Turn the pump off, fill the pump basket with a garden hose, reseat the lid with a light coat of lubricant on the O-ring, then restart at the lowest speed setting. Never run a pump dry longer than two minutes: dry run ning can damage the shaft seal that fast , and a single-speed pump won’t shut itself off to protect you. Before you touch anything else, check three things: Water level — the skimmer opening needs to stay submerged. Pump basket — it should be full and free of debris, not half empty or bone dry. Lid O-ring — dry, cracked, or dusty O-rings are the single most common reason air sneaks in. Pro Tip: Keep a spare lid O-ring and a small tub of pool lubricant in your equipment shed. A five-dollar part fixes the majority of priming complaints, and you won’t be stuck driving to the pool store while your pump sits dry.
