Vacuum cleaners lose their suction power sometimes, and if yours is not working as it should be, there are several things you can try to get it up and running efficiently again.

Common causes of vacuum cleaners losing their suction

There are a few common reasons why a vacuum cleaner loses suction, including:

  • Clogged filters
  • The brush bar is tangled
  • Blocked pipes
  • Overfull dust container

Fixing these problems is easy and will significantly improve your vacuum’s suction power immediately!

Unclog the filters

Blocked filters are one of the most common causes of suction loss, so check and clean both filters – the allergen filter, normally found closer to the dust bag or container, as well as the motor filter, usually situated at the back, near to the vacuum exhaust.

These two filters should be cleaned at least once every month. Your User’s Manual will tell you where they are situated on your model and how you should clean them.

Clean the brush bar and floor head

Turn the floor head over and check whether your model has a brush bar or no brush bar on it, and clean accordingly:

Brush bar – wearing a pair of disposable gloves, remove the brush bar, and cut away the fluff and hair, pull it out carefully, and reinsert the bar. If not removable, then cut along the brush bar and remove the hair and fluff with your fingers.

No brush bar – if the floor head has no rotating brush bar, then check the airways and bristles around the edges of the tool and remove any debris.

Check if the cleaning tube and hose are blocked

If neither of the above has got your vacuum working properly again, then check that there is nothing blocking the hose or cleaning wand. Using a torch, examine the tube after separating it from the machine, to see if there are any obstacles such as bottle caps, clumps of hair, stray socks, or other types of debris stuck inside.

Make sure that the dust container or bag is not overfull

The suction of your vacuum cleaner can drop by as much as 30% if the container or bag is full of dirt and debris, so it’s a good idea to empty them regularly. It all depends on which model you have, as to what you should do in this case.

If your vacuum uses bags, it stands to reason that you want to use each bag as long as possible to save money. However, if the suction is not working properly, then it is best to switch to a new bag so that your cleaner can function as it should. Using a full bag for too long could damage your machine, which will be much more expensive to repair or replace than simply using a new bag when necessary!

If yours is a bagless machine, then it’s best to empty the canister after each use. The canister will have a “Max Fill” line, which surprisingly, is only about 1/3 of the way up! So, if the canister on your cleaner looks full, it is most definitely time to empty it!

Check that all parts are properly attached

Your vacuum cleaner won’t suction as it should if all the parts are not connected properly, so check that the tube and floor attachment, the brushes, the pipe, and the dust container are all correctly attached.

If you have a cordless vacuum cleaner

Cordless vacuum cleaners are small, have small canisters that don’t hold much, so it is even more important that you empty them regularly and always keep the filters and brush bar clean. Since most cordless vacuums run on batteries, it is essential that you take proper care of your one, to keep it functioning properly. For instance:

Store it in a cool place

Try to not use the battery completely when you vacuum. According to Samsung, it’s a good idea to not let the battery fall below 20%.

Leave your cleaner on charge when not in use – modern cordless cleaners use lithium-ion batteries that stop drawing power as soon as they are fully charged.

Don’t rule out a technical problem!

If, after going through all the above steps, your vacuum cleaner still doesn’t suction properly, then it could be some sort of technical hitch. If this seems to be the issue then contact us here at PHC Vacuum Service the experts in Vacuum Service and Repairs.

In conclusion

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure,” so keep your vacuum cleaner working as well as the day you bought it, by maintaining it properly. Clean the filters regularly, don’t let the dust container or bag become too full, and keep the brushes free of hair and other debris.

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.