Here’s a straightforward write-up to help you diagnose why your plunger might not be working and how to fix it. You’ve got a clogged drain, you grab your trusty plunger, give it several vigorous pumps… and nothing happens. The water barely moves, or it just splashes back at you. Frustrating, right?

A plunger usually fails for one of three reasons: Here’s how to troubleshoot each one. 1. You’re not getting a good seal The plunger needs to be completely submerged in water and make airtight contact with the drain opening. If air escapes, you lose the pressure that clears the clog.