Why Is My Shark Vacuum Cleaner Not Picking Up?
You’re ready to clean your home but you’re usually reliable Shark vacuum has lots of its usual power. You’re left pondering – why is my Shark vacuum cleaner not picking up? There could be a number of reasons and in this post, we delve into those and more importantly what you can do to get the problem resolved.
Why Is My Shark Vacuum Cleaner Not Picking Up?
Here are the most likely causes for the loss of suction on your Shark vacuum cleaner.
1 – Blockages In The Hose, Wand and Other Attachments
With the machine turned off and unplugged remove the hose, wand and handle to check for any obstructions. It’s quite easy for things to get lodged in the hose or wand as you are vacuuming so always be sure to check these items.
How To Check For Blockages In Shark Hose, Wand and Other Attachments
You’ll want to detach:
- Handle
- Hose
- Wand
- Floor Nozzle
- Lift-Away Pod
Check all incoming and outgoing ends for the above items and remove anything that is lodged within.
2 – Check The Filters To See If They Need a Clean
Next it’s best you check your filters to see if they’re blocked with dirt. Over time as you clean your filters will become clogged with all kinds of material and if left in place, this will severely hamper the efficiency and effectiveness of your Shark vacuum.
If your Shark vacuum has HEPA filters, be sure to also check these for cleaning.
Consult your instruction manual if you’re unsure of the location of your filters; depending on the model you may have two sets (pre and post-motor filters).
How To Clean The Filters on Shark Vacuum
If you’re filters are in need of a clean remove them and run them under some cold water. You can gently scrub off the dirt and debris on the filters as you do so.
Once they’re clean be sure to leave out to air dry for at least 24 hours. Do not place back in your machine until you’re absolutely sure they’re dry otherwise, you could do irreparable damage to your machine.
Be sure to check your instruction manual for the specific instructions provided for your model. If you’ve lost or misplaced your original instruction manual, you should be able to get a digital version on the Shark website by searching for your model number.
3 – Blockages and Tangled Hair In The Brush Head
A high contender for the causes of blockages on your Shark vacuum is the floor head.
This can easily become clogged with hair and other debris that then sticks onto to compromise the flow of air from the motor resulting in a loss of suction.
How To Remove Debris From Shark Vacuum Brushrolls
With the machine turned off and unplugged have a look at the floor head and remove any debris that is caught up in the brush heads. You may find string, carpet fibres or hair that can become trapped in the brush rolls.
Depending on the model you may be able to remove the lid for the brush rolls to get easy access to the brushroll.
4 – Dust Canister Is Too Full
Poor suction on your Shark vacuum may well be because your dust canister is too full. When this occurs the suction on your machine may drop significantly leaving you unable to pick up the dirt and dust you need to.
The great thing with the Shark upright models is that you can see just how full they are through the transparent canister.
How To Empty Shark Dust Canister
Emptying out your Shark dust container is very simple and is typically done with the pull of a button located on the dust cup handle. You then tilt the container forward and remove it. You can then head over to a large bin and empty the contents directly into there.
Once it is emptied out check the connection to the dust cup and on the main unit for signs of any blockages and remove as necessary.
5 – Damaged Hose
A less obvious but still relevant contender for why your Shark vacuum cleaner is not picking up dust and dirt may be a damaged hose.
If there are any cracks or holes in one of the hoses on your Shark vacuum this could lead to an escape of air and loss of suction power.
How To Check For Damage on Shark Vacuum Hose
To check if there are any holes, remove the long hose from the handle and pod and inspect it for any signs of cracks or holes.
If the hose is damaged then it’s an easy enough problem to fix as replacement hoses are readily available from Shark.
6 – Wrong Floor Setting
Part of the reason your Shark vacuum may be struggling to pick up dust and dirt is that it may be set to the wrong floor type. If you’re Shark is set to hard floors but your cleaning on carpet (or vice versa) you may find the suction isn’t that great.
How To Fix Wrong Floor Setting On Shark Vacuum Cleaner
Hard floors for example require a low head height for cleaning so if you’re height is set too high the machine won’t clean. When you’re cleaning carpet on the other hand you need a higher cleaning height to provide clearance so if its set to Hard floor cleaning (low height) you’ll struggle to make any progress.
7 – Issue With The Motor
If none of the above issues and subsequent fixes solve the issue of poor suction then you may have a bigger problem with the motor.
How To Fix Issues With Shark Motor
If you’re at this stage you may want to call Shark themselves and get some after-sales support or get the machine checked by a competent engineer.
If you do need a new motor and the warranty won’t cover it then you may as well look at buying a new machine as the cost won’t be too far off.
Conclusion: Why Is My Shark Vacuum Cleaner Not Picking Up?
There are many possible reasons why your Shark vacuum may not be picking up dirt and dust as it should. These include blockages in the air intake as well as potentially overfull dust canister tend to be the main culprits. If these fail to resolve the issue then you may have a problem with the motor which could need further advice from the manufacturer or suitably qualified engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my Shark vacuum spitting stuff back out?
You’re Shark vacuum may be spitting stuff back out because there is a clog in its intake mechanism. Thus dust that should be picked up by the roller is instead just being spat out or stirred up without being sucked up.
How do you unclog a Shark vacuum?
To unclog a Shark vacuum you’ll need to switch it off, unplug it and then disassemble it in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. You can then check and remove blockages in the hose, wand, handle, floor nozzle and dust canister.
