Shark Robot Vacuum Not Turning On? – Here’s How to Fix

Is your Shark robot vacuum not turning on? If yes, we know what can be done to restore it. 

Shark robot vacuum has become a household favorite for households with no time to clean after their messes on the floors. However, like most devices, they can stop working for several reasons.

Usually, you may not have plugged it in correctly, or the wall socket isn’t working.

But you should check for overheated motors and clogged filters. What can you do to fix your not working Shark robot vacuum? Let’s find out! 

If your Shark robot vacuum doesn’t turn on, ensure it’s charging properly. Plug it correctly and make sure no cord or wall socket is damaged.

Also, inspect the batteries in your device. If none of these work, reset your robot vacuum motors. 

Before we discuss the solutions further, here is a quick overview of why your Shark robot vacuum won’t turn on. 

Why Won’t My Shark Robot Vacuum Turn On

The most typical culprit is dirt when your Shark robot vacuum doesn’t turn on.

Either the dust cup is full, or there’s a blockage between the brush and the hose. If you are using a cordless vacuum, check the batteries. 

✅ Not plugged in correctly

Another common reason your robot vacuum stops working is you did not plug it in correctly. The power cord may be broken or have fallen off the socket. 

✅ Wall socket not working

If you plugged in your device correctly but still aren’t working, the problem may be your wall socket. Plug in another device to the source to check. 

✅ Overheated motors

A vacuum that is full of dirt will make the motor work harder, which can cause overheating. Additionally, motors wear out and eventually break down. 

✅ Clogged filters

Dirt and hair clog your robot vacuum filters, causing them to lose suction. Not cleaning and unclogging the filters regularly can lead to the vacuum not turning on or not working completely. 

Now that you know the possible causes of your Shark robot vacuum not turning on, let’s learn how to fix it!

Proven Solutions for Shark Robot Vacuum Not Turning On

If your Shark robot vacuum refuses to turn on, you should check its power situation first.

You want to ensure that the vacuum unit gets its power through the charging base.

You want to ensure that there is no damage to the cord and the wall socket is working properly.

Push the plug of the Shark vacuum’s base into the power outlet and confirm if there is power. You can also check the cord to see if there are signs of damage so you can replace it.

Lastly, you can unplug the cord, wait for 2 minutes, and then plug it in again.

If your Shark robot vacuum still refuses to turn on, we can move on to the more advanced steps below:

Solution #1: Ensure Your Robot Vacuum is Aligned with the Dock

One of the things that might not cross your mind with your Shark vacuum is its alignment with the dock.

Although you won’t have issues with it, there are instances when the alignment can be off, and the contacts don’t touch each other for optimum charging.

This can be caused by an accumulation of dust and dirt that can mess with the position of your vacuum.

You want to ensure that your Shark robot vacuum is level so that it can properly dock to charge when it comes back to the base.

Here’s how to check your Shark vacuum’s alignment with the dock:

1. Inspect the charging dock for power.
2. Flip your vacuum and check for obstructions like stuck dirt.
3. Consider manually placing it on the dock if your vacuum does not charge.
4. Confirm your vacuum is charging with an illuminated blue light.

Pro Tip: You can slowly twist your Shark vacuum back and forth until the indicator light turns blue.

Solution #2: Check the Vacuum’s Brushes for Blockage

You might think that your Shark vacuum’s brushes won’t affect its operation. In fact, these components can prevent your vacuum from turning on and working properly.

Blockage on either the main or side brushes can prevent them from turning. When this happens, your vacuum can malfunction and stop working altogether.

To get it working again, you want to clear the blockage from the brushes allowing them to turn and get your vacuum up and running.

Here’s how to remove the blockage from your vacuum’s brushes:

1. Flip your Shark vacuum upside down.
2. Access the main brush and lift it out of its compartment.
3. Remove any debris stuck to the main brush.
4. Do the same for the side brushes.
5. Use a dry cloth to clean the brushes thoroughly.

Note: To test if the brushes are cleaned properly, you can spin them and check that they do it freely.

Solution #3: Clean the Contacts Between the Vacuum and Base

After ensuring that the brushes do not cause the cause of the problem, we can move on to the charging contacts between the vacuum and the charging dock.

The contacts are metal plates that align with each other when your vacuum docks itself to the charging base.

If your device is not turning on, the contacts can be blocked with dirt or residue that’s thick enough that stops power from moving to your vacuum.

You want to inspect the contacts and clean them if necessary, so your vacuum can charge properly and work again.

Here’s how to clean the contacts on your vacuum and the charging dock:

1. Flip the Shark vacuum and locate the two metal contact points.
2. Using a dry cloth, wipe the contact points properly.
3. Locate the contacts on the charging base.
4. Wipe it down to clean it.
5. Keep the area around the charging base clean.

Note: If a dry cloth is not enough, you can moisten it with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution and clean the contacts with it.

Solution #4: Inspect the Batteries of Your Shark Vacuum

If your Shark robot vacuum still refuses to turn on, it’s time to open it up and check what’s inside the battery compartment.

It’s possible that your vacuum’s battery is dirty or not positioned properly.

If your robot vacuum has been cleaning quite a few wet spots, the batteries can get corroded and can cause it to stop turning on.

Here’s how to inspect the batteries of your Shark vacuum:

1. Switch off the power of your robot vacuum using the switch.
2. Flip it upside down to access the battery compartment.
3. Unscrew the cover of the battery compartment.
4. Using the tabs, pull the batteries out.
5. Pull the power connector and check for dust and dirt.

Note: If your Shark vacuum is over 2 years old and you can see definite signs of damage, you’ll have to order a replacement.

Solution #5: Clean the Robot Vacuum’s Filters

Clogged filters are the most typical cause of your robot vacuum not turning on.

When the air filters are clogged, and the suction motor can’t get in enough air, your vacuum can stop working.

This will prevent any further damage to the motors.

When this happens, you want to remember the last time you cleaned your robot vacuum’s filter. If it’s been over a couple of weeks, it’s due for a cleaning.

Here’s how to clean your robot’s air filters:

1. Locate and press the dust bin release button on the vacuum.
2. Pull the bin away and empty it.
3. Pull the filter out by pushing the tabs, then inspect it.
4. Rinse the filters under running water to clean them.
5. Allow them to dry for at least 24 hours.

Note: It’s best to clean the filters at least once a month for optimum operation.

Solution #6: Reset Your Shark Vacuum’s Motors

If your Shark robot vacuum does not turn on and you have checked all other possible causes, you want to take a look at the motors.

The motors can wear out and break especially if your robot vacuum cleans your home multiple times a day.

To know that it’s a malfunctioning motor, you will need to reset them and see if it will start working again.

Here are the steps on how you can reset your Shark vacuum’s motors:

1. Turn off your Shark robot vacuum using the switch.
2. Unplug the charging dock from the power source.
3. Allow the vacuum to cool for around 45 minutes to an hour.
4. After it’s completely cooled, turn the vacuum back on.

Note: If resetting the motors and cooling them down don’t work, you will need to replace them.

You need to follow these steps to get your Shark robot vacuum working again.

You can also try resetting your Shark robot vacuum to factory settings by pressing the power button for 10 seconds.

As a final step, you can always contact Shark customer support for additional assistance.

Bottom Line

Your Shark robot vacuum not turning on can signal a deeper issue. Now that you know the possible causes and solutions, you can assess your vacuum to see if components need repairs or replacement.

If it’s a minor issue like clogged brushes or filters, these steps should help you get it running in no time.

Read Next: Can You Use A Shark Robot Vacuum Upstairs And Downstairs?