My Vacuum Cleaner Does Not Work

Common Problems with Vacuum Cleaners

There are a number of common problems with vacuum cleaners with multiple possible causes. Which of the most common problems with vacuum cleaners can you fix yourself, and which problems necessitate getting it repaired?

Vacuum Is Overheating

The first thing you want to check for is clogs. Cleaning out clogs from the air intake, air exhaust or even dander and fur collecting around motor components will let the motor get adequate air flow to cool off.

Next, check the vacuum’s filters. If the filters are clogged, the unit can’t move sufficient airflow through the machine to keep from overheating.

Another possibility is a problem with the motor, such as loss of lubricant or worn out parts wearing against each other. If this is the case, take the vacuum cleaner to a repair shop.

Vacuum Suction Is Dropping

First, check the hose for kinks and clogs. Second, check the dust cup or vacuum bag. Empty the debris if it is even partially full. Then try the vacuum again.

If performance improves but not much, consider replacing the vacuum bag or cleaning the connection to the dust cup. Is the vacuum bag wet? That could be interfering with performance. Let the unit dry out, and then try again.

If you can’t determine the cause of the loss of suction, take it to a professional.

Vacuum Shuts Down After Running a While

When this happens, check to see if the vacuum is getting hotter with time – and if it is hottest before it turns off. If the vacuum is turning off after getting hotter, the shut down is actually caused by a safety device, so that the vacuum doesn’t get so hot that it catches fire. Check the system for clogs and review the other possible causes of the system overheating.

If the unit doesn’t have clogs or isn’t overheating, another possible cause is an electrical short or sensor failure. In this case, you need to take it to a repair shop.

Vacuum Brush Roll Won’t Turn or Spin

This is one of the most common problems with vacuum cleaners. First, check for something wrapped around the brush like a power cord, wads of pet hair tangled around it or something sticky and thick that has glued it still. If there is no obvious obstacle, check the belt. The brush won’t turn or spin if the belt is broken.

A sign that the belt is broken is that suction is normal but the brush doesn’t pick up anything.

You may be able to repair the belt yourself, or you can take it to a repair shop to be replaced. Going to a repair shop may be the better deal if you don’t want to wait for a rare vacuum cleaner belt to arrive or lack the physical strength and dexterity to put it on.

Intermittent Electrical Problems When Cord Is Moved

Sometimes the vacuum turns on and off when the cord is moved, and you have to move the cord or even jiggle it for the vacuum you already turned on to come back on. This problem can occur when the cord reel has side play on the spindle, affecting internal electrical connectors. You can try to use spacers to solve the problem, but this material may melt under contact with the hot suction or exhaust from the vacuum cleaner. And there is the possibility that the problem is in the cord itself. If the vacuum cleaner shuts off intermittently based on power cord play, take it to be repaired.

No Power to the Unit At All

The unit may not turn on if you’ve forgotten to plug it in. It could be dead because the circuit breaker to that outlet has tripped; to check this, plug it in at a different outlet. If the cord has been causing intermittent failures before, the electrical connection in the cord that was loose before is now broken; take it to a repair shop to be repaired.

If the cord wasn’t causing problems before, you could have a burned out motor. The odds of this are greater if the vacuum was making more noise over time and starting to overheat. If the motor has burned out, you may or may not have a burnt smell, but you always want to take it to a repair shop for evaluation.

Another possible cause is a different type of electrical problem, and that should be evaluated by a professional.

Harder to Push

This may be caused by the wheels wearing down, a build up off dirt on the base plate or the components that self-propel the vacuum cleaner are wearing down. If the wheels and base plate look normal, take it to a repair shop to be evaluated.

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