Shark vacuums are the best low-maintenance robots in the market you may experience, but as with other tech products, you may experience a few glitches during use. Some of the common issues that Shark robots present include failure to connect to WiFi, failure to follow preset schedules, and failure to clean all the mapped areas. In most cases, these problems are brought about by software issues that can be fixed with a quick reset.
Resetting your Shark robot vacuum will ensure all its settings are cleared so you can begin from a clean slate. You may have other reasons for resetting the vacuum besides malfunctioning. If you just bought the robot and it is second-hand to you, you could use a reset. Also, you may want to reset the vacuum before reselling it. This article has a detailed step-by-step guide on how to reset a shark ION robot.
Resetting your Shark ION is not something you should do every day. It is a troubleshooting feature you should only consider when:
A newly bought Shark may need a couple of tries before connecting to the internet successfully. Before you think of resetting it, ensure you are using the recommended frequency. Some Sharks work on 2.4GHz, while others work on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Try resetting your router to see if the device can connect. If you have tried all these options and can’t seem to see why your robot won’t connect to the internet, you can go ahead to reset the Shark ION.
The Shark ION robot vacuum needs software to operate properly. Like other tech devices, when the software starts having problems, it begins to malfunction. The common software problems include: spinning around, cleaning at wrong hours, failing to find the dock station, launcher not loading, and deleted set schedules. All these scenarios are proof that your Shark ION has too much data in its memory. You can try a few hacks to resolve these issues before considering a hard reset:
Cleaning at Wrong Hours
When the Shark starts cleaning at the wrong times, it means the cleaning schedule is messed up. You can try resetting the schedule by opening the app, clearing the existing schedule, confirming that the clock is set to the right time, then setting the schedule according to your preference. If you are wondering what an optimal vacuuming schedule looks like, read our article on how often you should vacuum.
Spinning Around
If you notice your Shark spinning around, the navigation algorithm may be the issue. The robot vacuum is probably trying to cover more area by spinning in open spaces. You can solve this by; turning off your Shark, dusting off the bumper lens with a clean and dry cloth, then pressing the bumper multiple times to confirm it can move freely.
Failure to Pick Up Dirt Off the Floor
Sometimes, the vacuum cleaner can move but fail to pick up dirt off the floor. In most cases, the issue is normally a mechanical one. You can resolve this by confirming that your brushes are not worn out. If they are, replace them with new ones.
Failure to Find the Docking Station
If you notice your Shark is bumping into walls and failing to dock, it means it does not recognize the charging station or the charging contacts are dirty. Since the charging contacts are on the robot’s underside, they can easily get soiled. You can use a dry cloth to wipe of the dust and if it is too much, get some steel wool to scrub it off gently.
If the robot still can’t recognize the charging station:
Resetting the robot is also important when you resell or transfer your ownership to another user. Hard resetting will clear the Shark’s memory, thus avoiding messing up the new user’s WiFi preferences and cleaning schedules.
Your Shark ION can stop functioning normally and the problem can be persistent even after trying all tricks you have up your sleeves and followed the error guide in the user’s manual. If that’s the case, then your last bet is factory resetting it. Wikipedia defines a factory or hard reset as a software restoration of an electronic device to its original state by erasing all the information stored in it.
Before you hard reset your Shark ION robot vacuum, keep in mind that it will lose all the settings including the WiFi passwords, schedules and maps, cloud-stored data, app settings, and any firmware updates that have been installed. If you want to retain any data or schedules, make note of them so you can set them up after you reset the machine.
There are two primary ways to factory reset your Shark ION. Here is the first:
This is the most recommended way of resetting a Shark ION.
Step 1
Open the shark app on your mobile device. Ensure the app and the robot vacuum cleaner are using the same WiFi network.
Step 2
Go to the settings menu and choose factory reset. The reset procedure will start and the Shark will restore to factory settings. The entire process should take just a few minutes.
Alternatively, you could factory reset your Shark ION manually. Compared to other manufacturers resetting the vacuum cleaner is such a breeze.
Step 1
Turn your Shark ION up-side-down
Step 2
Press the power button on the vacuum’sside for 10 seconds until the power goes off
Step 3
Take a 10-second rest then press the power button again to factory reboot the vacuum cleaner. The Shark should be reset to factory settings.
The manual reboot applies to most Shark robot vacuum cleaners, including the Shark IQ and the Shark AI. If you are in need of a new Shark IQ robot cleaner and have no idea which model to go with, consider the highly acclaimed Shark IQ AV992. It packs a punch with exceptional advanced features and accessories that will make you look forward to cleaning your space always. Read our article on the best Shark vacuums for more options.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps that can help you resolve other issues with your Shark if hard resetting did not work:
The LED lights on your Shark ION are configured to display error messages that in most cases will help you identify the issues with the robot. If the LED lights are not on, then probably the battery is finished. Let the robot charge for at least 4 hours. A sequence of LED lights flashing is an indication for various possible errors including;
Clean (RED) and !
This means a suction motor failure. Check for blockages and clean the filters. Read our article on how to clean a Shark vacuum filter.
MAX and !
This indicates the side brush is stuck. Check for any clogged brushes and clean them.
Clean (RED) and MAX and !
This means the drive wheel is jammed. Check the wheel mechanism for any debris or hair causing blockage.
Clean and DOCK and MAX and !
This shows that the other wheels have an issue. Push the wheels down to check if they are okay. If there is no problem, they should be able to spring back easily.
DOCK and MAX and !
This is indicates a jammed brush roll. Check for any debris or hair jamming the brush roll.
Clean (RED) and DOCK
This could mean two things: either the cliff sensors are off because of dirt of the robot cannot start because of an error. Clean the cliff sensors with a dry cloth or duster, then switch off the robot with the power switch and restart it on a flat surface.
By now, your robot should be up and running again to give your floors a good clean.
If you are looking to buy a new Shark ION robot vacuum cleaner but have no idea how to go about it, you might want to check out the popular Shark ION RV720. It is packed with amazing features that make cleaning an effortless joy. It also comes with multiple accessories that give you excellent value for money.
According to The Strategist, Shark ION is the best-rated vacuum with long-lasting battery. Despite being the most impressive robot vacuum cleaner out there, yhour Shark ION is still a machine. Machines are liable to malfunction. Hard resetting is the most viable solution to a couple of issues a vacuum robot may have. You can always try all of the troubleshooting options in the user’s manual to resolve a few issues before you consider resetting the robot. That said, you ought to learn how to reset your Shark ION robot.
This article has all the tips and tricks for troubleshooting your Shark, but if none of them works, you can seek professional advice. To keep your Shark in a top working form, be keen on cleaning and maintaining it.
