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Roller brush not spinning

The roller brush on my Hoover spins fine if you have the head off of the floor, but as soon as you put in on the carpet it stops spinning. I've replaced the belt and the same thing happens. I ran it with the head cover off and noticed that the motor stops running when the slightest bit of pressure is put on the roller brush, and then it won't start up again until you turn the machine off and on again. Any help greatly appreciated

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I fixed this by wrapping about 10 layers of black electrical tape around the brush roller where the belt rides on it. This slightly tightens the belt enough to drive the roller better.

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The carpet has been laid too loosely, probably never been knee-rammed against the wall to tighten it . A common complaint about lazy carpet layers. Vacuum sucks up the carpet and locks the roller causing the belt to spin until it burns through.

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I have the Windtunnel 2 Rewind Pet; initially is worked fantastically. Then the beater brush stopped working when the vacuum would be on carpet or when the handle was dropped down for vacuuming carpet, even with a low pile. So, we changed the belt and it was no better. Everything has been thoroughly cleaned off and out. Still no luck. I am going to try the electrical tape around where the belt touches the brush head like what was suggested by Deane Willliams and hope it works. I was really thrilled will this vacuum when I first purchased it. Also, the attachment with the little spinner in it to pick up pet hair used to work great, soo, but even with thorough cleaning done by taking it apart, it doesn't work well and will stop spinning frequently.

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UPDATE: Well, 10 wraps with electrical tape did the trick. Thank you! Now, to the attachment...

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I have a Kirby my wife and i bought in 1987 and it still runs today with only minor maintenance (replaced brush roller 2 x and belts). American made at the time was worth every bit of the $600 we paid at the time.

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8 Answers

Chosen Solution

Most Frequent Causes for Vacuum cleaner brush not spinning

Cause 1

Belt

Inspect the belt to see if it is broken, stretched out, or out of place. If the vacuum cleaner belt is broken or stretched out, replace it.

Cause 2

Drive Belt

Inspect the belt to see if it is broken, stretched out, or out of place. If the drive belt is broken or stretched out, replace it.

Cause 3

Cogged Belt

Inspect the belt to see if it is broken, stretched out, or out of place. If the cogged belt is broken or stretched out, replace it.

Cause 4

Brushroll

If the brushroll is sticking, it will cause too much friction and put too much strain on the belt. Remove the brushroll and clean all hair, string, and lint from the brushroll bearings. If the vacuum cleaner brush still doesn’t spin after you clean the brushroll, consider replacing the brushroll.

Cause 5

Brushroll Motor

First, test the power switch for continuity to ensure that the brushroll motor is getting power. If the power switch has continuity, ensure that the motor turns freely and is clear of obstructions. If power is getting to the motor, and the motor turns freely, but the motor still won’t run the motor is likely defective.

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Brand new and won't spin on the carpet. This is a piece of junk!!!

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Hi @douglasgrubbs,

Assuming that you have a Hoover UNP300R (as that is what this page is about) have you checked that the floor setting is set to "carpet"?

If it is and it still doesn't work, as it is new return it to where you got it from for a replacement or refund (or see the manufacturer's warranty statement that should have come with it as to what to do with a faulty product still covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

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I have a 20 year old Hoover WindTunnel that cost 350 dollars new from Best Buy. It has always been an over the top great vacuum. Recently, I noticed the carpet was looking worse, not better, and the brushes were not rotating. I got online and ordered new belts... which had NEVER been replaced, after watching videos, replacing the belts, and cleaning the roller agitator brush, imagine my disappointment when it still was not picking up. I also found a clog in the pickup pipe... and still no cleaning. Like they said... imagine my embarrassment when I found the FLOOR setting was switched to HARD... which turns off the roller brush. I switched it over to CARPET... and now it cleans... if anything... better than new 20 years ago!

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@Michael Gancott: I agree that the “Choosen Solution” (from “Mayer”) is bogus. It looks like it was written by a computer program. In fact I would bet on it. No human writes like that with stupid entries showing the identical text for “Belt” and “Drive Belt”. Then they added the painted picture of some old guy who looks like he might be experienced. Hah!!

@douglasgrubbs: I don’t see where Nick said it was “brand new”. Chances are the belt is just worn so it slips when the load is put on the rotating brush. Or as Jayeff said make sure you are not using it in Floor setting when on thick carpeting.

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The electrical tape twisted on to the roller did the trick! Thank you, thank you, thank you

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I agree with michael. NONE of the online videos on Youtube or the answer above in any way pertained to my problem. FIRST, AND ALWAYS, CHECK THE FLOOR SETTING. If it is set to HARD, replacing the entire vacuum and rebuilding and cleaning everything will not help ONE LITTLE BIT. When the FLOOR setting is on HARD, the brushes WILL NOT rotate. I Googled this and Hoover confirms, its vacuums do NOT spin when set for cleaning Hard floors, not carpet. Brushes rotating on hard floors destroy the brushes. Like dragging your hairbrush across your macadam driveway. It won't be too long until it is destroyed by the rough hard surface.

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Whoever wrote the “answer” should try and find another job!

This piece of sh.t Hoover is the same crap as any vacuum I have ever owned. For the price, a Dyson seems to be better as much, as I like Dyson.

Now, I am not sure what I did, but I took the power Nozzle apart and re-positioned the brush motor and that seemed to have solved the problem. Originally I had a professional Vacuum Service fix the same problem and they charged me just under $70 CAD. Now I did it myself for free, though I still don’t know what is wrong with that piece of Wonder!

I think, it is time that the Engineers come up with a better idea for Vacuums; this technology is just about 100 years old and not the most reliable! Don’t we live in the 21st. Century now?

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Check if the carpet has been laid without knee-jamming to tighten it Can be checked by watching if the carpet lifts off the floor, if it does, this is what locks the roller and makes the belt spin until it burns out.

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Again, not to belabor this… but to save just one person WEEKS of time and money… FIRST AND ALWAYS check the FLOOR setting on the sweeper to see if it is pointed at HARD or CARPET. If it is on HARD, not even God will fix your vacuum. No vacuum roller brushes are set to spin on the HARD floor setting. I just went through all of this for a month… cleaned it, new belts, unclogged the pickup tube, prayed to God… only to find out the FLOOR setting was on hard, and not carpet. Took me one second to flip it over to carpet… and woosh. As good as new. Hoover gets too much criticism in this… because NO ONE ever posts about this floor setting. And I am talking Youtube online professional videos… its always about the belts and the cleaning of the rollers, etc.

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I also have a Hoover windtunnel, Hoover do something, you know you have a problem, the brush V-BELT is way to loose make a smaller V-BELT, it is not streched, not melted, not need to switch to carpet , nobody is that stupid. PLease send a smaller V-BELT or hoover is history forever

******

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I only changed my belts once in 15 years. The flat one is stretched... the other one got glazed and hard. Runs like new.

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The V belt is way to loose on my windtunnel hoover

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just wanted to say that my new belt slipped off a couple weeks into use. Until it breaks in, its easy for the new belts to shoot out the side… just open er and put it on the wheels again.

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I just had the same problem and it took me awhile to figure it out. My problem was the lever that controls the brush for bare floor did not lock into place, I had to turn it upside-down then press the lever and it snapped back and locked. With it not fully locked my belt was also loose. My vacuum also had a major clog in the hose from the roller not turning at full speed. Just something to check I hope it helps somebody!

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Nick will be eternally grateful.
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