Why Is My Kohler Touchless Faucet Running Water Continuously and Won't Shut Off
- Sensor lens obstructed by soap residue or water mineral deposits
- Low battery causing erratic sensor behavior
- Solenoid valve stuck in the open position
Problem Description
Your Kohler touchless kitchen or bathroom faucet is running water continuously and will not shut off when you move your hands away from the sensor. The water keeps flowing regardless of hand proximity to the sensor zone. You may need to turn off the water supply valve under the sink to stop the flow.
Symptoms
- Water runs continuously without stopping after sensor activation
- Moving hands away from sensor does not trigger shutoff
- Faucet turns on by itself without any hand motion detected
- Water flow cycles on and off rapidly every few seconds
- Sensor LED stays lit constantly instead of turning off
- Manual override does not stop the continuous water flow
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Sensor lens obstructed by soap residue or water mineral deposits
- Low battery causing erratic sensor behavior
- Solenoid valve stuck in the open position
- Reflective objects near the sensor creating false triggers
- Sensor control module malfunction from water exposure
- Electromagnetic interference from nearby appliances
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
A continuously running faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day and significantly increase your water bill. Always shut off the supply valves as the first step before troubleshooting.
Tools & Requirements
These tools will help you complete this fix.
AA or AAA alkaline batteries
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Flashlight
OLIGHT Oclip Pro S EDC Flashlight Clip-on Light, 600...
Screwdriver
STREBITO 155 in 1 Electric Screwdriver Set, Small El...
Soft dry cloth
WHOOSH! Pro 16.9 fl oz Refillable TV Screen Cleaner ...
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Step-by-Step Solution
Emergency Water Shutoff
If water is flowing continuously, immediately turn off the hot and cold water supply valves under the sink by rotating them clockwise until tight. This stops the water flow while you troubleshoot. If your under-sink valves are difficult to turn or do not fully close, you may need to shut off the main water supply to the house temporarily.
Replace Batteries and Reset
Open the battery compartment, typically located on the control box under the sink or inside the faucet base. Remove all batteries and wait 30 seconds. This fully resets the sensor control module. Insert fresh alkaline AA or AAA batteries depending on your model. Do not use rechargeable batteries as the lower voltage can cause sensor malfunctions. Turn the water supply back on and test if the faucet now responds correctly to hand proximity.
Needed for this step
Duracell Coppertop Double AA Batteries with Pow...
$6.96Clean the Sensor and Remove Obstructions
Locate the infrared sensor window on the faucet, usually on the front or top of the spout. Clean it with a dry soft cloth to remove any water spots, soap film, or mineral deposits. Check that nothing is positioned within 4 inches of the sensor that could reflect the infrared beam and create a false trigger. Items like chrome soap dispensers, shiny backsplash tiles, or metallic dish racks placed near the sensor can cause continuous activation.
Needed for this step
WHOOSH! Pro 16.9 fl oz Refillable TV Screen Cle...
$19.99Check the Solenoid Valve
Under the sink, locate the solenoid valve, a cylindrical component connected to the water supply lines. If the valve is stuck in the open position, gently tap the side of the solenoid body with the handle of a screwdriver. This can free a stuck plunger that is holding the valve open. If tapping resolves the issue temporarily but it recurs, the solenoid valve likely needs replacement. Kohler sells replacement solenoid kits for most touchless models.
Needed for this step
STREBITO 155 in 1 Electric Screwdriver Set, Sma...
$45.99Test and Monitor
After completing all steps, turn the water supply valves back on slowly. Test the sensor by placing your hand near it and then removing it. Water should start within 1 second of hand detection and stop within 2 seconds of hand removal. If the faucet still runs continuously, disconnect the sensor cable from the control box. If water still flows with the sensor disconnected, the solenoid valve has failed and needs replacement. Contact Kohler support for warranty coverage.
Quick Solutions
Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.
If this comes back after following these steps, check whether a recent app or firmware update reset a default setting — the fix works, but the setting gets reverted silently.
Some Kohler touchless models have an adjustable sensor range. If the faucet is triggering too easily, reduce the sensor range in the control module settings to prevent false activations from nearby objects.
Battery-related failures are almost always flagged too late — the device degrades silently for days before the app catches up to what's actually happening.
- Sensor lens obstructed by soap residue or water mineral
- Low battery causing erratic sensor behavior
- Solenoid valve stuck in the open position
- Reflective objects near the sensor creating false triggers
- Sensor control module malfunction from water exposure
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
Official Manufacturer Manual
Kohler provides official product documentation through their online manual rather than downloadable PDF. Access setup guides, troubleshooting steps, and product specifications for your Kohler Touchless Faucet.
Source: kohler.com
Need More Help? Kohler Support
Note: The contact information below connects you directly to Kohler's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.
