It’s the weekend again, and as a routine, you’ve dedicated your morning to vacuuming a few floors around the house. Get ready, go. What!? Not today. It just isn’t sucking anything. Is it time to fit a new vacuum cleaner into your already bloated budget? Wait, maybe not just yet. If your best pick house appliance keeps failing, it can be frustrating. We’ve all been there. Among other possibilities, your Shark vacuum won’t turn on because it’s probably switched off, clogged up, or it has a damaged motor. Besides, you risk losing your vacuum cleaner if it’s constantly overheating. Your vacuum cleaner is indispensable, but can you fix it yourself? Luckily, some of the problems you’ll encounter when using a vacuum cleaner are easy to diagnose and fix.
There are many reasons why your vacuum won’t turn on or why it’s overheating. Here’s a detailed guide on how to diagnose some of the most common problems with your Shark vacuum and what to do to fix them.
If you hadn’t plugged the vacuum cleaner in, do it. If the power plug is connected but has no power yet, push it until it’s firmly secured to the power source and see if that sorts the problem. Confirm that there is power in the socket by plugging in another device. Sometimes a power outlet can stop working. If you can’t fix it, call an electrician to repair it.
If you have plugged the machine correctly and the Shark vacuum is still not working, check the power cord. Unwind the cord inch by inch and confirm there is no damage.
If you can see wires, indents, or signs of breakage, you need to change the cord. It’s risky using a vacuum in such a condition, so don’t use it until you have replaced the cord.
There might be a deeper problem if the power outlet works well with other devices and there are no signs of external damage. You can contact support, and they’ll provide a solution. Ensure you disconnect the vacuum from the power source to prevent electric shock. You can inspect the cord for any signs of splits in the rubber. If electrical wires are visible from the outside, they need a replacement.
According to Consumer Reports Trusted Source Problem With Cordless Stick Vacuums? The Battery - Consumer Reports There’s a major problem with cordless stick vacuums, and that’s the battery, according to Consumer Reports’ member survey. Nearly half of new battery-powered stick vacs will develop problems within five years. www.consumerreports.org , your new battery-powered vacuum cleaner will likely develop issues within five years. So, if you have a cordless vacuum cleaner, your batteries might be fully drained when you need to use your vacuum. Unlike the old-style nickel batteries that benefit from deep drains, you can damage lithium-ion batteries if you constantly drain them. So, avoid draining your battery to a halt because it will weaken and reduce its effectiveness. If your vacuum runs out mid-clean after a full charge, you need to replace the weak battery.
Depending on the battery you have for your vacuum, remove the battery (for removable battery) and put it on charge. Fix it back on the machine and see if the machine starts running. Once you connect the charger, look out for the charging light, and if it’s not working right, you can get a replacement. If the battery is fixed and is failing, you can remove and replace it or let a technician replace it for you. Since cordless vacuums are not built the same, you might want to try other sophisticated Shark vacuum models in the market for better user experiences.
Still not working? First, check if the power is on or off. It’s easy to jump right in and forget to switch it on. So, turning the switch on if it’s off might solve the issue. You might also need to confirm if the On/Off switch is broken and whether it needs replacing since it could get broken over time. If your vacuum lights are on, you might be dealing with a faulty switch. If the switch is not working, you can opt to repair the switch or contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
If your vacuum motor stops after you switch your vacuum, the motor is possibly broken. A faulty motor will cause your vacuum to appear lifeless. Apart from excessive use, blocked filters or an overused vacuum bag might cause your motor to fail. You need to check the underlying issue before replacing the motor. You need signs of broken parts or a burnt smell from the motor. You can also contact Shark customer care for assistance.
Dismount the motor and check for faulty parts. If you can’t find out the problem, call a technician and let them help you get the motor running again. Depending on the extent of damage, you might need to replace the suction motor if it doesn’t suction or won’t run at all. Consult a professional or your manufacturer before making a decision. I, however, recommend getting a new Shark vacuum cleaner instead of replacing your damaged motor.
A new motor might cost you more than buying a new machine. You might want to try Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum as it’s among the top-rated vacuum cleaners in 2022. It’s great for cleaning tight spaces between couch cushions and hard-to-reach areas.
You need to check the vacuum hose for signs of damage. Usually, the hose has wires that carry current from the power outlet to the motor.
The integrated wires get broken if the hose is torn, interrupting current flowing to the suction motor. Replacing the hose can resolve the issue of a motor that doesn’t start. Alternatively, you can reset the Shark motor thermostat. To reset the thermostat, follow these steps:
Your Shark ION robot vacuum should operate with minimal control from you. But sometimes, it can play up and stop working correctly. If you’re new to this technology, your technician might suggest that you do a factory reset. Just tapping the reset button could resolve the problem. The factory reset button lets you erase all the robot data, including its settings and cleaning options. The process should be a last resort to resolve non-mechanical problems. You might want to try other ways before trying this option.
Traditionally, you could only do the factory reset on the vacuum itself. But now, you can access the reset button on the companion mobile app, which is the officially recommended way to rest your robot vacuum. If you can’t connect the machine to your WiFi, you can use the manual option. It’s also a better option if you don’t want to perform a complete reset of your robot vacuum.
Connect it to the mobile app. Open the Shark ION app and then to the Settings section. Choose the Factory reset option and confirm that you want to reset. The machine will start the reset process until you get a notification.
Turn your vacuum upside down to locate the power switch. Long press the switch for about 10 seconds to begin the reset process. Wait a bit before switching on your Shark ION robot and trying to operate it.
Manufacturers design the Shark vacuum filters to trap dust from the air that flows into the vacuum. So, the dust build-up can prevent cool air from flowing into the motor over time. Your vacuum clogged filters are among the top reasons the motor overheats and stops running. If you have not cleaned your filters for some time, your vacuum might lose suction and cause your Shark vacuum to fail to start.
Vacuum cleaners are different, so you need to check with your manufacturer to see if your filters are washable before beginning the process. To clean your Shark vacuum filters, turn off the vacuum, remove the dust cup and pull out the filters on top of the motor base. Scrape off loose dirt on the surface and rinse the filters in lukewarm water until the water running through becomes clear. You should be able to squeeze it when water is running to loosen dirt. Repeat the process if you have more than one filter.
Allow the filters to air dry before putting them back. Resist using a hairdryer, which might damage the filter and make it useless. If the vacuum cleaner is still not working correctly, you might need to replace your filters.
Thanks to the powerful motor that generates heat, it’s not uncommon for your Shark vacuum to overheat. If your Shark vacuum suddenly goes off amidst a vacuuming session, it possibly got overheated. Excessive heat might cause the motor to stop running since it can’t cool itself. You want to check the filters, tubing, bags, and everything to ensure no clogging. It’s never obvious what is causing the blockage. Frustrating, right? But here are easy ways to find out what’s causing your vacuum machine to overheat and their solutions.
Among the top issues you’ll face when using any vacuum cleaner is that your once-perfect filtration system will clog up and cause problems. Check if the dust cup has reached the maximum fill line. Not emptying the canister means that dust starts to overflow and make its way to other vacuum parts. The overflowing debris leads to jamming the vacuum collect on the motor and overheating it. You should empty your vacuum bag after every use, even if it’s partially complete if you’re using a bagless vacuum. Depending on the vacuum model, either chuck the bag away or empty it, wash it before replacing it. Ensure the bag is completely dry before putting it back. If the motor still doesn’t run after emptying and cleaning the canister, go to the next step.
As a result, the motor works extra hard to function and gets overly hot. The excessive heat passes on to the machine and makes it shut down. Pet hair can block the brush roll and cleaner head so it won’t suck dirt. Removing the clogs unblocks the airflow, and your vacuum can run again. You need to examine the vacuum cleaner to see if the brush is spinning and what is preventing it from rolling correctly. Use the same opportunity to check if the hose has any cracks or holes and fix it.
Switch off the power and unplug the vacuum from the power outlet. Use a torch to check if something is lodged inside the attachments, tube, and brushes if you can’t see through. If you find any large clogs, you can push them out using a large broomstick. Avoid using sharp wires as they might damage or weaken the hose. Use a pair of scissors to remove the tangled hair, strings, and carpet piling, perhaps keeping the brush from rolling correctly. Also, check if the brush shows signs of wear, such as cracks, so that you can repair or replace it.
Your Shark vacuum thermostat is a heat-sensitive device that cuts off the power to the motor when working temperatures go beyond what is safe. This is to protect the electric motor from permanent damage.
If you’re using a Shark rotator model, the thermostat might give the wrong signals and might fail to shut the motor down when it needs to.
It might indicate the temperatures are safe when the Shark vacuum is overheated. You might need to reset the motor’s thermostat to have your motor running normally. Shut off the power and unplug the vacuum from the wall. Give it time to cool – about an hour- or until the thermostat has reset before switching it back.
If your vacuum’s circuit breaker is malfunctioning, the wiring might suffer an overload that could damage your machine and cause a fire. Excessive voltage can cause an overload on your Shark motor leading to overheating issues. So as the vacuum motor works under the excessive load, it produces lots of heat and ultimately grinds to a halt. Circuit breakers Trusted Source HOME IMPROVEMENT; PREVENTING AN OVERLOAD OR A SHORT CIRCUIT A fuse or circuit breaker prevents this by ”blowing,” or breaking the circuit, when an overload occurs. Fuses screw into threaded sockets inside the fuse box. The fuses contain a thin strip of metal that melts if the current (or amperage) flowing through that circuit exceeds the amount for which that fuse is rated. Circuit breakers act in much the same way, but they can be reset when they blow – unlike a fuse, which must be replaced. www.nytimes.com are sensing devices that look like wall switches and serve to control excess current. You might need to check with an electrician to see if the circuit breaker is damaged or broken.
It’s not always that your vacuum has a problem if it’s overheating. Any machine can get overheated without a break if you run it too long. Your Shark vacuum can also overheat if not given a break. Besides, running your vacuum when it is hot might cause permanent damage to internal components, affecting your vacuum cleaner’s lifespan.
Let your machine rest between extra-long vacuuming sessions to prevent overworking the motor. We recommend vacuuming for 30 minutes and letting it cool for 15 minutes.
If your Shark vacuum cleaner doesn’t start, that might be caused by lack of power, damaged power cord, faulty suction motor, and battery issues. Make sure the power source you’re using is working right. You can try using another electrical outlet if you think the outlet you’re using is not working. Overheated motor results from inadequate air to cool the motor. The process to troubleshoot the overheating of your Shark vacuum is pretty straightforward. Check your filters for clogging. Empty the dust cup and ensure the thermostat is working correctly. You’ve done your best to repair your Shark vacuum. If it’s still acting up, you need to replace or upgrade. You can pick from one of the most excellent Shark vacuum cleaners. You might also want to try out other excellent products like their high-quality Shark irons and home coffee systems.
