Troubleshooting common problems with water purifiers: low water output and unpleasant odor.

Troubleshooting common problems with water purifiers: low water output and unpleasant odor. This solution is the most convenient.
Installing a water purifier at home is all about making drinking water a hassle-free and reassuring experience. However, it's inevitable to encounter some minor issues: the water flows so slowly that it's almost unbearable; it takes a long time to get a cup of water; the boiled water has an unpleasant taste and makes you feel sick after just one sip; occasionally, there will be leaks and alarms, leaving you confused about whether to contact the after-sales service or handle it yourself. 
Actually, everyone, don't panic. For most minor malfunctions of water purifiers, there's no need to rush to call a repair technician. You can solve the problem by yourself, which saves both time and repair costs. Today, we will address the two most common issues - low water output and unpleasant odor - based on the typical usage scenarios of the machine. We will share several simple and easy-to-follow methods. Even beginners can easily master them and no longer have to worry about the minor problems of the water purifier. 
?? Low water output: First check for "blockage", then examine "pressure"
When many people notice a decrease in water output, their first assumption is that "the machine is broken". However, chances are it's either clogged or the water pressure is insufficient. By following this sequence of checks, 80% of the problems can be easily resolved. 
First, check the pre-filter and the PP cotton filter element. These are the two most likely places to "block water flow". The pre-filter acts as the "first gatekeeper" of the water purifier, specifically filtering out large particles such as sand, rust, and insect eggs. If it is not cleaned for a long time, the impurities will accumulate on the filter screen, causing the water flow to slow down. The troubleshooting method is very simple: turn off the water inlet valve of the water purifier, unscrew the drainage port of the pre-filter, and open the valve to flush for 3-5 minutes until the water coming out becomes clear. Then put it back in place.
If after flushing the pre-filter, the water output is still small, then focus on checking the PP cotton filter element. The PP cotton is the primary filter, specifically filtering suspended impurities. Generally, it needs to be replaced every 3-6 months. If it is not replaced for a long time, the filter element will be clogged with impurities and the water flow will not pass through at all. Open the filter element compartment, remove the PP cotton, if you see that its color has darkened and the surface is covered with impurities, directly replace it with a new one. Remember to flush for 1-2 minutes after replacement to avoid residual impurities.
In addition, insufficient water pressure can also cause a small water output. You can first turn on the tap in your home to see the water flow size: if the tap water itself is small, it may be a problem with the water pressure in the community, and installing a booster pump can solve it; if only the water output from the water purifier is small, while the tap water is normal, it is likely that there is a problem with the booster pump inside the machine. In this case, you can directly contact the after-sales service; don't mess around on your own.
There is also a point that is easily overlooked: the wastewater ratio of the RO reverse osmosis water purifier is set too high, which can also cause the water output from the purifier to be reduced. Normally, the wastewater ratio of the RO machine is between 1:1 and 1:3. If it is set too high, follow the instructions to adjust the wastewater ratio valve back to the normal range, and the water output will be normal. 
?? Odor issue: Classified as "new machine" and "old machine", targeted solutions are more efficient
If the water output from the water purifier has an odor, there is no need to blindly rinse or replace the filter element. There are mainly two situations - new machine has an odor and old machine has an odor. Targeted solutions are needed, which are convenient and efficient.
For a newly installed water purifier, if the water output has a slight plastic smell or an activated carbon smell, it is a normal phenomenon. Don't panic. After all, the filter element and the pipeline are new. During production, there will be a little plastic residue or activated carbon powder remaining. As long as you fully rinse it, the odor will disappear. The specific operation is very simple: Open the water purifier faucet, continuously drain water for 15-20 minutes. During this period, you can repeatedly turn on and off the faucet to allow the water to fully flow through the pipeline and the filter element until there is no odor. Then, it will be fine for drinking and cooking. 
If a water purifier that has been in use for more than 3 months starts to have an unpleasant smell, it is likely that the filter element has aged or bacteria have grown. The activated carbon filter element is the core for adsorbing odors. After being used for 6 to 12 months, its adsorption capacity will decrease, and it will no longer be able to effectively remove residual chlorine and odors from the water. In this case, it is advisable to replace the activated carbon filter element. If the filter element is not replaced for a long time, bacteria and mold will grow inside it, not only causing an unpleasant smell but also polluting the water quality. In such cases, in addition to replacing the filter element, remember to flush the internal pipes of the water purifier to eliminate the bacteria.
Also, if the tap water in your home already has an unpleasant smell, such as a bleach smell or a rust smell, it may be due to poor pre-filtering. Check if the pre-filter is clogged. If it is, flush it immediately; if the pre-filter's precision is insufficient, replace it with a higher precision pre-filter screen to reduce the odor at the source. 
⚠️ Do not rush to fix these minor issues
Although most faults can be resolved by yourself, in the following situations, it is recommended to contact the after-sales service directly instead of attempting to fix it yourself: The water purifier is leaking but the leakage point cannot be found; After the machine alarms, after a long period of troubleshooting, it still cannot be reset; The RO membrane is damaged (the water TDS value is too high and even after replacing the filter, the problem does not improve); The booster pump makes abnormal sounds and does not work. These involve internal machine parts. Fixing them by yourself is likely to make the problem worse and result in higher repair costs. 
In fact, most of the minor malfunctions of water purifiers are caused by inadequate maintenance. Regular cleaning and timely replacement of filter elements can reduce 80% of the troubles. Remember the above troubleshooting methods. If you encounter problems such as low water output and strange odors next time, don't panic. Just follow the steps to check and you can easily solve the problem and keep the water purifier in good condition, allowing you to drink clean and safe water.