Welcome to all the beginners out there! I know how overwhelmed one can feel when starting out with an irrigation system. Itā€™s essential to understand the basics before diving deep into the machinery. So, letā€™s start by familiarizing ourselves with the irrigation controller. It regulates the amount of water supplied to your lawn and garden and should be checked and maintained regularly. In this blog, weā€™ll guide you through commonly faced issues with irrigation systems controllers and how to troubleshoot them.

Check The Power Source

First things first, check if your controller is receiving power. You may notice the display screen is off, or the system isnā€™t operating as expected. Ensure that the power source is connected and in good condition. Inspect the wiring and connections between the controller and the power source. Make sure thereā€™s no damage to the wiring or an incomplete connection.

A person is inspecting the wiring of the irrigation controller.

The Faulty Valve

Secondly, the solenoid valve could be defective. Irrigation controllers use solenoid valves to regulate the flow of water. If the solenoid valve is not functioning properly, the water flow is either too much or too little, causing issues. In such cases, locate the respective solenoid valve and check to see if the wiring is not corroded. Also, ensure itā€™s not obstructed by any debris.

A hand holding an open valve.

Controller Settings

Next, double-check the controller settings to ensure you have programmed it with the correct details, including the watering days and watering duration. Often, changes in weather, time of the year, or changes in plant growth require the controller settings to be updated. You can find the settings in the user manual or through online tutorials.

A person pressing the on/off button of the irrigation controller.

Check the Display

The display sometimes flashes error messages or fails to show information. If you spot such issues, then take your controller to an authorized dealer or hire a professional for repairs. Avoid opening the controller as it could cause permanent damage.

A person holding a circuit board.

The Battery

If the device still fails to function, you should check the batteryā€™s condition. Most controllers have a backup battery in case of electricity loss. Disable the controllerā€™s power source and open the battery compartment. Make sure the battery is correctly placed, free of corrosion, and replace if necessary.

A hand holding a new alkaline battery.

Time to Re-Program

Lastly, you can try resetting the controller. This involves rebooting or restoring the controller to its default settings. Follow the instructions from the user manual or online resources to execute this action. After resetting, reprogram the controller with all the new settings.

A hand pressing the reset button of the irrigation controller.

There you have it, folks, some common pitfalls and how to navigate them. Remember, itā€™s normal to encounter errors when dealing with irrigation control systems. Most issues can be solved with simple checks and corrections. However, donā€™t hesitate to seek professional help when the situation persists. With these tips, we hope the troubleshooting process feels more comfortable and successful.

A beautiful green lawn with functioning irrigation systems.


Thanks for reading the blog on ā€˜Troubleshooting Your Irrigation Systems Controller: A Guideā€™! We hope you found it helpful. Our tone throughout the blog was friendly and genuine, written from the perspective of a trusted gardening enthusiast. We wanted to emphasize a welcoming vibe from the beginning to make the reader feel comfortable. Using emojis and markdowns added a zest of personality and fun to the blog. The images used also brought the context to life and aided in conveying the message. We hope you enjoyed reading it šŸ˜!