Topic
Care and fixes
Most problems come from a full bin, a clogged filter, a blocked wand or hair round the brush bar. Regular emptying, washing and checking fix the common faults.
Pulsing or surging usually means a blockage or a clogged filter: check the bin, the wand, the floor head inlet and the filters in turn.
Cutting out can be a low or worn battery, an overheated motor after a blockage, or the trigger released on models without a lock button. Lost suction is nearly always a full bin or dirty filter.
If it will not charge, check the charger lead and the dock contacts, and let a hot battery cool first. Wash filters as the manual says and let them dry fully before refitting.
Common mistakes
- Refitting a filter that is still damp.
- Cutting hair off the brush bar with a blade near the bristles.
Guides on this topic
- Why your cordless vacuum loses suctionA cordless vacuum loses suction because of a full bin, blocked cyclone, damp or dirty filter, blocked wand or worn seal. A quick test for each, in order.Fix
- Why does my vacuum cleaner smell?Musty, doggy or burning smell from your cordless vacuum? Damp filters, a dirty bin and hair on the brush bar explained, plus when to stop using it and get help.Fix
- Cordless vacuum flashing lights explainedWhat flashing lights on a Dyson or Shark cordless usually mean, from low charge to blockages and battery faults, and what to check for each. Check your manual.Fix
- Shark cordless not picking up: fixesShark cordless vacuum not picking up? Check the brush roll, bin, filters, wand and floor head in order, then the power mode setting on Detect and Stratos models.Fix
- How to clean a Shark cordless vacuumEmpty the bin, rinse the pre-motor filters, dry them fully, clear the brush roll and wand. Step by step for Shark Stratos, Detect and Anti Hair Wrap models.How-to
- How to clean a Dyson cordless vacuum and its filtersEmpty the bin, wash the filter in cold water, dry it fully, clear the cyclone and brush bar. Step by step for Dyson V8, V10, V11, V15 and Gen5 cordless vacuums.How-to
- What HEPA means on a cordless vacuumHEPA on a cordless vacuum explained as a specification: H13 and H14 grades, whole-machine sealing, washable against replaceable filters and how to read claims.Guide
- Dyson pulsing on and off: causes and fixesA Dyson V8 or stick vacuum that pulses on and off usually has a blockage or a clogged filter. Here is where to look, in what order, and when it is the battery.Fix
- Cordless vacuum not charging: fixesDyson, Shark or Samsung cordless not charging? Check the charger, socket, dock contacts and battery temperature in order, then decide if the battery is worn out.Fix
- Cordless vacuum keeps cutting out: what to checkDyson or Shark cordless keeps cutting out? Check for blockages, overheating, battery health, the trigger and the contacts, in that order, before you buy parts.Fix