Serum & Jar
Menu

Creams · Serums · Essences · Size in ml · Price per ml

Fix

Serum or cream pump not working: how to fix an airless pump

Published

Short answer

Most airless pumps that seem broken just need priming: press the pump firmly 10 to 20 times with the bottle upright until product appears. If it still fails, clear dried product from the nozzle, check the base for a stuck piston, and warm a thick cream slightly. When the piston reaches the top, the bottle is nearly empty and the pump will stop.

Products for this step

All 7 picks compared
Black skincare pump bottle on a white plate with green leaf and makeup smear
Photo: Karen Laårk Boshoff on Pexels

Airless pumps are common on luxury serums and creams because they keep the formula away from air and fingers. They work differently from a normal pump, which is why they confuse people: there is no straw inside, and a new bottle can take many presses before anything comes out. This page explains how an airless pump works, the usual reasons it stops, a step-by-step fix, and how to get the last of an expensive product out without damaging the bottle.

How an airless pump works

An airless bottle has no dip tube. Instead, there is a flat disc, called a piston, at the bottom of the product. Each press of the pump creates a small vacuum that draws product up, and the piston rises behind it. Air is not let back in, so the product is pushed toward the pump as the piston moves up. You can often see a small hole in the base of the bottle; that is where air enters behind the piston, not into the product.

This design is why an airless bottle can dispense upside down or sideways, and why it can take several presses to start. It is also why the last bit is hard to reach: when the piston gets to the top, there is little left to push.

Common reasons the pump stops working

  • New bottle, nothing comes out

    Likely cause
    Pump not primed yet
    What to try
    Press firmly 10 to 20 times, bottle upright

  • Worked before, now stuck

    Likely cause
    Dried product in the nozzle
    What to try
    Wipe and clear the nozzle with warm water on a cloth

  • Pump presses but nothing comes out

    Likely cause
    Air pocket at the top
    What to try
    Tap the base on a towel, then press again

  • Thick cream comes out slowly or not at all

    Likely cause
    Cream too firm in a cold room
    What to try
    Warm the bottle in your hands for a minute

  • Piston visible near the top

    Likely cause
    Bottle nearly empty
    What to try
    See getting the last bit out below

  • Pump head loose or cap missing

    Likely cause
    Head not seated properly
    What to try
    Push the head down straight and check it clicks into place
Causes and fixes

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Check that any lock is off. Some pumps twist to lock for travel; turn the head to the open position.

  2. 2

    Hold the bottle upright and press the pump fully and firmly 10 to 20 times. A new bottle often needs this before the first dose.

  3. 3

    If nothing comes out, tap the base of the bottle gently on a folded towel a few times to settle the product and the piston.

  4. 4

    Wipe the nozzle with a damp, warm cloth to soften any dried product. Do not push a pin deep into the pump.

  5. 5

    If the product is a thick cream, warm the bottle between your hands for a minute and try again.

  6. 6

    Look at the base. If the piston is tilted or stuck, a gentle push upward through the air hole with a blunt tool, such as the end of a cotton swab, can help it move.

  7. 7

    If it still does not dispense, contact the seller or brand. A pump that never primes on a new bottle may be faulty.

Note.Do not force the pump head off or cut the bottle while it is still full. You risk spilling product and breaking the pump.

How to get the last bit of serum out

When the piston reaches the top, the pump stops pulling product up, but there is usually a small amount left in the pump and around the top. Some airless pump heads can be removed by twisting or pulling straight up once the bottle is nearly empty; others are sealed and cannot. Check gently and stop if it does not move easily.

If the head comes off, use a small clean spatula to scoop the remaining product into a clean container and use it within a few days. If the head does not come off, press the pump a few more times with the bottle upright and then upside down, since some product may still be held in the pump chamber. Refillable bottles, such as the refillable bottle the Lancome Absolue The Serum listing describes, are designed to be opened, so follow the brand's refill steps.

  • Tap the bottle head-down on a towel before the last presses.
  • Use a clean spatula, not fingers, if you can reach the product.
  • Transfer leftovers to a small clean pot and use them soon.
  • Do not add water to stretch the last bit.

Keeping an airless pump working

If you use a set dose, such as one pump of serum, airless pumps are handy for measuring. Our how much serum to use page covers the usual amounts.

  • Put the cap back on after each use to stop product drying in the nozzle.
  • Wipe the nozzle tip with a clean tissue every few days.
  • Keep the bottle at room temperature; cold can stiffen thick creams.
  • Do not block the air hole in the base, such as with a sticker or tight case.
  • Store upright in a drawer or cupboard. See how to store luxury skincare.

When the pump is the reason to switch formats

Some people prefer jars or dropper bottles because they find it easier to see how much is left and to use the last of it. Others prefer airless pumps for their clean, measured dose. If a pump keeps causing trouble, look for the same product in a different format or a refill system. Our luxury skincare refills explained page covers jars and refill capsules, and the luxury serum guide lists bottle formats and sizes.

Compare serum bottles and sizes →

Frequently asked questions

Why does my new airless pump not work? It usually needs priming. Press firmly 10 to 20 times with the bottle upright until product appears.

Is there product left when an airless pump stops? Usually a little. When the piston reaches the top, a small amount stays in the pump and around the top of the bottle.

Can I open an airless pump bottle? Some pump heads twist or pull off and some are sealed. Try gently once the bottle is nearly empty, and stop if it does not move.

Why does my airless pump have a hole in the bottom? The hole lets air in behind the piston so it can rise. It does not let air into the product. Keep it uncovered.

What you need for this