It sounds like you may be trying to fill up the inner part of the pump handle itself and not the Beach Shower tank. Watch this video HERE and complete the following steps: Remove any water that may be in the sleeve by turning your Beach Shower upside down and giving it a gentle shake. Return the pump handle back into its sleeve - there may be some air pressure as you push the two parts together, continue pushing until you hear a click. Rotate the connecting ring clockwise to re-attach the outer sleeve to the pump handle. Tighten until the ring is firmly secured. Now that the pump is re-connected correctly, push down firmly to remove it from your Beach Shower* Fill your tank with water, insert the pump back into the Beach Shower and turn the handle clockwise to close it securely – your Beach Shower is now ready to use. *The key is pushing down in an anti clock-wise direction when opening, and using the weight of your body to push down to dislodge/unscrew it. You can even unscrew without the pump handle being aligned with the locking grooves of the pump, you just need to use that body weight to push down before turning and it will open.