If the MicroBubble system on your Ella walk-in tub has gone quiet, work through four checks in order. Confirm the micro pump is getting power on its own independent 20-amp circuit, confirm the small air hose from the button is connected to the nipple on the back of the pump, turn the flat-head screw in the center of the pump fan to jump-start the motor, and pull the cap off the breather behind the seat. These are the checks the support team asks for first, and none of them requires special tools.

Check 1: Power on the Dedicated Circuit

The MicroBubble pump should be plugged into its own independent 20-amp circuit. Check the breaker for that circuit, press reset on its GFCI, and test that the outlet actually has power. Because the micro pump is on its own circuit, it can be completely dead while every other jet on the tub works normally, so a tripped breaker is easy to mistake for a failed pump. If the other pumps are also down, start with what to check first when a pump or massage system stops.

Check 2: The Air Hose from the Button

The MicroBubble button is linked to the pump by a small air hose that ends at a nipple on the back of the pump. If the hose has slipped off at either end, pressing the button does nothing. Remove the large magnetic access panel with a butter knife and follow the hose from the back of the button to the pump. Make sure it is seated at the pump end and at the button end. While you are there, look at where the red hose connects to the pump and confirm it is attached. It can be hard to reach, so a photo from whatever angle you can manage is enough for support to check it.

Check 3: Jump-Start the Fan

The pump motor has an induction fan on its back with a flat-head screw at the center. With power confirmed and the pump still silent, turn that screw clockwise with a flat-head screwdriver. Staff describe this as jump-starting the pump. On tubs that also carry air and hydro pumps the screw can be hard to reach from the access panel, so whoever is on site is welcome to call or video chat with support for help finding it.

Check 4: The Breather Cap

Follow the 3/4-inch flex pipe coming out of the micro pump and it leads to the breather, which sits behind the seat of the tub with its top above the water line. Remove the cap from the breather and try the system again. For symptoms once the pump is running, such as buzzing, large bubbles or no cloudiness, see the MicroBubble guide covering buzzing, no cloudiness and the pressure tank and why the microbubble system is not making bubbles.

Photos That Help Support Diagnose It

If the four checks do not restore the pump, send photos with your serial number. The most useful are the prime port assembly from both the outside and the inside of the tub, the spot where the red hose connects to the pump, and a wider shot of the foot well, which is where the MicroBubble output jet is located. A close-up of a different jet is easy to mistake for the output jet, so step back and include the whole foot area.

If the Pump Needs Replacing

If the pump still will not run after these checks, contact support with your photos and serial number. Once the problem is verified, the replacement pump ships under the lifetime limited parts warranty for a local plumber, handyman or your installer to fit. The pump is bolted to the frame with two 9/16-inch bolts. It connects to the tank through a 1/2-inch threaded union and to the breather through a 3/4-inch threaded union, and it has two bronze barbed nipples where 3/8-inch hose is secured with plastic clamps. Carefully remove each clamp before pulling the hose off, and cut a small slit in the hose if it will not slide free. The pump also likely has a green ground wire attached. Ella does not send technicians, but free technical support by phone or video is available while the swap is done.

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.