Troubleshooting a broken vacuum - repair & recycle advice

What’s wrong with my vacuum?

For all the money you invest in a vacuum cleaner it should last for years and many of them do. The trick is to maintain regular maintenance and know what to troubleshoot when something suddenly stops working. When your vacuum suddenly stops performing, what do you do? Often vacuum cleaners end up in the landfills when they no longer have constant suction or they stop picking up debris from the floor, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Unfortunately these broken vacuum cleaners are filling America’s landfills, and they will be there for a very long time. There are a few common steps you can take to troubleshoot a broken vacuum and often the repairs warranted are simple. Use this troubleshooting guide next time your vacuum cleaner seems as if it should head to the garbage. Repairs and maintenance aren’t cheap but definitely less expensive than replacing an old vacuum with a new one while also keeping non-recyclable components out of the landfill.

Regular maintenance is the number one way to protect the life of your vacuum and if you are concerned about the environment, maintenance is the greenest possible option for this style of appliance. Regular maintenance includes cleaning or replacing all the filters every three months. If your vacuum uses a bin to collect debris, clean the bin after several uses with warm water and mild detergent. When cleaning the bin, check the debris entryway into the bin and remove anything that may be clogging the machine or potentially clog the machine during future uses. If you use a bagged vacuum, change the bag regularly or when it is 75% full. A bagged vacuum will begin to lose suction power after the bag reaches 75% capacity. Also, for all vacuum cleaners, the scent of something burning from the vacuum is an indicator that the belt needs to be replaced. If you ever smell burning coming from the vacuum, power it off immediately and check the belt after the vacuum has had time to cool down.

If your vacuum appears to be functioning like normal, but there is no suction coming through the hose or the machine is not picking up debris from the floors, there are a few simple things to check. If the vacuum is not functioning like normal or will not power on, you may need to seek a vacuum repair shop to diagnose the problem.

1. Identify what is wrong
1. Is there suction in the vacuum hose?
2. Is the brushbar spinning in the cleaner head?
3. Is the brushbar free of hair and debris?

A simple fix is something you can do yourself at home.  If the answer to the three questions above is ‘yes’ but your vacuum is not functioning properly, then chances are the problem is not a simple fix.  If you answered ‘no’ to any of the questions above, there are a few things you can try before labeling the appliance as junk or calling your local repairman. 

Problem 1: No suction at the hose

Chances are there is something clogging the hose that is preventing suction. Try removing the hose from the vacuum to identify where the clog is located. If you cannot remove the hose easily, do not force it. If you cannot see a clog in the hose, try sticking a long object like a dowel rod or a hanger in the hose to feel out the clog. Hangers with a curve in the wiring can be helpful for removing a clog from inside the hose. You can also try using a shop vac to remove the clog by either sucking or blowing the clog loose. If you are unable to see or remove the clog it may be that the clog is not in the hose, but further in the vacuum cleaner and my require professional assistance. If you are unable to remove the clog but are sure that it is in the hose, look for a hose replacement. Many vacuums, like the Dyson vacuum cleaners, manufacture replacement parts that are far cheaper than replacing your vacuum. 

If your vacuum cleaner has lost suction but you are sure there is no clog in the vacuum, there is one other item that may require attention. Remove all of your vacuum cleaner’s filters and wash or replace them as applicable. Dirty filters are the most common reason a vacuum’s suction begins to fail and are the cheapest component to replace on your vacuum. 

If your vacuum uses a bag to collect debris like the Miele vacuum cleaners, make sure the bag is less than 75% full. A bag filled more than 50% with debris will lessen the suction of the vacuum cleaner. Replacing the bag and checking the filters should provide ultimate suction as long as there is no internal clog in the appliance. 

Problem 2: Brushbar is not spinning

If your brush bar roller on your vacuum cleaner head is no longer spinning, this is probably the result of a broken vacuum cleaner belt. Every vacuum cleaner utilizes a belt at the cleaner head to spin the brush bar and collect debris. These belts are often the first thing to break on a vacuum cleaner. If you ever smell a burning scent while vacuuming, this is also a clear indicator that the belt needs to be replaced.

Depending on the brand, new belts are probably available and are typically easy to replace. Usually, you just flip the vacuum over exposing the brush bar, remove any plates holding the roller in place, and the belt should be visible here. Remove the broken belt and replace with a new belt going over the brushbar’s clutch or motor assembly, depending on the model. 

If the belt is not the issue, check the brushbar for hair or debris that may be hampering its movement. Sometimes hair can become so entangled around the brushbar that the motor is not able to overcome the debris, leaving the brush bar useless and simultaneously destroying the motor that powers the roller.

If the brush bar is free of debris and the belt is in tact but the brush bar is still not spinning, the problem is most likely the brushbar roller motor. Parts such as this typically need to be replaced and cannot be repaired. Check with your vacuum manufacturer for specifics regarding your model. 

Problem 3: Spinning brushbar is not picking up debris

If your brush bar is spinning but not picking up debris, this could be a result of two things. First, check the suction. If the suction is low, the vacuum is probably clogged somewhere like the hose. If there is full suction, examine the brush bar closely and make sure the bristles are clear of hair and debris. If your brushbar is full of hair this will mean less debris is collected and it will also be taxing on the brush bar motor. The life of a brush bar motor is drastically shortened if the brushbar is covered in hair because the motor must work harder to spin the roller. In some cases, the motor can burn itself up because the hair is so tight that the brushbar cannot spin at all. 

To remove hair from the brushbar, the easiest and safest solution is to use a seam ripper to free the hair. Run the pointed edge of the seam ripper against the brushbar roller underneath hairs and threads, slicing them as you go and easily remove the debris. Some vacuum cleaner brands like the iRobot robot vacuums make a brush cleaning tool to remove the tangled debris. Modern vacuums all have the ability to remove the brushbar completely for cleaning, so remove the brushbar and remove all hair and debris. If you are unable to clean the brushbar, many vacuum manufacturers retail replacement brushbar rollers, so check with your manufacturer before giving up completely on the vacuum. 

Tried all three but still no luck?

If you are unsuccessful at revitalizing your vacuum after following these three steps, consider contacting a vacuum cleaner repair shop before tossing your old vacuum. Power cords or power switches can often be to blame, and are inexpensive to repair but not an easy fix for the average consumer. If your vacuum is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, contact the repair department for instructions on receiving repairs. Often manufacturers use local repair shops as authorized warranty repair service centers, a win-win for consumers, local businesses, and the environment (a repaired vacuum will stay clear of the landfill for a bit longer). 

If you are set on purchasing a new vacuum, look into recycle programs for your old machine. Vacuum cleaner repair shops will occasionally take components from your used machine for parts. You can also list the vacuum on freecycle, a grassroots nonprofit organization aimed at keeping good items out of the landfills; someone else may have a use for the parts or could use the items like the motor in a school project. If you are looking to make money on your recycle, you can take the vacuum apart and sell the components online via ebay or craig’s list. Many vacuum cleaner components like hoses, filters, wands, or brushes for older model vacuums are hard to come by and sought after online. 

If your vacuum cleaner still works but you are looking to purchase a newer model, take your working vacuum to a thrift store for resale. You can also donate working machines to charity via a food pantry, shelter home, day shelter or a hostel. If none of these options work, call your local recycling or waste center. Nearly every facility will have an option for recycling at least some of the vacuum cleaner’s components, and some facilities can take the entire machine.