No Cold Water In Shower After Replacing Cartridge [Solved] 

Recently replaced the cartridge of your shower, but to your dismay, there is no cold water. Even though you adjust the handle, you notice there is no cold water, leaving you with an unexpectedly lukewarm shower! 

Well, there are multiple reasons behind the absence of cold water in the shower after replacing the cartridge. For instance

• Temperature adjustment mishap 
• Turned off shut off valve 
• Incompatible new cartridge 
• Improper cartridge installation 
• Blockage in the water lines 

To fix the problem, the best way is to first check the temperature settings of your shower and inspect whether it can solve it. 

Of course, that’s not all to fix the problem effectively. Here, we’ve gathered all the probable reasons and possible fixes for the absence of cold water in the shower after cartridge replacement for your assistance. If one fails, the other solution may bring luck for you, right? So, keep on reading.

No Cold Water In Shower After Replacing Cartridge [Quick Overview] 

Before moving to any details about the matter, let us get a glimpse of possible reasons and probable solutions, just in case you are in a hurry.

Probable Reasons	Possible Solutions
Temperature adjustment mishap	Turn the shut-off valve back on
Turned off shut off valve	Follow the bleed or purging process
Incomplete cartridge installation	Inspect the installation or re-install it
Incompatible cartridge	Check for compatibility
Faulty cartridge	If defective, replace that one
Airlock in the pipes	Blockage or damaged cold water supply line
Faulty pressure balance unit	Inspect and replace if faulty
Blockage or damage cold water supply line	Clean the clogs For the damaged one, install a new pipe fitting

Major Reasons For No Cold Water In Shower After Replacing Cartridge [9 Easy Solutions] 

Well, you got the idea of what may have gone wrong with your shower after replacing the cartridge and having not the cold water. Of course, understanding alone won’t be sufficient to resolve the issue effectively. Here’s the detailed how-to-fix guide to address it.

1. Temperature Adjustment Mishap

It is not uncommon that the absence of cold water from your shower after the cartridge replacement can be attributed to the wrong temperature adjustment. 

You know sometimes it happens that after replacing the cartridge, users mistakenly set the temperature control in a way that limits the cold water flow or no cold water flow. So, it can be a good way to start over. Double-check the temperature setting of your shower and see whether it can solve the issue.

How To Fix:

Adjusting your shower for cold or even hot water depends on the type of faucet that your shower has. But the general idea for adjusting the temperature is as follows. 

Step 1: Remove the handle of your shower. You may need a screwdriver to do the job. Now expose the valve stem by taking off the metal cover beneath the shower handle. 

Step 2: Once you remove the valve stem of the shower, you may see a plastic part. It is known as RSL or Rotational Stop Limit. That’s the part that controls the hot and cold water mixture of your shower coming from the faucets. 

Step 3: You will notice the directional control of the RSL noted on it. In general, a clockwise turn of the RSL will release cold water from the faucet and the counterclockwise will release the hot water. Pull out the RSL just to release the teeth that hold it into its place. 

Step 4: Now turn the RSL in the direction of the cold water and put it back into its place. 

Step 5: Replace the shower faucet handle. Check whether the problem is resolved now. 

[For more information on the specific model of your shower faucet, look into the owner’s manual. By chance, if you have lost track of it, you are likely to find the directions or YouTube video online by just searching over your specific model name.]

2. Turned Off Shut Off Valve

When your shower is not getting cold water after the cartridge replacement, you may think of it as a significant issue. 

But sometimes the problem can be as simple as the turned-off shut-off valve. It is possible that you may have turned off the shut-off valve accidentally if you have recently done work in the plumbing system and are looking for some other big issue. 

How To Fix:  

• Check out the shut-off valve. It is generally located wherever there is the main water supply of your house. Typically, it is in the basement. 
• Now verify that they are in an Open position. So, sometimes solving the issue can be as simple as turning the shut-off valve back on. 

3. Incomplete Or Improper Cartridge Installation

Now let’s move to another potential reason for the issue you are experiencing with your shower. Possibly, it is the incomplete or improper cartridge installation. In most cases, it is the reason that you become unable to get the cold water from the shower. 

It can happen that at the time of installation, you may have failed to set the cartridge properly into the valve body, resulting in issues with the shower water temperature. Moreover, sometimes the cold and hot water lines become adverse during the wrong installation which leads to no cold water in the shower.

How To Fix:

To be frank, reinstalling the cartridge is not going to be a hard task. You just need to follow up on the below steps. 

Step 1: First, turn off the water supply of your shower and remove the handle and the trim. 

Step 2: Now inspect the cartridge installation of your shower. Check whether the position of the cartridge is correctly oriented or more importantly properly seated into the valve body. 

Step 3: After a thorough inspection, reassemble the parts of the shower. Turn on the water supply of the shower and check whether the problem is resolved now.

4. Incompatible Cartridge

The way of resolving the problem where your shower has no cold water after replacing the cartridge can be that the new shower cartridge may not be compatible with your shower system. You know some manufacturers of the showers make a lot of cartridges. So, sometimes it becomes difficult and somewhat tricky to choose the right one. 

When the old cartridge becomes bad, it is a must to ensure that the replacement cartridge is compatible with or matches the system of your shower. By any chance, if you have a replacement cartridge that does not match the shower system, it disrupts the balance of hot and cold water in the shower. As a result, there can be no cold water also.

How To Fix:

To solve the problem, first, ensure that you are using the right type of cartridge matching your shower system. To check that out 

• Either you can check the compatibility of your new cartridge with the old one 
• You can read the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific shower
• Can contact the manufacturer 

Now if you notice that you have mistakenly brought the wrong type of cartridge and installed that one, you may need to replace the cartridge with a compatible one. To assist you, here is a quick rundown of how to replace the cartridge properly considering both compatibility as well as the proper installation. 

Step 1: Buy A New Compatible Cartridge 

Identify first what shower cartridge will be compatible with your shower and buy a new one. 

Step 2: Remove The Incompatible Cartridge

Now locate the water supply valve of your house and turn off the water supply. Remove the shower handle and the faceplate of the shower. 

Using a pliers and wrench, loosen out the cartridge and remove it.

Step 3: Installation

Now insert the new cartridge in the valve body. While installing, make sure the hot side or cold side marking is on the side of the valve where the hot water comes from. Tighten up the cartridge. 

Step 4: Reassemble 

Reinstall the faceplate and the handle of the shower. Turn on the water supply and hopefully, the problem will be solved.

5. Airlock In The Cold Water Pipes

The list of possible reasons that the shower does not get cold water after cartridge replacement is the airlocks in the pipes. The possibility can be that while replacing the cartridge, air is trapped in the cold water pipes and sometimes that also happens in most cases. 

If the air gets in the water pipes it disrupts the water flow, like you can say in the shower. As a result, you may not have cold water or no water at all. Another possibility is that there can be a leak in the cold water pipelines of the shower system, allowing the air to enter the pipes causing the issue. 

How To Fix:

You know it is not a big task to deal with the airlocks in the cold water pipes. You just need to follow the below steps to bleed the air from the water system of the shower. 

Step 1: Turn Off The Main Water Supply

First of all, ensure that the main water supply of your house has been turned off. To do so, turn the shut-off valve to the off position. 

It is generally located near the water meter from where the water supply enters the house. Turn the shut-off valve lever counterclockwise to turn it off. If the valve has a lever, put it in the off position. 

Step 2: Open Up All The Faucets To Clear The Airlocks 

Now open all the faucets of your house including the showerheads, letting the water drain out completely. It will also escape all the trapped air in the cold water lines. 

Step 3: Check Whether The Issue Is Solved Out.

Once done, close all the faucets in your house and turn the water supply back on. Let the water flow for a few minutes so as to ensure all the air is out of the pipelines. 

At last turn on the shower and see whether the cold water is flowing correctly now. If not, you can repeat the bleeding process.

6. Pressure Balance Unit

You know one of the culprits for the absence of cold water from the shower after the cartridge replacement can be the pressure balancing unit also.

A pressure balancing unit is the part of your shower that is designed to maintain the consistent water temperature of the shower by adjusting the hot and cold water regardless of the supply lines. 

When there is an issue with the pressure balancing unit of the shower, it can disrupt the hot and cold water flow including no cold water in the shower. So, ultimately, it can happen that after shower cartridge replacement, there is nothing related to the cartridge but the faulty pressure balancing unit leading to all this mess. 

How To Fix: 

If the pressure balancing unit of your shower has become faulty, you have to clean or replace it with a new one to fix the issue. 

1. Turn Off The Water Supply 

First of all, as usual, turn off the water supply in your house. 

2. Access The Pressure Balancing Unit

After turning off the water, access the pressure balancing unit. To access it, remove the handle, trim plate, and cartridge.

3. Inspect For Debris And Clean It Out

Check out the pressure balancing unit for any dust or debris buildup. If there is any, clean it thoroughly using a soft brush, vinegar, or a commercial cleaner. Of course, be gentle not to damage any parts. 

4. Inspect For Damage And Replace 

If the pressure balancing unit is bearing any signs of damage or is severely corroded, you may need to replace it now. Buy a compatible pressure balancing unit for your shower and replace it with the old one. Ensure that it is properly aligned or properly installed. 

5. Reassemble 

Once done, put back everything in the reverse order as you did before to remove them. Finally, check out whether everything is tight and secure.

If you need any further assistance, you can refer to the below video. 

7. Faulty Cartridge

When your shower is not having cold water even after replacing the cartridge and everything mentioned above seems alright, then the possibility is that the cartridge you have brought is the defective one itself. 

Generally, there are quite a number of reasons for which the cartridge becomes faulty. For instance, it is possible that the cartridge has been damaged during installation. 

If the cartridge is not handled properly during installation or not installed in the correct way, it can become damaged. Moreover, sometimes it can be that the cartridge is bearing fault from the manufacturer. 

How To Fix:

Whatever the reason for the faulty cartridge, you may need to replace the cartridge again with a new one if that one is faulty. So, to resolve the problem, replace the cartridge with a good just like the steps described in solution 4.

8. Blockage Or Damage Cold Water Supply Line Or On The Showerhead

Let’s move ahead to another possible reason for the no cold water in the shower after the cartridge. It is the blocked or damaged cold water supply lines. When the cold water lines become blocked or damaged, it interrupts cold water flow in the shower resulting in only hot water or no cold water at all. 

There are multiple reasons why the water lines become clogged out. For instance, corrosion, buildup of mineral deposits, physical damage caused by freezing, or other factors. The same can happen with the showerhead resulting in a reduction or complete blockage of water flow to the showerhead.

How To Diagnose:

To diagnose the blockage either in the showerhead or in the cold water supply lines, check the water pressure of other faucets in your house. 

If the water pressure is natural in the other places but absent or low only in the shower head, it indicates that there may be a blockage in the showerhead or the water pipes. 

How To Fix:

To clean out both messes check out the below steps.

Unclogging The Shower Head 

Step 1: First, unscrew the shower head using the wrench or pliers from the shower arm. 

Step 2: Now take a container filled with equal water and vinegar. Submerge the showerhead in the vinegar and water mixture and let soak for at least one hour. You can also take a plastic bag filled with vinegar and water and bind it with the shower arm submerging the shower head without removing it, whatever you prefer. 

Step 3: After one hour, take the showerhead and clean all the stubborn clogs using a brush. Now clean the shower head with clear water. Screw back and tighten up the showerhead to the shower arm. 

Clean Up The Blockage Of The Cold Water lines

Step 1: Turn the water supply off the cold water lines and inspect it. 

Step 2: Examine the water lines for any blockage or damage, for instance, cranks and kinks. If there is any blockage in the cold water lines, clean the clog out using a drain cleaner or plumbing snake. 

Step 3: If you notice any broken or leakage in the cold water pipelines, you need to replace the faulty pipes. You can cut out the damaged section and replace it with a new one. Here you may need an expert’s assistance.

9. Consult An Expert

If you tried everything out but still found no luck, as a last resort, you can ask for the help of the experts. While facing challenging issues like this and also can’t find any way out, it is wise to seek the expert’s assistance. 

With years of experience, knowledge, and using the correct tools, they can identify the exact issue of your plumbing system and solve the problem. So, take the expert’s help now to enjoy the peace of mind that only comes after the problem is solved or when the job is well done!

FAQs:

Final Words

Is there still any more confusion about the no cold water in the shower after replacing the cartridge problem? We bet not! By following the guide, you can expect to fix the problem very easily. 

As you see, there are multiple reasons that can cause your shower to have no cold water after being replaced. So, to fix the problem, start with the easiest fixes like checking the shut-off and the temperature adjustment. 

Moreover, double-check for the proper installation. If you’re not so sure what to do, then, of course, take the expert’s assistance. So, it is all for a great shower ahead.