Toilet clogged?

A clog in the toilet itself will usually clear with a flange plunger, and a closet auger handles most of the rest. If other drains back up too, the blockage is in the main line, and that's a plumber's job.

Not sure which one it is? Snap your toilet and we’ll narrow it down.

Is the toilet draining fine but the tank won't stop running?

That's a tank problem, not a clog. Toilet keeps running

Likely causes

Clog in the toilet's own trap
Most commonEasy DIY
The bowl fills high or drains slowly when you flush, but the tub and sinks drain normally. Too much toilet paper or a wipe is the usual culprit.
Object stuck in the trap
CommonModerate DIY
It clogs repeatedly, or it clogged right after a toy or other item went in. A plunger may not move it, but a closet auger often can.
Clog past the toilet, in the drain line
Less commonCall a pro
Plunging and augering don't help, and the water drains slowly from other fixtures too.
Main line blockage
Less commonCall a pro
Several drains back up at once, or a tub or sink gurgles when the toilet flushes. Sewage may rise in a tub or floor drain. This is the main line, so call a plumber.

Quick checks

If the bowl is about to overflow, turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise, or lift the tank lid and push the flapper down, and don't flush again. Set the heavy porcelain tank lid down flat on a towel. Never use chemical drain cleaner in a toilet. If someone already has, don't plunge, because it splashes, and tell the plumber. If sewage is backing up into tubs or floor drains, stop using water and call a plumber.

Don't flush again. If the bowl is about to overflow, turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise, or lift the tank lid and push the flapper down.
Use a flange plunger, not a flat sink plunger. Cover the drain so you get a good seal, then do 10–15 firm pushes and pulls.
If it hasn't cleared, try a closet auger (not a drum snake, which scratches porcelain). Feed it in gently and crank until you feel the clog give way.
Once the water drains, flush once to test. If the bowl rises again, stop.
Check a nearby tub or sink. If it gurgles or backs up too, stop using water and call a plumber.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your toilet in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

the bowl and the floor around the base
the water level in the bowl
the nearest tub or sink drain, if it's gurgling or backing up

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

When to call a pro

Plunging and augering don't clear it, several drains are backing up at once, a tub or sink gurgles when the toilet flushes, sewage is coming up in a tub or floor drain, or drain cleaner was used. A plumber is $45–200 an hour, and nights and weekends add $100–300. If the problem is the tank running on, see toilet keeps running. For lifespan and upkeep, see the toilet guide.

Typical cost: HomeAdvisor puts a clogged toilet at $85–600, with a typical toilet repair at $150–391 (about $271 on average). A plumber charges $45–200 an hour, and nights and weekends add $100–300. If the toilet needs replacing, expect about $175 for installation plus $90–1,500 for the toilet. A plunger or closet auger is an inexpensive tool from a hardware store.

Sources: HomeAdvisor: How much does toilet repair cost? (updated June 19, 2026)

After a scan, Fixology can also help you find pros near you.