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Some Jets Work but Others Never Have: Jet Adjustment, Pump Power, and When Ella Ships a Replacement

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary9
  1. First, Sort the Jets into Groups
  2. Check the Water Level and the Jet Faces
  3. If a Whole Group Is Dead, Check That Group's Pump
  4. One Side or One Row of Air Jets
  5. What to Send Technical Support
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions
  9. Still Need Help?

If a few jets on your Ella walk-in tub have never worked while the rest run normally, the cause is usually one of three things: a directional jet that is turned closed, a pump or air line that is not feeding that group of jets, or a defective jet, fitting or pump that Ella replaces under the lifetime parts warranty. Start with the quick checks below, then send your proof of purchase, serial number and photos of the jets so technical support can decide whether an adjustment or a replacement part is the fix.

First, Sort the Jets into Groups

Ella tubs can have more than one system feeding the jets. Hydro jets are the larger nozzles that push water and are fed by the hydro pump. Air jets are the small openings along the seat and floor that release bubbles from the air blower. Some packages add a separate foot massage pump for the jets in the foot well. Noting exactly which jets are dead, for example only the foot well, only the upper row, or only one side of the seat, tells support which pump, line or valve to look at.

Check the Water Level and the Jet Faces

Hydro jets need the tub filled above the highest jets before the pump will move water through them, so a jet sitting above the waterline will not flow. Many hydro jets are also directional: rotating the face aims the stream, and turning it fully in one direction closes the jet. A jet that left the factory or was installed in the closed position looks broken but simply needs its valve opened. Rotate each non-working jet face while the pump runs and reach down to feel for flow at each nozzle. Technical support can talk you through adjusting the valve by phone.

If a Whole Group Is Dead, Check That Group's Pump

When you press a button, hear a click, and nothing else happens, the control is sending its signal but the pump behind it is not getting power. Each pump plugs into a GFCI receptacle under the tub. Open the magnetic access panel beside the door, confirm the pump for that function is plugged all the way into its receptacle, check that the GFCI has not tripped, reset it if needed, and try again. If the pump is powered and runs but that group of jets still has no flow, send support photos so they can decide whether a jet, a fitting or the pump needs to be replaced.

One Side or One Row of Air Jets

Air travels from the blower to the jets through flexible lines under the tub. A line that slipped off its fitting, was pinched during installation, or was routed incorrectly leaves that section silent while the rest bubble normally. This is a routing problem rather than a bad jet. A local contractor can look under the tub and reseat or reroute the line, and Ella technical support guides them by phone or video at no charge.

What to Send Technical Support

  1. Your invoice or other proof of purchase.
  2. The serial number from the label behind the magnetic access panel.
  3. Photos of the jets that do not work and, if you can get them, of the pumps and lines under the tub.
  4. A short description: which jets are affected, what you hear when you press the button, and whether the water was above the jets.

With that information support can tell you whether the fix is a valve adjustment, a replacement jet, a fitting or a pump. Replacement parts ship under the warranty, and the labor is done by your installer or a local licensed plumber, as explained in who services an installed Ella tub. The parts coverage itself is described in the jet and pump warranty article. If a nozzle has physically broken off rather than stopped flowing, see the broken jet nozzle guide. If you inherited the tub with a house and have no paperwork, start here to locate the serial number.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Adjusting Hydro Jet Pressure The technician demonstrates how to adjust the pressure of a hydro jet by turning its center nozzle.
  2. 0:21 Loosening Butterfly Handles If the center nozzle is difficult to turn, the technician shows how to loosen the butterfly handles using pliers.
  3. 0:48 Ensuring Valve Is Open To ensure the valve is fully open, the technician removes the jet and aligns its half-cut opening with the internal hole.
  4. 1:20 Securing the Jet The technician tightens the nut for the jet to secure it in place, preventing the nozzle from turning.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Understanding Air Signal Connections The technician explains how the push control sends an air signal to the control box via an air tube.
  2. 0:51 Securing Control Box Connections The technician demonstrates how to firmly plug the air tube onto the nipple of the control box.
  3. 1:03 Checking The Button Connection The technician shows how to retrieve the button from its housing using a flat screwdriver.
  4. 1:21 Securing The Pump Connection The technician pulls out the black pump part and secures the connection with the lock nut and hose.
  5. 1:40 Reassembling The Button The technician puts the pump and button back in place, securing it with the chrome ring.

Common Questions

Why do some hydro jets flow while others put out nothing?
Confirm the water is above the highest jets, then rotate each non-working jet face while the pump runs to make sure it is not turned closed. If the jet is open and still has no flow, send photos and your serial number to technical support. They will decide whether the jet, a fitting or the pump needs to be adjusted or replaced.
What should I check when the foot massage button clicks but nothing runs?
The click means the control is sending the signal, so look at the foot massage pump's power. Open the access panel, confirm the pump is plugged fully into its GFCI receptacle, and reset the GFCI if it has tripped. If it is powered and still does nothing, contact technical support with photos.
Why are the air jets working on only one side of the seat?
When an entire side or row of air jets is dead, the usual cause is an air line under the tub that slipped off, kinked or was routed to the wrong place. The jets themselves are rarely the problem. A local contractor can check the lines with guidance from Ella technical support.
Do I need to send photos before Ella ships replacement parts?
Yes. Support asks for your proof of purchase, the serial number and photos of the affected jets so the right part is identified and the warranty can be verified. Once confirmed, the replacement jet, fitting or pump ships to you under the parts warranty.
Are jets that have never worked since installation still covered by the warranty?
The parts warranty covers the jets and pumps for the original purchaser, so a jet that never worked is handled the same way as one that failed later. Report it with your proof of purchase and serial number as soon as you notice it. Labor to install the part is not covered and is done by your installer or a local plumber.

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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