Why Isn't My Heated Seat Working?

If your heated seat is not working, the first thing to check is the timer. The heated seat and back switches itself off after 20 minutes, so a seat that was warm and then went cool has not failed; press the button again to restart it. Press the heated seat button once to start and again to stop, and for the best result turn it on 10 to 15 minutes before entering the tub. If the seat has never warmed at all, the checks move to its own keypad and heat box. The heated seat and back are electric surface pads with a dedicated keypad, their own heat box and their own cord port, completely separate from the in line water heater that works with the hydro jets. A heated seat that never worked since install with no light on the keypad is usually a connection that was not made or a surround piece not yet installed.

Likely Causes

• The normal 20 minute automatic shutoff, described in the heated seat and backrest guide.
• The heat box cord or keypad lead not connected at its dedicated port, so the keypad shows no light and the pads never warm.
• The keypad sits on a surround or apron piece that has not been installed yet, so the control appears to be missing.
• On a two seat tub, a fault on one side's heat box or keypad, since each side has its own.

What to Check, in Order

1. Find the keypad. It is a small separate control, not one of the therapy push buttons. If you cannot find it and the install is still in progress, ask your installer whether the piece it mounts on is fitted yet; one owner's missing control turned out to be on a surround piece not yet installed.
2. Press once and wait. Give the pads 10 to 15 minutes; they warm the acrylic surface gradually rather than instantly.
3. Time it. If the seat goes cool at about 20 minutes, that is the automatic shutoff. Press the button again to restart.
4. If the keypad shows no light, check the heat box and its cord at the dedicated port. The cords and connections guide shows what plugs where. A flashing light on the keypad is not something you can clear yourself; note it for your ticket.
5. On a two seat tub where one side heats and the other does not, or one light is blinking and does not heat while the other works, check that side's heat box and keypad. The two seat tub guide walks through diagnosing one side.

When to Open a Ticket

If the pads never warm after 15 minutes, or a keypad light flashes and the seat stays cold, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. Include your serial number, a photo of the keypad showing its light, and a photo of the heat box with its cords, so the team can confirm the cause. If you are unsure whether your tub was built with the heated seat you ordered, include your order details and the team will check.

As the video shows, one push of the heated seat button activates it, turning it on 10 to 15 minutes before entering gives the best comfort, and after the automatic 20 minute shutoff another push restarts it. Watch: Heated Seat Option for Your Walk-In Tub: Relaxed Bathing with a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Ordering a Replacement Electronic Keypad for Your Walk-In Tub
• Heated Seat and Back: How It Works, Which Tubs Offer It, and How to Add It to Your Order
• Heated Seat Not Warming Up: What to Check First and Which Parts Support Ships
• In-Line Heater Light Stays Off and the Water Cools: How to Check It and Get a Replacement
• Heated Seat and Back Not Warming Up: Checking the Control Box LED and the Button Prongs
• How Do I Get a Replacement Heated Seat or Back Pad for My Walk-In Tub?

Common Questions