A Saniflo that hums or buzzes but doesn’t pump the water away is a common fault. The motor is getting power but can’t turn. In our experience there are two usual causes: something jamming the blades, or a failed capacitor.
1. Check for a jam first
Items such as wipes, cotton buds, hair grips or sanitary products can wedge in the macerator blades and stop the motor turning. If the unit has recently been used with something it shouldn’t have, a blockage is the most likely cause. Clearing it means opening the unit, so switch it off at the wall first. If you’re not comfortable doing this, contact a Saniflo engineer.
2. Check the capacitor
If there’s no jam, the next most likely cause is the motor run capacitor. When it fails, the motor hums but can’t start turning.
- The unit hums when the toilet is flushed or water runs in, but water level stays high
- It may trip the electrics or cut out after a few seconds of humming
- The fault often appears suddenly, with no grinding noise
The replacement must have the same uF value as your old one – many Saniflo units use 10uF or 14uF, and the Sanivite uses 8uF. Check the label on your existing capacitor.
Saniflo capacitors we stock
See all Saniflo capacitors for Sanitop, Saniplus, Sanipro, Sanislim, Sanivite, Saniaccess and the UP range.
Other common Saniflo faults
- Starts and stops on its own – usually the membrane
- Won’t switch on or won’t switch off – usually the microswitch
- Water flows back into the toilet – often the non-return valve
For more, see our Saniflo troubleshooting guide. Water and electricity don’t mix – always switch off at the wall before opening a Saniflo, and call a qualified engineer if in doubt.