When one push button does nothing while the other buttons work, the fault is in one of three places: that button's circuit, the air hose between the button and the blue control box, or the pump itself. Check the breaker and GFCI for that circuit first, then use the hose swap test at the control box to tell the button side from the pump side. No special tools are needed, and the results tell the team exactly which part to send.

Why the Buttons Work This Way

Ella push buttons are pneumatic. Pressing the button sends a puff of air down a small hose to the blue control box under the seat, and the box switches the pump or the light. That is why a button can be fine while its hose has popped off.

Step 1: Check the Circuit for That Button

The pumps are not all on the same circuit. The foot massage pump, for example, is on a separate breaker from the other pumps, so the air jets and light can work while the foot jets are dead simply because one GFCI tripped. Reset the GFCI and breaker for that circuit before opening anything. If the whole tub is dark, start with the nothing works after a power outage article.

Step 2: Find the Blue Control Box

1. Remove the large access panel. It is held on by magnets, so a butter knife slipped behind the edge will pry it loose.
2. Locate the blue control box screwed to the frame. It has three 3/8 inch air hoses and three power plugs coming out of it and a green LED.
3. Read the port labels on the white face of the box: Airswitch Pump #1 is the water button, Blower/Airswitch Pump #2 is the air button, and Light Airswitch is the light button.

Step 3: The Hose Swap Test

1. Pull the hose off the port for the dead button and pull the hose off the Light Airswitch port.
2. Plug each hose into the other port.
3. Press the Light button. It should now start the pump that belongs to the dead button.
4. Press the dead button. It should now turn on the LED light.
5. Return both hoses to their original ports.

One caution. The water pump must never run dry, so if the water pump starts during the test press the button again immediately, or fill the tub above the jets before you begin. The air pump can run dry safely.

Reading the Results

• The light button runs the pump, but the dead button still does not light the LED. The problem is on the button side: the button itself or the hose between the button and the box.
• The dead button lights the LED, but the light button does not start the pump. The button and hose are fine. The problem is the pump, its plug into the box, or the box. Continue with the pump not working checks and the blue control box diagnosis.
• Everything works while swapped and again after you return the hoses. A hose was probably loose at the box and reseating it fixed the fault.

Checking the Button Side

Lift off the chrome cap and look at the color of the word printed on the rubber button underneath. If the text is blue, pop off the chrome escutcheon ring and pull the button core up through the top of the tub. The hose should be attached at the bottom of the core, and pushing it back on is the fix. If the text is grey, the button is a different design, so report the color in your ticket along with your test results, model and serial number, and the team will advise the next step.

A Note on the Auto Purge

The air system's auto purge runs on its own 20 minutes after the air pump is switched off and lasts 120 seconds. If you have not heard it lately and the air button is dead, mention that in your ticket, since it helps the team judge whether the air pump is still connected to the box. Two-seat tubs have one more check in the two-seat tub one side not working article.

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.