This guide helps you troubleshoot Sun Joe® electric pressure washers. Use the dropdown sections to find help with no power, low pressure, pulsing pressure, Total Stop System operation, GFCI tripping, detergent or foam issues, water leaks, and no water output. This guide applies to Sun Joe® electric pressure washers, including models with spray nozzles or foam cannons.

Sun Joe® Pressure Washer

Pressure Washer Troubleshooting

Use this guide to troubleshoot common Sun Joe® electric pressure washer power, GFCI, pressure, water flow, detergent, leak, and storage issues.

🔌 No Power / Unit Will Not Start

Please follow the steps below to troubleshoot your pressure washer and check if it starts working again.

Unplug the unit before checking connections.
Confirm water is connected and turned ON.
Remove any spray nozzle or foam cannon and make sure to clean the nozzles using the needle clean-out tool.
Hold the trigger for 30 seconds until the water flow is steady to purge air and release trapped pressure.
Reset the GFCI plug. Plug the unit in, then check the GFCI plug for a red or green indicator light, which confirms that it is receiving power.
Attach a colored nozzle or set the wand to high pressure (Except Black Nozzle).
Press and hold the trigger while powering on.
Allow the unit to cool for 5 minutes if it may have overheated.

⚡ GFCI Tripping on Pressure Washers

Most electric pressure washers do not have an internal fuse that can be serviced by the customer. The GFCI plug acts as the unit's circuit protection.

Stop Using the Unit if Tripping Repeats Repeated GFCI tripping may indicate an electrical problem. Stop using the pressure washer if the GFCI continues to trip, as continued use could create a risk of smoke or fire.

Before Troubleshooting

Make note of the following details:

Which pressure washer model is affected?
Does the GFCI trip immediately when the unit is turned on, or only after it has been running for some time?
Is the unit plugged directly into a wall outlet or connected through an extension cord?
Are any other devices connected to the same outlet or circuit?

Try a Different Outlet

Turn the pressure washer OFF and unplug it.
Remove any extension cord and disconnect other devices from the outlet.
Plug the pressure washer directly into a different wall outlet.
Reset the GFCI plug and test the unit again.

What the Result May Mean If the GFCI continues to trip when the pressure washer is plugged directly into a different wall outlet, the unit may have an internal electrical problem, such as water intrusion or an electrical short.

Do Not Attempt Repairs Do not open, repair, modify, or bypass the pressure washer, GFCI plug, wiring, or electronic components. Contact support for assistance with the next available option.

💦 Low Pressure or No Pressure

Remove the nozzle or foam cannon.
Hold the trigger until pressure stabilizes.
Clean the spray tip or wand opening.
Clean the water inlet filter.
Confirm the unit is not in soap or foam mode.

Important If the pressure washer is in soap or foam mode, pressure may be reduced. Switch to the correct high-pressure nozzle or wand setting before testing again.

🌊 Pressure Pulsating or Surging

Use a minimum ½-inch diameter garden hose.
Straighten any hose kinks.
Turn the water supply fully ON.
Clean the nozzle, foam cannon, and inlet filter.
Hold the trigger until pressure stabilizes.

🔁 Unit Turns On and Off by Itself

This can be normal operation. Sun Joe® pressure washers use a Total Stop System that shuts the motor off when the trigger is released and restarts it when the trigger is pulled.

Total Stop System Reminder If the unit turns off when the trigger is released and turns back on when the trigger is pulled, the pressure washer is operating normally.

If the unit cycles continuously without using the trigger, check the following:

Check for leaks.
Check for loose connections.

🧼 Detergent or Foam Will Not Dispense

Use this section if detergent or foam is not dispensing from your pressure washer. First, choose the setup you are using: a foam cannon or the black soap nozzle / low-pressure detergent setting.

Foam Cannon

Follow these steps if you are using a foam cannon and soap is not dispensing.

Make sure the foam cannon bottle has detergent inside.
Use pressure-washer-safe detergent only. Do not use household cleaners, bleach, acids, solvents, or other chemicals.
Dilute the detergent correctly: 1 part soap to 10 parts water.
Remove the foam cannon bottle cap, then reattach it securely.
Remove the stainless steel lance from the trigger gun.
Insert the transfer adapter (if available) into the trigger gun and twist it until it locks.
Align the foam cannon with the adapter, push it in, and twist it to lock it into place.
Rotate the adjustable cap to increase the soap volume.
Adjust the foam cannon nozzle between fan spray and pencil jet.
Turn the pressure washer on and test if soap starts dispensing.
If soap was left in the bottle or system after the last use, rinse the bottle and try again with fresh pressure-washer-safe detergent.

Important Soap may not dispense if the foam cannon is not attached correctly. Dried soap can also clog the bottle, cap, nozzle, or detergent path.

Black Soap Nozzle / Low-Pressure Detergent Setting

Follow these steps if you are using the black soap nozzle or your model’s low-pressure detergent setting and detergent is not dispensing.

Make sure you are using the black soap nozzle or the correct low-pressure detergent setting for your model.
Use pressure-washer-safe detergent only.
Dilute the detergent correctly: 1 part soap to 10 parts water.
If you are not using the correct nozzle or setting, switch to the black soap nozzle or low-pressure detergent setting.
Check whether the detergent tube is loose, kinked, or blocked.
Inspect the pickup tube or detergent path for any blockage.
Make sure the detergent tube is seated securely.
Turn the pressure washer on and test if detergent starts dispensing.

Important Detergent only dispenses in low-pressure mode. Rinse the detergent system after each use to help prevent dried soap buildup and clogging.

🔧 Stiff Quick-Release Nozzle Connector

If the quick-release nozzle connector is difficult to operate, the collar may be affected by corrosion, dirt, or debris buildup.

Before You Begin Turn the pressure washer OFF, unplug it, shut off the water supply, and release any remaining pressure by squeezing the trigger before cleaning the connector.

Soak the quick-disconnect end in warm, soapy water.
While the connector remains submerged, move the collar back and forth repeatedly until it begins to operate more smoothly.
Remove the connector from the water and rinse it by spraying a strong, steady stream of clean water into the quick disconnect to help flush out any remaining dirt or debris.
Test the collar movement. Repeat the soaking, movement, and rinsing process as needed until the collar moves freely.

Important Do not force the collar or use sharp tools inside the connector. If the collar still does not move freely after repeating these steps, contact support for further assistance.

🚿 Water Leaking / No Water Output

Water Leaking

Check the garden hose adapter first.

The aluminum end screws onto the pressure washer.
The colored plastic end connects to the garden hose.

If leaking continues:

Check all hose, wand, and trigger gun connections.
Inspect all visible O-rings for damage or missing seals.
Water leaking from the bottom of the unit requires support assistance.

Motor Runs but No Water Comes Out

Confirm the water supply is ON.
Reinstall the garden hose adapter correctly.
Clean the inlet filter.
Remove and clean the spray tip or foam cannon.
Allow frozen components to thaw completely.

❄️ Important Storage Reminder

Freeze Protection Always store your pressure washer above 32°F (0°C). Freeze damage is not covered under warranty.

Need more help? If the issue continues after completing the correct troubleshooting section, contact support with the pressure washer model number, serial number, attachment being used, whether the GFCI trips immediately or after some time, and details about what happened during troubleshooting.

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