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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.

May 05, 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.

Our Customers Reviews

Larry R.

Howell Township, NJ

It was a late Saturday night. We had a super stubborn clog in some old galvanized pipes. Mr. Rooter send out Phil. Phil was great! He found the problem pretty quick. With determination and professionalism he final got it cleared out. I would recommend Mr. Rooter and Phil to anyone! He even cleaned up. We are so happy we choose Mr. Rooter!

Rose Bernard

Red Bank, NJ

We had a plumbing emergency and found Mr. Rooter while frantically searching for a 24-hour plumber. We feel like we hit a gold mine. Not only did we get a timely response. Everyone at Mr. Rooter was friendly, professional, competent and went above and beyond. Our plumber, Phil, was extremely helpful and gave us tips we could use moving firwars. Not to mention, the cost was extremely reasonable.

Joseph Chis

Hillsborough, NJ

Had sewer water backup in toilet and tub. Received callback as promised and arrived early. The tech determined we needed the main line to be cleared. He quickly located the opening and had us cleared in minutes. Very happy with the service. I was not prepared for the fee but it was an emergency.

Christopher Cox

Little Silver Township

Plumber, Phil, came out on short notice on a Saturday night and fixed our issue quickly, professionally and courteously. I contacted a different, well known plumbing company right before Mr. Rooter. The receptionist was rude and they didn’t call me back to say they couldn’t make it until after Phil left! The Mr. Rooter receptionist was very nice and they called me back quickly. I’m glad they did.

Debbie Dimitrion

Colts Neck, NJ

I just wanted to say James did a great job at my house. Excellent service, professional and very nice. Thank you so much for helping me with my plumbing problem. Did wonderful job.

Rachel Turunen

Jackson Township

I was very happy that I went with Mr. Rooter’s. The service was very quick and up front. Jessie James was very helpful answering my questions and replacing my hot water heater. He was pleasurable to do business with. If another problem arises in my home, I will be using this company again.

William Holden

Brick Township, NJ

A thorough, professional, pleasant experience. I had a back-up in the 50 year-old pipes of my new home. I called Mr. Rooter to have them locate the blockage, snake the line, and then use their video snake to get a visual of the integrity of the pipes. I’m glad that I called and will use them again for future needs.

LarJ MarJ

Oakhurst, NJ

You get what you pay for. Edwin Robles of Central NJ educated me as a 1st time homebuyer on why and what he was repairing, prevention, PROMPT,(on a sunday at that!) clean, knowledgeable, super professional but DOWN TO EARTH and at a REASONABLE PRICE! Sewer pipes unclogged and main water line fixed. I was no longer crying once job was thoroughly executed. After all $#@* $tinks but somebody has to do it and I HIGHLY recommend him and this company for a job well done. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Margie Rafferty-Criscione

Ocean Township

Absolutely lovely office staff! I always knew when the repair person was coming. Lorenzo our repair guy was awesome, I really don't think there is anything he can't do. He looks young, but don't let that fool you! So happy all the repairs are behind us. We really just did a one-stop shopping and decided to have everything we've put off fixed because it was such a tremendous experience!

How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush

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.

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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