If your walk-in tub makes a loud buzzing noise now and then, a light humming noise after use, or a faint hiss from the motor or hose, the sound is almost always one of the tub's normal working systems: the ozone generator that hums alongside the hydro pump, the moderate hum of the water pump itself, the relay clicking when you press a button, or the Auto Purge, which is a rush of air about 20 minutes after the air massage is switched off. The first thing to check is what was running just before you heard it. A burning smell, a loud bang, or rattling in the pump is different, and that is the moment to switch the tub off at the breaker.

Likely Causes

• Light humming with nothing apparently on: the ozone generator. It runs with the hydro pump and hums quietly on its own, which is normal. The guide to the sounds an Ella tub makes covers each one.
• Faint hiss from a small device under the deck: most often air being drawn through the small check valve on top of the ozone unit, or the breather hose near the hydro pump releasing pressure after the pump shuts off. Both are normal. How ozone sanitation works explains what the unit does.
• A rush of air after draining, or roughly 20 minutes after the bath: the Auto Purge blowing water out of the air lines. It runs 120 seconds and stops on its own; see why the Auto Purge is normal.
• The pump seems louder than expected: a hydro pump makes a moderate, steady hum, and tubs with independent foot massage run two pumps together.
• Rattling, a bang, or a burning smell: not normal, and the tub should stay off until it has been checked.

What to Check, in Order

1. Note the timing. A hum while the hydro jets run, or a soft hum for a short while after, is the ozone generator. A burst of air about 20 minutes after the air massage was switched off is the Auto Purge; let it finish its 120 seconds.
2. Confirm the water was above the highest jets before any pump ran. A pump run dry is damaged permanently and should not be run again until it has been checked.
3. If the pump rattles, bangs, or smells hot, switch the tub off at the breaker and leave it off. The pump troubleshooting guide lists the connections the team asks about.
4. If a hum continues while the tub sits idle, or a smell is strong rather than a faint clean scent, unplug that component and open a ticket.

When to Open a Ticket

Get in touch straight away for a burning smell, a loud bang, or a rattling pump, and keep the breaker off until you hear back. Include your model and serial number, a short phone video of the sound if it is safe to record, and which therapy was running. Send it to your Ella dealer or the team at ellasbubbles.com/support or (800) 480-6850.

Common Questions