Why Is My Shark Robot Vacuum Not Working?

If you’re asking, “Why is my shark robot vacuum not working,” we have the answers you’re looking for!

This is a frustrating problem whenever your vacuum suddenly stops working.

We have found proven solutions that will allow you to get it up and running in no time.

Let’s answer all your burning questions!

To fix your Shark robot vacuum now working, you want to make sure that it’s charging properly. Place your vacuum back into the dock, so it charges. You also want to look at obstructions, especially with the brushes and filters. Getting these parts stuck can cause your vacuum to malfunction and stop working.

Before we move on to the troubleshooting methods, let us discuss the causes of the Shark robot vacuum not working.

Causes of My Shark Robot Not Working

There are many answers to your question: why is my shark robot vacuum not working? The first thing you want to suspect is a power issue.

Your dock may not be plugged in correctly, which causes your vacuum not to charge up.

Dirty components can also cause it to stop working without warning.

Here are the most likely causes of your Shark robot vacuum not working:

1. Not Docked and Charged Properly

Shark Robot vacuums use a charging dock to complete their work and find their way back to the dock to charge again.

If your device has not docked and charged properly, it could be that it is not making proper contact with the dock.

2. Dirty Brushes and Filters

The brushes on your Shark Robot vacuum won’t spin if something has wrapped around them.

If the device is not picking up dirt, either it is too full, or the filters need to be replaced.

3. Faulty Motors and Sensors

You may notice your Shark Robot vacuum moving erratically. There may be damage or dirt in the sensor. Also, it may be worn out.

4. Software Issues

Shark is constantly innovating and releasing new software versions to optimize the performance of its robot vacuums.

Your device may be running an older version with bugs and glitches.

These are the possible reasons your Shark vacuum isn’t working. Now, let us proceed to solve them.

Troubleshooting Shark Robot Vacuum

If your Shark vacuum isn’t working, there are several things you’ll need to do to fix the problem.

Ensure that the charging station is in a clear area and nothing is blocking the path of your device to the dock.

Dirt and damage to the charging contacts can also cause the robot vacuum not to charge. In this case, you may need to clean or replace them.

If your Shark vacuum is still not working, you may need to reset your vacuum.

Simply, press and hold the Reset button for three seconds. Once you’ve done this, your device should be back up and running.

If the issue persists, try the following troubleshooting steps and see if you can get your robot vacuum back on track.

Solution #1: Ensure Your Robot Vacuum Can Charge on the Dock

If you’re unable to restart your Shark robot vacuum, you will want to look at the dock.

After setting everything up, you can easily disregard your vacuum’s routines since it’s all automated.

Yes, it can bring itself back to the dock and charge itself, but there are circumstances that it won’t be able to do it.

You may not even see your Shark vacuum at work, depending on your cleaning schedule.

You’ll want to pay extra attention to the charging dock, and everything is working fine.

Here’s how to check your Shark vacuum’s charging dock and setup:

1. Check the charging dock and make sure it’s plugged into your wall outlet.
2. Press the power button on your vacuum and check the indicator lights.
3. If the lights are off, carry your vacuum back to the dock.
4. Clean the contacts on both the dock and your vacuum with a clean cloth.
5. You can confirm your vacuum is charging if the indicator light is blinking.

Note: Place your charging dock in an area that’s clear of obstructions so your vacuum can easily make its way to charge.

Solution #2: Blockage on the Main Brush

Since your Shark vacuum is cleaning dust and dirt out from your floor, there are a lot of objects that can cause it to stop working.

After confirming that your vacuum is carrying a charge and can operate normally, you’ll want to see if there’s something stuck on the main brush.

Yes, the main brush is considered self-cleaning. However, if it’s cleaning a lot off the floor, it can get stuck and stop your vacuum from working.

Hair is your number one enemy here, as it can get inside and clog up the rolling mechanism.

Here’s how to clean your Shark vacuum’s main brush:

1. Get your Shark robot vacuum and flip it upside down.
2. Push the locking tabs to gain access to the main brush.
3. Gently lift out the brush and remove the ends.
4. Clean any debris from the brush using a damp cloth.
5. Return the brush by inserting the flat end first.

Note: If you’ve had your robot vacuum for quite some time, inspect the brush to make sure they’re not worn out. 

If they are, you’ll need to get a replacement.

Solution #3: The vacuum’s Side Brushes are Stuck and Not Turning

Even though they’re called side brushes, they play an important part in making sure your vacuum can clean optimally.

The side brushes push dirt into the center of the machine so the main brush can pull them in.

If they are tangled, they can stop working and bring your vacuum to a halt.

Here’s how to clean the side brushes on the Shark robot vacuum:

1. Flip your vacuum upside down to gain access to the side brushes.
2. Lift the brush off its peg to remove it from the vacuum.
3. Remove any string or hair wrapped around the brushes.
4. Wipe the brushes with a dry cloth.
5. Reinstall the side brushes by snapping them back into the pegs.

Note: To make sure that the brushes are working, you can manually spin them.

Solution #4: Air Filter is Clogged and Needs Cleaning

Whenever your robot vacuum stops working, you want to check if the notification lights are lit up.

Your vacuum has the “i” main error indicator. If this lights up together with the other, you’ll essentially know the cause of the issue.

One of the most common errors that you’ll encounter with your Shark robot vacuum is when the Clean and “i” indicators are lit up.

This means there’s an issue with the suction motor, and your vacuum cannot pull dirt from the floor.

Now, there’s no need to panic, as the issue is caused by a dirty filter.

Here’s how to clean the filter on your robot vacuum:

1. Press the Dust Bin Release button at the rear of your vacuum.
2. Pull the dust bin away from the vacuum and empty it.
3. Get rid of any hair or objects stuck on the comb at the back of the bin.
4. Pull the filter out of the dust bin by pushing the tabs.
5. Tap on the filter lightly to dislodge any dust and debris.

Tip: For optimum performance, we recommend emptying the dust bin regularly and cleaning the filter.

Solution #5: Stuck on an Obstacle with Front Wheel Stuck

If your Shark vacuum suddenly stops working, you want to look at possible obstructions that can cause it.

These obstructions are not always visible and are usually found lodged in the wheels of your vacuum.

This is also paired with an error notification of the “Clean” and “Max” flashing on your vacuum.

Here’s how to fix a stuck front wheel on your Shark vacuum:

1. Relocate your robot vacuum to a different location.
2. If the error still persists, flip the vacuum over.
3. Pull the front wheel out of its housing.
4. Clean the wheel and the housing.
5. Insert the front wheel back into its housing.

Note: You may need to use a brush to clean the front wheel housing effectively.

Solution #6: Worn Out Wheel Motors

If your Shark vacuum stops working and you hear weird sounds coming from it, you want to check the drive motors.

Well, it can be stuck with dust and dirt lodged between the spaces. If you find any debris stopping the wheels from moving, you’ll want to remove it immediately.

However, if there is no sign of an obstruction, the wheel motor will likely be worn and will need replacement.

The good news is that you can get the entire wheel motor assembly and it replacing it is a quick and easy process.

Here’s how to replace worn-out wheel motors on your robot vacuum:

1. Flip your robot vacuum and locate the wheel assembly.
2. Remove the screws from the wheel assembly and lift them out of the vacuum.
3. Make sure to disconnect the power connector.
4. Get your replacement wheel assembly and connect it to the vacuum.
5. Gently place it into the wheel well and replace the screws.

Note: We recommend disconnecting the battery from the vacuum for safety purposes.

There you have it! These are the different reasons that can make your robot vacuum stop working.

You can contact Shark customer support if none of these solutions get your vacuum to start running.

Read Next: How to Change WiFi Network on Shark Robot?

Bottom Line

Why is my Shark robot vacuum not working? There are several causes for this.

However, these proven solutions should guide you in getting your vacuum up and running.

These may sound intimidating, but they’re actually not. You’ll be able to fix your robot vacuum even if you don’t have no experience working with it.