Shark vacuums are durable, convenient, and budget-friendly. You can always count on them to make your home dust-free in seconds. However, every once in a while, the brush stops spinning.
This could be a disaster, especially when you have guests coming up soon. What if you don’t have a spare vacuum? Of course, you can buy a replacement, but that would be an expensive solution.
Shark vacuum brush not spinning is a common issue. The problem occurs mainly due to blockage, damaged belts, unemptied dust cups, or loose nozzles. Luckily, there’s a fix available for each one.
So, don’t panic and continue reading to learn all the possible causes along with their fixes!
Why Did My Shark Vacuum Brush Stop Spinning?
When the Shark vacuum brush stops rolling, it will be quite evident that there’s a problem. But that’s not the only sign. The Shark vacuum may also:
- Lose its suction power
- Eject dirt back on the floor when not in use
- Flash a red brush roll indicator light (in some models like Shark DuoClean & Shark Navigator)
These signs may occur independently or collectively. In any case, set aside the vacuum cleaner and locate the heart of the issue.
Common Reasons Behind Shark Brush Not Spinning
1. Blockage
It doesn’t matter whether you are using the most powerful pet hair power brush or a regular one. All Shark vacuum brushes experience a blockage. This happens when the hair and pet dander wraps around the brush roll.
Over time, the wrapped hair gunk entangles and slows down the speed of the spinning brush until it completely stops. You will hear the motor running, but the brush roll won’t spin. It’s best not to use the vacuum in this condition.
First, remove the blockage in the Shark vacuum brush roll and then use it. Otherwise, the motor will overheat, and the entire unit will become useless.
2. Damaged Rubber Belt
The older models of Shark vacuums still use a drive belt. It refers to a small rubber band in the powerhead that turns the roller brush. Since it’s made from rubber, the belt eventually wears out and loosens.
This takes away its ability to roll the brush. The only solution to the worn-out/ broken belt issue is replacement with a new belt.
3. Unemptied Dust Cups
Dust cups are an excellent alternative to bagged vacuum cleaners. They are convenient, efficient, and money-saving. You don’t have to spend money buying bags every month.
However, this doesn’t mean you can leave the dust cups unemptied. Once the dust reaches the maximum fill line, you must empty the cup or the vacuum won’t suck in the debris anymore. The brush might stop spinning too.
4. Loose Suction Head
The suction head or nozzle of the vacuum is what makes contact with the floor. It receives power through the integrated wires in the hose. So, if the nozzle becomes loose, the connection is disabled, and the roller brush won’t spin.
5. Broken Hose
We’ve already mentioned that wires are running through the hose that supplies power to the suction head. If anything is damaged inside the hose, it’s likely to cause the brush to stop spinning. Blockages caused by gunk buildup can also be a reason.
6. Internal Technical Issues
All the causes so far have been linked with the external, non-mechanical parts of the vacuum (except for the belt). However, sometimes, the problem is within the vacuum.
- Worn Out Power Switch
There are two power switches on the Shark vacuum. One is present on the outside of the suction head. It turns the motor on and off.
You will know that the vacuum is on and functional when the power switch light indicator is green. It will become red when there’s a blockage on the roller brush.
Another power switch is located inside the suction head. Its job is to ensure the brush doesn’t spin when the vacuum is upright. So, the brush only spins when the vacuum handle is tilted back.
Over time, this power switch can become faulty. Or, its wires can get twisted and break the supply of power to the motor.
- Burnt Motor
The motor inside the suction head is the heart of the vacuum. It makes the rubber belt and the brush roll spin. So, if this gets damaged, nothing will work.
Unfortunately, burnt motors in an old Shark vacuum are not a rare issue. The worn-out machinery has to work extra, which overheats and burns the motor.
- Damaged Brushroll Circuit Board
The circuit board inside the suction head has several important electrical components. They’re responsible for making the vacuum function the way it does. Your vacuum brush won’t spin when this gets damaged.
Damage to the circuit board usually occurs due to extra moisture, heat, and general wear. It may also happen if the vacuum is thrown or mishandled.
How Do You Fix a Vacuum Brush That Doesn’t Spin?
There’s no one certain cause for the Shark vacuum brush not spinning, and so, no one solution either. You’ll find different answers all over the internet. Below, we have compiled the solutions based on the causes identified above.
1. Empty the Dust Cups Regularly
It’s best to empty the dust cup after every use. This helps maintain the suction power and improve the cleaning performance.
If that seems inconvenient, empty it when it’s half-full. Do not wait until it’s filled and overflowing.
- Disconnect the main power supply of the vacuum cleaner.
- Remove the dust cup. There will be release buttons, handles, or tabs on the vacuum cleaner. You’ll have to either push or pull to release the cup.
- Empty the dust cup into the trash bin. Try to do this outside the home or in the garage. Otherwise, some dust may make its way back inside.
If the dust cup still seems dirty, rinse it with plain water and air dry it. Do not reassemble the vacuum until it’s fully dry.
2. Check the Suction Head
The suction head can easily get loose, but fixing it is not a big deal. Just disconnect it from the hose and follow these steps:
- Examine the suction head and hose for dirt. Clean them using a microfiber cloth. If you notice any damages, contact Shark vacuum customer support.
- Align the suction head and hose together.
- Push the hose into the suction head until you feel them lock in place. Sometimes, you’ll hear a clicking sound.
3. Replace the Damaged Roller Belt
For this, you’ll need a screwdriver, a metal spudger, and a new belt. You can purchase it from any online platform like Amazon. However, if the product is under warranty, you may get a free replacement from the company.
- First, switch the vacuum off and remove the suction head from the body.
- Turn it over and use the metal spudger to remove the wheels.
- Use the screwdriver to remove the screws. Typically, there are 16mm screws used in Shark vacuums. So, select the screwdriver size accordingly.
- Lift the cover and take out the brush.
- The damaged belt will be on the sides of the Shark vacuum roller. Replace it with the new belt and reassemble everything.
4. Clean the Shark Vacuum Brush Properly
There’s only one way to prevent the blockages in the vacuum brush; clean it regularly and properly. Here’s how to do it:
- Disable the power supply of the vacuum and turn it off.
- Remove the brush from the suction head.
- Pull out any tangled hair and dirt from your hand. Wear gloves to avoid making a mess!
- Use a pair of scissors or stitch pickers if there are buildups.
- Examine the belt, filter, and roller brush thoroughly. If there are any dirt buildups, use a microfiber cloth to clean them.
- Reassemble the brush. Make sure everything is in alignment before you use the vacuum again.
5. Repair the Technical Issues
All the technical issues discussed above can only be solved by component replacement. So, first, you’ll have to purchase a new component. Make sure to get an exact or compatible replacement.
Once done, unscrew the top cover of the suction head. This will give you access to the power switch, motor, circuit board, and everything else. Follow these steps afterward:
- Power Button- straighten out the twisted wires and replace the damaged switch.
- Motor – disconnect and lift the burnt motor out. Place the new one and reconnect the wiring.
- Circuit Board – carefully remove the circuit board. Install the replacement and connect the wiring just the way it was before.
Once done, put the cover and everything else back in place. Secure it with screws and operate the vacuum to ensure proper spinning brush roll.
Final Words
No vacuum is built to last forever. Shark vacuum cleaners have an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years. You’re likely to start experiencing issues by the 6th year of use.
However, regular care helps keep the issues at bay. So, take care of your vacuum the way it takes care of your home!
In this article, we explained how to troubleshoot the Shark vacuum brush not spinning. Are there some other common issues in the vacuum? Let us know in the comments below!