How to Fix a Vacuum Cleaner.

To make your vacuum cleaner last longer you should always properly maintain it. Yet it can sometimes troubleshoot some basic problems. There are easy tricks to fix a few of those problems. If you know your vacuum unit and know these small ticks, you’ll learn how to fix a vacuum cleaner by yourself without paying for it.

So before going to purchase a new vacuum cleaner, go through your troubleshooting vacuum cleaner. You may find a fix for it. Especially if your vacuum cleaner has not passed the time of its usual lifespan. Here are a few basic problems and fixes.

1. Suction Problem

When there is a vacuum cleaner troubleshooting, the most common problem is losing suction. Your vacuum does not give the powerful suction it used to provide before. Particularly this problem can happen for many reasons.

Empty Bag/ Dust Cup: Check the vacuum cleaner’s bag or dust cup. Always clean before it is three fourth filled. It can be a reason for the decreased suction.

Height Adjust: For carpet cleaning, we use the height adjustment option. Check if you have left it on a high pile carpet mode, which is causing loose suction while working on the bare floor.

Clean Filters: Another common reason for this problem is dirty filters in the vacuum cleaner. Make sure you clean your vacuum filters properly when it’s dirty and keep cleaning them regularly. If it’s needed to replace the filters.

Check for clog: A clogged vacuum will certainly lose suction power. Check for clogs on the hose pipe. Use a broomstick to clean the clog. Never use wire hangers, you may end up ruining the hose of the vacuum cleaner.

Broken hose: Look for any broken part or hole in the hose pipe. A broken hose will make the suction get weaker. To repair the leak or the hole, try using duct tape. A few layers of duct tape will fix this problem. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a new vacuum hose and replace it.

Check the Brushroll: Always keep the brush roll clean. Too much-tangled hair in the brush roll can prevent it to spin properly. Cut the hair with a knife and untangle it from the brush roll. If it is still not spinning then probably there is a problem with the belt.
Belt Replacement: Check if the belt is positioned properly on the roller brush. Your user manual will help you locate the belt and check the right position. In case of a broken belt, you’ll have to replace it. Here is an instructional video you can follow to easily replace the belt of a brush roll.

2. Vacuum won’t turn on

If the vacuum is not turning on, check if your electricity connection is ok. If your electricity connection is ok then there is a problem with your vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum’s switch can break down because of regular use or just because it is old. With a continuity tester, you can easily check if there is a problem with the switch. You can change the switch by yourself or take any professional help if you want.

If it still doesn’t turn on then you may need an expert to find the problem and fix it. It may need servicing on the motor or the dirt fan.

3. The vacuum keeps shutting off / Overheating

It may be an issue of overheating. Many vacuums have a motor safety system that it automatically turns off the motor in case of overheating.

For that, leave the vacuum cleaner at least for two hours to rest. Then try to turn it on. To avoid further maintain your vacuum cleaner properly. All the issues that can cause a decrease in suction can cause overheating. So, for a basic solution check if any of those issues are happening.

4. Vacuum leaves debris

A vacuum can leave debris behind for a number of reasons. The most common cause can be a decrease in suction power. A broken belt, dirty or expired filters, a bag full of dust and dirt; etc. can be the reasons of lose suction. You already know how to fix these issues of the suction problem.

5. Burning Smell

The burning smell from any appliance indicates that there is a serious problem. So, if you find out burning smell coming from your vacuum cleaner, you better stop working with it and try to fix it first.

Overheating a motor can smell like burning plastic. If your vacuum does not automatically shut off when the motor has overheated, then it may cause a burning smell. Shut your vacuum off immediately. Let it cool and find out why it is overheating, Fix the problem, and check if you get the same smell again.

Check if tangled hair on the beater brush is producing a burning smell. If the brush roll gets hot while operating it can cause burning the tangled hair in it. Always clean the brush roll so that it can properly spin and there is not too much-tangled hair in it.

The tangled brush roll can cause overheating. And an overheating brush roll can ruin the belt in it. So, you can eventually find out that the belt is burnt and smelling. In that case, you need to replace it and go for a new one.

Check if your vacuum cable or wall plug is getting hot and producing a burning smell. It does, then check your cable connection. Any kind of loose connection can occur in this problem. If all the connections are ok and it still smells you should contact your electrician immediately.

Another silly reason can be a burning cigarette going into your vacuum cleaner. It will not only produce a smell but can ultimately ruin your whole vacuum cleaner and if not lucky can cause bigger accidents.

6. Increasing noise

Your vacuum can start being extra loud is it old? Which may not be fixable. Because of the regular decay of the motor and other parts, the vacuum can occur extra sound. For a comparatively new vacuum cleaner, it may not be the reason why there is noise. You can check for these problems to find the noise solution.

Clogged tube: If there is something big inside the hose pipe and it clogged the vacuum then there can be noise from the vacuum cleaner. Sometimes large debris like broken glass, small stones, screws, and nuts can accidentally go through the hose pipe. It can rotate inside the vacuum hose and keep doing a noise. Check your vacuum’s hose and clean it properly.

Broken fan: Your vacuum cleaner’s fan can be broken or anyhow damaged, then it can do the sound. To fix this problem you need to open the outer case of the vacuum cleaner and check for any kind of damage. If the fan needs to be replaced then you can either call the manufacturer or you can buy a new fan for the vacuum and fix it. Do the work yourself if you have experience doing this type of fix. Otherwise, take help from experts.

Corrosion: If your vacuum’s motor has anyhow got corroded then it can be a reason for the noise. Corrosion and rust are some of the main reasons for broken motors and other parts. In case of corrosion, you’ll need to replace that part.

Grease: If you listen to grinding type of noise from the vacuum cleaner, it may be the bearings. To get rid of this sound you can grease the bearings. If you do not know where and how to grease, do not do it yourself. You’ll end up ruining your vacuum cleaner. Ask for professional service or take some expert help.

Anything Broken: It is very unlikely to go through large debris inside the motor or the fan and ruin any part inside the vacuum cleaner. But sharp things like a big piece of broken glass can create a mess inside the vacuum cleaner. So, if you listen to some unusual sound from the vacuum cleaner, you should check if it looks like there is anything broken inside it. Try to get rid of it carefully. If you cannot then ask for expert help. Never try to pull off sharp materials or touch the sharp blades of the vacuum with a bare hand. You will injure yourself badly.

Broken Belt: A broken and tangled belt that is unable to function properly also can cause a different type of sound from the vacuum’s beater bar.

7. Smelly vacuum

Fixing a vacuum cleaner that smells is not very hard. The thongs that you need to do a little maintenance job. A vacuum cleaner can be smelly because of a full dirtbag or dust cup. Clean or replace them as needed. Dirty filters can also create a bad smell. Wash the filters or change them as needed. Always after washing, let any part of the vacuum dry for a sufficient amount of time. To make your vacuum smell good, you can put a cinnamon stick, lemon-orange peel, or dry teal leaf inside the vacuum’s dirtbag or dust cup.

When you have a vacuum cleaner that is playing up and you encounter any of these problems, you can fix it yourself easily. You should always call for professionals to help if you are not too sure about the problem. But before doing anything by yourself, make sure you know what you are doing and remember to go through all the safety issues to avoid any type of accident.