Why Does My Pool Pump Make a Humming Noise?

Impeller

• Dirt or other debris might be jamming the pump motor impeller. If you cannot turn the impeller by hand -- after disconnecting the pump from its power source -- you will need to find the source of the jam and remove it. A jammed impeller is one of the easier pump fixes.

Electrical

• If the voltage to the pump's motor is too low – often caused by insufficient wiring – the pump will not turn over. If you try to run a 220-volt motor on a 110-volt electric line, the pump will just hum.

Capacitor

• The pool pump’s start capacitor – a fairly inexpensive part that acts a bit like a back-up battery – might be malfunctioning. If the capacitor is leaking oil or is dusted with a white residue it has gone bad and will need to be replaced.

Bearings

• The lubricant, or grease, in the pool pump motor can be displaced by water through a leak in the shaft seal, allowing the bearing to grind against one another. This can create a screeching or humming noise.