Four checks before rebuilding
Fast diagnosis
- Check whether the Pump actually touches the liquid
Liquid must occupy its central active area; contact with only the outer tile edge is not enough.
- Check whether the Pipe forms one continuous network
Follow every segment from the Pump to the Liquid Vent and repair any gap.
- Check whether the Liquid Vent has a clear output space
Remove solid pixels or other obstructions from the central release area.
- Check whether the Vent is already submerged
A Vent can stop when its central opening is covered even if the whole 4-by-4 tile does not look underwater.
Input → transport → output
Test one stage at a time
- Input: isolate one Pump
Place supported non-Lava liquid in the central intake area, remove solid contamination, and disconnect extra endpoints.
- Transport: trace the Pipe
Build one continuous route. A connected-looking corner or hidden gap still breaks the network.
- Output: expose one Vent
Keep its central output clear and place it where released liquid has room to move.
- Expand: add one branch
Only add another Pump or Vent after the single endpoint pair releases liquid.
If the machinery is working but the source keeps shrinking, return to the Water Guide. For Snow, Steam, rain, and restart-sensitive multiplication, use the separate Renewable Water guide.
| Stage | Documented behavior | Common wrong assumption | Safer check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump | Central active area takes supported non-Lava liquid. | Any contact with the outer tile starts intake. | Put liquid in the centre and clear solids. |
| Pipe | One network can connect multiple Pumps and Vents. | A visually close segment is automatically connected. | Trace one unbroken route end to end. |
| Liquid Vent | Central area deposits liquid until obstructed. | The entire tile must be submerged before it stops. | Inspect the central output cells. |
| Mixed liquids | A shared network can distribute supported liquids across outputs. | A Vent selects a preferred liquid. | Use separate networks when destinations must stay pure. |
| Symptom | Likely cause | First correction |
|---|---|---|
| Pump does not take Water | No Water in the central intake area or a solid obstruction. | Move or clear the source at the Pump centre. |
| Pipe looks connected but nothing moves | A gap exists or neither endpoint is active. | Test one short continuous Pipe between one Pump and one Vent. |
| Vent never releases liquid | The output centre is blocked. | Clear the Vent face and provide empty destination space. |
| Vent stops at a shallow level | Liquid covers the central output area. | Raise or relocate the Vent relative to the target level. |
| Wrong liquid appears at the destination | Several liquids share one network. | Separate the networks by liquid. |
| The system works, then stops | A source solid or destination obstruction entered an active area. | Inspect both endpoints before replacing Pipe segments. |
Update record
- 2026-08-22 — Published a three-stage fluid diagnostic with documented active-area, network, obstruction, and mixed-liquid boundaries.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Pump not taking Water?
The liquid must occupy the Pump’s central active area. A solid pixel in that area can obstruct intake, so inspect and clear the centre before rebuilding the Pipe network.
Why does a Liquid Vent stop before the basin looks full?
The Vent deposits liquid from its central opening and stops when enough of that output area is covered by liquid or another obstruction. The whole tile does not need to look submerged.
Can one Pipe network carry several liquids?
The official Pipe page allows supported non-Lava liquids and multiple endpoints, but recommends separate systems because shared networks distribute mixed inputs across outputs. Do not assume a destination will select one liquid.