Toilet cisterns are normally empty for a short period of time between flushes, filling up within a few minutes in preparation for the next discharge. Problems with certain parts of your toilet and out of it can lead to an empty tank, making it impossible to pull the chain at all.
American Standard 3517.B101.020 Toilet Bowl, White
Closed valve
The water valve that comes out of the wall behind the toilet controls the water flowing in the toilet tank. First check whether the valve is closed or not. If the valve is closed, and you pull the chain, the tank is emptied and does not refill. Twist the valve handle to the left as far as you can, opening the valve to the end, and wait for the tank to fill.
Water obstruction-Line
The flexible water line running from the water valve to the bottom of the toilet tank can become clogged. If you suspect that the water level may be faulty, turn off the water in the valve before removing the water line, both from the toilet and the water valve. Keep an opening in the hose below the sink spout and turn on the water. If the water flows through the hose, then it is not the source of the problem. If the line is the problem, replace it with a new one.
Filling valve capped
The filling valve is the large cylinder inside the toilet tank. The flexible water line that connects to the bottom of the tank supplies water to the valve fill assembly. If you have hard water, the fill valve can become clogged with hard water deposits. You must close the water for the bath, remove the lid from the top of the fill valve, open the water again and clean the fill valve for a few seconds before turning off the water again to replace the stopper.
Flap valve of evil
Hinge valves will last only for a certain amount of time before rubber deteriorates and the fin valve no longer seals the leak in the tank. By dropping a few drops of dark food coloring into the water in your toilet tank, when the water is still, you will be able to observe if the water is seeping beyond the fin. If the tank is empty, fill a bucket and pour in before attempting this test. If colored water seeps into the toilet bowl, replace the fin valve.