Shower heads that don’t work properly can be a difficult problem to solve.
This is common when the shower head doesn’t allow water to flow through once it’s turned on. This can happen for several reasons and it’s important to get down to the bottom of things before something else gets damaged.
So, why won’t the water come out of the showerhead?
Water won’t come out of the shower head for a wide array of reasons. This can include the shower head getting clogged, showing signs of aging, a broken water diverter valve, incorrect shower head setting, or reduced water pressure at home.
Your goal should be to go through each potential cause and pinpoint what is the issue in your home. This will ensure the shower head starts working the way you want it to.
Here is a look at all of the reasons water won’t come out of the shower head when you want it to.
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Reasons Water Isn’t Coming Out Of Shower Head
1. Clogged Shower Head
Mineral deposits can begin to accumulate inside the shower head.
When this occurs, it’s common for there to be a breaking point for the fixture. This means the water will eventually hit a wall of mineral deposits that are difficult to get through causing the water to become nothing more than a trickle.
It’s essential to look into this and get rid of the mineral deposits.
The best solution to get rid of this problem is to use vinegar. Take the vinegar, spread it across the showerhead, and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. This will break up the mineral deposits and allow the water to come through as soon as the shower is turned on.
You can also use baking soda for this task. It will provide similar results and can be a good way to clean the surface of the showerhead too.

2. Damaged Water Diverter Valve
In some cases, a water diverter valve can get damaged.
This component is solely responsible for diverting water to the shower head from the pipe. If it doesn’t do its job, the water pressure goes down, and eventually, the water stops funneling to the showerhead.
It’s essential to figure out how bad the damage is and fix it for the showerhead to work.
Your best option is to replace the water diverter valve and make sure it is done using a compatible part for the rest of the system. If you don’t choose a compatible part, it might damage the rest of the showerhead.
3. Reduced Water Pressure
This can happen depending on the underlying pipes and how the home’s water system is functioning.
If there are any issues in this regard, it will start to become obvious with various water-based fixtures around the house including the different faucets.
You will want to take the time to assess the water pressure by heading to the water pressure regulator. This should be done with the help of a plumber to make sure the water pressure is reset to where it needs to be.

4. Incorrect Shower Head Setting
This is a simple problem but it is common with newer shower heads.
When you look to set up a showerhead, it’s possible the setting is going to be wrong. You might have played around with the shower head and set it on a setting that turns off the water.
It’s in your best interest to make sure the setting is at a level that’s ideal for the shower head to let water through. Otherwise, even the best shower head on the planet is not going to help.
If water is not coming out of the shower head then this is a quick detail to look into.
5. Main Water Line Is Shut Off
This can happen when something has happened to the water line or you may have turned it off for another reason.
If this has occurred then the water going to the shower head is also going to stop. You will have to go to the main water line and turn it on to the right amount.
To make sure this is the problem, look at the other faucets around the home. You will notice water won’t be coming out of any of them. When this happens, it is almost certainly going to be the main water line that has been shut off.

6. Aging Shower Head
To the surprise of many, shower heads do start to show signs of aging.
This means the internal components become weaker and this can cause the water to get backed up. In some cases, the water will slow to a dribble and will make the shower head unusable.
In situations such as these, your best case option is to simply replace the shower head immediately. It will ensure the problem goes away and you don’t have to worry about further issues down the road.
Final Thoughts
These are the reasons why water won’t come out of the shower head properly.
Water might not come out of the shower head properly because mineral deposits are blocking it, the shower head is aging, the main water line is shut off, or the shower head is on the wrong setting. Look at all of these causes when determining what is stopping the water from coming out of the shower head.
This is the best way to make sure you do correct the problem before it worsens.
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