Vacuums
How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
Lack of power, a bad power cord, failed drive motor or broken wires in the vacuum hose can prevent the vacuum cleaner from starting. Make sure the electrical outlet that you`re using for the vacuum cleaner works. Try using a different outlet if you suspect that the outlet you`re using is dead.
Overheated Motor
If your vacuum was working fine and then suddenly shut off, it may have overheated. Most vacuums are equipped with a thermal protector safety switch that won`t allow the motor to run when it becomes overheated. You will need to wait for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your machine, to try again.
Check for a plugged hose:
Plugged vacuum hoses are sometimes the reason for a loss in suction. Hoses can get clogged with hair, dust bunnies, string, or anything else that can`t pass through the other end of the hose. Airways inside the machine should be looked at as well. Wherever there is an air passage, check it.
If your vacuum cleaner keeps turning off, this could be due to the following reasons: Blockages – check the hose and head for any obstructions. Filter – always check your filters, if these are clogged this could be causing the vacuum cleaner to work harder and lose suction power.
– Some vacuums have an in-line thermal fuse (often located between the switch lead and the motor coil). If the fuse is blown it will need to be replaced. – Check your home circuit breaker – it may have tripped. – Some vacuums have a brushroll on/off control.
A strong odor from the shellac that coats the copper coil windings is an indicator that the motor is about to or has burnt out. If the motor is still running, even if it turns on and off by itself as it is heating and cooling, you can still run the motor until it gives up for good.
The problem may lie in your vacuum cleaner`s adapter, charging dock, or battery and the electrical outlet. Try plugging your vacuum cleaner in to another outlet. If it is now working, the problem was in the first outlet that you have used. You should contact a certified electrician if you need to fix that outlet.
The average life expectancy of a mid-range vacuum cleaner is about six years. You can fix or replace things like blocked filters, jammed brush rolls, frayed hoses, worn-out stick vac batteries and broken accessories yourself.
Fine particles. Fine particles are no match for even the strongest vacuums. Construction dust, makeup, used coffee grounds, fireplace ash, and other fine particles can burn out the motor and be released back into the air. It`s best to sweep these items up to keep your vacuum – and yourself – safe.
If your dyson vacuum isn`t turning on, don`t panic – there are a couple possible causes. It could simply be that the vacuum overheated and shut itself off. If that is the case, wait 24 hours and turn it back on. However, another problem with dysons are failed power switches.
This usually occurs if the dust cannister is too full or the filters are clogged and the motor wasn`t getting enough cooling air passing over it.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Infinity Vaccum by Shark, model number NV31COS, will not start. The vacuum was running just fine until it grabbed the edge of a curtain. Turned it off to release the suction. Turned it back on and was working fine. About a minute later the vacuum was making an odd noise. Every 2 seconds or so it would “heave” (lack of a better word) then go away, then come back and so on. Turned the vacuum off and checked for blockage, none that could be seen or felt, and now the vacuum won’t turn. Any suggestio
ANSWER : Carpet brush won’t turn when vac on
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I have a Kenmore canister vacuum – model 25614506. Some time ago, I was not able to turn the vacuum off with the on/off switch, but could still use the vacuum. Turned if off/on by pulling the plug. The other day when I went to plug it in, I heard a pop. Now the sweeper runs but the vacuum cleaner does not **** – no air flow. What could be the problem. The cleaner is only 4 years old.
ANSWER : The motor has an inline fuse
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My electrolux oxygen vacuum cleaner shut off and will not turn back on. It’s less than a year old, but I bought it off Craig’s list–they were the orginal owner and they said they bought it in May of 2008. I’ve only used it a few times and it worked fine except for the last time when it suddenly just shut off. I thought maybe it had come unplugged and I didn’t really worry about it because I was finished vacuuming. But, I went to use it tonight and it would not turn on at all–no lights, nothing
ANSWER : No..Electrolux is really great about warranty service. They will help you even though you are not the original owner. http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.com/files/usa_english/0-999/OxygenOwnersManual.pdf owners manual. Here is a link to the site.
.http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.com/node82.asp Also, you might check for an obstruction. The Electrrolux is thermostatically protected. Means that if there is no airflow through the motor, the motor will shut down before overheating can occur. Remove your hose from the cleaner. Drop a quarter down through it, did it come through? If not, you have a clogged hose. If it came through, remove your wand from the power nozzle, look througfh the wand, is it clogged? Now, look at the power nozzle, can you see light through the elbow? Your cleaner will come back on after it has cooled. Try the machine. It should be working now. I hope I could help to Fixya! Please let me know if I helped you. Thanks, Rene (the Vacuum Doctor)
.http://smallappliances.electroluxusa.com/node82.asp Also, you might check for an obstruction. The Electrrolux is thermostatically protected. Means that if there is no airflow through the motor, the motor will shut down before overheating can occur. Remove your hose from the cleaner. Drop a quarter down through it, did it come through? If not, you have a clogged hose. If it came through, remove your wand from the power nozzle, look througfh the wand, is it clogged? Now, look at the power nozzle, can you see light through the elbow? Your cleaner will come back on after it has cooled. Try the machine. It should be working now. I hope I could help to Fixya! Please let me know if I helped you. Thanks, Rene (the Vacuum Doctor)
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I have a Kirby G4 Vacuum Cleaner – MOdel G4 D. I have never had any problems or repairs done to it in the past ten plus years that I’ve had it. This is an upright vacuum. I was vacuuming the carpet floor and was not having any trouble at all. I switched the vacuum off and moved it into a different room. When I tried to turn on the vacuum, it would not turn on. I checked with different outlets, used both front attachment and hose attachment. Checked the front part of the motor/ spiral case. This
ANSWER : Hello,
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
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.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
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.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
.
.Hope this helps!!
.Marci
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
.
.Hope this helps!!
.Marci
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I have a kenmore progressive direct drive handi mate jr. upright vacuum. My daughter used it last night to vacuum up some cat litter that had spilled on the floor. I went to use it today and it turned on for a second and then stopped working. I have hit the reset button but it will not turn on. Help this vacuum is only 2 years old Is there anything that I need to reset or do so that the vacuum will work again?
ANSWER : Its probably clogged up with cat litter.might have gotten into the motor.your motor has a motor guard inside if it. when it overheats it will shut down till it cools off.you need to clean all th cat liter out of it.and clean the filters.with a direct drive you might want to take it in to a repairman to sevice. its not a shop vac i advise you not to pick up things like cat liter
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Dirt devil vacuum cleaner–trouble vacuuming dirt and pet hair on carpeting –is the problem with the spinning brush which contacts the floor, not contacting the carpeting?? I thought (when I bought this vacuum) that the aforementioned brush was adjustable to various heights of carpeting. Sometimes, it seems like nothing is being vacuumed up –unless I have just put a new bag on the vacuum… Do I need or can I replace the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum so it kicks up and vacuums
ANSWER : Try replacing the belt. Rubber belts stretch out after about a year.
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Won’t start. My son was using the vacuum & Didn’t change the bag. The vacuum was making the full bag smell, but the light was’t on & it didn’t stop. I stopped him, changed the bag, checked the filter, closed the compartments & turned on the vacuum. Nothing happened. I checked to be sure that it was plugged in, that wasn’t the problem. I’ve let the vacuum “rest” for several days, It still won’t start. Any suggestions?
ANSWER : There is a reset button at the back of the powerhead. The user manual can be downloaded from the electrolux website, although I didn’t find it very useful. There was some info on how to change the powerhead drive belt.
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I purchased a brand new Eureka Pet vacuum, sorry don’t know exact name but it the one that has the self cleaning duster on it. Last night I used the vacuum on my carpet, it was working fine until I accidently sucked up the corner of a scarf that was hanging off a couch. I shut the vacuum off, pulled out the scarf and and resumed vacuuming. Much to my dismay the suction on the vacuum had ceased. Can you tell me if there is a reset button on the vacuum? The vacuum does not appear to be damage
ANSWER : If the motor is running, there should be suction. Possible problems depend on whether it’s a canister or upright and are:
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
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.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
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.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
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