Vacuum Cleaner Repair Help
Upright, cylinder and cordless vacuums — loss of suction, brush bar, battery and blockage issues.
Vacuum cleaners lose performance gradually and then fail. The most common problems are no suction or lost suction, the vacuum not turning on, the brush bar not spinning, a burning smell, or a blockage somewhere in the airflow path.
Whatever you own — Dyson, Shark, Henry/Numatic, Vax, Miele and more, corded or cordless — our community can help. Browse the questions below or ask your own; answers come from fellow owners, real engineers, and our WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant.
Recent Questions
Help - Gtech vacuum cleaner pulsing on and off
Hoping someone can help with my Gtech vacuum cleaner (Pro 2) — the motor pulses on and off and won't run steadily. Grateful for any pointers, thanks.
Gtech vacuum cleaner wand has cracked, any ideas?
I've got a Gtech vacuum cleaner that's 2 years old and the wand or hose has split and it's lost suction as a result. Really hoping it's a cheap fix.
Vax vacuum cleaner cordless won't hold charge?
I've got a Vax vacuum cleaner that's around a year old and the battery only lasts a couple of minutes, or won't charge at all. What should I check first?
Samsung vacuum cleaner blocked and won't pick up, any ideas?
Hoping someone can help with my Samsung vacuum cleaner — I'm sure there's a blockage somewhere but I can't find it. What should I check first?
Beko vacuum cleaner brush bar not spinning, any ideas?
I've got a Beko vacuum cleaner (PowerClean VRT94929VI) that's 3 years old and the floor head / brush roll has stopped turning. Would really appreciate any…
Vax vacuum cleaner filter warning and poor suction
Hoping someone can help with my Vax vacuum cleaner (Air Stretch) — the filter warning is showing and performance is poor. Is it worth repairing or should…
Beko vacuum cleaner won't turn on, any ideas?
I've got a Beko vacuum cleaner (PowerClean VRT94929VI) that's around a year old and it's completely dead and won't power up at all. Would really…
Bissell vacuum cleaner cutting out and overheating
My Bissell vacuum cleaner, just over a year old — it shuts off after a while and gets really hot. Really hoping it's a cheap fix.
Miele vacuum cleaner smells of burning, any ideas?
I've got a Miele vacuum cleaner that's a couple of years old and there's a hot rubber/burning smell whenever I use it. Any idea what's causing this?
Shark vacuum cleaner cutting out and overheating, any ideas?
Hoping someone can help with my Shark vacuum cleaner (Stratos) — it shuts off after a while and gets really hot. Any idea what's causing this?
Hoover vacuum cleaner cutting out and overheating, any ideas?
Bought a Hoover vacuum cleaner (Breeze) 6 months ago and it shuts off after a while and gets really hot. Really hoping it's a cheap fix.
Dyson vacuum cleaner battery light flashing and won't run
Hoping someone can help with my Dyson vacuum cleaner — (cordless) the battery light flashes and it won't run. Is this something I can fix myself or do I…
Help - Miele vacuum cleaner cordless won't hold charge
My Miele vacuum cleaner, just over a year old — the battery only lasts a couple of minutes, or won't charge at all. Grateful for any pointers, thanks.
Numatic vacuum cleaner blocked and won't pick up?
I've got a Numatic vacuum cleaner (Henry HVR200) that's a few months old and I'm sure there's a blockage somewhere but I can't find it. Grateful for any…
Numatic vacuum cleaner brush bar not spinning?
I've got a Numatic vacuum cleaner that's 3 years old and the floor head / brush roll has stopped turning. What should I check first?
Samsung vacuum cleaner wand has cracked
Bought a Samsung vacuum cleaner (Jet 75) 6 months ago and the wand or hose has split and it's lost suction as a result. Is it worth repairing or should I…
Samsung vacuum cleaner cordless won't hold charge
I've got a Samsung vacuum cleaner (Jet 75) that's nearly 2 years old and the battery only lasts a couple of minutes, or won't charge at all. Is it worth…
Dyson vacuum cleaner pulsing on and off, any ideas?
Bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner (Ball Animal 2) a year ago and the motor pulses on and off and won't run steadily. Is this something I can fix myself or do…
Shark vacuum cleaner cutting out and overheating, any ideas?
My Shark vacuum cleaner, around a year old — it shuts off after a while and gets really hot. Grateful for any pointers, thanks.
Dyson vacuum cleaner cordless won't hold charge, any ideas?
Hoping someone can help with my Dyson vacuum cleaner — the battery only lasts a couple of minutes, or won't charge at all. Is it worth repairing or should…
Common vacuum cleaner problems
Why has my vacuum cleaner lost suction?
Lost suction is nearly always a full bin or bag, a clogged or dirty filter, or a blockage in the hose, wand, or floor head. Empty it, clean the filters (let washable ones dry fully), and check the whole airflow path. Tell us the model if it does not recover.
Why won't my vacuum cleaner turn on?
No power can be a tripped thermal cut-out (after a blockage overheats the motor), a faulty switch or battery, or a cable or connection fault on corded models. If it cut out, let it cool for an hour then try again. Tell us the brand and model.
Why is my vacuum brush bar not spinning?
A brush bar that will not turn is usually tangled with hair or threads, a snapped or slipped drive belt, or a failed brush motor on powered heads. Clear the roller and check the belt first. Let us know the model.
Why does my vacuum smell of burning?
A burning smell is often a slipping or melting belt from a jammed brush bar, or the motor overheating because of a blockage. Stop using it, clear any blockage, and check the belt. Describe the smell and when it started.
