What to do if…
your windshield washer jets stop spraying and you need to restore visibility to drive safely

What to do now

1. Secure the stop first.

   • Keep your hazard flashers on.
   • If it is dark, raining, foggy, dusty, or snowy, turn on your lights so other drivers can see you.
   • If you are on a high-speed shoulder or traffic is close, it is generally safer to stay inside with your seat belt on until help arrives, unless there is a more immediate danger such as fire, smoke, or impact risk.
   • Follow police, highway patrol, or roadside-assistance instructions if they are present.

2. Make the visibility call before moving.

   • Look through the windshield from the driver’s seat.
   • If you cannot clearly judge lane lines, vehicles, signs, pedestrians, the shoulder, and glare, treat the vehicle as not safe to drive yet.

3. Try the quickest inside-the-car fixes.

   • Turn on the defroster or defogger.
   • Use air conditioning if available, because it can help dry the air inside the vehicle.
   • If you have a clean cloth or paper towel within reach, wipe the inside of the windshield where haze has built up.

4. Move only if you can do so safely.

   • If you are already in a parking lot, rest area, gas station, driveway, or fully separated pull-off, stay there while you check.
   • If you are on a shoulder and cannot see well enough to merge safely, do not try to reach a better place by driving blind.

5. Check washer fluid only from a safe place.

   • If you can get out away from traffic, check the washer reservoir.
   • If it is low or empty and you have windshield washer fluid, top it up.
   • Use washer fluid rated for the weather if freezing temperatures are possible.

6. Listen briefly for the washer pump.

   • From inside the vehicle, activate the washers once or twice and listen.
   • Pump sound but no spray may mean an empty reservoir, frozen fluid, clogged nozzle, or disconnected line.
   • No pump sound may mean a fuse, pump, switch, or electrical problem.
   • Stop testing if repeated attempts do not restore spray.

7. If freezing is likely, keep it simple.

   • If temperatures are near or below freezing, frozen fluid or frozen nozzles may not clear at the roadside.
   • Keep the cabin warm and the defroster on.
   • Do not keep cycling the washer pump if nothing is spraying.

8. If you are safely parked, clear only what is obvious.

   • Wipe dirt, ice, or slush from the washer nozzle area if you can reach it safely.
   • If a nozzle opening is visibly blocked, a very gentle clear with a fine object may help, but stop if there is resistance or any risk of damaging or misaligning the nozzle.
   • Do not work under the hood or around the front of the vehicle where passing traffic is close.

9. Get help if clear visibility is not restored.

   • Call your roadside assistance provider, insurer roadside line, auto club, or a local tow service.
   • If you are in a hazardous location, traffic is a threat, there has been a crash, or someone may be in danger, call 911.
   • In many areas you may be able to dial 511 for traveler information or road-service patrol information; availability and services vary by state and road.