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Troubleshooting a sump pump means checking power first, then the float switch, then blockages — in that order.
For the full breakdown, see our best 3/4 HP Sump Pump guide.
A sump pump that quits usually does it during the heaviest rain of the year, and the cause is almost always one of three things: lost power, a stuck float switch, or a clogged discharge path. You can test all three in about ten minutes with nothing but your hands and a bucket of water.
Start with power, then the float switch, then the flow path — that sequence is how to troubleshoot sump pump problems without replacing parts you don’t need. Unplug the pump before you handle it; touching the pump or discharge piping while it’s energized carries a real risk of injury or death.