You’re busy spring cleaning and get out the vacuum cleaner to do your floors and carpets, and then discover that it won’t turn on! Most people experience this unfortunate calamity at least once in their lives, and it usually happens when they don’t really have time to spare.
So, what do you do when your vacuum cleaner won’t turn on? How do you fix this problem?
Following are a few reasons why your cleaner won’t turn on, and what you can do to solve those issues.
Is the power on?
This is the best place to start. Is your cleaner plugged in at the wall and have you switched it on? Although this sounds silly, there are times when we forget to do a simple thing like this, or accidentally kick the cord out of the way and unplug the machine by mistake!
Is there power at the socket?
Check that there is power coming through that socket. It could be that someone else has turned that power point off by mistake, or it could be off because of something tripping, and you need to turn it on again. The best way to check if there is power at that socket is to plug something else in, like a phone charger, and see if it is working. If not, then then the fault lies in the power supply from that socket and there is nothing wrong with your cleaner.
Is the plug pushed in properly?
You might also want to check that you have pushed the plug in tightly into the socket. If the plug is just slightly out of the socket, it will prevent power from reaching your vacuum cleaner and turning it on.
Check the cord
If there is power coming through that socket, then you should check the power cord. Unplug the cord from the wall and examine its entire length, to make sure that it has not been damaged in any way. If you have dogs, they’re known to chew on electrical cords sometimes. It’s a good idea to examine each end of the cord as well, to see that it is properly connected to the plug at one end, and the cleaner at the other.
Is the vacuum cleaner switch working properly?
The switch is another thing to check if your cleaner won’t turn on. Is it fully pressed in? Perhaps all you need to do is press the switch in fully to make the cleaner startup. As with the cord, check the switch too, to see if it looks and feels the same, or has been damaged in some way, and is preventing your cleaner from turning on.
Check the bag
With some models, if the canister or bag is full, the cleaner will not turn on. Is your cleaner one of these models? If so, then empty or replace the bag, and it will more than likely start working.
Check for blockages
Your cleaner might not work if there is a blockage in the airflow, to prevent internal damage or the motor from being overworked and burning out. Removing any blockages from the pipes will probably result in your cleaner working again.
Overheating shutoff
Check your instruction manual to see if your model includes a safety shutoff. This feature disables the motor if the machine gets too hot. If you were using your cleaner for a long time, then this might be the problem. Put your hand on your cleaner where the motor is. Is it hot to the touch? If so, then your cleaner has automatically turned itself off, and all you need to do is give it time to cool off before using it again.
Are the brushes clogged?
Your vacuum might not turn on if the brush roll is clogged and unable to spin. Make sure that the roller and brush head are clear and free from tangles and able to run smoothly again.
On the other hand……..
Having a vacuum cleaner that won’t turn on is frustrating, but it is equally as aggravating to have a machine that won’t stay on!
What to do if your machine won’t stay on
One of the worst things to happen when you need to vacuum is to have a machine that turns on but won’t stay on!
Overheating is the most common cause of this happening and the best thing to do in that case is to simply give it some time to cool down before trying to use it again. Your instruction manual will tell you how long you should wait.
You can also check for obstructions and remove them if any.
If your vacuum cleaner is still not working? then it’s probably time to call us on 0333 533 7220 to have your vacuum serviced and repaired by PHC.
The advice in this article is undertaken at the reader’s risk.
Please note for safety! You should always unplug your vacuum when undertaking any kind of maintenance work due to the risk of injury, in addition, all repair work should be carried out by a qualified professional vacuum service technician.
