Vacuum Cleaner Overheats And Cuts Out: How To Fix It
In this post, we’re going to be looking at whether vacuum cleaners can overheat.
We’ll delve into:
- What Causes A Vacuum to Overheat
- What Happens When A Vacuum Cleaner Overheats
- Vacuum Cleaner Overheats And Cuts Out: How To Fix It
Let’s jump into it.
Vacuum Cleaner Overheats And Cuts Out: What Causes It?
Vacuum cleaners can and sometimes do overheat. As you’d expect overheating typically signifies that there’s a problem with the vacuum cleaner that likely needs your urgent attention. Do not ignore a vacuum cleaner overheating and hope that it goes away as it could be a sign that there’s a potentially serious issue that needs to be addressed. If left unattended it could cause significant damage to your machine and present a potential hazard in your home.
What Causes A Vacuum to Overheat?
Overheating in vacuum cleaners typically occurs if the dust bag has not been sufficiently emptied, the filters become blocked due to lack of cleaning or the presence of a blockage in the floor head, vacuum wand or hose.
In the event, your vacuum cleaner suddenly stops working, switch it off at the wall and unplug it.
Give your vacuum cleaner sufficient time to cool down, then check for blockages and clear any debris or excess dust.
If the machine cuts out again after turning it on you may need to the manufacturer depending on whether it’s within the warranty period. If not, it may be time to consider whether you need a new one.
What Happens When A Vacuum Overheats?
Oftentimes, when a vacuum is overheating it, will provide some signs of what is happening even without you feeling the heat from the canister:
- It may make strange noises
- You could see smoke coming out of the main unit
- You may smell a burning odor
In many cases, a vacuum cleaner will automatically stop/shut down when it overheats. This can sometimes be caused by the motor failing due to the heat. Many dry vacuum cleaners are fitted with flow-through motors which use the air circulating in the vacuum to help keep them cool. If there’s a blockage these motors lack the air to cool them down.
Often times they will be fitted with thermal cut-off devices that help prevent them from overheating.
A thermal cut-off device is temperature sensitive and will automatically cut out power to the motor when it detects a temperature above a safe preset value.
How To Fix A Vacuum Cleaner That Overheats
When a vacuum cleaner overheats there are a number of steps you can take to try to rectify the issue yourself. If none of these do the trick then it’s possible you may have a more significant issue with the machine that may need to be addressed by a qualified technician.
Empty The Dust Bin or Replace The Dust Bag
The dust compartment/bin of your vacuum cleaner should ideally be cleaned regularly after every use. Without space in the dust bag, the dirt and debris can end up making its way further inside the vacuum whilst also stopping the vacuum from collecting more particles.
This can eventually result in the dirt clogging up the vacuum cleaner and causing issues such as overheating due to jamming resulting in a shutdown of the appliance.
If your vacuum cleaner has stopped working this can be one of the first things you try. Once you empty out the dust compartment/bag and clear away blockages, you can then check to see whether the vacuum cleaner starts again.
Clear Out Any Obstructions
Next check for obstructions all around the vacuum cleaner to make sure there’s nothing impeding the air floor and operation. This involves checking the brush head, beater brush, hoses, and attachments as well as any extensions for clogging. Be on the lookout for large bits of debris like dirt or an accumulation of hair which can often result in blockages resulting in overheating. Removal of any clogs should get the vacuum cleaner functioning once more as air can flow freely.
Clean Out The Filter
The air filters on your vacuum cleaner are designed to filter out the air that comes into the vacuum cleaner. They also act as a screening mechanism for dirt and dust that can end up coming into the vacuum itself.
Over time as dirt and dust get trapped in the filter, it can end up affecting the operating efficiency of the vacuum. This can ultimately result in the vacuum motor having to work harder for the same output. This can cause the vacuum motor to overheat.
To get the motor working again you’ll need to clean out the relevant filters. You can either use a damp cloth or depending on the manufacturer’s guidance, clean the filter using cold water.
Whichever method you use you will need to then ensure that the filter is left to dry out completely before putting it back in place. Typically the recommendation will be to allow the filters to dry for at least 24 hours but it may be better to go for 48 hours just to be safe.
In some instances, the filters will not be washable and may need to be replaced.
Be sure to read the manufacturer’s guidelines in any case to get the correct care and maintenance instructions for your filter.
Examine The Belt
The vacuum belt, depending on the model, may also be a potential issue so it is a good idea to check on its condition. If the belt is broken or damaged it may result in the motor running too fast and overheating. This occurs as there’s no resistance being applied on the motor from the belt and brushes with the belt out of place.
A belt can end up tearing if it has an obstruction in its path. However, belts can also be damaged over time due to wear and tear from normal use. Checking the belt may reveal that it needs to be replaced which could address the overheating issue on its own.
Consider An Electrical Fault
If none of the above troubleshooting steps resolve the overheating issue then it’s possible that the problem may be an electrical fault. Start by checking the plug socket for signs of any issues, if possible check the fuse within the plug socket if it has one.
Try to also inspect the cord for signs of any damage; if needed you may need to replace the cord. In doing so make sure you purchase the correct replacement cable; it’s best to consult the user manual or the manufacturer’s website to make sure you order the correct cable.
If the above does not yield a result you may have a larger electrical issue at play which could need a qualified technician. If your machine is still within the warranty period then get in touch with the manufacturer. If it is out of the warranty period you may have to consider whether it’s worth taking it to a qualified service agent or replacing the unit entirely.
Let It Cooldown
Once the above steps have been completed you’ll need to ensure that you allow your vacuum cleaner time to cool down. An overheated motor will not run properly and trying to run the machine too early after overheating even if the problem has been resolved could result in further damage. Furthermore, the thermal cut-off device which shuts the motor down when it reaches a certain temperature may be triggered once again or may not yet be operating properly resulting in potential further damage.
Once the vacuum cleaner has sufficiently cooled down, you can try to restart it and see if operates. If it still does not work then you may have a more serious underlying problem that requires professional advice and assistance. It may be that one or more of the parts of the vacuum cleaner have been damaged as a result of overheating. It is also possible that the machine needs to be replaced depending on the warranty status.
Conclusion: Vacuum Cleaner Overheats And Cuts Out
So we’ve seen that vacuum cleaners can overheat and also delved into the most common causes of vacuum cleaners overheating. This is a problem that can typically be resolved with some relatively straightforward troubleshooting steps.
However, if none of the steps work then you may need to consider seeking professional help or possibly replacing the vacuum cleaner altogether.
