I was thrilled to have my new Shark vacuum ready to tackle the dust that had accumulated in my home.
But my excitement quickly turned to disappointment as the vacuum started overheating and shutting down.
So, I decided to research about this problem and figure out why this is happening. After a few hours, I found a few possible solutions and fixed them.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps of why your Shark vacuum overheats and how you can fix it.
Let’s get started!
Why Shark Vacuum Overheating and Shutting Off
There can be many reasons for your Shark vacuum to keep overheating and turning off. A few common reasons include using it for an extended period, clogged hose, dirty or faulty filter, and fill dirt container.
In this situation, you should turn off your Shark vacuum, unplug it from the socket and wait at least one hour to cool it down. Once it cools down, you should remove attachments and remove any debris stuck in them.
On the other hand, you can inspect the power cord of your vacuum and replace it with a new one if it is damaged.
How to Fix Shark Vacuum Overheating and Shutting Off
You should try these solutions to resolve the Shark Vacuum overheating problem.
1. Take A Break
The most common reason for your Shark vacuum to overheat and turn off is; if used for an extended period.
This is caused by the motor becoming overworked and releasing heat faster than it can be dissipated.
As a result, the motor will eventually reach temperatures too high to operate safely, leading to its automatic shut-off.
You can prevent this by taking breaks when using the vacuum cleaner. For instance, limit the use to no more than 20 minutes.
This will give it ample time to cool down and reset itself so it doesn’t become overheated. When your vacuum overheats, you should unplug it immediately to protect it from damage.
2. Clogged Vacuum Hose
Clogged vacuum hoses can also cause the vacuum to overheat and shut off due to the restricted airflow.
A clogged hose can lead to a build-up of heat inside the unit, causing it to overheat and shut off automatically as a safety precaution.
If this happens, you should check the hose for any visible obstructions. This could include anything from string, pet hair, lint, or even small toys sucked up with the vacuum.
Once any obstructions are removed, it is important to ensure that the hose is free of debris in order to allow for proper airflow.
In order to prevent a clogged hose from becoming an issue in the future, you should consider regularly checking and cleaning your vacuum hose.
You can clean it by running a damp cloth down inside the hose to remove any dust or dirt particles that may have accumulated.
3. Dirt Container is Full
When a Shark vacuum is overheating and shutting off, it is often caused by the full dirt container.
The dirt container functions as a filter, catching dirt and debris from the air as the vacuum is cleaned.
As the dirt container fills up with debris, airflow within the vacuum is reduced, causing the components to overheat.
This can permanently damage the motor, belts, or other parts of your vacuum. In this situation, you should simply empty out the dirt container when it becomes full.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, then check for any blockages in the hoses or around any of the filters of your Shark vacuum.
4. Faulty Power Cable
Another cause of this issue can be a faulty power cable. This can happen due to wear and tear on the cable or damage from accidental tugging or pulling on the cord while it is still in use.
When the power cable becomes faulty, it can cause problems with the vacuum’s internal components, leading to overheating and, eventually, a device shutdown.
This issue can arise if too much electricity flows through the power cable, resulting in higher-than-normal temperatures inside the vacuum motor.
You can fix this issue by checking all connections between your vacuum’s power cord and its internal components for looseness or corrosion.
Any connections that appear loose or corroded should be tightened up or carefully scraped clean with a small metal brush.
If the cord is blown or faulty, you can replace it with a new one. Replacement of the cord will cost you about 25$ and can be available online.
5. Clogged Filter
On the other hand, a faulty or clogged vacuum filter can be a reason behind this problem. When a filter becomes clogged, the airflow is restricted, creating a lot of extra heat inside the unit.
This extra heat can cause components to wear out more quickly, decreasing suction power and ultimately leading to motor failure or permanently damaging the unit.
In order to prevent this from happening, it is essential to regularly clean and replace filters as needed to ensure proper airflow.
Here is how you can clean a clogged vacuum filter:
- Unplug the vacuum from the power source.
- Then remove any attachments and brush rolls.
- Next, use a soft brush to remove any dirt or debris blocking airflow within the filter compartment.
- After thoroughly cleaning it, put all of the parts back in their original positions.
If your Shark vacuum still keeps shutting off due to overheating, it likely needs a new filter as soon as possible.
Replacement of the filter will cost you about 25$, and it can be easily available from the manufacturer or online.
6. Impermeable HEPA filter
The Impermeable HEPA filter is a specially designed filter that works to capture small particles, allowing only air molecules to pass through.
This type of filter is commonly used in vacuum cleaners and other household appliances to help keep the air clean and free from allergens.
When the filter gets clogged up with dust or other debris, it can cause the vacuum cleaner to overheat and shut off.
In order to resolve the problem, you should regularly check your vacuum filter for signs of wear or blockage.
If you find that the filter is clogged, replace it with a new one as soon as possible. You can also use a damp cloth or compressed air to clean the filter.
7. Incompatible Floor Type Settings
An incompatible floor type setting for your vacuum can cause it to keep overheating or shutting down.
For example:
Some Shark vacuums have an automatic floor-type sensing system that can adjust the suction power based on the surface it’s cleaning.
If this system detects a hardwood surface, it will automatically increase its suction power setting to clean that surface effectively.
However, if you mistakenly selected a carpet setting for your hardwood floors, the vacuum cleaner would be pulling in too much debris and dirt at once.
It will cause excessive strain on the motor and heat up beyond acceptable temperatures, which could cause it to shut off for safety reasons.
That’s why checking your floor type settings before using the vacuum cleaners is essential.
8. Contact Manufacturer
If you still face overheating issues with your vacuum, contact Shark customer support.
The customer support team will be able to help you in this situation and provide you with a few possible solutions.
You May Also Like Reading:
Dyson Vacuum Shuts Off After A Few Minutes
Shark Vacuum Turns Off By Itself
Final Words
These are a few solutions that will help you to resolve your Shark vacuum overheating problem:
- Take A Break
- Clogged Vacuum Hose
- Dirty Container is Full
- Faulty Power Cable
- Clogged Filter
- Impermeable HEPA filter
- Incompatible Floor Type Settings
Now I’d like to hear from you!
Which method from this article has resolved your Shark vacuum cleaner? Are you still experiencing issues with your vacuum?
Let me know in the comment.
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