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Reduced Suction Power
Your cloth filter that leads into your dust bowl will collect debris and may cause resistance in suction power.
1. Removal of Debris from Dustbin
Your dust bin responsible for holding debris is full or clogged. To clean the bowl press the buttons in, on either side of the nozzle and pull the nozzle off. You can now empty the dust from the bowl.
2. Suction Seal
If you noticed reduced suction at the vacuum's nozzle and your filter is clean, this may be due to the suction seal located inside the nozzle could need replacing. Please see our guide on how to replace the suction seal.
Lower Battery Charge
Your battery has trouble holding a charge for long periods of time.
1. Reduced run time
A clogged filter can put more strain on the DC motor, causing it draw a larger amount of energy. This will greatly reduce the run time.
Foul smell
1.Filter Unit Needs to Be Replaced
Refuse left in the dust bin can produce odor causing bacteria, it is important to replace the filter every 6-9 months. Please see our guide on how to replace the filter unit.
Filter Care
**In order to ensure your filter is kept clean, it is recommended that every 6-9 months you replace the cloth filter. To clean the bowl press the buttons in, on either side of the nozzle and pull the nozzle off. You can now empty the dust from the bowl. To clean more thoroughly, you can detach the bowl via the bowl release button and remove the cloth filter. Twist the plastic filter that surrounds the cloth filter in a clockwise motion. The cloth filter can now be washed in soap and water, and dried before putting back into vacuum.
Vacuum Not Powering Up
Your vacuum shows no sign of powering on.
1. Faulty Power Switch Assembly
Sand and dust may become lodged in the gap between the power button and the barrel it is logged in. Simply clean this debris with a compressed air canister (commonly used to clean electronics such as keyboards). Please see our guide on how to replace the power switch assembly.
2. Dead Battery
The battery might be dead if your vacuum is not powering up. After charging the battery for half an hour try turning on the vacuum again.
3. Even after connecting the vacuum to the charger It will still not power on
The battery charger connects to the vacuum with a simple barrel jack. One downfall of this design is any build up on the contacts can prevent a successful charging cycle. To prevent this keep the charging port free of dust and other obstructions.
4. After cleaning contacts and charging battery the vacuum still does not turn on.
At this point it is best to replace the battery of the vacuum. You can order a battery from the Black and Decker official website. Please see our guide on how to replace the battery pack.
More Information
***If none of these suggestions present a solution to your problem, consult the device’s user manual for a more detailed list of possible issues. However if this still does not fix the problems you are experiencing contact the device manufacturer for more advice before attempting any self repairs.**
78 Comments
After about a week, the LED indicator on my new unit stopped working. The unit charges fine since it always has lots of suction power when I use it. The LED just does not work. any suggestions on how to fix this problem
Dale Pfau - Reply
this unit will not snap into position
lacieight - Reply
the unit cannot be snaped together
lacieight - Reply
I am having the same problem. Have you come up with a solution?
Erica Baker -
The pet brush attachment head does not rotate when attached correctly to powered unit
Cheryl Stinson - Reply
Extension arm goes back in when used - doesn’t lock in place. I’m referring to the extra neck with the brush attached. Unable to use because it keeps retreating. Thanks
Teresa Massingale - Reply
Once I turn it on it shuts it self down after about 20 seconds, why would this happen
Lucinda - Reply
This is happening to me. Ever figure out why?
Jude Wells -
This started happening to me this week, also. I’ve only had the unit for a year and it has always been reliable until now.
What’s going on?
From: Carolyn -
Exact same thing! What is the fix please?!?
Debbie Tiner -
Also having this issue. Have had the unit for 8 mos, no issues but now when I turn it on it shuts itself off . Fix?
Contina Graham -
Add me to this list. The same thing is happening to mine. The same issue will this many people indicates a design flaw.
dannhalverson@yahoo.com -
This is happening to me as well. I’ve had the vacuum for about a year and now it shuts down after 30 seconds. Apparently this is a common problem.
Drew -
Have my B & D about a year. Have what looks like a common problem. Shuts down after about 20 seconds or less
Patricia Edick -
Same issue! Did anybody find a fix?
Sean Ormsby -
Has anyone found a solution? Add me to the list also.
Melissa Fagan -
Is there a fix for this? I have same problem
Sarah -
Me too - brand new unit - shuts off after a few seconds. It is plugged in - there’s light, there’s power - but it just keeps shutting off. Don’t get more than 25 seconds.
Linda Lane -
This means the battery is no longer holding a charge. And on many of these vacuums the batteries can not be replaced without opening the battery pack and cutting out and soldering in new batteries.
lutcf2001 -
add me to the list. less than a year old.
jhood -
I got this for my birthday in January. Charged it up, used it once and now it won't turn on. I get a green light + flashing and sometimes a green and red light flashes like 5 times then stops then no lights…so disappointed, and no longer have the box. Unsure what to do with this practically new item.
cablank0221 - Reply
https://www.blackanddecker.com/en-us/sup... ''
If you go to the Black and Decker website, find your model and chat with an agent, they will ask for your model number on your dustbuster to see the product warranty information. Took me less than 5 minutes to verify my 2017 product had a 2 year warranty without my receipt even and get a new one sent.
kristapetersohn - Reply
A year to the day this vacuum has decided to not keep running. It is clean, I turn it on, it runs for about 10 seconds, then turns off. What the hey?
aplaceforkia - Reply
I got the hoover on the 09.10.18 and not even used it yet come to try and use it after giving it a full charge and it comes on for a second then turns off any idea what’s up not even been able to use it yet
Kez - Reply
This unit stopped pairing with my app. The app doesn’t pick up the unit despite holding down the power button as instructed. I have the main power switch set on ON and my Bluetooth is also active. What gives? :(
Mark Dean Guillermo - Reply
Bought HHVI325JR22 for Christmas just under 2 years ago. Worked great for approx. 4 times, then wouldn’t turn on or charge. Tried it on and off for the next year with no success. Took advice from above and did live chat on B&D website. Rep asked for code stamped on body of unit, and right away said they would send me a replacement as courtesy, no questions asked. Since HHVI325 was out of stock, they are sending a CHV1410L instead (upgraded 16V model) within 10 business days. Restored my faith a little in customer service. Found a smoking deal on a Dyson V6 Trigger with Baby that I will try my luck with as a primary, but happy to know I didn’t totally waste my money on the HHVI.
kenh747 - Reply
I completely agree. B&D has excellent customer service. They agreed to replace my vacuum cleaner too because the batteries no longer hold a charge.
lutcf2001 -
The brush head and light has stopped working on my cordless pet vac. The auto button is also not working. It’s onlt a few months old!
Laura - Reply
Brand new out of the box has intermittent on/off. Stays on for 30 secs then powers off! Help.
hoosiermomma1940 - Reply
See my comment to Anndee Pilako. The batteries are probably no longer any good.
lutcf2001 -
I have had my Lithium duster for 6 months and it worked fine , now it will not charge and when I turn it on it works for 3 seconds and then shuts off….can you please help me?
Dan Tague - Reply
See my comment to Anndee Pilako. The batteries are probably no longer any good.
lutcf2001 -
I just bought my black and decker lithium cordless vacuum model HNV220BCZ01. I left it charging more than 10 hrs before use (straight from the box) after charging it, there is no signs of power. I pushed the power button, it wouldn’t turn on or vacuum. What did i do wrong. This is a brand new machine.
Anndee Pilako - Reply
Was the charging light blinking off and on when you had it charging? Sometimes you may not sit it in the right position in the charger. Does the charging light blink or come on and then go off when you try to use it? If it does then that may mean the battery needs charging. If you charged it properly and it won’t hold a charge then that probably means the batteries are no longer good and they won’t hold a charge. I was told that the batteries are good for 2 to 3 years. There’s a manufacturing date on the bottom of the unit. It’s probably engraved into the plastic of the unit. Look at the date to see when it was manufactured. Since the batteries are not replaceable you should probably return the unit and get another one.
lutcf2001 -
The main attachment wont stay in! start vaccuumong it falls off! feel;s like Ive snaped it into place
Annie Newman-Tribken - Reply
My Dustbuster switches on and dies after 15 seconds. What does this signify?
John B Burrows - Reply
please advise where is your guide to replacing the battery pack
grnddesign - Reply
After charged, and while plugged in the vacuum will only run for a few seconds before turning off. It won’t keep power, always just turning itself off?
amanda_embry - Reply
The charging light stays in? Why
Dee sel - Reply
Will run for a few seconds and then stop. I've had it for over 6 months with no problem until now. I clean the filter. It just cuts off very quickly now.
kdloven - Reply
When I turn it on for light bars turn white but nothing happens On the small dust buster but when it’s in the machine it turns white and nothing works
Ann Bainbridge - Reply
My Black and Decker Lithium shoots debris out the sides as I’m vacuuming. What’s the issue there?
Shannon Sesterhenn - Reply
There a red light that has come on. Looks like a cone with dots on it. What is the issue with it as I have no idea?
Mark Shaw - Reply
The LED continually displays the filter/s as being blocked no matter how many times they are cleaned and washed, and allowed to fully dry. This is getting beyond ridiculous.
cr.miles1783 - Reply
After using for two weeks the hoover would no longer charge.
kellyhomer2 - Reply
My new 4 in 1 dust buster powers on, but only for a second then goes off??
Liz V. - Reply
I have a first ais light on… WhatsWhat's that??
Tracy - Reply
Our handheld 16v whines for about 30 seconds before kicking into sucking mode. What could be causing this?
anderson_greta - Reply
The machine just start making some noise and not vacuum? Whats wrong?
tea aledan - Reply
Just did online chat with B&D. I couldn't find the serial number, didn’t know when I bought it or when the problem started…they are sending me a new one! I have a garage full of B&D products and after this I will continue to give them my business.
Dave - Reply
My filter light keeps turning on red even after I bought original replacement filters. I am unsure what to do. It is less than 1 year old.
Kitkat A - Reply
when i charge the unit the 3 lights on the vacc go on and off repeating
edgargalea - Reply
The pet brush attachment head does not rotate when attached correctly to powered unit
Eugene Peyzner - Reply
brush won’t rotate
sidandbev - Reply
SVJ520BFS-GB
I have this unit for approx 7months everything seems to work fine, the vacum starts but battery dies after approx 15 seconds, especially when putnon more powerfull setting. Ive cleaned filters etc and left charging over night??
Earl Keating - Reply
My Black + Decker 16V Max Lithium Ion dust buster is makes a horrible screeching sound “sometimes” when I turn it on. I make sure the filter, et al is fully cleaned. Anyone know what’s going on? I can’t find anything on line about it…When it’s not screeching, it works great!
Lisa - Reply
I am writing this 5/3/2020. I receivd the Black and Decker 3 in 1 cordless vac last week and plugged in the charger. It will not charge. I changed outlets it still will not charge. The red light starts up and then it goes out.
HELP!
I have written support and waiting days for a reply.
LiS Wright - Reply
My issue with this is a bit strange I hoovered turned it off and later picked it up, must of had bathroom cleaner on my hands, put it down and 10 mins later it switched itself on and I couldn’t switch it off! Had to wait until battery had gone. Then just a min ago about an hour later it just went on again! Worried it’s going to go off in the night. Not sure what to do! It now won’t switch on either.
Grace and Daisy - Reply
My vacuum will power up, but stops after a short time. I have cleaned is all out, it does the same when the arm is removed. What can I do?
bonniebeare - Reply
My wheels on the vacuum makes marks on my wood floor. Can i replace them? I Have cleaned them , only last five minutes
tjsuttonb - Reply
It blows out dust from rear end when used
Ralphine Risse - Reply
My Black and Decker Smartech Lithium beeps and the indicator lights flash but nothing happens.
When I plug it in the indicators lights flash to show that it is charging. Any suggestions as to what is wrong with it?
Shelley - Reply
Charges up fine, but with in seconds of turning it on, it turns itself off. Re-charged but it does not need that. Consistently starts strong and it is as if I turned it off.
davecooperberg - Reply
Power cuts off after a few minutes. Turn switch off and wait a few moments. Turn it on for another few minutes of powerful vacuum. Repeat until task is finished. How can I fix this?
Kurt Mueller - Reply
Does anyone at Black and Decker read these? Seems like a lot of customers have the same problem and I do not see any answers.
Kurt Mueller - Reply
Ours was charging, then SUDDENLY STARTED.
IT will not turn off.
It’s gonna run for hours in the middle of te night..
Is there a semi destructive fix?
Carn Soaks - Reply
This has to be the WORST ever cordless vacume to be sold on market. NEVER holds its charge. Cleaned everytime i use it, yet it NEVER holds its charge. What a great idea but this one SUKS TO HIGH HEAVEN. Its better to use ones tongue than this POS>
Lola Nino - Reply
What a piece of crap! Used once and it stopped sucking!
linkab4 - Reply
Same problem with the pet brush attachment not clicking in to make contact with the pier connection
Wendy Thomas - Reply
The vacuum comes on and works for about a minute. Then, no more suction.
Judy McKibben - Reply
White lights blink and no charge at all dear as a door nail! Worked fine 2 days ago!
Dibbie Foy - Reply
My unit is leaking … a steady drip out if the rear of the unit when it is turned on
Jake magni - Reply
My vacuum has good airflow and clean filter but keeps shutting off during use. Battery is charged. What is happening?
Larry Knorr - Reply
The light are on but not charging any ideas
mark82_87 - Reply
Its great to see I am not the only one having such frustrating stories about the poor B and D Dustbuster quality! I would expect much longer servive than 12 to 18 months. My charging light flashes quickly and does not fully charge the battery. In fact it only runs for less than 20 seconds.
eric - Reply
Cannot retract the crevice tool because there is NO BUTTON to push
Dianne Haley - Reply
I love the b&d 16 volt hand held vacuum. Recently it is making a loud noise and smelling as tho bearings are failing. Seems to happen when vacuum is turned on its side to fit narrow spaces.
Is anyone else having this issue?
Marion Farley Macdonald - Reply
It holds charge but it does not come on
CJ Cajan - Reply