Common Vacuum Cleaner Problems

Anyone who owns a vacuum system understands the pains it takes to maintain it, mainly when an issue arises.

We tend to stare at it for a while, praying or hoping (or both) it comes back to life, and some of us even take the more drastic measure of throwing it out and buying a new one. Most people don't realize that many of these issues can be quickly fixed with a minimal amount of elbow grease.

We have compiled a list of several common issues people experience with their vacuums, along with the simple solutions to these problems. A few of these might take someone with mechanical knowledge to fix, but any average Joe can solve the more common issues. Keep reading to learn about ten common vacuum cleaner problems!

Vacuum Cleaner Won't Turn On

You might feel silly for asking this straightforward question, but it is a common issue found with the use of these products. The first step is to ensure that it is properly plugged in, and if it is, you might want to consider trying out a different outlet. Your problem may be that the particular outlet you are using is no longer powered, and this happens more often than you might think. The final step to take if this fails to solve the issue is to check the electrical components and dust off or replace any dirty contactors.

It Randomly Turns Off During Use

The cause of this issue is that the vacuum is actually overheating. This product generally has a safety measure that bars it from growing too hot, so it automatically shuts itself down once it reaches a particular temperature. A significant cause of this is when the user decides to vacuum up leftover construction debris, which can make the motor burn up as the fine dust wheedles its way into the compartment. If this doesn't define your problem, then you might want to try setting your vacuum to a different suction setting, because your shag carpet could be clogging up the intake valve.

Is Something Burning?

This is a simple fix, as it implies that your belt is broken. The belt is responsible for moving the roller brush, and any homeowner can perform this simple repair. The belts are relatively cheap, and to put it on only needs the use of a screwdriver and maybe a bit of muscle to get the roller brush back into place. It would be best if you did't use your vacuum until you fix the problem as it will cause you to burn up your motor if you continue to run it without a working belt.

It Smells Horrible

When our vacuum smells completely disgusting, it ruins the fresh feeling we had hoped to have in our home. This usually stems from a poor vacuum cleaning regimen as dust and debris are collected and decayed in different portions of the vacuum. The solution to this is cleaning out your canister with water and soap or invest in a new vacuum bag. It might also be time to buy new filters, as that could also be the source of your problem.

My Vacuum Is Clogged

This is a natural occurrence, mainly when most of us prefer to use our vacuums to pick up large debris when we are too lazy to bend down and pick it up ourselves. This is more of a bother than anything and sometimes needs some creative thinking to unclog it. You can use a pair of pliers to pull out the blockage, but many have preferred to take a metal hanger and use it as a snake to push through the clogged portion.

It Is Noisy Vibrates Uncontrollably

This is typically a result of an issue with the drive motor, and it could be a sign that it is time to discard your vacuum. It is much easier to get a new vacuum than replace the broken parts, but that does not imply it is impossible.

The cause of the problem could be a broken fan or roller brush. These two problems stem from its repeated use, as erosion eats away at the moving parts and causes the integrity of the product to decay.

It Shuts Off When The Cord Is Moved

We all run over the vacuum cord from time to time, but occasionally this can make our vacuum develop electrical problems. It is easy to identify as the vacuum will stay on until the cord is moved in a particular direction. If this happens to you, it is essential to unplug your vacuum immediately because this is a fire hazard. The best way to fix this is to take it to a professional, but those with minimal electrical knowledge and a view of the broken section of the cord may be able to fix the problem at home.

Loss Of Suction

Suction loss is a common issue that many homeowners have, and it usually implies that somewhere in the vacuum, you have a leak. This leak could originate from a damaged bag, or it could point to a cracked hose. If your model does not have a bag, then this might be time to empty the bin that holds all of the debris because it prevents reliable suction when it becomes too full. If none of these solutions solve your problem, then the last item to check is your filter, as dust can gather on them and make it difficult for your vacuum to breathe properly.

It Leaves A Trail Of Debris

This could be a signal that your roller brush is filthy and has to be cleaned. The roller brush accumulates hair and other fibers, which end up wrapping around the brush, and it makes it more difficult for the vacuum to pick up debris off of the ground reliably. This might also re late to your belt, which might be preventing your roller brush from spinning. You can also check for debris buildups in the container or bag, and sometimes a blockage occurs at the start of the hose.

Resources and References:

• How You Could Burn Your Motor