My Jetted Tub Button Was Stuck — Here’s What I Did Instead of Replacing It
So I was all set for a relaxing soak after a long day and boom — the jetted tub button was stuck. Wouldn’t press in, wouldn’t pop back out, and the jets either stayed on or wouldn’t kick on at all. Total buzzkill.
At first, I figured I’d need to find the exact part for this whirlpool tub button, order it, wait for shipping, shut off power, and swap it out. Sounds like a weekend project I didn’t have time for.
But after digging around and thinking outside the box a bit, I found a simple, cheap fix that got my tub working again in under a minute, no joke. If your whirlpool tub button won’t turn off or won’t even come on, I’m telling you — this fix might save you time and a big repair bill.
Why Jetted Tub Buttons Wear Out (And Why It’s So Annoying)
If you’ve got one of those press-in buttons on your whirlpool or spa tub, it’s probably an air switch or a built-in electric switch. And over time? They go bad. Moisture gets in, the button mechanism wears out, or the internals just stop clicking correctly.
The worst part is that when your whirlpool tub motor won’t start (or won’t stop), you suddenly realize how much those jets matter. It turns a relaxing bath into either a stressful silence or a roaring tub that won’t shut up.
And when you go to find a replacement part? It’s usually:
- A confusing search to match your specific tub model
- Overpriced (some switches cost $80+!)
- And might involve wiring or cutting into the tub panel
No thanks.
The Simple, Genius Fix I Tried Instead (No Tools Needed)
Rather than digging into the guts of my tub, I grabbed this handy little solution on Amazon:
💡 Inline Cord Switch with Waterproof Design – See it here!
It’s a waterproof inline rocker switch with a piggyback-style plug. All you do is:
- Unplug your tub’s motor cord from the wall
- Plug that motor cord into the inline switch
- Then plug the switch into the wall outlet
- Flip the red rocker switch to turn your jets on or off
That’s it. No tools. No wiring. No plumbing. No tracking down a custom jetted tub part that might not even fit.
How I Installed It in Under 60 Seconds
Here’s exactly what I did, step-by-step:
- Pulled my tub’s motor cord out from behind the panel (or wherever yours plugs in)
- Unplugged it from the wall outlet
- Took my new inline waterproof switch and plugged the motor cord into it
- Plugged the switch into the wall outlet
- Flipped the rocker to test — and the tub jets turned on perfectly!
Done. The tub now turns on and off with a simple red button, and honestly, I kinda like it better than the old press-in style.
🔌 Step-by-Step: How I Installed the Inline Power Switch
The fix took less than 60 seconds, no exaggeration. Here’s exactly what I did:
- Found the motor cord that plugs in underneath the tub. In my case, it ran to a GFCI outlet behind the access panel.
- Unplugged the motor from the outlet (safety first).
- Plugged the motor cord into the new inline switch from Amazon.
- Plugged the switch into the outlet.
- Pushed the rocker button — and boom! The jetted tub roared back to life.
I didn’t need to touch the original stuck button at all. The new switch works like a charm and is mounted in a dry, safe spot.
👉 You can see the switch I used here:
🔧 Inline Waterproof Rocker Switch on Amazon
💡 Why This Hack Actually Works (and Works Well)
Let’s break down why this cheap fix is so effective:
- IP67 waterproof rating — that means it’s safe even in damp environments.
- 20A/125V capacity — plenty of power for most tub jet motors.
- No rewiring or tools — seriously, anyone could do this with no experience.
- Built-in piggyback plug — you don’t lose an outlet, which is a bonus.
This wasn’t just a temporary fix — this is my new permanent solution. For around $20, it saved me from either replacing an obscure button part or calling in a $200 repair guy.
🧼 Helpful Tip: Clean the Tub While You’re At It
Since I already had access to the tub panel and motor, I decided to give the tub and surrounding area a good clean too. If you’ve got buildup in your jets, a quick cleaning session will keep everything flowing smoothly.
I recommend checking out my guide on how to clean your jetted tub for a deeper clean. Don’t wait until gunk builds up — a little upkeep goes a long way.
🔁 Other Times You Might Use This Inline Switch
This wasn’t the first time I’ve had a stuck appliance button, and it probably won’t be the last.
This same inline waterproof switch could also help with:
- Small pumps in outdoor fountains
- Workshop tools where the switch broke
- Holiday light displays that need easy shutoff
- Aquarium equipment needing waterproof control
Basically, anything that plugs in and needs a switch could benefit from this. That’s why I’ve ordered a second one — you never know when you’ll need it again.
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