How to Fix a Toilet Handle That Doesn’t Flush Correctly

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Here’s what can go wrong with a toilet handle—and how to fix it
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A toilet handle is one of those household things you don’t think much about—until it stops working properly. But if your toilet handle starts jiggling or sticking, or if the toilet doesn’t fully flush when you press the handle, that little piece can suddenly feel like a big deal. Luckily, fixing or replacing a toilet handle is usually an easy DIY job. We talked to Master Plumber Dave Jones to find out everything you need to know, from figuring out what’s causing the problem to how to do a full handle replacement .

How do you adjust a toilet tank handle?

If the handle is loose, tighten the nut that holds it in place, or loosen the nut if the handle is sticking. If you have to hold the handle down to flush, check the chain length or adjust how much water flows through your flapper. If the handle is broken or doesn’t fit against your tank, replace it with a new one.

Section 1 of 5:

Troubleshooting Toilet Tank Handle Issues

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  1. Check inside the tank to see if you can find the problem. Remove the toilet lid and carefully set it aside, then look inside the tank. A toilet handle is a fairly simple assembly, made up of the handle itself (the part you push down to flush, located on the outside of the tank), a threaded piece that fits inside a hole in the tank, a long lever arm, and a nut that holds everything in place. Here are the main problems to check for: [1]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Dave Jones is a Master Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President of Roto-Rooter Plumbing Cleanup.

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Section 2 of 5:

Adjusting the Lever Nut

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  1. The plastic or metal nut holding the toilet handle assembly in place can loosen over time. Use your fingers to turn the nut counterclockwise to tighten it. If you’d like, you can use an adjustable wrench to give the nut another half-turn after it’s finger-tight. Do not overtighten the nut, or you could crack the porcelain. [2]
    • Most toilets are reverse-threaded to help prevent the threads from becoming loose, so to tighten the nut, you turn it the opposite direction from what you might think.
  2. 2
    Loosen the nut if the handle is stuck in the down position. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut until the handle can move freely. Then, carefully tighten the nut back just tightly enough that the handle stays in place without wiggling, but can still flush easily. Do not overtighten the nut. [3]
    • Because the lever nut is reverse-threaded, it can tighten over time. If it gets too tight, the handle may not be able to move freely.
  3. 3
    Wrap stripped threads with plumber’s tape for a quick fix for. Remove the chain from the end of the lever arm, slide the nut off the lever arm, and pull the handle out of its hole. Wrap plumber’s tape several times around the threaded portion, then slide the handle back in place and tighten the nut. If the nut stays in place, reattach the chain to the lever arm. [4]
    • Over time, the flushing motion can tighten the nut to the point that the threads get stripped. If that happens, the nut won’t be able to lock into place, and the handle will jiggle.
    • This isn’t a permanent solution, but plumber’s tape is pretty durable, so it should hold until you get around to changing the assembly.
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Section 3 of 5:

Adjusting the Chain, Lever Arm, or Flapper

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  1. Sometimes, fixing a toilet handle is as simple as putting the chain back on after it’s fallen off. Hook the free end of the chain onto a hole in the lever arm so there’s about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) of slack in the chain. [5]
    • If the chain falls off regularly, squeeze the hook on the end of the chain with needle-nose pliers so it bends closed. This will help it stay in place.
  2. 2
    Remove slack from the chain if the handle doesn’t lift the flapper high enough. If you notice that the flapper only comes up halfway when you flush, there’s probably too much slack in the chain. Either hook the chain to a hole further down the lever arm, or move the clip down a few links on the chain. [6]
    • You may need to use needle-nose pliers to remove the chain from the lever arm or to remove the hook from the chain.
    • Also, remove some slack if the chain is getting caught under the flapper when you flush.
    • If there’s too much excess chain and it’s getting hung up inside the toilet tank, use needle-nose pliers to snip off a few of the extra links.
  3. 3
    Add more slack to the chain if the flapper doesn’t stay open. If the flapper shuts too quickly after you flush or you have to hold the lever down to get a full flush, the chain may be too tight. Try moving the chain closer to the end of the lever arm, or move the clip up a few links on the chain.
  4. 4
    Try rotating the flapper if it closes too quickly. Some flappers rotate to control the flow of water when you flush. If your flapper slams closed after you flush and adjusting the chain doesn’t help, remove the flapper (just pull off the ends off of their posts) and turn the knob at the bottom so it allows more water through. [7]
    • This only applies to certain flappers, like the Fluidmaster Adjustable Toilet Flapper. If yours is adjustable, you’ll see numbers along one side—these are the settings. MIN (or 1) means less water flows when you flush, and MAX (9 or 10) means more water flows when you flush.
  5. 5
    Replace the chain if it’s broken or rusted. Remove the top end of the chain from the lever and the bottom of the chain from the flapper. You may need needle-nose pliers to remove the chain. Replace the chain by doing the opposite—attach the bottom of the chain to the flapper, then hook the free end to the lever. [8]
    • On the flapper end of the chain, hook the very last link to the flapper. There shouldn’t be any extra links on that end.
  6. 6
    Bend a metal lever arm if it’s making contact with the side of the tank. If the lever arm inside your tank is touching the tank wall or other components, it can affect how the toilet flushes when you push the handle. If the lever arm is made of metal, you may be able to bend it so it doesn’t rub, which may fix the flushing issue. [9]
    • Some lever arms are made of plastic, and they may not bend easily. If your plastic arm is warped to the point it’s rubbing against the tank wall, you may need to replace it.
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Section 4 of 5:

Replacing the Handle and Lever

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  1. Jones says that “you can buy a replacement handle at any hardware or home store.” [10] But be sure to note exactly where on your tank the handle is located—typically on the front left, front right, or side of the tank.
    • Some tanks use universal handles, but if you have a side-mounted handle, you’ll need to buy a side-mounted replacement.
  2. 2
    Loosen the handle nut with an adjustable wrench. If you haven’t already, Jones says to “remove the toilet tank lid and set it down flat in a safe place, out of the way. Then, remove the plastic nut on the inside of the tank that holds the flush handle in place. Use pliers or a wrench to loosen the nut by turning it carefully to the right.” [11]
  3. 3
    Disconnect the chain from the end of the lever arm. Before you’ll be able to pull the handle off the toilet, you’ll need to free it from the flapper chain. Use needle-nose pliers to open the clip, then unhook the chain. [13]
    • If your toilet has a plastic filler valve instead of a chain, pull the lever arm out of the filler valve to free it.
  4. 4
    Pull the handle and lever free. Slide the lever arm out of the hole in the toilet tank. “Be sure to remove any broken pieces of the handle assembly that might have fallen into the tank,” Jones says. “The water inside the tank is clean, so don’t worry about reaching in there.” [14]
    • If the handle doesn’t come free after you remove the nut, it’s probably being held in place by corrosion. Try tapping the handle or lever arm a couple of times with your pliers or wrench to free it.
  5. 5
    Slide the new handle into place. Jones says, “Attach the new flush handle to the tank by pushing the tank lever through the hole in the tank. Align the square bushing on the back side of the flush handle with the square hole in the tank so it sits firmly in place.” [15]
    • Make sure the arm is positioned so it’s horizontal—if it hangs down toward the bottom of the tank, it’s probably installed correctly, so pull it out and try again. If it still isn’t straight, it may be the wrong type of handle. [16]
  6. 6
    Put on the new washer and nut and tighten them. “Next, slide the plastic washer and nut assembly over the tank lever on the inside of the tank,” says Jones. “Tighten the nut with your fingers until it’s secure against the porcelain.” [17]
    • Do not overtighten the nut, or you could crack the porcelain. [18]
  7. 7
    Reattach the chain to the end of the lever arm. “Reach into the tank and grab the flush chain,” Jones says. “Then, slide the end hook through one of the holes on the tank lever.” [19]
  8. 8
    Flush the toilet to test it and make any necessary adjustments. Jones recommends “looking carefully at the flush chain when you flush. If the chain is too long or too short, move the flush chain to a different hole in the lever arm until you get the right adjustment.” [21]
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Section 5 of 5:

When to Call a Professional

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  1. Call a plumber if you can't fix the problem on your own. If you've tried DIY fixes but you haven’t been able to solve the issue yourself, it might be time to call in a pro. A professional plumber might also be a good idea if you're not comfortable working on a toilet or you think there might be something more serious going on, like there's a leak or sewage is backing up. [24]

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I increase the travel of the lever to lift the flapper higher so that water flushes faster?
    Community Answer
    You want the chain slightly slacked in a hole that's as far to the end as it will reach. This will use the highest part of the lever. However, your toilet's design is all that determines how fast and how much water rushes into the bowl. Consider getting a new toilet with increased tank and bowl outlets.
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  • Question
    What do I adjust if the flapper closes too quickly and I have to hold the handle down to get a complete flush?
    Community Answer
    You can buy different flappers that close slower, or a flapper with an adjustment for the float rate.
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  • Question
    What if the flush handle is sticking on the toilet seat?
    Community Answer
    Get a new and smaller seat or get a smaller or thinner handle. Bad toilet design is inexcusable in this century. Your only other option, if those aren't options or don't work, is to replace the toilet.
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      • You don’t need to turn off the water to the toilet for these fixes. You can if you want to, but you’ll need to turn it back on again to test your chain adjustments or handle replacement.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      3. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      5. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      6. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/Ts7jxxw8GuA?t=10
      8. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      1. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      5. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      8. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle
      10. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      11. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      12. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      13. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      14. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview
      15. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/95615/how-to-fix-a-toilet-handle

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