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How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush
How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush
4.8 RATING

How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush

Your toilet won't flush? Don't worry; you are not alone. This is a common issue that homeowners deal with at one time or another.

June 07, 2026
How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush

Your toilet won’t flush? Don’t worry; you are not alone. This is a common issue that homeowners deal with at one time or another. Trying to figure out what’s causing your toilet to not flush can be frustrating if you don’t know what you are looking for. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we’ve decided to outline some of the reasons why your toilet won’t flush and what steps you can take to solve the problem.

Your Toilet Is Clogged

A clog anywhere in the system can make flushing impossible. A wide range of items, such as too much toilet paper, baby wipes, menstrual products, diapers, condoms, and cotton products are the common culprits behind toilet clogs.

Solution

An easy fix for a clogged toilet is to use a plunger or dislodge the clog with a toilet snake. If a plunger or toilet snake does not do the trick, it is time to call a reputable plumber to help you with toilet repair. You should also call a plumber to inspect your toilet and provide you with a long-lasting solution if you are experiencing frequent clogging. To prevent toilet clogs, be mindful of what you flush down the toilet.

The Flapper Is Damaged

A toilet flapper is a rubber piece inside your toilet tank that lets water flow out of the tank and into the bowl when you flush. If the flapper is bent, cracked, warped, or deteriorated, it won’t allow the toilet to hold water within the ciste, and this can cause problems with flushing.

Solution

A flapper is fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. Tu off the water, drain the tank, and then replace the old flapper with a new one. If this doesn’t fix the problem, call in a plumber to check your toilet and make repairs.

Our Customers Reviews

Chahib Chakrome

Summit, NJ

The service provided was great, nothing to say about the work of the plumber. 5 stars to him. But the company charges felt way too much for the work. We would have liked to have the same plumber take care of other things in the house, but every time he check how much extra the company will charge for the job, the price just got too much. The plumber did an amazing job he selected a beautiful faucet to replace our old one. He did his best. But the company prices have no room for negotiation.

Tiffany DeSande

Plainfield, NJ

A million stars!!!! Steve and Lucas were absolutely amazing. My parents pipes burst and within 4 hours of calling they came and fixed everything!!! Very nice guys and dealt with my panicking. I will always use them if needed in the future and you all should too!!! Thank god for people like this!!! Thank you so much guys!!!

Naomi Langer-Seltzer

New Brunswick, NJ

We got very quick service, I think the plumber actually arrived in less than an hour! After reviewing what was happening, he gave us our options and performed the option we selected. This happened in the late afternoon or early evening. It was already dark and there was a lot of snow on the ground.

Steve Smith

Mountainside, NJ

I needed immediate, same day service in the early evening at my home. I went to the internet and looked up plumbing services that offered "24-hour, 7-day a week" availability. The first 3 places I called said that they could not get to me until the following day. Then I called Mr. Rooter. They were courteous and promptly got a technician to my house within an hour and a half. The technician, Lucas Kaufmann, was exceptional. The job was not easy, but he figured the problem out and got me all fixed up within an hour's time. Moving forward, I…

Stephanie Brown

Cranford, NJ

Despite what was quite obviously a busy day (day after Thanksgiving at 10pm) TJ came out and did not leave until the job was done! There were several setbacks, which at the late hour might have prompted him to leave- but he chose to stay and continue until the job was complete! I only have one bathroom so I was really hoping he could make it work, and he really did a wonderful job! So thankful for all of his help! I highly recommend TJ!

Shaheen Dhanani

Union, NJ

This is my second time using Mr. Rooter and I have to say they are an excellent company of experienced professionals! The service techs were courteous, experienced and actually spent time trying to figure out the issue before proposing the solution. They were also patient and answered all my questions without rushing the work. I will be using them again.

Christie Murphy

Montgomery, NJ

TJ was amazing! 10/10 recommend this company. We were in an emergency state of panic with a burst pipe in the middle of a bad snowstorm. TJ came with knowledge, professionalism, kindness, and found the root of the problem within five minutes of being here. We will be using him again in the spring to fix an outdoor issue he found!

Alan Abraham

Clark, NJ

The technicians were friendly, professional and knowledgeable. The price was too high I believe, but the technicians had no control over that. The technicians took their time and did a great job. I would use them again and also recommend them.

Amy Swart

Berkeley Heights, NJ

Excellent service! Charles and Nicholas of Mr. Rooter arrived to my scheduled service a few minutes early, wore sanitary shoe coverings, and were extremely professional. They found the source of my leak quickly and fixed the issue. While they here, I requested an additional hydraulic heating inspection which they accommodated. They were very knowledgeable and provided helpful tips. I highly recommend this team and I will definitely call them for all future plumbing needs!!

JACKY Coppola

Wall Township, NJ

TJ came to my aid as the water pipe froze in my house. Although nothing could be done he gave me hints of what could be done my me which was very helpful. I found TJ very professional and caring about my situation. The best part of the very long night was the dogs adored him one wanted to accompany him to his next job. Thank you for employing such an amazing man. Plus today there is water running in the house. Thank you TJ and thank you Mr. Rooney plumbing for employing a man with helpful hints!!!!!

The Water Level in The Tank Is Too Low

Some of the common reasons, the water level in the tank is low include a damaged fill tube, clogged inlet holes, or a cracked toilet tank. When there isn’t enough water in the tank, your toilet won’t flush because there isn’t enough water to refill the bowl.

Solution

The water level in the ciste should be about one inch below the top of the overflow tube. If the water in the tank is too low, you’ll need to manually adjust the fill valve to ensure it refills to the correct level. In some cases, the water may be too low as a result of a malfunctioning float ball. You may need to inspect the float ball as well to see if it’s sinking too low.

The Lift Chain Is Loose or Disconnected

As the name suggests, the lift chain lifts the flapper valve to release water into the toilet bowl. If this component is loose, broken, or disconnected, it won’t be able to lift the flapper to allow water to flow when the handle is pulled.

Solution

If the lift chain is loose, adjust its length to shorten it so that it can provide sufficient pull on the flapper. If the chain is broken, buy a new one from the hardware store and replace it.

When you’re in need of toilet repair in your home or business premises, you can count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing to get the job done right the first time.

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