9 Common Reasons Why Vacuum Cleaner Not Working and How to DIY Repair

What should I do if my vacuum cleaner isn’t sucking properly?

How do I fix a vacuum that won't turn on?

How do I get my vacuum to work again?

If you own a vacuum cleaner, what will you do when it stops working? Throw it away or seek an expert for help? Actually, it is not difficult to find the cause of the fault and resolve them.

It is essential to know ways to solve common vacuum cleaner problems, which can save your time or even the cost of a new vac. Read on to find out 9 common vacuum cleaner problems and the various ways to fix them.

Part 1. Top 9 Vacuum Cleaner Problems and Ways to Fix Them

There are 9 common reasons why your vacuum cleaner stops working, as well as step-by-step instructions to solve them.

1. The Battery Issue

If you have a battery vacuum cleaner, you can find out why the vac won’t turn on by checking the battery.

#1. Check if the battery is charged. If not, charge it for 3-4 hours before turning it on.

#2. Make sure the battery is properly connected or paired to the machine. If it is loose or incorrectly installed, it will not power the vacuum cleaner. Reinstall the battery to ensure it is in place.

2. Damaged Electricity Supply

If your vacuum cleaner is corded and powered directly by electricity, it will not work if the outlet stops working. To find out if this is the problem, you can unplug the vacuum cleaner and replace it with another appliance (preferably one that you are sure will work).

This will allow you to determine if there is current in the outlet. If the second appliance does not work either, then the fault is in the electricity supply device. You can change the outlet to power the vacuum cleaner, and call a repair person to replace the broken outlet.

3. Check the Power Cord

If you have tested that the problem is not the outlet, you may check the power cord of the vacuum cleaner. When the cord is pulled and bent over a long period of time, it could be frayed or broken. Or if you have pets at home, there is a chance that they have chewed through the cord.

Check the entire power cord carefully, including the connections at both ends, for any breaks. If you find any damage, it is best to replace the power cord or call a repair person to fix the cord.

4. Roller Brush Issue

Check the roller brush at the suction head. Is it spinning? If the roller brush is tangled by hair, this may be the reason why the vacuum cleaner is not picking up dust.

Turn off the vacuum cleaner and remove the brush, use scissors or the equipped knife brush to carefully cut the tangled hair and debris, and then install the brush back into the brush head. Turn the machine on to see if the problem is solved.

5. Overheating Motor

If your hoover stops working suddenly, it is probably overheating. Unplug the vacuum cleaner and let it rest for ten minutes before trying to turn it on again.

If it still doesn't work, you will need to replace the thermal fuse. In this case, it is best to seek a technician to fix the cleaner effectively.

6. A Full Dustbin or Dust Bag

If the dust bag or dustbin is full, the vacuum may be clogged. If your hoover is bagged, check to make sure if the dust bag should be emptied. Unplug it and undo the clip to open the bag, and then replace it.

If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, open the lid, empty the debris into a trash can, and clean the dust out of the hose, dust cup, and filter system.

7. Check If the Hose Is Blocked

The problem may be in the hose of your machine. Check the hose for any possible obstructions. Use a torch to look inside the tube and see if there is light coming from the other end.

If not, separate the hose from the machine and use a stick to gently push through the hose to find any blockage and push it out. Alternatively, shake the tube a few times to see if anything falls out or makes a sound.

8. Fail to Connect to Network

Robot vacuums can be operated via your phone by connecting to WiFi. But you won’t be able to let the machine work in the app control way if it fails to be connected to the network. There are a few reasons why your vacuum cleaner won’t be linked to WiFi.

Poor WiFi signal. Make sure that the robot vacuum is located in a well WiFi signal coverage area. Or you can try to reboot your router and robot vacuum.

Abnormal WiFi connection. Reset the WiFi password, download the latest mobile app, and try to connect again.

Incorrect password. Re-enter the password.

Unsupported signal band. Most smart vacuums support 2.4 GHz WiFi band. Hence, make sure your WiFi signal is 2.4 GHz. If your home router is dual-band, you can tune to the signal supported as the vac needs (2.4 GHz/5 GHz).

9. Machine Installation Problems

If the problem isn’t any of the above, you need to check the installation of every accessory throughout the machine. Make sure all accessories are installed in right place with each other, such as the interface between the floor brush and the conductive rod, dustbin installation, brush placement, etc.

No matter your vacuum cleaner is Dyson, Dreame, Henry, Baseus, Eureka, Shark, Miele, Samsung, Bissell, Anko or Kenmore, you can try 9 ways above to repair your vac before calling a technician.

Part 2. Other Vacuum Questions

Q1. Why do vacuum cleaners lose suction?

There are several issues that causing a loss of suction in a vacuum cleaner, including:

• Clogged filter
• Full dust bag
• Tangled roller brush
• Blocked hose

Q2. How long should a vacuum last?

Generally speaking, vacuum cleaners have an average lifespan of 8 years. This figure varies depending on the brand, the using frequency, and the size of your house. If you use your hoover daily in a large house, it will wear out more quickly.

Q3. Is it worth to repair a vacuum?

If you have paid a lot for the vacuum, repairing may be worthwhile. However, it is recommended that you should not spend more than half of the original price for any repairs. If your hoover lasts more than 5 years, you are probably better off just buying a new one rather than paying to fix it.