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Why Is My Shark Vacuum/Battery Light Flashing?

Your Shark vacuum has a few different lights that indicate if your vacuum is working correctly. If a light is flashing, it usually means that something is preventing your vacuum from running.

If your Shark vacuum light is flashing, that means the brush roll isn’t spinning. Red lights can mean that the brush roll is jammed or the vacuum is overheating. Flashing headlights could mean the vacuum isn’t in Carpet Mode.

Flashing lights indicate that something needs to be fixed. Most cases can be solved with basic troubleshooting, but some cases might require repairing the vacuum or replacing a broken part. Let’s take a look at what all the flashing lights mean and what needs to be done to solve them.

What Each Light on the Shark Vacuum Means

What Each Light on the Shark Vacuum Means

There are a few different types of lights on your Shark vacuum. Knowing what each type of light means is key to knowing how to fix your vacuum. If you know that a red light could mean it’s overheating, that will save you some time when it comes to troubleshooting.

Light BehaviorMeaning
Green Light onThe vacuum is functioning normally.
Red Light onIndicates an error such as overheating or a jam.
Blinking or flashingIndicates the battery status (low or charging) or that there is an error.
Lights aren’t onThe vacuum isn’t receiving power or it’s not in the correct mode.

Shark Vacuum Brush Roll Light Is Flashing

Shark Vacuum Brush Roll Light Is Flashing

Your Shark vacuum will have a light on the vacuum head. This light will tell you when the brush roll is jammed or isn’t functioning correctly. Sometimes there will be a couple of headlights instead of one little light, but they will function just the same.

What Red Lights on Shark Vacuum Means

If the light is flashing red, that could mean two things:

  • The vacuum is overheating.
  • The brush roll is jammed.

If you have been vacuuming for a while, the light most likely means that the vacuum is overheating. If you just started vacuuming or you can’t even start because the vacuum isn’t working, then it’s probably the brush roll. 

Brush roll issues usually prevent you from vacuuming since it won’t spin when the lights are flashing, so it should be easy to tell what the problem is.

What to Do

If you think the vacuum is overheating, turn it off and let it rest for about 45 minutes. Once it has cooled down completely, try vacuuming again. If overheating was the issue, your vacuum should be working just fine.

If the brush roll is jammed, turn the vacuum over so you can easily see the brush roll. The roll will probably be tangled with hair or rug fibers. Remove everything that’s tangled around the roll. You can use scissors if you need to, but be careful not to cut bristles or damage the machine.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 10, 2020.

Clean around the brush roll, too. If you see debris caked up in crevices, clear them away.

If your vacuum still isn’t working properly after you try each of these options, try the troubleshooting steps listed at the end of this article. 

Shark Vacuum Headlights Are Flashing

Shark Vacuum Headlights Are Flashing

If your vacuum has headlights, they’ll be on top of the vacuum head. They function to light up the area in front of you, but they can also alert you to let you know that something is wrong with your vacuum.

What It Means

When the headlights on the vacuum are flashing, it usually means there’s a jam. This is often accompanied by a brush roll that won’t spin.

What to Do

Press the Access Brush Roll buttons to open the door above the brush roll. Take off the door and then push it back into place until you hear a click. Both sides of the door need to be secured into place.

Next, make sure the floor setting is set to Carpet Mode. Tilt the vacuum and turn it on to see if the brush roll is spinning. 

If this doesn’t work, try the troubleshooting steps below or consider calling the manufacturer.

Shark Vacuum Floor and Carpet Lights Are Flashing

Shark Vacuum Floor and Carpet Lights Are Flashing

Most Shark vacuums have specific buttons for carpets and hard floors. These buttons will flash to indicate that something isn’t working.

What It Means

Flashing floor and carpet lights can mean two different things:

  • Flashing is alternating between lights: The vacuum is clogged somewhere and is preventing air from flowing through.
  • Lights are flashing together: There’s a problem with the battery, either with the charger or the battery itself.

What to Do

If the lights are alternating, allow the vacuum to cool down for about 45 minutes. Once it’s cooled down, clean out the vacuum following the steps in the troubleshooting section below. After it’s cleaned, test the vacuum. If it’s still not working, you may need to get it repaired.

If the lights are flashing at the same time, it’s a battery-related problem. Allow the battery to cool down completely since it’s possible for batteries to overheat. Once the battery has completely cooled, let it fully recharge.

Test out the battery once it’s fully charged. If you still have problems, it might be an issue with the charger that will need to be repaired or replaced.

Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting

Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is the first thing you should do when your vacuum isn’t working. It can save you a lot of money in the long run. Follow these steps when you have problems with your vacuum so you can try to solve the problem yourself instead of buying a replacement right away that you don’t actually need.

Read the Manual

Most manuals will list common problems and troubleshooting methods. If lights are flashing on your Shark vacuum, read the manual to see if this problem is addressed.

Turn Off and Cool Down

Allow the vacuum to cool down completely before you try to clean it or test it. Overheating will cause a vacuum to stop working temporarily, and sometimes cooling down is the only step you need to take for it to work again.

Forty-five minutes should be a sufficient amount of time for the vacuum to cool down completely.

Deep Clean the Vacuum

  • Empty the dust cup and clean around it. The openings from the rest of the vacuum that lead to the dust cup can easily get dust trapped in them. Use your finger to remove any clumps.
  • Remove and clean the attachments.
  • Clean the hoses. Use your fingers or the end of a broomstick to knock clumps of debris loose. Be careful so you don’t damage the hoses.
  • Clean around the brush roll. Remove the brush roll so you can thoroughly clean around it. 
  • Replace or wash the filter. Most filters can be rinsed with water and laid out to air dry. Don’t put the filter back in the vacuum until it has dried completely. Replace the filter if you’ve had the same one in the vacuum for a year or more.

Supply Full Power

Make sure the battery to your cordless vacuum is completely charged.

If your vacuum doesn’t have a battery, make sure the cord is plugged into an outlet that is working properly. You can test the outlet by plugging in a lamp. If the vacuum and lamp won’t turn on when you plug them in, the outlet needs to be replaced.

How to Maintain a Shark Vacuum

Maintaining a Shark vacuum is important to ensure that it continues to perform at its best. Here are some maintenance tips:

  1. Clean the filters regularly: The filters in a Shark vacuum can become clogged with dirt and debris over time, which can affect the vacuum’s suction power. To prevent this, it is important to clean the filters regularly, ideally after every use. Some models have washable filters that can be washed and reused, while others have replaceable filters that need to be replaced periodically.
  2. Check for blockages: Blockages in the hose or brush roll can also affect the vacuum’s suction power. To prevent this, it is important to check for blockages regularly and remove any debris or hair that may be stuck.
  3. Clean the brush roll: The brush roll can become tangled with hair and debris, which can affect its performance and cause it to wear down faster. To prevent this, it is important to clean the brush roll regularly and remove any hair or debris that may be stuck.
  4. Replace worn-out parts: Over time, parts of the Shark vacuum, such as the brush roll or filters, may wear out and need to be replaced. It is important to check these parts periodically and replace them as needed to maintain optimal performance.
  5. Store the vacuum properly: When not in use, it is important to store the Shark vacuum in a dry, cool place to prevent damage to the motor or other components.

By following these maintenance tips, a person can ensure that their Shark vacuum continues to perform at its best and lasts for years to come.

Final Thoughts

If your vacuum still has flashing lights after you have tried all of the suggestions in this article, you may need to get your vacuum repaired or replaced. Some problems need a little more than basic troubleshooting. Local repair shops are available, or you can contact the manufacturer to find out what you need to do next.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 10, 2020.

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