FAQ: Sprinklers Not Watering

Q: Why are my sprinklers not watering?

A: There are three reasons why your sprinklers may not be watering:

1. The most common reason your sprinklers are not watering is because the rain sensor is active. Do you have a rain sensor on your sprinkler system? If so, slide your sensor bypass switch into the “BYPASS” position (on an SRC, turn the dial into the RUN [Bypass Sensor] position). On properly wired systems, this will over-ride the rain sensor and allow normal controller operation.
2. Check your programming in the controller. Specifically Watering Start Times and Water Days. Hunter has controller programming instructions and owner’s manuals available on our Controller Support Documents page. You may select which Hunter controller you have and choose to view the information in two different formats—as a web document or a printable PDF download.
3. Is the water on? During “Spring Start Up,” you must open the irrigation water supply valve. When the irrigation system is “Winterized,” the water supply is shut off.

If these three steps do not fix the problem, it is recommended you contact the contractor who installed the system or use our Professional Contractor Referral link to help find a professional contractor in your area.