Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting

The vacuum cleaner is one of the most common cleaning gadgets of the home. Because of this, it is very important that you purchase a good one. One of the more popular brands is the shark vacuum. Shark vacuums tends to have very well-working reputations. While this seems to be a common thread for all users, shark vacuums are not without their faults and there are some common problems that users might experience while using.

Maybe your Shark vacuum stopped working. Don’t worry if you are having problems. Machinery that is used on a daily basis tends to have normal wear and tear problems. Vacuum cleaners work well for us in the dirt cleaning department; it isn’t out of the normal to have technical issues with your machine. The problems can range anywhere from setup or inner function. At the worst case, major parts might be affected, but all of this is fixable.

If you are experiencing some troubleshooting issues, don’t panic! We have assembled this solution guide to help you fix the most common problems your Shark vac might be experiencing. Check it out below and fix up your vac in no time!

Read: Shark Vacuum for Pets

Shark Vacuum No Suction: Too Noisy

What you should do first:

First off, be sure to unplug your Shark vacuum from the power source. Try emptying out the dust canister and wash the filters (just water will be fine). Clear any dirt that is stuck on the brush roll. Is there anything missing or any part that’s broken? This is often missed so remember to do an overall check first. If there really is something missing or broken, you will have to fix it first.

Focus on the filter

Shark vacuum no suction? When you’re trying to get to the filter, you first have to get past this small metal part. Check for dust and dirt trapped there first. If it’s choked full of dirt, easy, just use an unwanted brush to clean it.

Put your filter into water that’s lukewarm and wash it. Don’t dry it with anything but instead, just let it air dry slowly.

What about the brush roll?

Some people forget about the brush roll but it could cause Shark vacuum suction problems.

Check The Basic Fundamentals

The first thing you want to do when you find you are having trouble with your Shark vacuum cleaner is check the warranty information. If the malfunction you are facing at the moment or could possibly face in the future is covered by the warranty policy then you are good enough to get a free servicing on your unit or even better a brand new machine without cost. This obviously depends greatly on the warranty terms and the condition of your machine.

If you bought your Shark vacuum cleaner from a physical store, you can call an associate. They can help you look up your warranty information on the product that you purchased. If you bought it online (Amazon.com), you should be able to find your warranty information on the product listing page. Normal it is stored in a PDF page under your order history or on the product page itself.

When you received your product, it came with a manual instruction book that included the accurate setup. If for some reason you have lost that instruction manual or do not have it, you can simply look up your product online. You’ll be taken to the brand page where you should be able to find a digital manual that will help you find the ins and outs of your product.

If you have worked through the basic instructions of your machine and checked with your warranty policy, but your vac cleaner is still not working, there may be some small feature that you need to check out.

This basic checking is similar to restarting electronics to reset their memory bank. Restarting your vac cleaner could work just as well; try this easy troubleshoot and see if your machine starts working again. Here are the steps:

Unplug it totally:

If it does not work the first time you plug it in, unplug it completely from the wall outlet.

Shut it:

Your shark vacuum (like the Shark p50) should have an “O-off” option that you can click on the machine. Press that option and select it. Be sure to turn off the brush roll on option as well.

Replace the Filter:

Sometimes, it may stop working if your filter is full. The filter only has a limited space to gather up dust and debris. If there is no space left in the filter, dust can no longer be collected thus resulting in a machine that doesn’t work. Check your filter and if it is full, grab a new one and replace it.

Cool it Down:

If you have been using your vac for a long period of time, give it a rest for about 50 or so minutes. Let the machine cool down completely to allow it to work well once again. Oftentimes, after a big cleaning job, your machine becomes tired and it just needs a quick rest. After a short break, you’ll see it will work at full speed once again.

Turn it back on:

It’s now time for you to turn on the device. Press the “I-on” option to turn your cleaner on. Make sure you turn on the brush roll on option again. Make sure that everything is in standard working order.

Plug it in again:

Reattach your electrical plug to the switchboard of the machine. Double-check to be sure that it is accurately connected; a loose connection can contribute to it not working. Make sure the switchboard is also properly working because that can be a factor as well.

Fuse Repair:

If for some reason your fuse connection is bad, your vac definitely won’t work. Check to see if anything like that has happened. First repair the broken fuse then plug in your cleaner.

And there you have the restarting process. If after following this process your shark cleaner begins working once again, your basic problem is solved and there must not be any other major issue you have to deal with. On the other hand, if it does not work then you may have bigger issues at hand. Don’t worry, though, we have a troubleshooting plan if you are experiencing those bigger issues.

Troubleshooting Shark Vacuum Problems and Errors

Most of the problems that users face when it comes to their Shark are all very similar. We have collected the most common problems and have come up with an effective solution for each. If you find that you are having one of these issues, simply follow the instructions below and fix it all on your own.

Air Duct Problems

If you notice that the Shark vacuum suction mechanism of your vac has stopped working, there may be something stuck in the air duct. The air duct is the part of the shark machine that sucks up debris using air, but occasionally a large object can get stuck in it. If this happens, try to clear out the duct as well as you can.

Filter is too dirty

Right behind a blocked brushroll is a dirty filter. A dirty filter can be a huge reason that your vac cleaner is not working. Just like you need to clean out your dust cup on a regular basis you also need to clean your filters. Normally there are 2 filters that you need to pay attention to. One is a foam filter and the other is a felt filter. These need to be cleaned about once a month or more.

To fix this problem simply remove the filters from the vac cleaner and wash them with warm water. Dry them or allow them to air dry then place them back into your shark vacuum. Viola! Your Shark is now working again!

Remember that these filters will not serve you the lifetime of the vac. If they get to the point they will not come completely clean, consider purchasing a new one.

Brush is Stuck

A very important part of the vacuum cleaner that should never be neglected is the brush. Along with the dust cup, you should also frequently be cleaning the brush and roller in your vacuum, because hair, yarn and other large debris can cause the brush to get stuck and quit working.

You’ll know the brush is stuck when it is no longer rotating, and therefore no longer picking up things you want to clean up. Use a toothbrush to clean out the brush to make sure it is not overcrowded with debris.

It keeps turning off

One of the most frustrating things to experience while cleaning is your vac suddenly turning off. When this happens, the first thing you should do is check the connection. If it is loose or the vacuum isn’t plugged in properly, this can lead to failure while operating.

If the vacuum is plugged in properly and everything else is okay, you may be experiencing a motor problem. If this is the case, you will need to fix your motor or get your motor repaired.

Shark Vacuum Motor Died? Shark is not turning on

Shark rotator vacuum won’t turn on? Shark vacuum motor died? Unfortunately, you may run into the problem of your vac not turning on. First, you should always make sure you’ve followed all setup instructions and run through all troubleshooting solutions, but you may still find that your vac isn’t turning on.

When this happens, there is a problem with the plug or connection. The first thing you should do is make sure the plug is well connected and functioning. Also double check the switchboard and main connection area of the vacuum to see if they are operating.

Dust Cup Problem

If your vacuum is not working properly or quits working all together, a simple solution may be to clear the dust cup. The dust cup is the part of the vacuum that holds all the dirt, dust and debris your vacuum picks up while cleaning. This can cause it to function improperly when it is full.

A good rule of thumb is to empty your dust cup three days a week if you use it every day. The size of your dust cup is also a good indicator of how often it will need to be emptied.

Check Nozzle Attachment

If your machine is not working and you can’t seem to find any other problem, don’t forget to check the nozzle attachment. In order to make sure it is getting power, you need to make sure the nozzle is attached correctly and is not loose or disconnected in any way. If nothing else is wrong with it, this may be the solution you need.

Set-up Errors

When it comes to vacuum malfunction, you can’t eliminate human error! If you find that it isn’t working exactly the way you want it to, you may not have set it up properly. For example, you may have forgotten to turn the brush roll option on so you think your brush isn’t working.

To cut down on set-up errors make sure you read the instruction manual carefully and closely and don’t skip any steps.

Shark Motor Reset and Replacement

One of the worst things that can happen to a vacuum is the motor breaking. The motor is basically the heart of the vacuum; it’s what causes it to operate. So if it breaks, it will need to be fixed or in some cases, you may need to buy a new motor. See this guide.

However, if the motor truly is unfixable, it may be wiser to simply purchase a new vacuum all together. Buying a new motor typically costs about the same as a new vacuum, so you might as well just toss the old one and get something newer and nicer.

Hose Blocked

Shark vacuum has no suction? Just like the air duct, the hose is another part that operates using suction and it can easily get blocked. If you find that your the hose isn’t working, check to see if there are any dirt clumps or pieces of large debris blocking the airway.

Get Help

Sometimes, the solution to a problem is just not very obvious. If you can’t figure out what is wrong with your vacuum cleaner, don’t hesitate to call customer service at 1-800-798-7398. Every vacuum sold gets at least a two-year warranty, so it’s a good idea to check if your brand is covered.

Final Verdict

One of the best things you can do is learn how to troubleshoot vacuum cleaner problems and fix your vacuum on your own. This means that you should understand all of the parts of your vacuum and how to repair them if needed.

If you use your vac cleaner daily or almost every day, odds are that you’re eventually going to run into some kind of problem with your vacuum. So it’s nice to know what to do when something happens. Especially for something like shark vacuum no suction or Shark vacuum suction problems.

A really good preventative measure you can take is making sure your vac is clean. Frequently empty the dust cup and clean the brushes regularly. You’ll increase the longevity of your vacuum if you keep it well-maintained.

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