If your trigger sprayer stops working, clear clogs, reseat the dip tube, prime the pump, and refresh worn seals to bring back a steady spray.
When a household sprayer goes limp, the cause is usually simple: a blocked nozzle, air sneaking into the pump, a bent or cracked pickup tube, or liquid that’s too thick for the mechanism. This guide gives you fast fixes first, then deeper repairs that take only a few minutes and basic tools.
Fast Diagnostics And First Fixes
Start with water. Unscrew the head, empty the bottle, fill with warm water, and test. If the spray returns, the liquid was the issue. If the spray still sputters, use the table below to match the symptom to a likely cause and a quick fix.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger feels loose, no spray | Pump lost prime / air leak at threads | Tighten cap; wrap bottle threads with one turn of PTFE tape; pump rapidly 10–15 times |
| Only dribbles | Nozzle or screen clogged with mineral or product residue | Twist nozzle to wide stream; flush with warm water; soak tip in 1:1 warm water + vinegar for 10 minutes |
| Good spray, then dies | Pickup tube drawing air, not liquid | Reseat tube; trim tip at a 45° angle; ensure it reaches the corner of the base |
| Sprays on “stream” only | Adjuster clogged at mist orifice | Open to “stream,” flush, then step back to “spray” by quarter turns |
| Trigger stiff | Check valve stuck or crystals in valve seat | Back-flush: remove head, hold intake under a tap, squeeze trigger while water runs |
| Works with water, not with product | Liquid too viscous or contains solids | Thin per label; strain through a coffee filter; use a higher-output sprayer for thick liquids |
| New bottle, no spray | Child lock engaged or vent closed | Check lock tab; crack cap a quarter turn to test venting, then retighten |
Why Sprayers Fail (And How To Prevent It)
Mineral Deposits From Tap Water
Hard water carries calcium and magnesium that dry into crust on small passages. That scale narrows the mist orifice and clogs the inlet screen. The USGS overview of water hardness explains why these minerals show up in household water and how they leave deposits.
Crystals From Chlorine Solutions
Sodium hypochlorite cleaners break down into salt and water over time. Salt crystals form at the nozzle and valve seats, which blocks flow. Clorox describes these dried crystals on spray heads and why they appear. Rinse the tip with warm water after use and keep the cap closed to slow crystal growth.
Air Leaks That Break Prime
Sprayers rely on a small piston and one-way valves to build pressure. Any leak at the bottle threads, vent, or cracked tube lets air in and the pump can’t move liquid. A quick retighten solves many cases. If the neck fit is sloppy, one wrap of PTFE tape around the bottle threads often seals the gap.
Pickup Tube Problems
A tube that’s too short, bent, or split sucks air once the level drops. The tip should rest low and toward a corner, cut on a bias so it can draw with the bottle tilted. If you spot a crack, replace the head or cut the tube above the damage and refit.
Liquid Too Thick Or Particulate-Heavy
Trigger pumps handle thin, water-based mixes best. Heavy gels, oils, and suspensions move poorly through tiny passages. If the liquid label allows it, dilute within the recommended range and strain it. For viscous products, a high-output head with a larger orifice works better than a fine-mist style.
Step-By-Step Fixes You Can Do In Minutes
1) Safety Prep
Wear gloves for cleaners. Keep the bottle pointed away from your face. If you’re handling chlorine solutions, keep the area ventilated and never mix with acids or ammonia.
2) Prime The Pump
- Set the nozzle to “off.”
- Squeeze the trigger 10–15 times to build pressure inside the head.
- Switch to “spray” and test. If it works now, the pump had lost prime.
3) Clear The Nozzle And Screen
- Remove the head. Unscrew the front tip if it’s a two-piece design.
- Rinse parts under warm water. Massage the tiny screen where the tube meets the body.
- Soak the tip and screen in warm water mixed 1:1 with white vinegar for 10 minutes. This helps dissolve mineral crust.
- Rinse well and reassemble.
4) Back-Flush The Check Valves
If the sprayer still dribbles, push water through in reverse to free grit:
- Hold the pickup tube under a running tap.
- Squeeze the trigger repeatedly. You should see small particles or bubbles spit out of the nozzle.
- Test with clean water.
5) Fix Air Leaks At The Neck
- Dry the bottle neck and gasket.
- Wrap one neat turn of PTFE tape clockwise on the bottle threads.
- Thread the head on snugly. Do not over-tighten. Test for a firm, even spray.
6) Reseat Or Trim The Pickup Tube
- Pull the tube straight down and push it fully into its socket.
- If it coils or kinks, pull it out, trim 3–5 mm off the end at a 45° angle, and reinstall so the tip sits in a corner.
- Check for pinholes by submerging the tube in water and squeezing the trigger. Rising bubbles from the tube wall point to damage; replace the head.
7) Lubricate A Sticky Piston
When the trigger feels gritty, the internal piston may be dry. A tiny dot of food-grade silicone grease on the visible rod (if accessible) can smooth the action. Wipe away any excess.
8) Deal With Crystals And Heavy Residue
For chlorine-based cleaners, rinse the nozzle after each use and store with the tip closed. If white crust forms, soak the front cap and tip in warm water, then brush the orifice lightly with a soft toothbrush. If residue returns quickly, decant fresh solution into a clean bottle and retire the old head.
When Liquid Choice Causes Trouble
Thin Cleaners And Water-Based Mixes
These move well through most pump heads. Fine-mist nozzles give even coverage for glass and general cleaning. If you want fewer hand squeezes, step up to a higher-output head rated around 1.3–1.6 mL per stroke.
Oils, Polishes, And Gels
Thick liquids stall small orifices. A wide-stream or fan-spray head performs better. If the label allows, thin within the maker’s range and strain the mix. A foam head is often a better match for gel cleaners.
Chlorine Solutions
Hypochlorite slowly breaks down during storage, leaving salt deposits that clog tiny passages. Use fresh solution, keep the bottle capped, and rinse the nozzle after each session to limit buildup. Details on the crystal residue are covered by the Clorox explainer linked earlier.
The “Wrong Fit” Problem No One Mentions
Sprayer heads and bottles come with neck sizes like 28-400. If the threads don’t match, the gasket can’t seal and the pump draws air. When swapping heads, match the neck size and thread style printed in product listings or stamped on the bottle base. A correct fit prevents leaks and preserves prime.
Preventive Care That Keeps Sprayers Working
Rinse And Store The Right Way
- After using mineral-prone or chlorine products, spray warm water through the head for 5–10 strokes.
- Turn the tip to “off” between sessions to slow evaporation at the orifice.
- Keep bottles sealed and out of direct sun. Heat speeds residue and gasket wear.
- Label mixed solutions with the date. Old mixes leave more solids and crystals.
Use Water That Leaves Fewer Deposits
If tap water leaves spots on glassware, it likely leaves scale in spray heads. Mixing with filtered or distilled water reduces crust in nozzles, a habit backed by general hard-water science from the USGS page linked above.
Choose A Head That Fits The Job
- Fine-mist heads: thin cleaners, glass, plants.
- General-purpose heads: all-purpose cleaners, disinfectant sprays within label directions.
- High-output heads: thicker liquids, outdoor cleaning, degreasers.
- Foam heads: gels and surfactant-heavy mixes where clinging matters.
Close Variant Keyword H2: Trigger Sprayer Not Working Fixes You Can Trust
Readers search many phrasings when a household sprayer quits. This section gathers fixes that solve nearly every case, from simplest to advanced, with clear steps and plain tools.
Deep Clean Procedure
- Disassemble the tip and front cap.
- Remove the pickup tube and pull off the small filter screen.
- Soak parts in warm water for 15 minutes. If hard deposits remain, use a fresh 1:1 warm water + vinegar bath.
- Brush the orifice and screen gently. Do not enlarge the hole with pins; that changes the spray pattern and can cause leaks.
- Rinse, reassemble, and test with clean water before returning the product.
Seal Refresh
If the head leaks around the swivel or trigger, a thin smear of food-grade silicone grease on the visible O-ring can stop drips. If drips persist, replace the head. Most units are not designed for full internal rebuilds.
Head Replacement Criteria
- Cracked housing, stripped threads, or a split pickup tube
- Persistent air leaks after reseating and thread sealing
- Corroded spring or rusty fluid seen in the head
Replacement is inexpensive and saves time once plastic fatigue sets in.
Match The Fix To Your Liquid
| Liquid Type | Common Issue | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Glass cleaner, plant mist | Mist orifice scale | Use filtered water; flush with warm water after use |
| Degreasers, soaps | Viscosity stalls pump | Choose high-output or foam head; thin only within label limits |
| Chlorine-based cleaner | Salt crystals at tip and valves | Rinse tip, keep cap closed, mix fresh solution often |
Pro Tips For Long Service
Strain Homemade Mixes
Bits of pulp, herb pieces, and undissolved powders clog screens. Pour through a coffee filter or fine mesh before filling.
Aim The Tube Where The Liquid Pools
Most bottles sit tilted on a counter. Rotate the head so the tube points to the lowest corner. That gives a full spray even when the level is low.
Keep Spares On Hand
Store a couple of extra heads matched to your bottle neck size. When one fails during a task, swap and keep moving.
Troubleshooting Checklist (Printable Steps)
- Test with warm water only.
- Prime with 10–15 fast squeezes on “off.”
- Flush the nozzle and screen; soak parts if needed.
- Back-flush the head under a tap.
- Seal the threads; retighten the cap.
- Reseat or trim the pickup tube.
- Thin or strain the product if the label allows it.
- Replace the head if cracks or leaks remain.
Safe Use And Storage Notes
Do not point a sprayer toward eyes or face. Keep cleaners away from children and pets. Store in a cool, shaded spot with the tip closed. Never mix chlorine with acids or ammonia. For a general view on storage classes and separation for household chemicals, see the EPA’s guidance charts and product labels on your shelf.