Toilet Keeps Running? Common Causes and Fixes
A running toilet often means water is leaking from the tank into the bowl or the fill valve is not shutting off at the correct level. Many causes can be identified by looking inside the tank.
15–30 minutes
Before you start
- Remove the tank lid carefully and place it somewhere stable.
- Confirm the tank water level is not continuously spilling into the overflow tube.
- Look for a flapper that is warped, dirty, misaligned, or prevented from sealing by the chain.
Step-by-step
- 1Observe the tank during and after a flush to see where water continues moving.
- 2Adjust a tangled or overly tight flapper chain if it prevents a complete seal.
- 3Clean the flapper seat and replace a visibly deteriorated flapper with a compatible part.
- 4If water reaches the overflow tube, follow the fill-valve instructions to correct the water level.
- 5Flush several times and verify that the tank fills and then becomes quiet.
Not sure what’s wrong?
Upload a photo or describe the exact symptoms and let Repair Wizard AI analyze your specific repair.
Diagnose My RepairGeneral informational guidance only. Follow manufacturer instructions and use an appropriately licensed professional when a repair is unsafe or outside your experience.