Shark robot vacuums are revolutionary home cleaning devices—they work on a variety of surfaces, and you can control them via a smartphone app. It is possible to send them to specific rooms, have them work on a schedule, and some units are even self-cleaning. But what should you do if it won’t work as expected?
If your Shark vacuum won’t connect to WiFi or to your phone, you may have a weak Internet connection, or you may have a simple file error within the app. Rebooting will solve most issues. Always make sure you are using the right WiFi and password.
This article will explore some common causes of connectivity issues with your Shark vacuum and the app and discuss how to solve the problems.
Shark Vacuum Won’t Connect to Phone
If your Shark vacuum is not connecting to your phone, you will not be able to control the appliance fully. This can lead to unscheduled cleanings or missed rooms. Before checking for errors, make sure you have the app downloaded and that your unit is designed for smartphone integration.
Causes
Only the robot units are intended to work with the smartphone app. Also, the app is no longer running on older smartphone systems, which means if you have an iPhone that is running on iOS 11 or under, the app will not work.
Furthermore, the Shark vacuum connects to smartphones through the WiFi connection within the house. If your phone is not connected to the WiFi or has been left on airplane mode, for example, it will not be able to pair with the appliance.
Another common reason you may be having issues with connecting to your phone is a bug within the app. This can be a small corruption within a file that can cause the app to crash or not work as expected.
How To Fix
Start by checking that your phone is running on the correct software to support the app:
- For iPhones, you will need iOS 12 or above
- For Androids, you will need 6.0 and above
Once you have the correct version of the app running on the newest version of your phone’s software, double-check that both your phone and your unit are running on the same WiFi network.
To set up your Shark robot with the WiFi, follow these steps:
- Set the robot on the dock and make sure it is switched on
- Ensure your phone is connected to your home’s WiFi
- In the app, select the plus symbol to add a new device
- Press and hold down the ‘dock’ and ‘max’ buttons on top of the unit at the same time until you hear a beep and the WiFi light begins to blink
- Within the app, connect the robot to the same WiFi network as your phone – you will need to enter the WiFi password to connect
- Name and register the robot vacuum
In case your shark robot vacuum light is flashing that might indicate a different problem.
You can see a step by step guide on how to connect your smartphone to your Shark vacuum in the video below:
If your phone and your unit are both connected to the same WiFi, but the connection between them is not working, try deleting the app and reinstalling it. This will delete all the local files stored on your device, one of which may have been corrupt. When you reinstall the app, it will start fresh and should connect easily.
Shark Vacuum Won’t Connect to WiFi
There are a few reasons why your Shark vacuum is not connecting to the WiFi. Unfortunately, without a stable WiFi connection, you will be unable to control the device. To get the most out of your robot vacuum, be sure you have a steady and reliable internet connection throughout your entire home.
Causes
Some common issues that can affect your Shark vacuum’s WiFi connection include:
- Inputting the wrong WiFi password
- You have a dual-band WiFi router
- There is an issue connecting the app with the WiFi, such as being too far from the router
Most of these issues are easy fixes. But many can be solved by ensuring you have a strong enough connection before bringing the new appliance into the house. You may find that the connection is not strong enough to handle the robot vacuum in areas with unreliable WiFi.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on February 22, 2021.
How To Fix
Start by checking that you have entered the WiFi password correctly. Follow the steps laid out above to set up the WiFi connection, enter the password carefully, note any capitalizations and special characters.
If you have a dual-band router, chances are the robot is trying to connect to the wrong frequency. Shark vacuums will only connect to 2.4GHz networks and will not work with 5GHz networks. You can check the type of router on the manufacturer’s website and always select the 2.4GHz network when choosing WiFi.
In many instances, closing the app completely will help to reset any bugs that may be causing issues with connectivity. Ensure you are close to the router when working, have a strong signal, reboot the app, and try again. In some cases, you may need to restart the phone too.
If all else fails, reboot the router and start the process over, connecting to the app and your phone, as discussed above. You might have to wait a few minutes for the router to reboot.
In some rare cases you might want to try to reset your shark vacuum to see if it clears any bugs in the system.
Shark Vacuum Won’t Stay Connected to WiFi
In the event your Shark vacuum will connect to but not stay connected to the WiFi, chances are it is an issue with the strength of the signal. You may find that the unit will stop working the further it moves from the WiFi router. When installing your new appliance, be sure to situate it in the center of the house, as close to the router as possible.
Causes
When your unit won’t stay connected to the WiFi, the most plausible reason would be that it cannot connect as it moves further away from the router. In larger homes especially, there may be some dead spots that the WiFi cannot penetrate. This could be caused by their distance from the router or by interference, such as from larger metal objects like the refrigerator.
How To Fix
If your WiFi signal is weaker in certain parts of the house, try replacing the router with a newer version. This will help to boost the signal to more areas. In particularly large homes, it is possible to buy WiFi boosters, which will extend the range of the signal.
When the issue is due to interference or obstacles, you should consider moving the router to a more optimal location.
Shark Vacuum Won’t Connect to App
Sometimes, the WiFi lights will light up, but the Shark vacuum will have trouble reaching the app. As mentioned above, it is essential to have the newest version of the app along with the correct operating system on your phone. An iPhone running on iOS 11 or under will not be able to use the app.
Causes
A weak internet connection may allow your device to register the WiFi but not fully connect. Similarly, trying to set the machine up from a different room can prevent proper connectivity, and the app may not work correctly.
How To Fix
When setting up the device, be sure to be sitting close to the unit for optimal signal strength. If the signals are strong but the app is not connecting, try rebooting both the app and the unit. Be sure that the vacuum is on the dock and that it is switched on, and when rebooting, switch off for at least ten seconds.
Common Shark Vacuum App Problems
Some common Shark vacuum app problems include connectivity issues, difficulty connecting to the vacuum, and app crashing or freezing. Here are some steps to fix these issues:
- Connectivity issues: If the app is having trouble connecting to the vacuum, it may be helpful to reset the vacuum’s Wi-Fi settings by pressing and holding the Wi-Fi button on the vacuum for 10 seconds until the light blinks. Once the Wi-Fi settings are reset, the vacuum can be reconnected to the network by following the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up the Wi-Fi connection.
- Difficulty connecting to the vacuum: If the app is having trouble connecting to the vacuum, it may be helpful to ensure that the app is up to date and compatible with the vacuum. It may also be helpful to restart the app and the device it is running on, as well as the vacuum itself. If the issue persists, it may be helpful to contact the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.
- App crashing or freezing: If the app is crashing or freezing, it may be helpful to ensure that the app and the vacuum’s software are up to date by checking for and installing any available updates. It may also be helpful to restart the app and the device it is running on, as well as the vacuum itself. If the issue persists, it may be helpful to uninstall and reinstall the app or contact the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.
By following these steps and properly maintaining the Shark vacuum app, a person can ensure that it functions properly and provides a seamless experience when using the vacuum.
Final Thoughts
Most of the connection issues with your Shark vacuum will result from strained WiFi signals or internal bigs within the app or phone. To fix connectivity problems, be sure your devices are connected to the same WiFi and that they are close by during connection.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on February 22, 2021.
Make sure the vacuum is switched on and close to the router, and if something is not connecting correctly, try rebooting the app and the unit to clear any internal files that may have been corrupted.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on February 22, 2021.