Well pump short-cycling?

A well pump that clicks on and off rapidly, with pressure surging at the taps, is short-cycling. The most common cause is a waterlogged pressure tank that has lost its air charge. Short-cycling wears the pump out, so it's worth fixing soon.

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

Is there no water at all?

That's a different problem, and it has its own causes. No water from your well pump

Likely causes

Waterlogged pressure tank
Most commonCall a pro
The pump cycles on and off every few seconds, and pressure rises and drops quickly at the taps. The tank has lost its air charge or its bladder has failed, so there's no cushion of air.
Wrong air pre-charge
CommonCall a pro
The tank's air charge doesn't match the pressure switch setting, so the pump cycles too often. Release the system pressure and switch off the power before anyone checks it.
A leak somewhere in the house
CommonEasy DIY
Pressure keeps dropping even when nobody is using water, so the pump restarts. Common culprits are a running toilet or a dripping outdoor tap.
Failing pressure switch
Less commonCall a pro
The tank and plumbing check out but the pump still turns on and off at odd pressures. The switch is live at 240 volts, so switch off the breaker before taking its cover off.
Part: $120–175 (pressure switch)
Clogged sediment filter
Less commonModerate DIY
Pressure is low or drops quickly at the taps, and the sediment filter cartridge looks brown or clogged.

Quick checks

Well pumps are usually 240 volts. Switch off the pump's breaker before taking the pressure switch cover off, because its parts stay live otherwise. Release the system pressure and switch off the power before checking the tank's air charge. Reset a tripped breaker once only, and never try to pull a pump from the well yourself.

Walk the house and look for a running toilet or a dripping tap, indoors and out. Fix or shut off any you find, then see if the clicking stops.
Watch the pressure gauge while the pump cycles. Note how fast it rises and falls, and tell a pro.
Check whether the sediment filter on the line looks clogged or dirty.
Don't check the tank's air charge until the power is off at the breaker and the system pressure is released.
If the pump has stopped and you have no water, see no water from your well pump.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your well pump 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 pressure tank and pressure switch
the pressure gauge reading
the well cap or control box
the breaker for the pump

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

When to call a pro

The tank is waterlogged or its bladder has failed, the pressure switch needs replacing, or the pump keeps cycling after you've ruled out leaks. HomeAdvisor puts a well pump repair at an average of $974 ($373–1,624), with a house call fee of $100–150. A pressure switch is $120–175. No price was sourced for a pressure tank. For a pump with no water, see no water from your well pump. For upkeep, see the well pump guide.

Typical cost: HomeAdvisor puts well pump repair at an average of $974 ($373–1,624), with a house call fee of $100–150. A pressure switch is $120–175. No price was sourced for a pressure tank.

Sources: HomeAdvisor: Well pump repair cost (updated June 19, 2026)

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