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Vacuum will not pick up particles
The vacuum leaves particles on the ground
Hole in hose
Although the tube running from the handle of the vacuum may not be torn, the tube at the bottom of the vacuum might have a hole in it. If you suspect this might be the case, please check this guide to replace the tube.
Dust cup is full
Unfortunately the Shark Rocket doesn’t have an infinite carrying capacity, so you have to empty it occasionally. Looking at your vacuum, the dust cup is the large cylinder with a grey handle. If it is please check out the guide here.
Note: Make sure to do this over a trash can.
Dust filter is dirty
Your vacuum’s dust filter might be dirty. The dust filter is one of four filters that the Shark Ninja Professional has, and the filter is located inside of the Dust Cup. Use this guide to remove the filter, clean it, and reinstall the filter.
Foam filters are old/dirty
Despite what the front of the vacuum says, the vacuum does lose suction. You will want to check your devices foam filters to see if they are excessively dirty or old. To access the filters use the removing secondary filters guide. Along the neck of the vacuum are instructions to clean and dry the filters every month. It is good practice to remove excess dirt from the filters occasionally as well.
HEPA filter is old
It might be the case that your HEPA filter is old and dirty. Replacements are available from the SharkNinja website. To check your HEPA filter use the HEPA filter replacement guide. If the filter is dirty you will need to replace it using the same guide as above.
Debris is stuck in the hose
Something you may have vacuumed up might be stuck in the tubes. To check, follow the hose replacement guide and with the hose removed check for debris.
Vacuum will not turn On
The power button does not activate vacuum
Vacuum is not plugged in
It might sound silly, but check to make sure your vacuum is plugged into an outlet. If it is, make sure it works by pressing the orange “power button.”
Overheating has occurred
If you suspect overheating has occurred, unplug your vacuum, and let it cool down for 30 minutes. If you believe the vacuum should have cooled down, and it still doesn’t work, check these guides to fix the motor or rotary belt.
Electrical continuity is lost
If you suspect electric short has occurred in your vacuum, check to see if electricity is flowing from the outlet. If there is, then follow this guide to repair the vacuum motor and computer.
Brushroll doesn’t turn on
The vacuum is powered on, but the roller brush is not spinning.
Vacuum is on the wrong setting
The vacuum might be on the wrong setting. Make sure that the light above the the “Brush-Roll” button is lit. If it isn’t, then try pressing it.
Debris caught in the brush roll
Something might have gotten stuck in the brush. This commonly happens when long materials such as hair or string get stuck in the brush. To fix this, unplug the vacuum and turn it upside-down so that the floor nozzle is facing up towards you. Without disassembling anything, take some scissors and start cutting bits of debris out. You may have to turn the brush manually to get all of it out. Repeat until all the debris has been removed.
Vacuum tube is not connected
It might be the case that the lower tube of your vacuum is not connected inside of the floor nozzle of the vacuum. To check you can use the floor hose replacement guide to make sure that it is properly connected.
Vacuum is difficult to push
The vacuum does not roll smoothly over surfaces
Vacuum wheel is broken
The vacuum has four wheels: two large wheels and two small wheels. Check to see if any of these wheels seem broken. If so, follow this guide to replace them them.
Wheels have debris caught in them
Flip your vacuum upside down to see if there is anything stuck in any of the wheels. Pull the debris out and test if the vacuum rolls smoothly. If it doesn’t, follow this guide to replace the wheel
Vacuum lifts rugs or is stuck to carpets
Power off the vacuum to deactivate the brushroll. Restart the vacuum by using the power button so that the vacuum uses suction only cleaning.
Vacuum produces a whistle noise when turned on
The vacuum makes an abnormal high pitched tone
Debris is caught in vacuum tube
You can use the vacuum hose replacement guide to check for any debris in the hose.
Rotary belt is broken
There is a rare chance that your rotary belt has become loose and broke. This may occur if you have dropped the vacuum, or repeatedly slam the floor nozzle on a hard surface. To check if this is the case, turn the floor nozzle vertically so that the brush is facing towards you. Remove all screws using a T15 screw head to open up the panel. When you do this, you will reveal the main electronics compartment of the vacuum. For more detailed instructions, please follow this guide
Vacuum accessories aren’t appropriately attached
Make sure that all vacuum accessories are securely attached. If an accessory is loose or has a crack in it, the vacuum can produce a whistling noise. If you made sure the accessories are connected properly and the whistling noise still occurs, then an accessory may need to be replaced due to a crack.
Hole torn in vacuum tube
Look in the dust cup to make sure it is empty and clean. If you’ve cleaned the dust cup and replaced the filter inside, the vacuum hose might have a tear in it. Use the hose replacement guide to replace it if you find a hole.
Vacuum emits burning smell during use
The vacuum produces a burning smell or smoke while in use
Rotary belt is loose/broken
If the rotary belt is loose/broken, it might be grinding against the inside of the vacuum. If this is the case, turn off the vacuum and follow this guide to take it apart .
Lit ember caught in filter
If you vacuumed a lit cigarette or anything similar by chance, embers can be emitted and potentially start a fire. Use the dust cup guide to remove the dust cup's contents in a safe place. Nothing should be damaged due to the filter being non-flammable , but you should replace the filter using the HEPA and secondary filter replacement guides.
Cable has overheated
Feel the wire insulation surrounding the cable. If it feels hot, unplug the vacuum and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour. If the problem persists, follow this guide to check on the motor.
45 Comments
My vacuum stopped advancing forward abruptly. I turned it off checked to make sure everything was attached securely, emptied the canister, and cleaned the brush roll of debris. The brush roll turns easily when turned by hand. The indicator light above the button is on, but the light on the bottom right is not lit. Not sure what else to look for. Please advise.
Kathy Massee - Reply
My vacuum has quit working. I haven't even had it a year yet, and was wondering if someone could help me?? The rollers are working but it's not suctioning. And when I sit it upright there is nothing but the power light is still on. I've made sure the hose isn't stopped up, the canister was empty, and the filter is clean… I have no clue what else I can do to fix it
Amanda Pelfrey - Reply
Did you figure it out?
Shannon -
Did you find out what was the problem? Mine seems to be doing the same thing. Power on but when standing, nothing. Light is on but nothing. When I attempt to vacuum, the rollers turn and blows out air vs suck it up. Any suggestions?
Rochelle Rogers -
The roller brush works well when connected directly to the motor. Does not work at all when the tube is connected between them. WHAT'S UP?
K Gordon - Reply
when want is removed roller will begin to run. When put back on roller will not turn
elmetra1113 - Reply
want will not work when attached to roller cleaning mechanism remove wand and bottom will
elmetra1113 - Reply
two metal pieces came loose from the brush roll head.
mjordy53 - Reply
Where do these two metal pieces(they look like block slab magnets)
Does any body know where can I put them back in?
mjordy53 - Reply
The vacuum is notpicking up and when I checked th suction, there is none. And, the little I do ;ick up, when I stand the vacuum up the dirt comes out the bottom.
js_hoffman - Reply
Broken clip that connects lift away to brush base how to fix
whinchley - Reply
My roller brush will not spin. There is nothing clogging it anywhere. When you turn it on the light is green then turn red immediately.
kari trzebny - Reply
I used the crevice devise yesterday and now I can’t get it off the wand. Is there a secret to this?
Jan Rondeau - Reply
I went to use my Rocket upright vacuum. Model 1s140-26, this morning and it doesn’t work! The three light are lit up showing me that is fully charged. There is no sound or movement coming from the machine. I bought this vacuum at the end of Feb. of this year.
Sandra - Reply
I have light weight rocket with electric cord, as I vacuum lots of partials fall out of the bottom of the cleaner where the brush is. I pick up more than is in the vacuum. Donna
Dmccue47@yahoo.com - Reply
Headlight stopped working after only the second time using it:/
Terry Bell - Reply
My vacuum wand only or the hand held section has no power unless attached to the roller section. When attached to roller section I have no suction. I have cleaned all filters. Any suggestions
sheilatobin - Reply
This is the worse vacuum I have ever bought. Gets clogged every time I use it. Tried everything suggested above a hundred times. Unclogged, cleaned filters etc and still doesn’t pick up well and gets clogged. Easte if time and money!
sian - Reply
I have an apex duo clean and the black roller will not turn at all. Cant seem to remove it to make sure nothing is in there. Help
lkincaid61 - Reply
Why does my motor filter, after a cleaning, turn black after 20 minutes of use
ROBERT BERGERON - Reply
Vacuum looses power motor slows considerably but doesn’t stop so switch is to full power but only getting little power
Michael Donnellon - Reply
hand held section that is removable from main vacuum will not suck, filters clean, no clogs, solution please?
kla - Reply
i bought my shark rocket 3/17/ 2016 and it has worked just fine but now it does not suck up much of anything unless i go over the same spot ten times thats alot of work for a 72 year old
which has had two heart surgeries. i tried to call shark customer service but they answer and then they hang up. i have checked everything that they say to check. and still does not pick up. it seems kind of wierd that 6 months after my five year warranty runs out it stops performing. c.arnold
Cora Arnold - Reply
The brushroll indacater will not turn on and brush will mot turn belt still 9n mot broken what else can i do
Mary Peterson - Reply
Ive only had it six
Mary Peterson - Reply
My brushes won't turn I've taken the whole thing apart
goldenlove6900 - Reply
This website doesnt help at all, i came here in hope to fond out why my shark rocket wireless vacuums head wasnt getting recognized when i turned on my vacuum ive done everything and my house is over due on a vacuum and im not paying for another one.
Codie Corelus - Reply
Help! After cleaning & checking the big rotating brush foot after it cut out, I attached directly to the main unit (not on the long mounting tube) to check prob was not a duff electrical connection, now I can't remove it, as it clicked into place and foot has no hinged thingy - as I am not 2 feet tall, its not ideal, any suggestions, please, lovely Shark experts?? (And yes, will be slapping myself for stupidity shortly). TIA
SisuZisu - Reply
I’ve lost the suck but I still got the spin and light. Is this fixable? There was a slight burning smell just prior to suck loss. Help!
Suzanne - Reply
On/off switch has to be held down to operate the vacuum and is not moving from one station to the next. Any ideas?
LINDA SCOTT - Reply
I don’t know how to get the hose out to set into smaller places can you help me?
Patti - Reply
The light on the lower part is off and the roller isnt spinning. The upper part works fine.
Cassandra ford - Reply
Rocket vacuum hard to push on rug surface
Beth Terrell - Reply
I just got my shark rocket a couple of months ago. It has suction but the dirt/hair gets stuck on the filter in the top dust cup and doesn't fall down into the bottom and bigger dust cup.
Nunya - Reply
My cordless Shark Rocket is a great vacuum except it produces a smell. I have cleaned the filter with soap and water several times. I have removed the vacuum intake at the motor and scrubbed it. I have taken the roller head apart and cleaned it. Still cannot figure out what it is that makes it stink.
Dustin Rose - Reply
When I charge it, two lights are flashing. Doesn’t run.
Patricia McCormack - Reply
I’ve cleaned everything there is to clean on my vacuum but it won’t suck up debris. It almost looks like it’s spitting it out. How do I fix it? It’s a shark cordless rocket vacuum
Cathy Bass - Reply
When my vacuum is upright it doesn’t work, when lay handle down turns on but dust doesn’t go into dust cup it seems to stay in handle
Sheri Riccelli - Reply
Brand new out of the box, brush won't rotate
Halloran Michael - Reply
My vacuum will only power on if the roller brush is engaged. The vacuum is not sucking up debris. It does not power on if using the hand tool
Lisa Shay - Reply
I have the same exact problem- I bought this 2 weeks ago. I bought this only to use the small hand vacuum configuration. Time to send back.
FrancesR. -
shark rocket IX140 series. has no clogs, clean filter, and motor runs. but there's absolutely no suction. if you remove the cannister, you can feel the suction from the motor(albeit not that great) but when the cannister is attached theres nothing. is it possible a gasket is missing? is the motor bad?
Jennifer Malich - Reply
My vacuum works fine on setting I, it will not operate if I try setting II. HIGH PILE RUGS. Is there a way I can fix it.
S. Alexander - Reply
Rocket deluxe pro - I’ve had it for 2 weeks - will not work with any attachments- it will only work with the regular brush wheel attached. I bought this to be able to use just the small handled vacuum alone- it will not work at all- ideas? Fixes?-please?
FrancesR. - Reply
Vacuum has stopped turning on. Have had for several years & out of blue, will not turn on. Anything I can do?
Darlene H. - Reply