Categories: Kitchens

6 Reasons Why Your Glacier Bay Touchless Faucet Sensor Isn’t Working

Published by
James marcus

The kitchen faucet is a critical part of maintaining a steady flow in the kitchen. Without it, things come to a screeching halt – no more washing dishes, rinsing fresh produce, washing your hands, and more. So, most of us notice when the kitchen faucet goes on strike.

Some faucets are more finicky than others, as some components require a bit more TLC to function correctly. Since they have an extra electronic component, touchless and touch faucets may go on strike every now and again.

Troubleshooting these issues can be tricky, but we’re here to help. We gathered a few of the most common reasons behind your faucet’s touch sensor issues (plus how to fix them), so stick around to learn more!

Why Is My Glacier Bay Faucet Not Working?

Although the touch feature on a kitchen faucet is handy, it’s one more thing that can malfunction. And, like any other piece of the tap, it usually wears out after a while, causing the faucet to malfunction. Here are six of the most common reasons why your Glacier Bay faucet might be on strike (plus how to fix them):

1) Dead Batteries

Power issues are one of the most common culprits behind a malfunctioning touch or touchless faucet. Without power, the sensors in these faucets are useless, so ensuring the system has plenty of power for regular function is essential.

When there isn’t power flowing to the system, the LED lights on the faucet’s body will remain inactive. So, despite your best efforts, flapping your hands in front of the faucet or tapping it won’t do anything.

Or, maybe your faucet’s LED light blinks ten times continuously and slowly. This indicates it’s time to replace the batteries, so the repair remains the same.

How To Fix It

Luckily, contending with power issues is straightforward. You’ll need four AA batteries to replace the old ones for this repair. When you’re ready, remove the old batteries from the battery compartment, ensuring you keep them separate from the replacements.

Insert the new batteries into the box, paying close attention to the orientation requirements on the box’s cover. If the batteries aren’t aligned properly, the faucet won’t work, so ensure everything looks right. Once you insert the new batteries, reinstall the cover and check for proper function.

2) The Handle Is Off

With Glacier Bay’s touchless faucets, the handle must remain in the ON position for the sensor to work. If the faucet’s handle is in the OFF position, the sensor is inactive, so it will not function properly. So, to ensure the sensor functions properly, ensure the handle is in the ON position.

How To Fix It

As mentioned, you’ll need to move the handle to the ON position to activate the sensor. To do so, pull the handle away from the faucet body to the right, tilting it so it remains in the ON position.

If you want hot water, tilt the handle away from you so it angles toward the back of the sink. Or, for cold water, tilt the handle toward you. When you’re ready, move your hand in front of the sensor and check for proper function.

3) Loose Cables

Loose connections can lead to complications with the sensor’s functionality, as it may affect the power flow or communication between the control box and the sensor. This issue is especially common after completing repairs on the sink or moving materials around in the base cabinet, as it’s easy to bump the connections as you work accidentally.

If you dislodge the faucet, the cables might loosen, causing the sensor to work intermittently or not at all.

How To Fix It

This problem is easy to fix – all you need to do is tighten the cables. So, check underneath the faucet for loose connections. Ensure each cable is firmly and securely tightened in its place. If you find loose cables, tighten them into their connection point. Once you check each cable, check the faucet for proper function.

4) Dirty Sensor Window

For your faucet to work correctly, the sensor needs to have a clear view of its surroundings. So, if the sensor window is grimy and covered in gunk, the sensor might not work correctly. This is because it may be unable to sense the motion around it due to the covering.

How To Fix It

If your faucet’s sensor is grubby, fix the problem by wiping away the dirt. Simply use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the sensor at the base of the faucet gently. Ensure the sensor is clean and has a clear view of its surroundings, then check for proper function.

5) Grimy Washer In Control Box

Sometimes, a grubby washer can cause issues with your faucet’s sensor. You might notice low water flow or a malfunctioning LED indicator. When this happens, your faucet’s sensors might not work at all.

This can occur due to a failed, dirty, or improperly placed washer.

How To Fix It

You’ll need to remove a few pieces to access the washer in the control box. First, identify the supply hose extending from the control box. Remove the hose by gently lifting it out of its connection point.

Once the hose is out of the way, you can unthread the small connector where the hose was connected. This connector unscrews, so unthread it and set it aside for later.

Now, you can access the washer. It sits inside the line from the control box where you just lifted the connector away. Lift it out and examine it for damage or grime. If the washer is dirty, rinse it with mild dish soap, a soft sponge, and warm water. However, if the washer is cracked or otherwise damaged, you’ll need to buy a replacement from Glacier Bay’s website.

After cleaning the washer (or buying a new one), reassemble the faucet. Reinsert the washer into its place, then thread the connector back in. Reattach the hose, then check for proper function.

6) Faulty Control Box

Unfortunately, sometimes the problem lies with the most essential piece of the puzzle: the control box. This piece controls the sensor, enabling users to activate water flow by waving their hands. When the control box isn’t working, the sensor might remain unresponsive.

How To Fix It

If you can’t remedy the problem, despite your best efforts, the culprit could lie with the control box. Pinpointing this component as the culprit can be tricky, so it’s usually best to reach out to Glacier Bay’s customer service team for assistance navigating the issue.

In most cases, the customer service representative will walk you through potential fixes. Once you determine the cause lies with the control box, the representative can help you through the steps to request a replacement control box.

When the new control box arrives, disconnect the old one from each of the lines, then insert the replacement box in its place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can You Override The Sensor On A Glacier Bay Faucet?

On many touch and touchless products, there’s a feature that allows you to override the sensor, enabling you to use the faucet manually. If you have a Glacier Bay faucet, you can use the solenoid valve’s manual override feature to switch to manual mode. This will make the faucet function like a regular faucet, so if the sensor is on strike, this is always an option.

Simply locate the valve box under the sink, then turn the manual override knob clockwise to turn the sensor feature off.

This post was last modified on 04/11/2023 21:33

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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