If you’ve stepped into the bathroom only to find your electric shower stopped working, you’re not alone. From no hot water to sudden drops in water pressure, electric shower problems are among the most common bathroom issues. Some are simple to fix on your own, while others require the skills of a competent electrician or a qualified plumber.
The good news is that most shower problems have clear causes. With a few basic checks – and by knowing when to stop and call a professional – you can often get your electric shower unit working correctly again.
In this guide, we’ll go through the most common problems, what usually causes them, and how to fix them safely.
Safety Steps When Your Electric Shower Is Not Working
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Before getting to the shower itself, it’s important to start with a warning: electric showers combine water and power, which makes them high risk. If you don’t follow some basic safety steps, even a simple faulty component can become dangerous.
Key safety rules include:
- Switch off the power – always isolate the shower unit at the consumer unit before inspecting anything. Don’t rely only on the pull cord or isolation switch.
- Turn off the water supply if needed – if there’s water leaking or you plan to remove the shower head or hose, shut off the supply at the stopcock first.
- Never open the front cover – internal parts like the solenoid valve coil, flow valve, or thermal cut out can still carry current even when the unit is off.
- Check from the outside only – safe jobs include descaling a blocked shower head, inspecting the hose, or cleaning filters.
- Don’t ignore burning smells – if you sense overheating or notice an orange light flickering oddly, turn everything off immediately.
- Use proper tools – for checks like a resistance reading with a standard multimeter, make sure you know what you’re doing.
Call a certified professional if you’re not sure what to do. Water and electricity is a high-risk combination.
8 Common Electric Shower Issues and How to Fix Them
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Electric showers can stop working for several different reasons, but most problems fall into a few categories. Some are easy to solve on your own, while others may need professional attention.
Below, we’ll go through the issues homeowners face most often, what usually causes them, and what you can do to fix them safely.
- No Water Is Flowing or the Pressure Is Low
The most common problem is low water pressure or no water flowing at all. Causes vary – from a blocked shower head, kinked hose, clogged inlet filter, or not enough water supply reaching the shower unit. Sometimes the plunger inside the solenoid valve or the showers flow valve inside the casing may also be stuck.
The first thing you can do is clean and descale the shower head to remove any build up. Check if there’s damage to the hose or if the stopcock is fully open. If the problem still persists, call a qualified plumber, as the same problem could be caused by low mains pressure.
- The Water Is Not Heating
One very common issue is when the electric shower water does not heat. The likely causes are a blown fuse, faulty isolation switch, or a failed heating element.
Check if there’s an electricity supply to the shower and test with a multimeter. If you find an open circuit when taking a resistance reading, the heating tank or element is likely faulty. In this case, a competent electrician should replace the faulty component.
- The Shower Unit Is Not Turning On
Sometimes the electric shower unit simply doesn’t turn on. The most common problems here are a blown fuse, broken switch, or no mains power supply.
Check the front cover power light, reset the isolation switch, and confirm if there’s electricity flowing with a multimeter test. If the shower still doesn’t respond, the solenoid coil or other faulty components inside the shower may need replacing.
- Temperature Changes Often
Temperature changes between hot and cold water during a shower can be very frustrating. This usually signals unstable water pressure, a blocked flow valve, or residue build up.
Cleaning the filters and checking the water supply may help. If not, the issue could be the thermal cut activating too often or a worn-out heating element.
- Water Is Leaking from the Shower
Leaks are one of the most common problems and can waste a lot of water. The usual causes are worn seals, cracked hoses, broken shower head, or a failed pressure relief device.
You can replace the hose and seal yourself. However, if the water leaking is from inside the shower, it could mean the pressure relief valve has blown. Stop using the unit immediately, as the pressure relief system is a safety feature, and consider arranging a replacement shower.
- Shower Cutting Out Mid-Use
If your shower cuts out while you’re using it, the thermal cut out may be shutting the system down because the shower overheats. Blocked filters, low water flow, or an aging heating element are often to blame.
Cleaning the filters and ensuring a strong water supply may fix it. If not, the faulty component may need replacing by a professional.
- Strange Noises (Buzzing, Humming, Clicking)
If the electric shower unit starts making noises, the causes may include electrical vibration, a worn solenoid valve coil, or build up inside the heating element.
You can descale the shower head and filters, but if the noise comes from inside the shower, or the coil breaks, switch off the power and call a competent electrician.
- Burning Smell
A burning smell is one of the most dangerous shower problems. It usually points to loose wiring, overheating components, or a failed solenoid valve coil.
If this happens, stop getting the shower immediately, cut the power supply, and call a professional.
When to Call a Professional
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While some electric shower problems can be solved with simple checks like cleaning the shower head or replacing a hose, there are times when it’s safer to bring in a competent electrician or a qualified plumber.
Call a professional if:
- You smell burning or see scorch marks.
- There is water leaking inside the shower unit.
- The breaker trips each time you try to use the unit.
- You confirm supply is fine, but the shower stopped working anyway.
A professional can quickly test with a standard multimeter, confirm if the fault lies in the solenoid valve, heating element, or flow valve, and let you know if replacing the part – or the whole model name unit – is best.
Older showers often benefit from a full replacement shower after 8-10 years.
Tips on Maintaining Your Electric Shower
Keeping your electric shower well maintained will extend its life and reduce the risk of most common problems.
What you can do is:
- Clean the shower head regularly to prevent build up and keep the flow strong.
- Check seals and hoses for cracks or water leaking.
- Clean the inlet filter to prevent blockages in the flow valve.
- Test the RCD to ensure it is working correctly.
- Watch for warning signs such as unusual noises, flickering orange light, or the shower running at half power.
After about 8-10 years, performance of electrical showers usually declines. A new model can be more efficient, safer, and more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my electric shower only run cold water?
This usually points to a failed heating element or thermostat. First, check that your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If the shower still won’t heat, the internal component has likely failed and will need a professional replacement.
Can low water pressure stop an electric shower from working?
Yes. Electric showers need a minimum flow of cold water to activate the heating element. If your mains pressure is too low, the unit may cut out or only deliver cold water. Cleaning filters and descaling the shower head can help, but persistent low pressure requires a plumber.
What does a burning smell from my electric shower mean?
A burning smell is a serious warning sign of overheating, loose wiring, or an electrical fault. Turn the shower off at the mains immediately and call a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to use it again until it has been inspected.
How long should an electric shower last before replacement?
Most electric showers last 8–10 years with proper maintenance. Frequent problems like fluctuating temperature, weak flow, or repeated breakdowns are signs it’s time for a new unit.
Can I replace my electric shower myself?
Replacing an electric shower involves both plumbing and electrical work. While changing a hose or shower head is fine for DIY, installing or replacing the unit itself must be done by a certified professional to meet safety regulations.
