Simplehuman Soap Dispenser Not Working: Reasons And Solutions

To be fair, the Simplehuman soap dispenser has a killer appeal that can revamp your entire washroom in a blink. Even though it has a hygienic, no-contact layout, sometimes, it may simply stop functioning.

So, why is your Simplehuman soap dispenser not working? And how you can get it working again?

If you’re facing similar issues, don’t fret. A few simple troubleshooting steps can eradicate the problem while you get to enjoy its state-of-the-art design and easy usability.

Take a gander as I talk about these issues and their respective solutions.

Reasons Why Simplehuman Automatic Soap Dispenser Not Working

There’s no denying that the Simplehuman soap dispenser is an excellent addition to your restroom. But, to identify why it has stopped working, first, you need to know the signs of the current issues.

Let’s see some of these problems people face when there’s some malfunction in the dispenser.

• Clogged Soap Nozzle or Tubes

The most frequent reason a Simplehuman dispenser stops pumping soap is clogs. If the nozzle or inner tubes get blocked with dried soap or debris, the pump can’t push the liquid through.

There are a few ways clogs happen:

Soap Drying Inside Nozzle – This is the most typical cause of clogging. When soap dries and hardens inside the nozzle tip, it creates a plug that blocks the path.

Gunk in Inner Tubes – Soap scum, mineral deposits, and grime can gradually build up in the small tubes leading to the nozzle. Enough buildup impedes the soap’s path.

Foreign Debris – Bits of hair, sediment or other debris washed into the dispenser’s reservoir can get lodged in the soap outlet. This jams the system.

Wrong Soap Viscosity – Using hand soap that’s too thick or gels too easily can clog a Simplehuman dispenser over time. Liquid hand soaps work best.

• Dirty Motion Sensor Window

Simplehuman’s touchless dispensers rely on a motion sensor to detect hand waves and activate the pump. If that sensor window gets dirty, it can’t detect movement properly.

Grime, splashed soap, and mineral deposits from water can gradually build up on the sensor window. Oils from hands can also create an invisible film.

• Dispense Issues

If your Simplehuman dispenser is releasing soap on its own, then it boils down to sensor issues. Moreover, sensor issues might also leak too much or dispense too little soap, which can be another sign of an underlying issue.

• Red Light

When the dispenser faces battery issues, the red light on the sensor flickers or turns on. This is a direct indication that the batteries are running on low power and need to be replaced.

• Flash Light

One common issue with Simplehuman dispensers is that the dispenser flashes a light when you press the buttons. Moreover, you might also not hear the moto pump running, which tells us more about the sensor issues.

Sometimes the lighting and placement of the Simplehuman soap dispenser can also affect the sensors in the system.

• Unit Light

The Simplehuman soap dispensers have been thoroughly developed throughout the years. After the models’ revamp in 2010, a pair of + and – buttons were added to the design.

While pressing the – button will decrease the volume of the soap dispersion per application, the + button will increase the amount of release per serving.

When these buttons are pressed, there’s a light on the dispenser unit that goes on. But, when there’s an issue with any of the components, the unit light will not turn on.

• Charging Issues

Sometimes the unit will not dispense soap properly if it can’t charge. This isn’t particularly alarming as the unit might stop charging for various reasons, but they all have remedies.

On the other hand, what if the unit is charging, but the Simplehuman dispenser is still not working?

Often, even when the unit is fully charged, and the motor functions adequately, the soap dispenser doesn’t work. Don’t worry; this is yet another widespread issue that can be fixed in a jiffy.

Solution To Simplehuman Automatic Soap Dispenser Problems

Before you break into a sweat, let me tell you that the common problems we just looked into have relevant solutions as well.

So, before you even think that your Simplehuman soap dispenser was a wasted investment, let’s check the corresponding answers.

Hint: The solutions are super simple and will not cost you a dime!

• Fixing a Clogged Simplehuman Soap Dispenser:

1. Remove nozzle tip – Unscrew the nozzle tip and extract it to access the opening. Inspect for dried soap plugs.
2. Clean out opening – Use a toothpick, stiff brush, or pipe cleaner to gently clear any soap chunks or debris clogging the nozzle opening.
3. Flush with warm water – Run warm water through the nozzle tip to help dissolve and flush away any remaining gunk.
4. Clean inner tubes – Access the tubes inside the dispenser housing and clean out any visible soap buildup. May require disassembly.
5. Replace nozzle – Securely screw the nozzle tip back into place, hand tighten. Test pump. If still clogged, repeat steps.

Be patient during the cleaning process and make sure all soapresidue is removed before reassembling. This should solve most simple clogged dispenser issues.

• Cleaning Dirty Motion Sensor Window

To restore proper motion activation, the sensor window needs to be cleaned:

1. Locate sensor window – On most models it’s on the front near the nozzle. May need flashlight to see inside housing.
2. Use isopropyl alcohol – Dab cotton swab or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol to gently clean sensor window.
3. Don’t use water or soap – Avoid dripping liquids directly on the electronic sensor. Never submerge in water.
4. Check for damage – Inspect window for cracks or scratches. Damage can impair function.
5. Test motion activation – Wave hands to ensure dispenser now works. May need to adjust range.

Be very gentle when cleaning the sensor window. Scratches or harsh cleaners can damage the delicate electronics. With occasional cleaning, the motion sensor will maintain visibility.

• Fixing Dispense Issues

When the dispense leaks or doesn’t disperse enough soap, you have to start by inspecting the sensor. Check if there’s anything under the dispenser which is abstaining from the sensor to activate.

You can also utilize the + or – buttons so that the soap dispensing amount is even and adjusted.

If these adjustments don’t work, you can try wiping, rubbing, or flicking the valves to eradicate any soap clogs.

Moreover, if the soap you’re using is particularly thick, then press the + button so that the dispenser can spill enough soap each time.

• Fixing Red Light Problems

Issues with the red light indicate battery issues in the Simplehuman soap dispenser. Therefore, you need to replace the batteries of the dispenser right away or utilize steel wool tools to clean out the batteries.

Similarly, if you notice that the battery case has been severely damaged due to corrosion, you’ll need to replace it with a new battery casing.

• Fixing Flash Light Problems

When you notice issues with the flashing light, it’s usually an indication of the pumping motor. Once you confirm that the motor is malfunctioning, you can solve it by wiping down the sensor with a clean, damp cloth and then letting it air dry.

If this hack fails, try to move the dispenser to some other part of the washroom to check if the performance is any different. Often the lighting in a particular space can impact the sensor heavily.

• Solutions To The Unit Light Issues

Now that we know that when one of the parts of the Simplehuman soap dispenser malfunctions, the unit light doesn’t light up, it’s time to comprehend the reasons behind this problem.

Usually, when the light doesn’t come on, there’s likely an issue with the battery. You can start by reviewing if the batteries are correctly oriented.

If this doesn’t work, you can replace the batteries altogether. The last hack that could work if the former two don’t is removing the batteries and cleaning the contacts of the batteries gently with a steel wool piece.

If you notice that the contacts are rusty and beyond repair, you must purchase a new cover.

• Regain Charging Of The Unit

To fix the unit charging issue, follow the step elaborated below.

• Step 1: Push and hold the power button to turn on the blue light for a second.
• Step 2: Check that the charging dock magnets are securely connected to the charging puck’s magnetic tips. The cord must be facing away from the dispenser’s valve.
• Step 3: If you notice that the blue blinker is off during charging, the power could be severely low; thus, wait for around five minutes and check for the light again.
• Step 4: The blue light should turn on now, and even then, if it doesn’t, you’ll need to inspect the dispenser’s cable to see if there are any abnormalities.

But, when it comes to charging, there’s another issue that’s quite opposite to the one we just discussed.

What to do when the charging is adequately functioning? This requires a complete reset of the unit and here’s how you can do it.

• Step 1: Push and hold the Simplehuman soap dispenser’s power button for around 5 seconds straight.
• Step 2: Use a good quality rubbing alcohol and a soft microfiber cloth to wipe and clean the sensors of the dispenser.
• Step 3: Push down the power button again for around a second to switch on the unit.
• Step 4: Cover the sensor window entirely and tap on the power button three times quickly or, to be very specific, within two seconds. And you’re done! The sensor should’ve reset itself by now thus, letting the soap flow consistently through the pumps.

There are 3 part videos on fixing this automatic soap dispenser. Here is the first one and I encourage you to watch all 3 of them!

https://youtu.be/qZgIgkYUTrw

Frequently Asked Questions about Simplehuman Soap Dispensers:

Conclusion

Well, there you go. I’m confident that you’re well aware of all the Simplehuman soap dispenser issues now.

But, what’s even better is that now you have all the answers to your Simplehuman soap dispenser not working. We’ve picked up all the common issues users face and tried to answer them all in this article.

You can try out a combination of these solutions to see which works best. However, always search for the root cause before beginning. Good luck!