Is your Shark robot vacuum not charging properly? This guide covers common causes and simple troubleshooting steps to get it charging again.
Shark is one of the most popular vacuum brands in the UK that makes high-quality home appliances like vacuum cleaners, steam mops, air purifiers, and hair dryers. Shark does lots of testing with real people to make sure their products work well and solve everyday cleaning problems.
One of Shark’s handy products is their cordless robot vacuums that run on rechargeable batteries. Models like the Ion series can clean your floors automatically without you having to push them around. But it can be really frustrating when your Shark robot vacuum won’t charge properly.
Most robot vacs are designed to go back to their charging dock automatically when the battery gets low. While batteries lose some power over time, if your relatively new Shark robot vac isn’t charging right, there’s likely an issue that needs fixing. You could buy a replacement, but it’s best to try troubleshooting first before spending more money.
In this article, we’ll look at why your Shark robot vacuum may not be charging and go over steps to get it working again. Not being able to charge defeats the whole purpose of having a robotic vacuum cleaner. But many charging issues can actually be resolved pretty easily once you know what to check.
Why is My Shark Vacuum Not Charging?
There are a few possible reasons why your Shark robot vacuum not charging. The first thing to check is whether the power switch on the vacuum or charging dock got accidentally turned off. Another common issue is that the vacuum can’t make its way back to the dock to charge. It might be stuck somewhere or there could be obstacles blocking its path.
Other charging problems could be caused by physical damage like a broken cord or faulty charging plates that aren’t making proper contact. Over time, the rechargeable battery inside can also wear out and lose its ability to hold a full charge. And sometimes the charging plates just need a good cleaning if there’s dirt or debris built up preventing the vacuum from charging correctly.
How to Fix Shark Robot Vacuum Not Charging
Check the power switch
One of the first things to check when your Shark robot vacuum not charging is the power switch on your Shark robot vacuum itself. These vacuums have a manual on/off switch that you can use to conserve battery life when not in use for a few days. However, it’s easy for this switch to accidentally get flipped to the off position if the vacuum bumps into furniture or other obstacles while cleaning.
If the power switch is off, the vacuum won’t charge properly even when placed on the charging dock. So be sure to check that the switch is turned on before trying to charge it up.
Manually place the vacuum on the dock station
Another thing to check is whether your Shark robot vacuum has enough battery power left to automatically return to its charging dock. Look at the LED indicator lights on top of the vacuum – if at least one light is illuminated, it likely has sufficient charge to make its way back.
However, if all the lights are off, the battery is probably too depleted for the vacuum to get itself onto the dock. In this case, you’ll need to lend a helping hand by manually carrying it over and placing it on the charging dock to initiate charging.
This is also a good practice when using your Shark robot vacuum for the very first time out of the box. It’s best to dock it and allow for a full charge before its initial cleaning run to ensure maximum battery life and cleaning time.
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Make sure all contacts for charging are clean
For the vacuum to charge properly, charging contacts on both your Shark robot vacuum and its charging dock metal plates need to make a secure connection when the vacuum is docked. However, dust, dirt, or other debris can sometimes accumulate and prevent the contacts from linking up correctly.
To fix this, take a soft cloth and gently wipe down the metal charging contacts on the vacuum as well as the corresponding plates on the charging dock. An occasional quick clean can help remove any obstructions that were preventing a proper electrical connection from being made.
You’ll know it’s working if the battery indicator lights on your Shark vacuum start blinking once it’s placed back on the freshly cleaned dock. Those blinking lights signal that charging has started.
Make sure the dock is powered and working properly
Sometimes the issue may not be with the Shark robot vacuum itself, but rather the charging dock. Take a look at the dock and see if a green light is illuminated, which indicates it’s powered on and ready to charge. If there’s no light, first ensure the dock is plugged into a working outlet. You can try a different outlet as well, just to rule out a potential power issue.
It’s also important to position the charging dock in an open area free from obstructions or clutter. The dock needs at least 3 feet of clearance on both sides and 5 feet of space in front of it. Without enough room to maneuver, your robot vacuum may have difficulty accessing and docking properly to initiate charging.
If the green light is on but your vacuum still won’t charge when docked, there could be a malfunction with the dock itself. In this case, you may need to contact Shark customer service for a potential replacement dock.
Check and replace the battery
If you’ve tried all the previous troubleshooting steps and your Shark robot vacuum still won’t hold a charge, it may be time to inspect the battery itself. Locate the battery compartment and carefully open it up to check the condition of the battery inside.
Sometimes the battery could have slipped out of position or collected dust and grime over time, preventing it from making a proper connection. Gently cleaning the battery and ensuring it’s correctly seated in the compartment may resolve the charging issue.
However, if the battery appears very old, swollen, or visibly damaged, it’s likely reached the end of its lifespan. In this case, you’ll need to purchase a replacement battery specifically designed for your model of Shark robot vacuum.
Contact Shark Support
If none of these solutions get your Shark robot vacuum charging again, the next step would be to reach out to Shark’s customer service for further guidance or potential repair options.
Shark has dedicated phone lines you can call to speak with a live agent. For any issues with non-robot vacuums, call 1-855-427-5127. But if the problem is specifically with one of their robot vacuum models, you’ll want to call 1-888-228-5531 instead. Their support hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm Eastern Time, and Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.
Alternatively, you can submit an online request form. Just provide details about the charging issue you’re experiencing and which Shark model you have. A support team representative will then get back to you to help troubleshoot further or discuss potential repair or replacement options.
