Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :

Most cases of a jammed or stuck brush bar are quick and easy to fix, simply pulling the debris gently from the brush bar. Alternatively, if you need to clear a problematic blockage, you can take the brush bar out of the housing easily, for quick maintenance.
You may have stalled the brush motor. To reset, turn off and unplug, then plug back in and turn on. The brush roll may have lodged debris or other entanglements keeping the brush from rotating. To fix, you`ll need to remove the brush roll to inspect.
To reset the Brush bar press the Brush bar control button twice or switch the machine off and back on. Please note: In normal use, the Brush bar automatically turns off when the machine is upright and automatically turns on when the machine is in the vacuuming position.
Brush Head Bearings Are Clogged or Have Failed

These are symptoms of bad or dirty bearings. You should remove the brush roll or rolls from the vacuum. Check to see that the bearings at the end of the brush roll allow it to spin freely. Make sure that there is no hair trapped in the bearings.

A blockage in the machine, causing a reduction in airflow. A blockage in the head, causing it to stutter in use. An issue with the electrical pins, either in the wand or floor tool.
You can find the shark brush-bar reset button on the underside of the vacuum.
Why does my Shark vacuum keep stopping? For Shark robotic models, odd sweeping or sudden stops can often be a result of dirty vacuum sensors. These sensors can often be found on the bottom and sides of the vacuum. Hitting them with a soft cloth should be enough to remove any excess dirt.
The brush bar on your vacuum performs a key role in its cleaning performance. The rotary brush in the cleaner head of your Dyson V7 spins at high speeds and helps to beat and dislodge the dirt out of your carpets.
It`s possible there`s a power consumption issue, with there just not being enough residual charge to run the machine. A new battery should fix this. My other thought is that it`s overheating. If too much power is pushed through the motor, which MAX power does, it could stop after a few seconds if it become hot.
All you have to do is run a dry roller over the brushed-on paint to smooth out any stroke lines. You can use the same roller for an entire project. It shouldn`t soak up too much paint as you work over the brushed areas.
If your vacuum`s brush bar is not turning, the bar may be clogged from hair and other debris. Ensure that the brushbar button, which is gray and located next to the power button, is turned on. If this is not the issue, then the brushbar itself may be damaged or stuck.
A Dyson vacuum cleaner has a lifespan of around 10 years. This is considerably longer than most other vacuums. So, if you`re looking for a high-quality vacuum cleaner that will last you for a long time, a Dyson could be a good choice. However, remember that Dyson vacuums are expensive.
Brushes. According to iRobot, brushes should be replaced every 6-12 months. Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have multiple brushes that allow it to clean.
Clear the brush roll of any hair and debris and inspect by placing it on its end and spin. The brush should spin freely. If it doesn`t spin; it may be time to replace.
After a year or so, you may need to replace your vacuum`s beater brush. If the bristles seem to be squished, broken or are varying heights, it`s time to replace the brush. These can be found online with the vacuum`s brand and model of your vacuum cleaner.
Clear the brush roll of any hair and debris and inspect by placing it on its end and spin. The brush should spin freely. If it doesn`t spin; it may be time to replace.
After a year or so, you may need to replace your vacuum`s beater brush. If the bristles seem to be squished, broken or are varying heights, it`s time to replace the brush. These can be found online with the vacuum`s brand and model of your vacuum cleaner.
Brushes. According to iRobot, brushes should be replaced every 6-12 months. Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have multiple brushes that allow it to clean.
After a year or so, you may need to replace your vacuum`s beater brush. If the bristles seem to be squished, broken or are varying heights, it`s time to replace the brush. These can be found online with the vacuum`s brand and model of your vacuum cleaner.
Brushes. According to iRobot, brushes should be replaced every 6-12 months. Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have multiple brushes that allow it to clean.
Clear the brush roll of any hair and debris and inspect by placing it on its end and spin. The brush should spin freely. If it doesn`t spin; it may be time to replace.
Clear the brush roll of any hair and debris and inspect by placing it on its end and spin. The brush should spin freely. If it doesn`t spin; it may be time to replace.
After a year or so, you may need to replace your vacuum`s beater brush. If the bristles seem to be squished, broken or are varying heights, it`s time to replace the brush. These can be found online with the vacuum`s brand and model of your vacuum cleaner.
Burning smell can indicate motor damage

If you suspect that the motor is damaged, you should not continue to use the vacuum cleaner! The cause of motor damage is usually wear and tear or damage caused by prolonged improper use (e.g. overheating). In most cases, it is not worth repairing.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I have a Bissell Pro Heat 2X carpet cleaner and the brushes spin, then stop. I turn it off and when I re-start, the brushes do not spin until I push foreward. The it spins and stops again. Both belts are tight. The brushes spin if held above the carpet, but upon contact with carpet it stops. Same thing on a hard surface.
ANSWER : The reason for the brushes to stop when it is above any surface is there is a switch in the handle that stops the brushes so it dont burn your motor up it may have a faulty switch.

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Hoover WindTunnel Self-Propelled V Belt
ANSWER : I had this same problem with the V belt on my Hoover Vaccuum..
.There are three (3) basic things that will cause the brush roll not to spin..
.1. When handle is upright, brush roll is OFF..2. When switch is set for HARD surface, brush roll is OFF..3. Broken/worn FLAT belt or V Belt, brush roll will not spin.
.
.I noticed that the brush roll was not spinning when my vacuum was set for CARPET. After removing the cover I noticed that the V belt was loose, I thought the belt was worn so I purchased a correct replacement belt and installed it, but the new belt was also loose and when I turned the large flat belt pulley it did not turn the V belt pulley at the same time..
.I double checked the surface setting and I had the vacuum switch set for carpet, but still when I released the handle out of the upright position the brush roll would still not spin..
.My aggravation finally led me to this posting on FixYa’s website..
.The first thing I did was checked the screw to the left of the V belt as suggested by ejmjr5 and this did nothing to solve the problem or create more tension on the V belt, even when the upright handle was not in the upright position..
.After playing around with the surface setting control switch/nob I notice that when I moved the switch out of the HARD surface setting and over to CARPET, I had thought that the switch was set for CARPET as it visually appeared, but I was not pushing the switch over hard enough to click it into the CARPET setting mode..
.VOILA, the brush roll now spins correctly even though the V belt seams to be too loose for the pulley..
.You really have to force the switch into the CARPET setting. Be sure that you hear the switch/nob click into place..
.Now you can effectively clean up after that hangover of a party!.
.Burp!

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Hi my proheat bissell 7901 stopped pumping water to the floor, but it pumps water from the hand hose. I read the manual and followed how to check belt and the flat belt on right side of shampooer is fine and I turned on and it turns and so do the brushes at the bottom of the machine. I was reading online and I guess there’s two belts on this machine? where can I find the other belt to see if it needs replacing. I guess it’s a ribbed belt? that is the water pump belt?
ANSWER : Just taken ours apart with the same problem… found it was caused by the 2 halves of the main casing coming apart in the area where the upright pedal release is. I found this to be due to the upper casing having broken in 2 places – the bottom of the screw wells..This means that the water tank cannot exert sufficient pressure on the valve to release the water..Only solution is a new top cover assembly

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Miele White Star SEB 204, powerhead stopped spinning. brushes are clear of debris, belt (#3854940) is not broken. Could belt be stretched so that brush head does not spin?
ANSWER : Yes, most likely the belt has stretch. Flat belts do this after a short time and need to be replaced when problems start with the brush roll not wanting to turn. Also check the brush roll, make sure that the ends turn freely, if not, then replace it also.

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My hoover spin scrub brushes stopped spinning and i have cleaned intake filter and tried to turn the thing that spins it…when brushes are off the hole turns then as soon as i connect brushes the brushes will not turn what else can i do!!???
ANSWER :
This video may help you

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I have the bissell power force bagged upright vacuum and the brush is not turning, I have replaced the belt but the brush will not move but the metal piece that is hooked to the motor that spins the belt and brush is turning but the brush won’t, and the belt starts to burn
ANSWER : Sounds like your brush roll is seized. Remove the brush roll (see picture) and make both of the end caps spin freely. If not, replace it and you should be set.

*An example of a brush roll*
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Make sure that the brush roll spins freely.

Hope that helps.
Chris

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Brushes stopped The brushes stopped turning while using the cleaner. I removed the brushes to see if the spindle was broken, it wasn’t. I then removed the top plastic cover and checked the switch that engages the brushes; it didn’t seem to be moving correctly. There’s one spring on the switch – should there be two? Or do you think something has broken on the inside? Thanks for any help
ANSWER : Most likely the turbine is bad, it may just be clogged up, you can take it apart and clean it out real good. That may work, but it may not. Sometimes it is best to replace the turbine.

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Hoover Wind Tunnel 7500 Brush not Turning. I have replaced the Brush and the belt. The problem does not seem to be either to me. I believe might be a missing part. The place were the belt hooks on is a metal pole which never seems to grip the belt well. In fact it seems loose most of the time and slips on the brush, causing the belt to eventually burn up. Could there be a missing plastic or rubber piece meant to hold the belt taught  on the metal pole?
ANSWER : Check the Idler Pulley part Number 43241004 (Item 13 in the IPB)

http://64.49.205.183/v/u6451900.pdf

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