Troubleshooting Water Heater: Simple Steps to Keep Your Showers Hot

Cold water out of the tap? Before you call anyone, grab a screwdriver and a multimeter and see if you can fix the problem yourself. Most water‑heater issues boil down to a tripped reset, a bad heating element, or a simple power hiccup. The good news? You don’t need an engineering degree to test these things, just a little caution and the right guide.

Resetting the Heater – First Line of Defense

Many electric water heaters have a reset button hidden behind a plastic cover near the thermostat. Press it firmly for about three seconds. If the heater clicks back on, you’ve probably cleared a temporary overload. However, if the button trips again within a few minutes, something deeper is wrong – maybe the element is failing or there’s a wiring problem. Turn off the breaker first, wait a minute, and try again. This simple step solves more than half of the “no hot water” calls we get.

Testing the Heating Element

When the reset won’t stay, the next suspect is the heating element. Shut off the power at the circuit breaker, remove the access panel, and locate the two screw terminals attached to the element. Using a multimeter set to resistance (Ω), place the probes on each terminal. A healthy element reads between 10 and 30 ohms. Anything higher or infinite means the coil is burnt out and needs replacing. Swapping in a new element is usually a 15‑minute job, but if you’re not comfortable working with electricity, it’s safer to call a pro.

Other clues that point to element trouble include strange noises, a buzzing sound, or water that’s warm but never reaches the set temperature. If you notice any leaks around the element housing, tighten the connections or replace the gasket – a loose seal can cause heat loss and odd temperature swings.

While you’re behind the panel, give the thermostat a quick visual check. Look for corrosion or burnt spots. A faulty thermostat can mimic a bad element by cutting power prematurely. If you see damage, replace the thermostat or have a technician do it.

Don’t forget the basics: make sure the breaker isn’t tripped, the timer (if you have one) is set correctly, and the water supply valve is fully open. A partially closed valve can make the heater think it’s overheating and shut down automatically.

If you’ve walked through these steps and still have icy showers, it’s time to call Bridgewater Appliance Fixers. Our team can safely diagnose deeper issues like wiring faults, pressure‑switch failures, or corrosion inside the tank. We’ll get your heater humming again without you having to guess what’s broken.