Bissell Vacuums

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

Your dirty water tank may not be secured tightly. Check the rubber tab on the dirty water tank and press firmly on all edges to secure it tightly. The accessory hose door also needs to be closed securely. Check the door and make sure it is locked in place.
One of the easiest ways to increase vacuum cleaner suction is to empty the dust bag or container. Dust containers need to have enough space for airflow, otherwise, they could get clogged and have less suction power. Regularly check your dust compartment and empty or change it when it`s already 70-80% full.
Simply turn your vacuum head over, place the hook under anything that`s caught up and pull, making sure to follow the line of bristles. Once cut, you should be able to easily pull the hair away from the brush. Depending on the size of your vacuum cleaner head, you may need to make more than one pass.
Brush or comb your hair often and thoroughly, but only in one area of the house and if you want to make your life even easier, do it in an uncarpeted area. Sweep, Swiffer,—vacuum if you must, but you`ll want to use any part of the vacuum that is not the brush roller—this floor after each time.
Clog located in the vacuum hose

Turn the unit on and feel the suction at the end of the hose handle. If there is no or low suction, then the clog is in the hose. You can remove the clog by running a long, stiff object through the hose, such as a butter knife, starting at the wall end.

Check both ends of the tube for any debris that may clog the machine. Make sure to empty dirt bin and clean the filters if they are dirty. If you experience no suction when using a tool, remove the tool and check each opening for clogging.
Check to see if the collection water tank outside the bladder is full. The float will activate to cut off suction. Empty the collection tank and test for suction. If there is still no suction at this time, please visit a BISSELL Authorized Service Center.
If you don`t use the right detergent and clean water, residue can be left on your carpet after washing. The traditional method of cleaning and rinsing your carpet will leave soap and shampoo residue that will turn into mildew over time. As a consequence, it will quickly become covered in dust and dirt.
Don`t Vacuum Liquids

Dry Vacuum cleaners should clean dirt particles from carpets and floorings, not pick water and other liquids. If you run your vacuum over water, remember you are running the danger of electrocution and causing damage to your machine. This occurs when emptying the bin.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Vacuum Cleaner When I vacuum it doesn’t pick up; in fact it leaves hair and debris behind while pushing vacuum forward. Is this a belt problem?
ANSWER : Yes it is , the belt has to be replaced yearly even if it isn’t broken because it gets too stretched out.

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The original belt on my upright Kenmore Progressive broke and I replaced it with the spare that was in the vacuum. The vacuum and spare belt are about 10 years old. Then the spare broke after one vacuuming session and there was a burning smell coming from the vacuum. I ordered new belts and replaced it with the new belt. It seems to be working fine with no smell. I checked the belt after I vacuumed the family room and although it was in tact, the belt was very hot. Is that normal? Should t
ANSWER : The belt heats up due to the friction, as well as being in contact with the shaft of a hot motor. It is normal.

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I have a Eureka Altima vacuum cleaner that doesn’t pick up very well. The suction seems fine but the brush roller doesn’t seem to pick up from the top of the carpet. When you lower the height of the vacuum the belt rubs and smells horribly. How can I get the vacuum to pick up better?
ANSWER : That means that you need to replace the belt. Here is the belt you need to replace and the manual which has instructions:

Eureka Altima Belts

Owner’s Guide

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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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The belt on my vacuum cleaner model 6596 bissel powerforce bagless turbo keeps breaking. As soon as I put on a new belt and start it up the belt snaps. It is the durabelt meant for this vacuum model. Also, my son has been having the same problem with his. He has the same model and same belt. This problem is occurring even after a thourough cleaning.
ANSWER : I would guess you aren’t centering the belt correctly, thus it’s edge is caught between the brush and another solid object, causing the breakage.
.When you get the belt on the the brush and the brush back in place, turn the brush a few times by hand to make sure it’s not catching on anything. After you get the powerhead put back together, do this again. It’s a common problem if the powerhead isn’t assembled correctly.
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.Here’s a video clip from the Bissell site demonstrating changing the belt.
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.http://www.bissell.com/how-to-videos/replace-brush-belt-vacuums/

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My Dyson Animal has good suction and works fine for actually picking up dirt, but when I use the vacuum with the roller, I hear a grinding/rumbling noise. Its only when I use the vacuum with the brush rotating. It does not happen hen I shut the roller brush off. The belt is fine. I cannot figure out what is wrong as there are no clogs, debris, or foreign objects stuck in the brush or in the belt. The noise seems to be the only issue. The vacuum picks up fine. It just doesn’t sound right a
ANSWER : Trace the path of the suction into the tank and see if there is anything loose or ingested..Also, remove the brush and clean as best you can. Perhaps there is something caught in it. Lubricate where it makes sense with some WD40.

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Windtunnel belt I have a new Hoover Windtunnel canister. The belt keeps coming off. It happened a couple weeks ago (several times after putting the belt back on) so I assumed I might need a new belt as it might have dried out at the store. I ordered new belts and today I used it for about an hour and the belt came off again, twice. There doesn’t seem to be anything to hold the belt on the stem as it seems to slip off. I have tried it centered, to the left and to the right….can you help. I am v
ANSWER : I’ve successfully used a compatible belt – Royal 104425001 .It’s still new, but for the time being at least – it works.

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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.
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.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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