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How to Fix a Shower Drain Stopper That Won't Seal or Stay Open

A stopper that leaks or will not stay up is dirty, loose or worn out. Clean and tighten it first, then swap in a push-pull stopper that fits.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read

Time
15 min
Cost
Under $20
Difficulty
Easy
A chrome push-pull drain stopper lying on a white tub floor with hair and soap scum stuck to its rubber gasket
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. Does a walk-in shower need a stopper?
  9. What to skip
  10. FAQ
  11. Related problems

Quick answer

To fix a shower drain stopper that won't seal or stay open, unscrew it, clean out hair and soap film, check the rubber gasket and tighten the screw that holds it on the drain. If the gasket is split or the spring is weak, a replacement push-pull stopper swaps the whole worn assembly in a few minutes.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · 10 minutes

Clean, tighten and re-seat

  • Unscrew the stopper from the drain and rinse it
  • Scrub off hair, soap scum and gunk
  • Tighten the cap or the set screw
  • Fill the tub 2 inches and watch the water level for 10 minutes

How long it lasts: A few weeks to a year if the stopper is only dirty or loose. A split gasket or a weak spring will fail again.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
Illustration

A replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

Gaskets harden and springs weaken, and neither can be repaired. A new stopper replaces the whole worn part with a screwdriver, so it seals when closed and stays up when open.

What to get: Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

How long it lasts: Years. A new gasket and spring seal and hold like new.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Rubber gloves

    Drain gunk is greasy and unpleasant

    You have it

  • Screwdriver and hex key set

    Some stoppers hide a small set screw under the cap

    You have it

  • Old toothbrush

    For soap scum around the gasket

    You have it
  • Our pick
    Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
    Illustration

    Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

    Match the opening size and the thread

    Check price
  • Universal silicone suction drain plug (illustration)
    Illustration

    Universal silicone suction drain plug

    A quick seal for baths if you just need the water to stay in

    Check price

Why it happens

1

Hair and soap scum in the mechanism

Gunk sticks to the gasket and the stem, so the stopper cannot seat, or the spring gets sticky and fails to hold it open.

2

A hardened or split rubber gasket

The seal around the base dries out, flattens or tears. Water leaks past it even when the stopper looks closed.

3

A loose cap or set screw

The stopper works loose from the drain post, or the cap spins free, so the stopper does not move the way it should.

4

A weak spring or worn mechanism

Inside many push-pull and toe-touch stoppers, a small spring holds the stopper open. Over time it loses force, so the stopper drops shut or will not click.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. 1. Check which type you have

    Push-pull: pull up to open, push down to close. Toe-touch: tap with your toe. Lift-and-turn: a knob on top. Trip-lever: a lever on the overflow plate. The first three live in the drain. The lever type is a different fix.

  2. 2. Remove the stopper

    Tool used: Screwdriver and hex key set

    Look under the cap for a small set screw and loosen it. Then turn the stopper body counterclockwise to unscrew it. Wear gloves.

  3. 3. Clean every part

    Tool used: Old toothbrush

    Scrub the gasket, the stem and the drain throat with an old toothbrush and a little dish soap. Rinse well.

  4. 4. Tighten and re-seat

    Screw the stopper back on until snug, not forced, and tighten the set screw. Press the stopper down. It should sit flat and close fully.

  5. 5. Test the seal

    Fill the tub about 2 inches. Mark the water line with a pencil on masking tape, and check it after 10 minutes. A dropping line means a leak.

  6. 6. Fit a replacement if it still fails

    Tool used: Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

    Measure the drain opening and note the thread of the old post. Fit the matching stopper and test the seal again.

    Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper · Match the opening size and the thread

    Check price on Amazon

When free fixes aren't enough

If the gasket is split, the spring is weak, or the stopper still sags open or leaks after a cleaning, replace the whole stopper, because the parts rarely come separately. Confirm what drain you have first: measure the drain opening, note the thread size on the old post, and see whether yours screws in (most push-pull stoppers do) or works from a lever on the overflow plate. If water is slow to drain even with the stopper fully open, the clog is below it. See the related shower drain pages.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
Illustration
Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper
a stopper that leaks when closed or will not stay open Anyone with a screw-on push-pull stopper that cleaning did not fix. Check price
Budget pick
Universal silicone suction drain plug (illustration)
Illustration
Universal silicone suction drain plug
a bath that will not hold water, with no repair work Renters, or anyone who needs a quick seal for baths without taking the drain apart. Check price
Best pick
Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
Illustration

Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

Fixes: a stopper that leaks when closed or will not stay open

Look for: A size and thread that match your drain, with an adapter if needed; A thick rubber gasket that seals evenly; A brass or stainless body, not thin plated plastic.

Who it's for
Anyone with a screw-on push-pull stopper that cleaning did not fix.
Honest downside
Your tub uses a trip lever on the overflow plate, or the stopper is built into the drain body. Match the type first.
Check price on Amazon
Budget pick
Universal silicone suction drain plug (illustration)
Illustration

Universal silicone suction drain plug

Fixes: a bath that will not hold water, with no repair work

Look for: A wide flat or cone seal that covers your drain opening; Flexible silicone that seats on a clean, smooth surface; A pull tab you can lift by hand.

Who it's for
Renters, or anyone who needs a quick seal for baths without taking the drain apart.
Honest downside
You want a stopper you can open with a push or a pull. This one lifts out by hand every time.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on plumbing guides for tub and shower stoppers, parts descriptions from drain makers and the problems and fixes people report in owner reviews. We do not test products by hand.

Does a walk-in shower need a stopper?

Most walk-in showers have no stopper, only a strainer or a cover. Stoppers belong to tub and shower combos. If you have a floor drain with a broken cover, see the related page on matching a replacement cover.

What to skip

Sealant, putty or tape on the stopper

Smearing sealant around a leaky stopper gums up the mechanism and makes the next repair harder. If the gasket has failed, replace the stopper.

Frequently asked questions

How to fix a shower drain plug that leaks water?
Unscrew it and clean the gasket and the drain throat. Check the gasket for cracks or a flat spot, and tighten the stopper onto the drain post. If the rubber is split or hard, replace the stopper.
Why is my shower drain not staying open?
In a push-pull or toe-touch stopper, the spring or the friction fit has worn, or gunk is jamming the mechanism. Clean it and tighten the cap. If it still drops shut, the spring is weak and a new stopper fixes it.
How do I remove a shower drain stopper that is stuck?
Check under the cap for a set screw and loosen it. Then grip the stopper body and turn it counterclockwise. A rubber band around the body gives you more grip. Do not force it with a wrench, which can chew the finish.
How do I know which replacement stopper fits?
Measure the drain opening, note the thread on the old post and take a photo of the stopper. Then match the type: push-pull, toe-touch or lift-and-turn.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Replacement push-pull shower drain stopper

Check price