If you were given the challenge of taking only one gadget from modern times, which one would you pick?
We first thought of smartphones. But what’s the fun in that if life is a constant dirtbag? So we ended up choosing vacuum cleaners. Yeah, not as exciting as a PS5 but super practical!
Think about it. In olden times, there were servants and maids that did the cleaning job and even then they didn’t have the cleanest of houses or the shiniest of floors.
We, living in our small, single-bedroom apartments, can have better hygiene than the royals from the past. All these are possible for this single man-made device.
The vacuum cleaner is probably the most common and useful household tool ever. So when your vacuum stops working, needless to say, life becomes hellish!
In this article, we have gathered 9 solutions to figure out how to fix a vacuum cleaner with no suction!
Why a Vacuum Cleaner is Not Working?
There can be many reasons why your vacuum cleaner is not picking up dirt and debris on the floor. Some of the most common ones are:
- The dust container is full.
- The filter needs immediate cleaning.
- The hose is clogged or damaged.
- The power setting is not correct.
- There are leakages in the vacuum cleaner.
- The vacuum belt is broken.
We can go on and on with the issues. But instead of talking about the problems, let’s just come to the solutions.
What’s the point of knowing the issue if you don’t know how to solve it? Let’s figure out 9 common vacuum suction problems and ways to solve them!
How to Fix a Vacuum Cleaner with No Suction
Solution 1: Fix the Height
Sometimes we overlook the simplest issues that might be causing all the problems. Height adjustment is one of those things. If your vacuum is set at the wrong height, the suction power will decrease.
This mostly happens when you set your vacuum’s height too high from the floor. The bare floor setting is the best one for tiled or wooden floorings.
The bare floor is the lowest setting for any vacuum cleaner. So if your vacuum isn’t working, try checking whether the setting is too high or not.
Lovering the setting to minimum increases the suction power. If you use the same setting for deeply carpeted floors, it obviously won’t work that great.
Solution 2: Unclog the Hose
If your vacuum hose is clogged or plugged up, it cant provide any suction to clean. So make sure to check whether something is obstructing your hose or not. When we use our vacuum cleaner regularly, it can get clogged up from pet hair or big particles.
To check whether your vacuum hose is clogged or not, grab a flashlight and light it through one end to see if the light can shine through the other side or not. Alternatively, you can hold it and look inside. If it’s a clog of hair, use a tweezer to remove it.
Sometimes the things that are blocking the hose are right in the middle where tweezers can’t reach. What to do then?
In that case, you have to remove the hose from the vacuum and take it outside. Then grab a thin stick and start poking inside the hose until you can push it through. Be careful to not do it anywhere around the house as a lot of dust comes out of the hose.
Solution 3: Check the Settings
If you are anything like us, then chances are you don’t adjust your vacuum setting for each task. Most of us just grab the vacuum and start cleaning. But the power setting is given for a reason.
Each type of floor requires a different level of suction power. Harder jobs require more power and light jobs require less. For example, if you are cleaning concrete or tiled floors, the power setting should be minimal. But if you are cleaning a deep carpet, the power needs to be as high as possible.
Almost all vacuum comes with either a dial or a button to adjust these settings. So if your vacuum is not sucking up dirt and dust, try changing the power settings to see how it goes.
Solution 4: Unclog the Roller
The roller is something we don’t think about too much. We check every other part of a vacuum but this. If your rollers are jammed or clogged by something, they won’t be able to function properly. This may result in loss of suction or inability to move around smoothly.
To check your vacuum roller, flip it upside down and look for wrapped hair or cotton yarn in it. If the roller looks furry and dirty, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the gun out. Then remove them using either tweezers or your fingers.
Toss the hairballs into the trash. Once this is done, flip the vacuum again and check whether it works or not. It should start moving around.
Solution 5: Check the Vacuum Belt
If your vacuum belt is somehow damaged, it won’t be functioning properly which may result in loss of suction in the vacuum cleaner. The bet can also get clogged or jammed with unwanted dirt and debris.
To fix this issue, you need to check the belt for any anomaly. Inspect the belt carefully. If there is a crack or damage, it needs to be immediately replaced with a new one.
If a damaged vacuum belt is not replaced immediately, it can cause serious issues to the motor of the vacuum cleaner.
Solution 6: Make the Vacuum Airtight
This one is pretty self-explanatory but if your vacuum isn’t airtight, it’s not a vacuum anymore. It can not suck up dirt and debris if the air is leaking out of the system from somewhere. Vacuum relies on the machine focusing all its pressure to do one thing. If the air pressure gets divided, it doesn’t work.
So make sure to check whether there is a gap in any of the joints. There might be some misfit parts that are causing this or there might be a crack in the machine.
Usually, the part that connects the hose to the machine can come loose and it makes the vacuum not airtight. Whatever it is, make sure to find out the problem area. Then if it’s unfixable by you, take the vacuum cleaner to a mechanic.
Solution 7: Check the Filters
Most modern vacuum cleaners come with several filters to provide a highly effective cleaning experience. There are still some classic single-layer filtration vacuums that work wonderfully.
However many filters your vacuum cleaner has, it’s important to clean them on a regular basis. If your vacuum isn’t sucking up any dirt, maybe the filter is clogged beyond function. If the filter is totally covered in a thick layer of grime, it won’t be able to pass air through it.
So check the filters to see whether they are in a working condition or not. Modern filters are made to be washable and reusable to prevent wastage.
So clean your filters to remove the clogged dirt. All vacuum cleaners come with a manual that mentions the best way to clean the filters. Each filter has different cleaning methods so make sure you check the instruction manual properly.
After you are done cleaning and drying the filters. Give it another try and check if it works. If the vacuum still has no suction, move on to the next solution on our list.
Solution 8: Empty the Bag
This should be the first thing we all do. If your vacuum bag is full. Obviously, the machine won’t suck up any more dirt. It doesn’t have enough space to clean.
So check your vacuum bag or canister depending on your vacuum type. If it’s full, gently empty the discharge into a trash bin.
All vacuum cleaners come with a fill line in the dust bag or canister. It’s ideal to not surpass that line. If the dirt is filled over that line, your vacuum will still sound like it’s working but actually, it won’t be sucking in anything.
Solution 9: Check the Connections
If nothing else is working, we are going to ask you something very obvious. Don’t get angry at us. Did you check the power connection properly? Maybe the issue is with the connection and not the vacuum cleaner itself.
We don’t want to admit how many times we struggled with our vacuums only to figure out half an hour later that the connection came loose. If any parts of the machine are loose and not connected the way they should, it can cause the vacuum cleaner to lose its suction power. So always check for that.
If after all these different methods, your vacuum cleaner still doesn’t work, take it to a mechanic as the problem might be in the hardware of the machine.
Vacuum Cleaner Maintenance Tips
If you want your vacuum cleaner to last longer and perform better, taking care of it is a must. For most homeowners, vacuum cleaners are an investment that serves for years.
Here are some of our easy tips on maintaining your vacuum cleaner:
- Replace the Bag: Replace your vacuum bag regularly. Do this after each cleaning session so there is no dirt just sitting inside the machine.
Most people think bags need to be replaced only when they are full. This is not true. You should replace your vacuum bag when it’s about 2//3 full. - Attach the Bag Properly: We all are in such a rush to get things done that we forget to notice the most basic things. You need to make sure that the bag is properly attached to the nozzle. If the bag is loosely attached, you might find dirt and debris outside of the bag.
- Clean the Attachments: if you want your vacuum cleaner to last as only as 15-20 years, taking care of each individual part is important. Use a damp cloth and dish soap to clean each individual brush and hose once a month.
- Replace the Filters: If your vacuum cleaner comes with washable filters, clean them once a week. If it’s a replaceable one, check each week to see whether it needs to be replaced or not.
If the filter is clogged with dirt and dust, it cannot remove the fine dust particles and debris. This is why it’s so important. For HEPA filters, follow the instruction manual to take care of them. - Store in Dry Place: Always store your vacuum cleaner in a dry space. It is better to have a designated storage area for the vacuum cleaner.
- Professional Consultant: take your vacuum cleaner to a professional repairman once every three years to make sure it’s in good condition. Regular checkup like this helps to extend the life and you can repair the damaged parts from a reliable place.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Do Vacuum Cleaners Lose Suction?
Vacuum cleaners can lose their suction if there is hair or dirt stuck inside the hose or rollers. There are actually a number of reasons why this can happen. But if you take care of your vacuum and clean it at least twice a month, you won’t face any issues with it.
When something gets stuck inside the vacuum, the airflow is disrupted which causes a loss of suction. So make sure your vacuum is clean and well stored.
02. Is It Worth Repairing a Vacuum Cleaner?
This solely depends on the type of vacuum cleaners you are using. If your vacuum cleaner is a cheap, budget one, chances are it’s not going to last long enough for you to justify the fixing cost. But if you have a premium vacuum that you’ve been using only for a few years, fixing it might give you another 3-4 years of use.
If you have been using an upright vacuum cleaner for more than 7 years, then consider buying a new2 one instead of taking it to a mechanic. It’s all about your vacuum cleaner’s model and how long you have used it.
03. Why is My Vacuum Cleaner Extra Noisy?
If you are struggling with an extra noisy vacuum cleaner, you might need to check the vacuum belts. If the vacuum belt is damaged or cracked, it can create a lot of noise that is unbearable to handle.
Most of the time, the source of the noise is the motor of the vacuum cleaner. If you have been in your vacuum for quite a few years now, the motor is in its last stage of life.
It’s not as powerful as it was and thus it’s creating a lot of noise. If this is the case, consider replacing the motor or investing in a better vacuum cleaner altogether.
04. How Do You Vacuum More Effectively?
If you struggle to make your room squeaky clean even with a vacuum cleaner, chances are you’re doing some steps wrong.
To remove all the dirt and dust from your room, start with removing dust from the furniture and tabletops. If you clean the floors first and then clean the furniture, dust will spread all over the room again.
Go through every area more than once to make sure no dust particles get left behind. While you are at it, don’t go over in the same direction. Instead, clean the same area from multiple directions. This helps to pull up dirt more efficiently.
If you always end up with dust after vacuuming, your filter might need some washing. When a filter gets clogged, it can not remove the finer dust particles. So make sure to have a regular cleaning routine for your gadgets too.
05. What is the Difference between Suction and Vacuum?
Most of us confuse vacuum with suctioning thinking they are the same thing. Vacuum is basically an absence of air whereas suctioning is the process through which a vacuum is created. In vacuum cleaners, suction is used to create a vacuum.
When the suction is absorbing the air around it, small dirt particles are forced to be sucked inside the air. As the air gushes forcefully, it removes even larger debris and pebbles with it.
As the speed of air increases, the pressure decreases. This is the basic working principle of vacuum cleaners. It’s an extremely useful and valuable tool for any household.
Conclusion
The vacuum cleaner is an inevitable part of our life at this point. It makes cleaning so easy and effortless. The point of a modern drive like this is to add comfort and convenience to our life. So when this useful gadget stops functioning, life becomes a struggle!
As much as you love your vacuum, taking care of it should be your priority. Otherwise, it can get damaged pretty easily. To avoid this kind of technical issues, always but the best vacuums within your budget to have a seamless cleaning experience!