How to Fix A Vacuum With Low Suction Power?

21 minutes read

If you're experiencing low suction power with your vacuum, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue:

  1. Check the bag or canister: Make sure the bag or canister is not full or clogged. If it's full, replace or empty it depending on the type of vacuum you have. Remove any debris or blockages within the bag or canister.
  2. Clean or replace the filters: Dirty or clogged filters can restrict airflow and reduce suction power. Refer to your vacuum's user manual to locate the filters and clean them thoroughly. If the filters are damaged or too dirty to clean, you may need to replace them.
  3. Inspect the hose and brush roll: Check for any blockages or obstructions in the hose, wand, or brush roll. Use a flashlight to identify any built-up debris and clear it out, removing any hair, threads, or other materials that may be causing obstruction.
  4. Unclog the suction pathway: If there are no visible obstructions in the hose or wand, you can try using a long, flexible object like a broomstick or a plumber's snake to unclog any debris that might be blocking the suction pathway. Gently push the object through the hose, being cautious not to damage it.
  5. Clean or replace the brush roll: Over time, the brush roll can get tangled with hair, strings, or other materials, leading to reduced suction. Remove the brush roll according to your vacuum's instructions and clean it thoroughly, or replace it if necessary.
  6. Check for leaks: Inspect the vacuum's hose, wand, and other connections for any cracks or breaks that may be causing air leaks. If any leaks are found, you can use duct tape or replace the damaged parts to prevent air leakage.
  7. Adjust the height setting: If your vacuum has a height adjustment feature, ensure it is set correctly for the type of floor you're cleaning. For carpeted floors, the vacuum head should be at a higher height to allow proper airflow and suction.
  8. Service or consult a professional: If you have followed these steps and your vacuum still lacks suction power, it may be time to take it for service or consult a professional technician. They can diagnose and resolve any mechanical or motor-related issues that might be affecting the vacuum's performance.


Remember to always refer to your vacuum's user manual for specific instructions and safety precautions.

Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2024

1
Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum with Large Dust Cup Capacity, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Crevice Tool, Blue

Rating is 5 out of 5

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum with Large Dust Cup Capacity, HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, Upholstery Tool & Crevice Tool, Blue

  • POWERFUL SUCTION: Deep-clean carpets and tackle bare floors with multi-surface powerful suction.
  • LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
  • ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
  • PERFECT FOR PETS: Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the upholstery tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
  • SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
  • BRUSHROLL SHUTOFF: Feature allows you to instantly switch from deep carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor cleaning.
  • LARGE-CAPACITY DUST CUP: 0.9-quart capacity for longer cleaning sessions. Easily remove dust cup to empty debris in seconds.
2
BISSELL 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum with HEPA Filter Sealed System, Lift-Off Portable Pod, LED Headlights, Specialized Pet Tools, Easy Empty,Blue/ Black

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

BISSELL 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum with HEPA Filter Sealed System, Lift-Off Portable Pod, LED Headlights, Specialized Pet Tools, Easy Empty,Blue/ Black

  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets
  • Lift-Off Detachable Pod. 2-in-1 design with a detachable pod for convenient, portable cleaning
  • Tangle-Free Brush Roll. Actively prevents hair wrap
  • HEPA Sealed Allergen System. Traps 99.97% of dust and allergens. Tested per ASTM F1977 based on particles 0.3 microns and smaller
  • Lightweight Design & Swivel Steering. Powerful cleaning performance without the heavy lifting
  • One Touch Easy Empty. Pet hair gets spooled in the tank, keeping it out of your filters and off of your hands when it's time to empty
  • Color and accessories included may vary
3
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet, Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, HEPA Media Filtration, For Carpet and Hard Floor, UH72625, Red

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet, Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, HEPA Media Filtration, For Carpet and Hard Floor, UH72625, Red

  • Our Best Cleaning Bagless Upright*
  • QuickPass Brushroll – 2X Faster Cleaning** - Clean surface debris without having to pass over the same area multiple times
  • WindTunnel 3 Technology - Creates 3 channels of suction to lift and remove surface debris and deep down embedded dirt
  • Brushroll On/Off Switch - Turn on/off brushroll for optimal cleaning on carpets and hard floors.
  • Headlight - Spot hard to see debris in dim lighted areas for a better clean.
4
BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet Reach Full-Size Vacuum Cleaner, with Quick Release Wand, & Swivel Steering, 3198A, Color May Vary

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

BISSELL CleanView Swivel Pet Reach Full-Size Vacuum Cleaner, with Quick Release Wand, & Swivel Steering, 3198A, Color May Vary

  • EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.Specific uses:pet hair on stairs, upholstery
  • POWERFUL AND SEAMLESS PET HAIR PICKUP. Triple Action Brush Roll and Scatter-Free Technology make cleaning pet hair anywhere quick and easy.
  • QUICK RELEASE EXTENSION WAND. Always on so it's always ready to clean, giving you convenient above floor cleaning.
  • SWIVEL STEERING & LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN. Powerful cleaning performance without the heavy lifting.
  • SPECIALIZED PET TOOLS. Reach dirt and pet hair on stairs, upholstery and other hard-to-reach places.
  • EDGE-TO-EDGE CLEANING. Clean closer to edges and corners with each pass.
5
DEVOAC N300 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 6 in 1 Ultra-Lightweight Stick Vacuum, 2200mAh Battery Up to 40mins Runtime, Powerful Handheld Vacuum for Hard Floor Carpet Pet Hair Home

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

DEVOAC N300 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 6 in 1 Ultra-Lightweight Stick Vacuum, 2200mAh Battery Up to 40mins Runtime, Powerful Handheld Vacuum for Hard Floor Carpet Pet Hair Home

  • 💎One Sentence Summary of Devoac N300 : A Low-cost cordless vacuum cleaner that has surprising performance. Fits most families for daily household cleaning.
  • 【Upgraded LED Motorized Floor Brush】- Compared to the old version, we have upgraded the roller of the floor brush for N300 cordless vacuum cleaner to extend its service life and reduce the possibility of floor brush blockage during use. Built-in LED headlights, the motorized brush head of this rechargeable vacuum cleaner is able to illuminate every dark corner and show out the dust. vacuum can maneuverable 180° swivels sideways and 90°up and down. Upgraded roller brush protects floors from scratches and delivers a thorough cleaning on both hard floors and rugs.
  • 【Surprising Powerful Suction with 2 Modes】- This cordless stick vacuum cleaner features a powerful 175W motor, which provides impressive powerful suction. It can be switched into two modes: Max Mode (20KPa for 25mins), and Standard Mode (15KPa for 40mins). So it can easily capture pet hair, dust, debris, crumbs, pet food, and other messes with ease. Suitable for tasks on the hardwood floor, low-pile carpet, stairs, curtains, furniture, car, etc.
  • 【Large Battery Capacity & Long Runtime】- Our cordless vacuum cleaner adopts a 2200mAh 6-cell rechargeable battery, delivers up to 40 minutes uninterrupted runtime in min mode and 25 minutes runtime in standard mode. It performs well in cleaning stairs, rooms, dorms and all around your house.
  • 【Ultra-Lightweight】- Our Devoac N300 cordless vacuum cleaner weighs less then 3.9lbs. The main motor of the vacuum cleaner weighs only 2.2lbs! You can easily pick it up to clean your house. With a labor-saving battery vacuum cleaner, you can get more out of your time and your arms won't be sore anymore.
  • 【High-Efficiency Filtration System】- With 5-stage cyclone technology and high-density meshing, the cordless stick vacuum cleaner can capture 99.99% of microscopic dust particles as small as 0.1 microns. Thus, it effectively makes the exhaust air cleaner, prevents secondary air pollution, and brings cleaner air to the family. The "One-Button Dust Dumping" design makes emptying simple.
  • 【6 in 1 Multi-function Vacuum】- With an upgraded motorized floor brush, long crevice, and 2-in-1 brush, the pet hair vacuum cleaner can be quickly converted into a portable handheld vacuum or a cordless stick vacuum lightweight. These accessories help clean up debris in the hard-to-reach place. The retractable metal tube is perfect for cleaning pet hair on the curtains or ceiling. The wall mount effectively holds the cordless vacuum cleaner and saves space.
6
Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning with Swivel Steering, Gray/Orange

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

Shark HV301 Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning with Swivel Steering, Gray/Orange

  • Never loses suction or power.Specific uses:Stairs,Furnitures.Amperage : 4.2 amps
  • Cleans carpets and bare floors
  • Lightweight - only 7 pounds. Amps- 4.2. Wattage- 500
  • Versatile floor to ceiling cleaning
  • Never Loses Suction or Power
  • Cleans Bare Floors and Deep Cleans Carpets
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile Floor to Ceiling Cleaning
  • Swivel Steering
7
Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach Vacuum Cleaner, with Quick Release Wand, Swivel Steering and Automatic Cord Rewind, 3197A (Color may vary),Black

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach Vacuum Cleaner, with Quick Release Wand, Swivel Steering and Automatic Cord Rewind, 3197A (Color may vary),Black

  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets
  • Powerful and Seamless Pet Hair Pickup. TRIPLE ACTION Brush Roll and Scatter-Free Technology make cleaning pet hair anywhere quick and easy.
  • Automatic Cord Rewind. 27’ Power Cord automatically rewinds for quick and easy storage.
  • Quick Release Extension Wand. Always on so it's always ready to clean, giving you convenient above floor cleaning.
  • Swivel Steering & Lightweight Design. Powerful cleaning performance without the heavy lifting.
  • Color may vary.
8
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender

Rating is 4.3 out of 5

Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum, Hepa Filter, Anti-Allergen Technology, Swivel Steering, Ideal for Carpet, Stairs, & Bare Floors, with Wide Upholstery & Crevice Tools, Lavender

  • LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: lift away the detachable pod and easily clean above-floor areas like stairs, furniture, and more.
  • ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
  • POWERFUL & LIGHTWEIGHT : Powerful suction to deep-clean carpets and tackle bare floors with a lightweight design for effortless portability.
  • BRUSHROLL SHUTOFF: Feature allows you to instantly switch from deep carpet cleaning to gentle bare floor cleaning.
  • SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
  • PERFECT FOR PETS: Powerful pet hair pickup attachments like the wide upholstery tool make cleaning pet hair a breeze.
  • CREVICE TOOL: Access corners, baseboards, tight spaces, and ceilings for versatile cleaning.
  • 5-year limited warranty.
  • Made in USA or Imported.


What is the difference between a bagged and bagless vacuum in terms of suction?

In terms of suction, there is generally no difference between bagged and bagless vacuums. The suction power is primarily determined by the design of the vacuum cleaner, its motor strength, and the efficiency of the filtration system. Both bagged and bagless vacuums can provide strong suction if they are well-designed and maintained properly.


However, it is worth noting that bagless vacuums might experience a slight decrease in suction as the dustbin fills up, especially if they have a poorly designed or clogged filter. On the other hand, bagged vacuums tend to maintain consistent suction until the bag is almost full. Once the bag reaches its maximum capacity, the suction power might start to decline.


Regularly emptying the dustbin or replacing the bag, sanitizing and cleaning filters, and maintaining the vacuum cleaner properly can help ensure that both bagged and bagless vacuums maintain optimal suction efficiency.


What is the purpose of a vacuum's brush roll and how to fix it?

The purpose of a vacuum cleaner's brush roll, also known as a beater bar, is to agitate the carpet or floor surface, loosening dirt and debris. It consists of bristles or brushes that rotate at a high speed, allowing the vacuum to pick up more dirt effectively.


If the brush roll is not functioning properly, there are a few possible solutions to fix it:

  1. Check for clogs or tangled hair: Turn off and unplug the vacuum, then inspect the brush roll for any hair, threads, or debris that may have wrapped around it. Use scissors or any suitable tool to carefully remove any obstructions, ensuring the brush can rotate freely.
  2. Replace worn-out belts: The brush roll is driven by belts that may wear out over time. Consult the vacuum's user manual to locate the belt and determine if it needs replacement. If so, follow the manufacturer's instructions to replace the belt with a new one.
  3. Clean the brush roll: If the brush roll is clogged with dirt or grime, it may not work efficiently. Remove the brush roll from the vacuum according to the manufacturer's instructions, then clean it thoroughly using warm water and mild detergent. Use a brush to remove any stubborn debris and rinse with clean water. Allow it to dry completely before reinstalling.
  4. Lubricate the brush roll: Over time, the brush roll's bearings may become stiff or squeaky. Apply a small amount of lubricant, such as silicone or machine oil, to the bearings. Be sure to use a lubricant recommended by the vacuum manufacturer.


Note: It is essential to consult the vacuum cleaner's user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines, as different models may have unique mechanisms or requirements for fixing the brush roll.


What is the impact of a full dustbin on a vacuum's suction power?

A full dustbin can have a significant impact on a vacuum's suction power. As the dustbin fills up, it reduces the available space for air circulation within the vacuum. This restricts the airflow, which in turn hampers the suction power.


When a vacuum cleaner operates, it creates suction by pulling air through its system. As the air flows through the dustbin, dirt, dust, and debris get trapped in the filter or bag. Over time, if the dustbin becomes full, it can clog the filter or restrict the bag's capacity to hold more dirt effectively. This further reduces the airflow, diminishing the vacuum's suction power.


Moreover, a full dustbin can cause the motor or fan in the vacuum to work harder. Working under strain can lead to overheating and may eventually result in motor damage. This can significantly affect the overall performance and lifespan of the vacuum.


Therefore, it is important to regularly empty and clean the dustbin of a vacuum to maintain optimal suction power.


What is the role of airflow in a vacuum and how to improve it?

The airflow in a vacuum plays a crucial role in its performance and efficiency. It determines how effectively the vacuum can suction dirt and debris from surfaces. The airflow is responsible for carrying the dirt particles from the cleaning head into the vacuum's collection bag or canister.


To improve the airflow in a vacuum, you can take the following steps:

  1. Clean or replace the filters: Vacuum filters, such as the pre-motor and post-motor filters, can become clogged with dirt and dust over time. Regularly cleaning or replacing these filters can help maintain proper airflow.
  2. Clear obstructions: Check for any clogs or blockages in the vacuum's hose, nozzle, or other attachments that may restrict the airflow. Remove any debris or buildup to ensure unobstructed airflow.
  3. Empty the collection bag or canister: A full bag or canister can hinder the airflow. Empty the collection bag or canister regularly to prevent reduced suction power.
  4. Check for leaks: Inspect the vacuum's hose and connections for any cracks or gaps that could cause air leakage. Replace or repair any damaged parts to maintain optimal airflow.
  5. Clean the brushroll or beater bar: The brushroll or beater bar can accumulate tangled hair, strings, or fibers that impede airflow. Regularly clean these parts to avoid blockages and ensure proper suction.
  6. Use the correct attachments: Some vacuums come with specific attachments designed for different surfaces and tasks. Utilizing the appropriate attachments can improve the airflow by enabling better contact and suction with specific cleaning requirements.
  7. Maintain proper motor function: A vacuum's motor is responsible for generating the suction power. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to maintain the motor's efficiency, such as by regularly cleaning the motor vents or cooling fins.


By taking these steps, you can improve the airflow of a vacuum, resulting in better suction power and more effective cleaning performance.


What is the ideal frequency for cleaning a vacuum's roller brush to maintain suction power?

The ideal frequency for cleaning a vacuum's roller brush may vary depending on the amount of dirt and debris it picks up during each use. However, a general guideline is to clean the roller brush every 3-6 months or whenever it appears to be clogged or tangled with hair, fibers, or other materials. Regularly cleaning the roller brush helps to maintain suction power by preventing blockages and ensuring optimal performance.

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