug the small black DISPLAY wire from the set of three prongs it is on.
2. Plug it onto the opposite set of three prongs on the back of the same button.
3. Press the heat button and check whether the seat and back begin to warm.

Moving the wire resets the button and often restores heat. If the button is sealed into the deck with silicone and you need to lift it out to reach the prongs, rubbing alcohol breaks down the silicone so the button comes out. Once it is out, confirm the wire is firmly attached to the pins before pressing it back in place.

If the LED Is on and the Wires Check Out

If a wire has pulled out of the connector plug between the box and the button, or the button still does nothing after the swap, send support photos of the box, the button prongs and the connectors together with your serial number. Heater pads, the control box and the button are parts, so once support verifies the problem the replacement ships to you under the lifetime limited parts warranty. Ella does not send service technicians. A handyman, an electrician or your original installer swaps the part, and free technical support is available by phone, email or video while they work. For related checks, see why your heated seat is not working and what the control box on a walk-in tub does.

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

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