Author: Richard Harrison
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This Shark vacuum troubleshooting guide focuses on the common problems that Shark vacuum users face and the possible fixes.
There’s no doubt that Shark is among the best vacuum brands around, but then, they are not invincible. From time to time, your Shark vacuum may malfunction.
Some of the common problems with Shark vacuums include loss of suction, roller brush malfunction, damaged components, overheating, vacuum not turning on, etc. The good thing is that there are possible fixes for all these issues.
If you are struggling with a Shark vacuum not working, this article has the solutions.
When your Shark vacuum is not turning on or not cleaning as supposed to, definitely there’s a problem. In this fix guide, we have explored several troubleshooting tips for the popular Shark vacuums. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Shark ION Robot Troubleshooting Tips
Shark robot vacuums are a great deal as they vacuum your floors and carpets autonomously. Unfortunately, from time to time, they may malfunction. Below are some common problems you will encounter when using your Shark ION RV700 Series, RV800 Series, RV1000 Series, RV2000 Series, and Shark IQ Series.
1. Shark Vacuum Won’t Turn On
If your Shark vacuum is not turning on, it could be a bad battery, low battery, or a faulty robot vacuum. Here are possible causes and fixes for a Shark vacuum that won’t turn on.
- Ensure the battery is plugged in, secured, and has charge
- Clean the battery connectors to ensure there are no obstructions
If none of these methods work, you could have a hardware problem, so contacting Shark is the only option.
2. Shark Vacuum Not Charging
At times you may find that your Shark vacuum is not charging. Below are some possible causes, and fixes.
- Ensure the Power button on the side is ON.
- Ensure the charging dock is connected to the socket and the socket is ON.
- Check whether the dock’s power cord is in good working order.
- Clean the charging contacts.
If your Shark ION vacuum is still not charging, maybe the battery is dead. Replacing it could be the solution. It could also be that you have a faulty robot vacuum or charging dock.
3. Robot Not Collecting Debris
Your Shark ION vacuum should have no problem picking up the everyday household dirt, talk of cereals, pet hair, sugar, kitty litter, pet hair, and so on. If it’s not picking up dirt, below are the possible causes plus fixes.
(i) Dirty or Jammed Brushes
The robot’s side and main brush should be clean to ensure they agitate and lift dirt. In this case, you might see the MAX/” i” flashing together. To solve the problem, follow the steps below.
- Remove the side sweeping brush and clean the bristles or replace it if it’s showing signs. of wear.
(Error LED – MAX/”i” flash together) - Remove the main brush, clean the bristles or replace it if it’s more than eight months old.
(Error Led – DOCK/MAX/”i” flash together) - It could also be that the bin is not inserted, so to solve the problem, insert the bin correctly
(Error LED – Clean RED/MAX flash together)
(ii) Loss of Suction
If the brushes are clean, but the robot is still not picking up dirt, the culprit could be a faulty motor that is not delivering suction. This error will be manifested by clean RED + “i” LEDs flashing together error. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the problem.
- Inspect the robot and check whether there is suction.
- Check whether the brushroll is spinning.
If there’s no suction, consider buying a new motor.
(iii) Dirty Filters
Another reason your Shark ION vacuum is not picking up dirt is dirty filters or a full bin. To solve the problem, follow the steps below.
- Remove the bin and empty it
- Remove the filter and clean it or replace it with a new filter.
4. Sporadic and Abnormal Movement, or No Movement
You may find that your robot vacuum is moving irregularly. Below are some of the causes and possible fixes.
- If the robot’s sensors are dirty, the navigation system is compromised, and that will cause erratic movement. Use a dry cloth to clean the sensors under the robot and bumper.
- Inspect the wheels and check for any obstructions (Error LED – Clean RED/MAX/”i” flash together).
- Replace the wheels if they are worn out.
- The drive motors might be worn out, so they need replacement.
- There could be an obstacle, so you will have to move the robot to another location (Error LED – Clean RED or MAX LED flashes).
5. Shark Not Connecting to WiFi
You may also find that the latest Shark vacuum is not connecting to WiFi. In this Shark IQ troubleshooting guide, find reasons why your Shark ION is not connecting to WiFi and possible fixes.
- You are entering the wrong password. Make sure you get the password right.
- Your robot vacuum is far from the router. To solve the problem, ensure you are within WiFi range.
- You have a bug that could be fixed by resetting the robot vacuum and restarting the app.
- Shark Server may be down for weekend maintenance.
Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting Guide – Upright, Canister and Handheld
In this second segment, we have explored the common problems you can face when using Shark upright, canister, or cordless vacuum. So, without further ado, here is the Shark vacuum troubleshooting guide.
1. Shark Vacuum Won’t Turn On
When your Shark vacuum doesn’t power on, there could be a minor problem that you can fix yourself. Explore the below possible causes and fixes for a Shark vacuum that won’t power on.
- If your power cord is not plugged in the socket, or you don’t have power in the mains, your vacuum won’t power on. Make sure you have plugged in the cord and switched on the socket.
- If you have a handheld/cordless vacuum, it could be that your battery is not charged, so charge the battery and try to power it on.
- A burnt fuse can also cause this problem, so make sure to check it out and replace it if necessary.
- The circuit breaker could also have been triggered, so it has to be reset for the vacuum to power on.
- It could also be that your vacuum is dead, so you might have to send it for repairs or buy another unit.
2. Shark Vacuum Stopped Working
There are cases when your Shark vacuum will just stop working. Several issues could cause the problem. Below are the common reasons that can cause a Shark vacuum to stop working, plus the possible fixes.
- Check the socket, it might not be plugged in well, or it came off the socket while you were vacuuming
- It could also be that the fuse has blown, so you will have to replace them.
- The thermostat might have powered it off because of overheating. Wait for an hour or so and try to power it on.
- The circuit breaker might have gone off cutting power, so it needs to be reset.
- Though unlikely, your vacuum might be dead altogether. Send it for repairs, or it’s time to replace it.
3. Shark Vacuum Overheating
One of the common problems that almost all Shark vacuums encounter is overheating. Several reasons can cause overheating.
- The first culprit, though rarely, is electrical faults or a faulty motor. Check for frayed cables and replace them if necessary.
- It could also be a clogged filter restricting airflow. Unclog the filters to ensure the vacuum is sucking dirt well.
- Also, check the dust cup as it could have tiny dirt particles blocking airflow. Unclogging the dust cup should solve the problem.
- Another possible cause for overheating is a jammed brushroll. Check it out and remove any dirt or hair tangles that cause jamming.
4. Shark Vacuum Producing Unusual Noise
When your Shark vacuum is louder or starts producing inconsistent noise, it is a sign that it is overwhelmed. Below are some of the causes and possible ways to fix them.
- The first culprit is a dirty filter that needs to be cleaned to allow for unrestricted airflow.
- A dirty or jammed or dirty brushroll could also be the reason your vacuum is louder, so clean it.
- Another reason could be a malfunctioning motor. Switch the vacuum off, wait for it to cool down, and check whether it’s still producing funny noise.
5. Shark Vacuum Lost Suction
Nothing sucks like a vacuum when it’s not sucking anything and leaves dirt and debris behind. Lost suction can be a minor problem or a major one. Below are some of the causes and fixes for low suction.
- To start, you could be on a low suction level, so make the necessary adjustments if your Shark vacuum has adjustable suction levels.
- The next culprit could be a full dust cup which means there is no space for dirt to be sucked into. The solution here is to empty the dust cup.
- Also, check the filters to ensure they are not clogged as they may restrict airflow when clogged and cause suction loss.
- A blockage in the vacuum could also cause no suction in Shark vacuum, so make sure to detach the dust cup, intake opening, and hoses to ensure there is no debris blocking suction.
- Loose hose connections or broken hoses can also cause suction leaks and consequently low suction. Make sure they are correctly fixed and are in good working condition.
- If none of the above tips work for you, probably the motor is bad. In this case, you have to replace the motor or buy a new vacuum.
The above are some general problems you will face when using a Shark vacuum, plus their fixes. Below, we have also explored the problems that are specific to some Shark models.
Shark DuoClean Troubleshooting Guide
Below are some of the common problems that Shark DuoClean users encounter and the possible fixes.
1. Brushroll Not Spinning
There are times you will notice the red brushroll indicator light on the nozzle illuminating. Upon inspecting the cleaning head, you realize the brushroll is not spinning, yet the vacuum is on. Below are some of the causes and fixes.
- The vacuum is probably on the wrong setting so adjust the power switch to settings I or II.
- A blockage on the brushroll or soft roller brush could also cause the problem, so make sure to clean them and remove anything that could cause blockage.
- Another reason for brushroll not spinning is a loosely attached nozzle, so attach and secure it correctly.
2. Headlights Not Turning On
The Shark DuoClean comes with headlights that illuminate when the vacuum is working. If they are not turning on, below are some of the causes and possible fixes.
- The headlights have come into contact with water, so let the vacuum dry for a few days and see if they will turn on.
- It could also be that the headlights are disconnected, so you will have to push them back and see if the problem will be fixed.
- If none of the two fixes above work for you, the LEDs are burned, so replace them.
3. Vacuum is Vibrating
If you realize there are unusual vibrations in your vacuum, there is a problem. Below is the probable cause and fix.
- The bristle brush has not been installed correctly, so make sure to fasten it.
- It could also be loose wheels, so tighten them.
Shark Rotator Professional Troubleshooting Guide
There are also problems exclusive to the Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator. Below are some of the common problems and fixes.
1. Roller Brush Not Spinning
You may find that your rollerbrush is not spinning. Below are the probable causes and fixes.
- The first culprit here could be the roller brush switch is off. Turn it on for it to spin.
- There could also be debris on the brush. Remove and clean it satisfactorily.
- A disengaged nozzle could also be the reason the brush is not spinning. Attach it correctly.
- Last, you could be having a broken belt. Replacing it should fix the problem. You can use the Shark Navigator vacuum manual or Shark Rotator manual to fix the belt once you purchase it.
2. Vacuum Tips Over
Another common problem with Shark Rotator and Shark Navigator vacuums is toppling over. If your vacuum can’t stand on its own, below are some of the causes and how to solve the problem.
A common cause is a broken latch. Inspect it and if it’s broken, buy a replacement.
An uneven surface could also be the reason your vacuum can’t stand on its own. In this case, place it on a flat surface.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, folks, a Shark vacuum troubleshooting guide. We hope it has solved most of the issues you are facing with your Shark vacuums. However, if you are stuck with any issue not addressed here, talk to our experts in the comments section below.
