Shark Vacuum Won't Turn On: How to Troubleshoot and Fix

Before you contact Shark to get the vacuum repaired, here are some simple steps to follow when your Shark vacuum won't turn on. 

Let's look at some of the potential causes and solutions below!

My Shark Vacuum Won't Turn On. Common Issues and Solutions. 

Tips on how to fix when your Shark Vacuum won’t turn on Via: Amazon

Power Plug

If your Shark vacuum stopped working, it could be because you did not plug the machine into the power source correctly. This is one of the most common reasons why your Shark vacuum not turning on. 

Steps:

• You can give the power plug a push until it is secured and connected to the power outlet. 
• Wiggle the power cord and make sure that it is not falling off the outlet. 
• Unplug the cord and plug it in again.
• Test if your power socket is working by plugging another device in the source. You could try charging your phone and see if it's working. 

   ➜ RELATED: Is Your Shark Vacuum Brush Not Spinning? Try These Simple Steps At Home

Check Your Vacuum Cord 

Is your Shark vacuum not working after securing the power plug? It could be because of the vacuum's power cord itself. A power cord can wear out after using it for a long time, and a broken cord can cause your Shark vacuum not sucking. 

You should avoid yanking or swinging the cord around since this movement can strip or rip your power cord. In addition, corded Shark vacuum owners should avoid running the beater bar over the cord when cleaning to keep the cord in good condition.  

Steps: 

• Unplug the machine from the power source to avoid any electrical shock.
• Carefully inspect the power cord for any cut. If you can see electrical wires from the cord, it is time to replace a new power cord. 

If you're not experienced with electrical devices, contact a specialist to repair your vacuum cord.

Vacuum Batteries 

If you're using a cordless Shark vacuum, then you have to ensure that your batteries are fully charged before using it. In addition, we highly recommend that you recharge your batteries after each use to ensure they won't run out mid-clean. If you find that your Shark vacuum batteries don't last as long as the first time you use them, you can purchase a new one and replace the weak battery.  

   ➜ RELATED: Shark Vacuum Brush Roll Indicator Light Not On - A Troubleshooting Guide

Steps:

• Remove your battery from the Shark vacuum.
• After it's fully charged, put it back into the machine and test to see if it's running again.
• Consider replacing the battery if your vacuum loses running time with a fully charged battery.  
• You can also get a spare battery to minimize waiting time if your battery runs out mid-clean.  
• Cleaner the charger and the battery to ensure no dirt is covering the power contacts. 

If your battery isn't charging at all, it could be the charger that caused the problem. First, check if there's a charging light on the charger when connecting the charger to the dock. If you think your charger isn't working properly, contact Shark and ask for a replacement. 

Scroll down for more tips on how to clean your vacuum charger and battery. 

Vacuum Switch

The next thing you should look at is the vacuum switch. If your Shark vacuum lights are on but won't start, it could be a faulty switch. Contact your manufacturer to see if you can get the switch replaced. If the switch is "ON" but your Shark vacuum motor not working, then you need to pay attention to the vacuum motor itself.

Motor

If your Shark vacuum motor stopped after the vacuum is switched on, it could be a broken motor that causes this problem. Motors can wear out and eventually break down after excessive use. 

There are different things you can do when your motor isn't working. First, you can take the motor out and inspect for any faulty parts. Then, depending on how damaged the motor is, you can either call the repair company and let them deal with your damaged motor or contact Shark's customer service. 

Shark vacuum motor reset

You can also reset the Shark vacuum motor with these five simple steps. 

• Switch off the Shark vacuum cleaner.
• Unplug your vacuum from the power source.
• Check to see if there's a blockage in your filters and hose. Then, you should remove the clogs and wash the filters until it's completely clean.
• Leave the vacuum to cool. We recommend that you wait at least 45 minutes.
• Switch the vacuum back on and start vacuuming again.

After resetting your motor and the Shark vacuum won't turn on, you might need to replace the motor. A replaced vacuum motor can cost more than a new vacuum, so you need to consult with the manufacturer and vacuum repair experts for the best solutions. 

In our opinion, if the motor is not fixable, it is best to purchase a new Shark vacuum. Shark APEX AZ1002 DuoClean Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum is one of best rated vacuum cleaners in 2021. We highly recommend getting a Shark Apex vacuum if you want a well-built machine that can tackle pet hair with ease. 

Shark AZ1002 is one of the best rated vacuum cleaners for your home Via: Amazon

Shark ION Robot Vacuum Factory Reset Button

Sometimes when your robot vacuum is acting up, the best way to fix it is to reset everything. If you're using a Shark ION robot vacuum, there are two ways you can access the Shark vacuum reset button. First, this reset function lets you delete all the robot data, including the settings, schedules, maps, and cleaning preferences. 

   ➜ RELATED: How To Reset Shark Ion Robot Vacuum

Via the phone app

• Open the app on your mobile device.
• Make sure that your Shark robot vacuum is connected to the same wifi network as your phone application.
• Hit the reset option in Settings. 

Via Shark Ion Robot Vacuum 

• Turn the Shark robot upside down.
• You can locate the on and off switch at the bottom of the vacuum.
• Press the on and off switch for 10 seconds until the vacuum turns off.
• Wait 10 seconds and press the switch to turn the vacuum on again. 

Shark ION robot vacuum reset button Via: Amazon

The Filter

Your Shark vacuum won't turn on because of clogged filters. Normally, dirt and hair can clog your filters, which causes your vacuum to lose suction. However, if you don't unclog your filter and clean it regularly, it could cause your Shark vacuum not turning on or stop working completely. 

My Shark vacuum stopped working. Is it because of the filters?

If the filters are clogged up, it’s likely that your Shark vacuum stopped working

You should always turn off your vacuum before removing the filters. Check your instruction booklet to see if your filters are washable before beginning the cleaning process. Shark vacuums come with a premium filtration system, including foam filters and a felt filter, plus a HEPA filter (check your model to see which type of filters your vacuum has). Here’s how you clean your filters. 

Foam and felt filters

• First, you should remove loose dirt on the surface. 
• Rinse the filters in cool water until the water runs clear. Do not use soap. 
• You can give them a gentle squeeze, but please be careful not to damage or break them.
• Leave them out to dry completely before inserting them back into the machine.

HEPA filter

• Pull out the filter from the vacuum cleaner.
• Rinse the HEPA filter under a tap.
• Leave the filter out for air dry for at least 24 hours.

Tips: If your filters are too worn out, it's best to replace them. You can easily find filter parts on Shark's official website or Amazon. 

Your Shark Vacuum Is Overheating - Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting Tips

Your Shark vacuum won't turn on when it gets too hot. When there’s excessive heating, it can cause the motor to stop running. Here are some of the reasons why your vacuum is overheating and how to fix them.

The dust cup is full

If the dust cup reaches the maximum fill line, the machine will lose suction. We have tested the same vacuum cleaners when they are empty and full of dirt and debris. The suction loses up to 30 percent when the container is full of dust. 

A vacuum full of dirt will make the motor work harder, which can lead to overheating. It would help if you emptied the cup regularly to avoid the vacuum cleaner from getting too hot. 

Blockage in the brush roll or hose

The motor can get too hot if there's a clog somewhere in the brush roll or hose. This blockage also causes your motor to work harder; hence the machine might get hotter and shut down. If you own pets, use a pair of scissors to cut tangled pet hair in the brush roll and cleaner head. 

If you want to avoid messy hair on your brushroll, the Shark Navigator Zero-M Pet Pro vacuum with self-cleaning brushroll will send the tangled hair straight from the floor to the dust bin. This vacuum will save you maintenance costs in the long run. 

Shark Self-cleaning technology can help avoid blockage or hair clogs on your brushroll Via: Amazon

Vacuum Thermostat

If you own a Rotator model, you can check if the machine gets too hot via the thermostat. When the thermostat is not operating properly, it could signal that the temperature is safe, but your Shark vacuum stopped working. If this happens, you should turn off the vacuum and let it cool down for an hour, then try to switch it back on. Contact Shark's customer service if your vacuum still won't turn on after. 

If the thermostat shuts off to let you know that the vacuum is overheating, you can try resetting the motor thermostat to get your vacuum running again.

Steps:

• Switch the vacuum off.
• Unplug the Shark vacuum from the power source.
• Empty the dust cup.
• Check if there's any blockage in the filter, hose, or brush roll. Remove the clog. 
• Allow your vacuum to cool down for an hour.
• Switch the vacuum on again and see if it starts working. 

Shark Rotator vacuum comes with an inner thermostat to avoid your vacuum from overheating

Circuit Breaker

A vacuum cleaner consumes high electricity consumption and a large amount of power when you first turn it on. Your vacuum could blow a fuse or trip the circuit breaker on the wall, which causes no power to turn the machine back on. You should check if a fuse is blown and replace it with a new one before turning the vacuum back on. 

If it's the circuit breaker that caused the problem, you should check the status of the wall socket that is not in the same direction as other switches. Then, switch it on and see if there's electricity going into that wall outlet. If your vacuum still doesn't have power, contact an electrician to look at your circuit breaker. 

If the shark vacuum trips the circuit breaker multiple times, you should check out these signs of electrical issues:

• When you switch the shark vacuum on, it produces sparks. You might need to stop using the vacuum and contact an electrician immediately for check-ups.
• When you use your Shark vacuum, there's a burning smell. This issue means that the electrical arcing is burning other parts of the machine and might cause the vacuum to shut down. If this happens, it's time for a replacement. 
• If your power cord is old and damaged, the wires can cause electrical arcing and trip the circuit breaker. 

How to Clean Shark Vacuum battery

Shark vacuum troubleshooting by cleaning your battery and charger Via: Amazon

Your vacuum is not charging because the battery or the charger is dirty. The debris is blocking the contacts from the outlet. Cleaning your battery and charger can help maintain the vacuum and get the vacuum charging again. 

Steps:

• Unplug the charger from the power outlet.
• Get a dry microfiber towel to clean the areas. Do not use water on either the battery or the charger. 
• Wipe the contact areas and the surrounding spaces on the charger and the battery.
• Plug the charge in again to see if the light comes on.
• Start charging your battery again.

If the charger is on, but the battery is not charging, you might want to get a new battery. 

   ➜ RELATED: How To Clean Shark Vacuum - How To Clean Shark Vacuum Filter

Get A New Shark Vacuum Cleaner

If none of these steps have fixed the problems, you should contact Shark customer service and let them know the issue with your vacuum. Shark vacuums normally come with an extended 5-year limited warranty period, which is longer than other vacuum brands. If you need to get a new vacuum machine, check out the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum or the Shark Apex Duoclean Powered Lift-Away Vacuum best cleaning experience. 

Conclusion

Did you enjoy reading our Shark vacuum troubleshooting lists? We hope that our guides help you find the problem and solve it with simple tools at home. For example, one of the many reasons why your Shark vacuum won't turn on might be because of dirt blockage inside the machine. Before you spend any money on repairs, give your vacuum a thorough clean, and it should go back to its effective self.  

Let us know which tip is your favourite in the comment section and why! Share this with your friends and family members if you think they’d enjoy reading this as well.