Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
The Pool Care Handbook: swimu.com/book
The Pool Care App: swimu.com/poolapp
The Pool Care Cheat Sheet (Free): swimu.com/cheatsheet
The Pool Care Video Course: swimu.com/course
So your pool pump isn’t priming, and it won’t hold water no matter what you’ve tried. Here's exactly what to do when your pump won't prime… starting with the quickest fix, and then troubleshooting the most common problems that keep it happening.
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Pool Pump Not Priming
00:15 - Fill Pump With a Hose
01:03 - Check Water Level
01:18 - Empty Skimmer and Pump Baskets
01:29 - Add Water Through the Skimmer
02:17 - Check Pump Lid O-Ring
02:58 - Check Pump Housing and Connections
03:37 - Check Pump Impeller
04:07 - Open Valves All the Way
04:28 - Turn Variable Speed Pump on High
04:45 - Check Your Check Valves
05:21 - When to Get a New Pump
Swim University is making pool care easy. Each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool can be difficult, and it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.
😎 Want to learn more about pool care? Go here: swimuniversity.com
The Pool Care Handbook: swimu.com/book
The Pool Care App: swimu.com/poolapp
The Pool Care Cheat Sheet (Free): swimu.com/cheatsheet
The Pool Care Video Course: swimu.com/course
So your pool pump isn’t priming, and it won’t hold water no matter what you’ve tried. Here's exactly what to do when your pump won't prime… starting with the quickest fix, and then troubleshooting the most common problems that keep it happening.
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Pool Pump Not Priming
00:15 - Fill Pump With a Hose
01:03 - Check Water Level
01:18 - Empty Skimmer and Pump Baskets
01:29 - Add Water Through the Skimmer
02:17 - Check Pump Lid O-Ring
02:58 - Check Pump Housing and Connections
03:37 - Check Pump Impeller
04:07 - Open Valves All the Way
04:28 - Turn Variable Speed Pump on High
04:45 - Check Your Check Valves
05:21 - When to Get a New Pump
Swim University is making pool care easy. Each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool can be difficult, and it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.
😎 Want to learn more about pool care? Go here: swimuniversity.com
