Bathtub stopper not working

Types of bathtub stoppers

Most tub stoppers fall into two groups. Drain-mounted stoppers sit right in the drain opening and thread onto a post screwed into the crossbar of the drain. A toe-touch stopper, also called push-pull or foot-lock, opens and closes when you press it with your foot. A lift-and-turn stopper has a knob you lift and twist. A flip-lever stopper has a small lever on top that rocks the plug open and closed.

Trip-lever stoppers are worked from the overflow plate, the round cover on the tub wall below the faucet. Turning its lever moves a linkage inside the overflow pipe. Some linkages lower a plunger that blocks the drain inside the pipe, with only a strainer in the drain opening. Others push a rocker arm that lifts a pop-up stopper in the drain. If the linkage is the wrong length, the tub won't hold water or drains slowly.

Why tub stoppers stop working

Let's fix it

1. Identify your stopperLook at the drain and the overflow plate. A stopper you press with your toe is a toe-touch. One with a knob you lift and twist is a lift-and-turn. A small lever on top of the stopper is a flip lever. If there's only a strainer in the drain and a lever on the overflow plate, it's a plunger-style trip lever; a stopper in the drain plus a lever on the overflow plate is a rocker-arm pop-up.
   Done

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2. Remove a toe-touch stopperWith the stopper in the open position, grip the top and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew it from its post. On some models only the cap unscrews, exposing a screw that holds the body. Once the stopper is off, unscrew the threaded post from the crossbar in the drain with a flathead screwdriver or by hand.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The stopper spins but won't come off Hold the body with a rag-wrapped pliers while you turn the cap, or press it closed first.

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3. Remove a lift-and-turn or flip-lever stopperFor a lift-and-turn, open the stopper, hold the body and unscrew the knob on top. Look under the knob or on the side of the stopper for a small set screw and loosen it with an Allen wrench or screwdriver, then unscrew the stopper from its post. A flip-lever stopper usually unscrews counterclockwise when it's in the open position.
   Done

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4. Remove a trip-lever stopperUnscrew the two screws on the overflow plate and pull the plate and lever straight out, easing the linkage up through the opening. Keep track of how the linkage pieces fit. For a rocker-arm pop-up, also pull the stopper out of the drain along with its curved rocker arm.
   Done

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5. Clean out hair and buildupPull the hair off the post, crossbar, spring and linkage with needle-nose pliers, then scrub everything with an old toothbrush. Soak crusty metal parts in white vinegar for an hour to loosen mineral scale, then rinse. If the tub was draining slowly, clear the drain while it's open; we have a guide for unclogging a bathtub drain.
   Done

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6. Adjust it so it sealsOn a toe-touch or lift-and-turn stopper, screw the post in or out so the stopper's rubber gasket sits snugly on the drain opening when closed, then reinstall the stopper. On a trip lever, adjust the linkage length at its threaded rod or adjusting nut in small steps. If a plunger-style tub won't hold water, lengthen the linkage so the plunger sits lower; if it drains slowly when open, shorten it. A rocker-arm pop-up works the other way: if the stopper won't close and seal, shorten the linkage; if it doesn't lift high enough when open, lengthen it. Reinstall and test after each change.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The tub still won't hold water Check the gasket for cracks and make sure the post isn't set too high.

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7. Replace worn seals or partsIf water still seeps out when the stopper is closed, replace the rubber gasket or O-ring on the stopper. A toe-touch stopper that won't stay down or pop up has a worn spring cartridge, and many hardware stores sell repair kits. Match the post's thread size; many kits include adapters. Coat O-rings with a little silicone grease before reinstalling.
   Done

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8. Replace the stopperIf parts are cracked or corroded, replace the stopper with the same type, or switch a trip-lever drain to a drain-mounted stopper using a conversion kit that also seals the overflow. Screw the new post into the crossbar snugly, install the stopper, and test that it holds water for several minutes and drains fully when open. Reinstall any overflow plate with its gasket in place, snug but not overtight.
   Done

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Watch it done

Remove pop up bath tub drain stopper - 3 waysBy Home Repair Hub on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.

Watch on YouTube

If it's the drain, not the stopper

If the tub drains slowly even with the stopper out, see the guide for unclogging a bathtub drain.

If the bathroom sink stopper is the problem, check our guide for a bathroom sink stopper not working.

Bathtub stopper questions