Shark Vacuum Brush Not Spinning (Causes and Easy Fixes)

Shark vacuums are durable, convenient, and affordable. Count on them to keep your home dust-free in seconds. Occasionally, the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

If you have guests coming up soon, this might be a disaster. If you don’t have a spare vacuum, what should you do? Replacements are available, but they are expensive.

There is a common problem with the Shark vacuum brush not spinning. Blockages, damaged belts, unemptied dust cups, or loose nozzles are the main causes of the problem. There’s a fix for each of them.

Keep reading to learn all the possible causes and Shark vacuum brush not spinning fixes!

Why is The Shark Vacuum Brush Not Spinning?

When the Shark vacuum brush not spinning, it will be obvious there’s a problem. But that’s not the only sign. Shark vacuums may also:

• Suction power is lost.
• Eject dirt back onto the floor when not in use.
• Some models, such as Shark DuoClean & Shark Navigator, flash a red brush roll indicator light.

These signs can appear individually or collectively. In any case, put away the vacuum cleaner and find the source of the problem.

Read this if you are looking for information about Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting (5 Easy Tips For Shark Vacuums) 

Shark Vacuum Brush Not Spinning: Common Causes.

Your Shark vacuum brush not spinning for several reasons. Below are some common reasons.

1. Broken Hose:

We’ve already mentioned that wires run through the hose that supplies power to the suction head. The Shark vacuum brush not spinning if anything is damaged inside the hose. The buildup of gunk can also cause obstructions.

Read this if you are looking for information on How to Reset Shark ION Robot. (2 Easy Methods)

2. Rubber belt damaged:

Shark vacuums older models still use a drive belt. The roller brush is turned by a small rubber band in the powerhead. The rubber belt eventually wears out and loosens since it is made of rubber.

This prevents it from rolling the brush. New belts are the only solution to worn-out/broken belts.

3. Blockage:

It doesn’t matter whether you use the most powerful pet hair power brush or a regular one. All Shark vacuum brushes block. Hair and pet dander wrap around the brush roll, causing this to happen.

Over time, thick hair gunk entangles and slows down the spinning brush speed until it stops. A motor will run, but the brush roll won’t spin. In this case, it’s best not to use the vacuum.

First, remove and use the blockage in the Shark vacuum brush roll. If the motor overheats, the entire unit will be rendered useless.

Read this if you are looking for information on How To Empty Shark Robot Vacuum (5 Simple Steps)

4. Loose suction head:

The suction head or nozzle of the vacuum contacts the floor. Through the integrated wires in the hose, it receives power. When the nozzle becomes loose, the connection is disabled, and the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

5. Unemptied Dust Cups:

Dust cups are a great alternative to bagged vacuum cleaners. They are convenient, efficient, and money-saving. You don’t have to buy bags every month.

However, this doesn’t mean you can leave dust cups unempted. The vacuum won’t suck in debris once the dust reaches the maximum fill line, so you must empty the cup. Brushes might also stop spinning.

6. Internal technical issues:

All the causes so far have been linked to the external, non-mechanical parts of the vacuum (except for the belt). Sometimes, however, the problem lies within the vacuum itself and the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

If you are facing charging issues with your Shark Robot vacuum, read this Shark Robot Vacuum Not Charging (100% Problem Solved)

Burnt Motor:

The suction head’s motor is the vacuum’s heart. The rubber belt and brush roll are rotated by it. If this is damaged, nothing will work, and the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

Unfortunately, burnt motors in Shark vacuums are not rare. Overheating and burning the motor occurs when worn-out machinery has to work more than usual.

The power switch is worn out:

Shark vacuum has two power switches. The suction head has one on the outside. The motor is turned on and off by it.

The vacuum is on and functioning when the power switch light indicator is green. When the roller brush is blocked, it will turn red.

A second power switch is located inside the suction head. When the vacuum is upright, it prevents the Shark vacuum brush not spinning. When the vacuum handle is tilted back, the brush spins.

This power switch can become faulty over time. The motor’s wires can also get twisted and break the power supply.

Damaged brush roll circuit board:

Several important electrical components are on the circuit board inside the suction head. The vacuum works because of them. When this is damaged, your Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

Generally, circuit boards are damaged by moisture, heat, and general wear. Mishandling or throwing the vacuum can also cause it.

Read this if you are looking for information on How to connect Shark Robot to WiFi (6 Easy Steps)

How do you fix a vacuum brush that won’t spin?

The Shark vacuum brush not spinning for no obvious reason, and there’s no single solution. You’ll find different answers online. Below, we have compiled solutions based on the causes identified above.

1. Check The Suction Head:

The suction head can quickly get loose, but fixing it is not hard. To Solve the Shark vacuum brush not spinning issue, Disconnect it from the hose and follow these steps:

• Check the suction head and hose for dirt. Use a microfiber cloth to clean them. Contact Shark Vacuum customer support if you notice any damages.

• The suction head and hose should be aligned.

• Push the hose into the suction head until it locks in place. You may hear a clicking sound from time to time.

2. Clean the Shark vacuum brush properly:

One way to prevent vacuum brush blockages is to clean regularly and properly. The steps are as follows:

• Disable the vacuum power supply and turn it off.
• The brush should be removed from the suction head.
• Pull out any tangled hair and dirt from your hands. Wear gloves to avoid messing up!
• Use scissors or stitch pickers if buildups exist.
• Ensure the belt, filter, and roller brush are working well. Use a microfiber cloth to clean any dirt buildups.
• Assemble the brush again. Before using the vacuum again, make sure everything is aligned.

3. Empty Dust Cups Regularly:

After every use, empty the dust cup. This helps maintain suction power and improve cleaning performance.

Empty it when it’s half-full if that seems inconvenient. Do not wait until it is overflowing.

• Disconnect the vacuum cleaner’s main power supply.

• Take out the dust cup. The vacuum cleaner will have release buttons, handles, or tabs. You’ll have to push or pull to release the cup.

• Put the dust cup in the trash. Try this outside the home or in the garage. Otherwise, dust may return inside.

Rinse the dust cup with plain water and air dry it if it still seems dirty. Wait until the vacuum is fully dry before reassembling it.

4. Change the damaged roller belt:

You’ll need a screwdriver, a metal spudger, and a new belt. It can be purchased from any online retailer, such as Amazon. The company may replace the product for free if the product is under warranty.

• Remove the suction head from the body and switch off the vacuum.
• Remove the wheels by turning them over and using the metal spudger.
• Use a screwdriver to remove the screws. Shark vacuums use 16mm screws. Select the screwdriver size accordingly.
• Lift the cover and remove the brush.
• The damaged belt will be on the sides of the Shark vacuum roller. Reassemble everything with the new belt.

5. Repair The Technical Issues:

All technical problems discussed above can be resolved by replacing components. First, you’ll need to purchase a new component. Replacements should be exact or compatible.

Unscrew the top cover of the suction head once you have completed this step. This will allow you to access the power switch, motor, circuit board, and everything else. After that, follow these steps:

Motor: Disconnect the burnt motor and remove it. Replace it and reconnect the wiring.

Power Button: Replace the damaged switch and straighten the twisted wires.

Circuit Board: Remove the circuit board with care. Install the replacement and connect the wiring just like before.

Replace the cover and everything else once you’re done. Secure it with screws and operate the vacuum to ensure the brush spins properly.

Final thoughts: 

No vacuum can last forever. Shark vacuum cleaners have an average lifespan of five to seven years. You’ll likely experience issues after the 6th year of use, like the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.

However, regular care helps keep issues at bay. So, take care of your vacuum as it cares for your home! This article explains how to troubleshoot the Shark vacuum brush not spinning.  For further information, contact the Shark Customer Support.