If the pads stay dry and the cooler blows warm air, water isn’t reaching the pads. Here’s what to check — water supply, pump mode, the pump and float, and the distribution lines.
7 min read FreshDuct Melbourne Melbourne, Victoria
If the pads stay dry and the cooler blows warm air, water isn’t reaching the pads. Here’s what to check — water supply, pump mode, the pump and float, and the distribution lines.
Dry PadsMeans no water to cool
Check SupplyAnd cooling/pump mode
Then PumpFailed pump or stuck float
If the pads stay dry and the air isn’t cooling, water isn’t reaching them — check the water supply is on and the controller is in cooling/pump mode, then it’s likely a failed pump, stuck float or blocked lines needing a technician.
Why Aren’t the Pads Wet?
An evaporative cooler cools air by drawing it through wet pads — the water evaporating from the pads is what chills the air. So if the pads are dry, there’s no cooling, and the cooler just blows warm air. The cause is always that water isn’t reaching the pads, for one of a handful of reasons (see the checks above). The fix is to restore water to the pads.
Water Supply & Mode
Start with the simple checks. Confirm the water supply tap/valve to the cooler is turned on — it’s sometimes turned off over winter and not turned back on. Then check the controller is set to cooling (or ‘cool/pump’) mode, not fan-only, since fan-only runs the fan without wetting the pads. These two checks resolve a surprising number of ‘not pumping’ complaints, especially at the start of the cooling season.
The Pump and Float
If supply and mode are fine, the likely culprits are the pump or the float valve. The pump lifts water from the tank to the top of the pads; if it’s failed, the pads stay dry. The float valve controls water entering the tank; if it’s stuck closed, the tank doesn’t fill. A technician tests the pump and float and replaces or frees whichever has failed. These are common, fixable evaporative faults.
Distribution Lines
Water reaches the pads through small distribution lines along the top of the unit. Over time these can block with mineral build-up (especially in hard-water areas) or come loose, so even with a working pump the pads don’t wet evenly. Clearing or repairing the lines restores proper water distribution. Water quality affects how quickly this happens. See our water quality guide.
When to Call
If the pads still won’t wet after checking the water supply and cooling mode, the cooler needs a technician to test the pump and float and clear the lines. This is a routine evaporative repair. Getting it sorted restores the cooling — a dry-padded cooler is just an expensive fan. See our service cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my evaporative cooler not pumping water to the pads?
Because something is stopping water reaching the pads — the water supply to the cooler may be off, the controller may not be in cooling/pump mode, the water pump may have failed, the float valve may be stuck, or the distribution lines may be blocked or split. Without water on the pads, the cooler can only blow warm air. Check the supply and mode first; a failed pump or stuck float needs a technician.
My evaporative cooler runs but only blows warm air — why?
Evaporative coolers cool by evaporating water from wet pads, so if the pads are dry, the air isn’t cooled and you get warm air. The usual reason is that water isn’t reaching the pads — supply off, pump failed, float stuck, or lines blocked. Confirm the water supply is on and the unit is in cooling mode; if the pads still won’t wet, the pump or water system needs attention. See our blowing warm air guide.
How do I know if my evaporative cooler pump has failed?
If the water supply is on, the controller is in cooling/pump mode, and the pads still aren’t getting wet, a failed water pump is a likely cause — the pump is what lifts water from the tank to the top of the pads. A technician can test the pump and confirm. A stuck float valve (no water entering the tank) or blocked lines can cause the same dry-pad symptom, so it’s diagnosed properly before replacing parts.
Can I fix an evaporative cooler that won’t pump water myself?
You can check the basics — that the cooler’s water supply tap is on and the controller is set to cooling/pump mode rather than fan-only. Beyond that, diagnosing and replacing a failed pump, freeing a stuck float, or clearing blocked distribution lines (on the rooftop unit) is a technician task. If the simple checks don’t restore water to the pads, it needs a service.
Why would water suddenly stop reaching the pads?
Common reasons for a sudden stop are a failed pump, a float valve that’s stuck closed (so the tank isn’t filling), the water supply being turned off, or lines that have blocked with mineral build-up or come loose. Mineral scale from hard water can also clog the system over time. A technician identifies which and restores water flow to the pads.
Evaporative Cooler Problem or Service? Talk to FreshDuct
Service, pad replacement, repairs & installation across Melbourne — 7 days a week. Call or request a quote.
