Shark’s popularity is rising, and it is one of the top robot vacuum brands because of its affordability. However, like other robot vacuums, Shark robot vacuums are susceptible to a wide range of problems that may interfere with their charging.
Nothing is more frustrating than waking up to find that your robot vacuum didn’t charge. A 20-minute chore could be turned into a three-hour task with your regular vacuum if you have no idea how to identify and solve the issue. In this article, we discuss all the possible reasons for your Shark robot vacuum not charging and how to deal with them. Read on to find out how you can tell the vacuum is not charging and what to do if none of the solutions offered work.
If you notice that your Shark robot vacuum is having trouble charging, check if the charging base is plugged into an outlet to establish that it is the problem. If it is plugged into a surge protector or a power strip, unplug it and re-plug it directly into a wall outlet. If the robot vacuum still won’t charge, then it has a charging problem.
Here are some common reasons why your Shark robot vacuum may have stopped to work and what you can do to remedy the situation.
If the outlet you are using is no longer working, the robot vacuum will not charge.
Check the outlet to establish whether it is working or not. If you keep your vacuum’s charger plugged into the same outlet and it isn’t working, try another power outlet. To check if the outlet is working, plug in the charger of another device, like a lamp or your phone’s charger. If they charge, then it means the outlet is fine, and your vacuum may have a charging problem.
Check if the charging cable is connected to your vacuum correctly, then try plugging it into different outlets in different rooms. If it still won’t charge, then you need to troubleshoot charging issues.
Reason #2: Check the On/Off Switch
All Shark robot vacuums have a manual on/off button. Switching the vacuum off helps save on power if you don’t need to use it for a couple of days. Sometimes, the robot can bump into furniture or other obstacles, and the switch accidentally flips to the off position. If the vacuum is off, it won’t charge. Maybe all you need is this easy fix of checking if the manual power switch is on.
Your Shark vacuum might have an issue that is preventing it from charging.
Below are two steps you can take if this is the case.
Test the vacuum to establish that it is functioning normally. Plug it directly into a power outlet, then turn it on. If the suction is strong and the vacuum is working efficiently, then you probably have a battery or charger problem.
Performing a soft reset on your Shark robot vacuum may help fix the charging situation. The robot will not delete your information as a soft reset is merely restarting the vacuum. To soft reset, turn the robot vacuum upside down, flip the power switch off then wait for about 30 seconds to one minute. Flip the power switch back on, then turn your robot vacuum upright.
Your power outlet may be working properly, and your vacuum’s charging port plugged in correctly, but if the robot is not appropriately docked, it will not charge.
Check that the robot’s docking area is free of obstacles that may prevent the robot from docking properly, like debris, socks, or clumps of hair. Dock the robot manually by placing it directly on the charger. Ensure that the charging plates align perfectly with the contacts on the dock. The Shark’s front should be about a half inch from the dock’s vertical portion.
If the battery is completely dead, you would have to wait several minutes for that Shark to show that it is charging. You will see a blue light signaling that you docked correctly and the Shark is charging. If the light is green, you would have to wiggle the machine back into place.
Also, if you have placed the charging dock on a carpet, your robot vacuum may have trouble docking. Consider moving the charging dock to a hard floor in an area with zero obstacles. According to Forbes Trusted Source Pros And Cons Of Using A Robot Vacuum www.forbes.com , robot vacuums are prone to getting stuck, which is one of their primary disadvantages.
Lean the station against the wall for stability so that the robot vacuum can return to its base easily.
If you have been the Shark robot vacuum for a long time, then maybe all you need is a battery replacement. Battery capacities deteriorate over time, and they become incapable of producing enough power to run the vacuum. If you noticed that the battery doesn’t last as long as it used to when you first bought the robot vacuum, then it is time you got a new battery.
Change the batteries. Check the Shark Trusted Source Robot Vacuum | Robotic Vacuums | Auto Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity Shark® robot vacuum cleaners are designed to make cleaning easy. With every Shark® robotic vacuum, you get automatic cleaning and pure Shark® performance. www.sharkclean.com website for the instructions on how to find your model number so you can get the correct battery for your robot. You can get a Shark robot vacuum battery online or buy from another brand that is compatible with your robot.
Your robot vacuum may stop charging because of a poor connection between the charging contacts caused by excessive dirt. Dirt on both the battery and the charger can prevent the contacts from connecting to carry power through.
Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe the dirt off the contact areas. A microfiber cloth is better than a regular cotton towel as it can pick up more dust and is less messy. Unplug the charger before you begin wiping. Do not use a damp cloth whatsoever as it can damage the electronic parts.
Once you are done wiping all the charging contact areas, including all the crevices with dirt build-up, plug in the charger and place the vacuum on it. If you see light coming on to indicate the robot is charging, then dirt on the charging contacts was the issue.
The charging dock has two metal pins that are spring-activated and connect to the charging contacts on the bottom front part of the robot. The springs can get depressed over time or break. Both pins have to be functional for the robot to make a connection. One of the ways to know that the springs are loose is if you see that the Shark robot is unable to dock itself. If it keeps moving back and forth in front of the charging station, it means one or both springs are damaged.
Press the metal pins on the charging dock with your finger. Each pin should spring back up effortlessly. If you notice either of the pins starting to catch or failing to spring back, then you need to get a new charging dock.
Though not common, your Shark robot may not be charging because of a connection issue with the battery. Unplug the battery and reconnect it.
Check the Shark robot user guide Trusted Source Shark® Cordless Vacuum | Handheld Vacuum | Pet & Car Vacuum The Shark® Pet Perfect® Cordless Vacuum is a handheld vacuum that’s perfect for in home & car cleaning. Learn how to properly dispose of this lightweight pet vacuum at the end of its life cycle. www.sharkclean.com for instructions on how to remove and reconnect the battery correctly. If battery connection is the problem. Your robot should power up and start charging immediately.
A dirty vacuum should have no charging problems, but you want to ensure everything is working fine before you rush to get new vacuum parts or give up entirely. If cleaning the battery and charger didn’t work, you may want to clean the whole robot vacuum to see if it solves the issue.
To clean the vacuum, begin by emptying the dust canister. Dump out all the dirt and debris from the canister then rinse it with water. Leave it to dry completely before putting it back in the vacuum. Make a habit of emptying your dust canister frequently because when full, it doesn’t suck in dust efficiently.
Clean the rolling brush in the vacuum’s head by removing all the hair wrapped around it. You can use scissors to cut through any hair wrapped too tightly. Removing the brush from the vacuum head for cleaning should be a breeze.
Remove all the attachments and wands and empty out any debris that is clogged in the vacuum. You can use a broomstick or your finger to knock out stuck clumps of debris. Pay more attention to the openings between the vacuum head and the dust cup as they are highly prone to blockages.
After cleaning and unclogging the robot vacuum, let it charge for about sixteen hours before using it. If it still won’t charge, then it has a problem that cannot be solved without acquiring a new part or getting checked by a professional.
Check out the video guide below to troubleshoot your Shark.
Your last resort should be taking your robot vacuum to a repair store to get checked by a professional or getting a new one. If you have used the robot for a while, and it has served you well, then getting a new one would make more economical sense than repairing it.
f you need a new robot vacuum and have no idea what to choose from the sea of options, read our articles on the best robot vacuums under $300, best robot vacuums for pet hair and best robot vacuums for hardwood floors for top-rated options.
According to popular reviews, the Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot Self-Empty XL is the ultimate robot vacuum to buy if you love top convenience. You will forget about vacuuming for up to 45 days as you can schedule your home cleanings via phone or voice command.
Check your warranty to see if the problem is covered. If the warranty is valid, you can send the vacuum back to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.
Returning the robot back to the manufacturer may take a while. Therefore, if you need to use it immediately, consider taking it to a repair shop. At the repair shop, the technician may ask you to get some new parts. Try and buy the parts from Shark’s official website to avoid getting counterfeits that may not last you long. You can also get the repair parts from Amazon. The Fummit store vacuum replacement parts are a prime example of legit parts you can buy from Amazon. The parts offer excellent performance and are compatible with various Shark ION robot vacuums.
A Shark robot vacuum not charging is a common problem that can often be solved easily with all the tips we have provided in this guide. Dirt and debris in the charging parts of the robot, power outlet issues, and a faulty battery are usually the main reasons behind a robot vacuum’s failure to charge.
Cleaning your vacuum regularly can go a long way in preventing several robot vacuum problems, including charging issues. According to CNET Trusted Source How to take care of your robot vacuum - CNET Regular wheel and brush care will keep your little vacuum sucking… in a good way. www.cnet.com regular care for your robot vacuum parts will keep it highly efficient and in top shape. If you try all the solutions on this guide and the robot still doesn’t charge, take it to a repair store or return it to the manufacturer.
