Common Vacuum Problems And How To Solve Them At Home

Problems, big or small, will inevitably happen to your vacuum cleaner, even if it's a premium model. It can come in handy if you know how to troubleshoot common issues of your vacuum.

Many of them can be solved by some tricks with simple tools in your home. You can get your vacuum up and work again in no time instead of sending it to the manufacturer or a repairman without knowing when you can have it back.

Even if you've never found yourself in such a situation, read this article and get a good understanding of how to deal with popular problems with vacuum cleaners.

Common Issues With Vacuum Cleaners

Low Suction

Creating a powerful suction is how all vacuum cleaners remove dust and debris. If this suction pressure drops, it can put a dent in the cleaning performance or even stop the vacuum altogether.

Unfortunately, this happens a lot. You may notice this when your vacuum cleaner becomes much less effective at picking up debris.

For example, you may have to spend more time at a single spot to clean it than before. If this occurs throughout your cleaning session, there is a big chance your vacuum can't create normal suction power.

There are many root causes of this, each of which demands a suitable solution to bring back the suction level.

Block Filters

Blocked filters are a popular culprit. They are added to vacuum cleaners to filter out dirt and dust particles, including pet hair, to prevent them from getting back into the air of your house.

At first, filtration systems produce great performance. But this gradually reduces over time when more and more particles build up in those filters. They block part of the surfaces and stand in the way of the airway.

When the problem gets serious, the vacuum's motor can't suck as much air into the machine and you will witness a drop in suction.

It's recommended to clean the filters of your vacuum on a regular basis. Manufacturers typically suggest how to do it depending on the specific model. And this is how you can amend blocked filters too. For instance, follow this guide when your Dyson vacuum not sucking.

When your vacuum has trouble picking up debris, open it and see if there is too much dirt on the filters that can affect the suction. Clean them or even replace them with new filters.

Full Dirtbag

This issue happens a lot, but many overlook it and get frustrated with their vacuums instead.

When you don't empty your vacuum's dirtbag in time, there is not much room left for the suction to pull in new dirt and debris. It's among the most common causes of this issue.

Luckily, there is nothing complicated about overcoming this problem. Just check the dirtbag to see if it's full and dump the contents into a trash bin.

Blocked Hose, Neck, Floor Head

These parts sit on the normal airway of a vacuum cleaner. If they get blocked by dirt or obstacles, the suction power will take a hit as well.

Check every part in the airway for blockage and get rid of it if you find any. This should clear the airway and bring the suction power to its normal level.

Check out this guide on How to clean a vacuum hose and its attachments.

Clogged Brush

Sometimes, the brush stops working because it gets clogged with pet or human hair. It can have an impact on your vacuum's suction.

Follow the manual's instructions to clean the brush. You may need to take it off and use a pair of scissors to cut away tangled hair.

Loud Noise

All vacuums make noise when working. But one day you may hear the noise level your vacuum is producing is much louder than what it normally does. These excessive noises can make the cleaning more tiresome.

Like suction power, loud noises can come from several issues with your vacuum.

Blockage

A clogged airway can't just reduce suction power but also create more noise.

The nose, neck, and floor head of your vacuum are the most common locations where blockages occur. They force the motor to use more force to suck in debris.

Search for any blockages in the airway and remove them to solve this problem. You can learn How to clean vacuum cleaner hose here.

Motor Malfunction

Electric motors, the heart of vacuum cleaners, can produce excessive noise when they don't work properly.

A loose hose or belt can cause the motor to work noisier. When left unfixed, it can even break down the motor.

Fix this problem by dissembling your vacuum and checking if the hose and belt are firmly attached.

Air Leaks

Like blockages, leaks in the airway can force the machine to work harder to maintain the suction and create more noise as a result.

Turn on the vacuum and carefully examine it to find the leaked spot. Seal or replace it to stop the air leaks.

Overheating

A vacuum can overheat when it has run for a long period without a break. It can also happen when you just started it. You may feel the handle become too hot to hold and even smoke emitting from the vacuum.

Faults in its electrical system, especially the motor, can lead to overheating. Hire a professional or contact the manufacturer to fix it for you. They may need to replace the motor to ultimately end the overheating.

Most people shouldn't try to carry out DIY fixes at home. They demand some specific tools and knowledge to work with complicated electrical parts inside a vacuum.

Burning Smell

This is another common issue caused by the motor belt. When wear and tear reaches a certain level, the belt loses much of its elasticity and creates a lot of friction when moving.

You will need to replace the worn-out belt. This can be done at home if you can follow the instructions and detach the vacuum safely.

Carefully remove the belt and check for any burnt parts. Order a new place and put it into the vacuum. Make sure the new belt is tightly attached.

Conclusion

Vacuum cleaners can behave weirdly or stop working in many different ways. If you have a solid understanding of those issues, many of them can get fixed quickly and your vacuum can work normally again.