It can happen that a vacuum cleaner suddenly loses its suction power. For example, there may be a greatly reduced suction power or that he no longer sucks at all. That is very annoying, since the vacuum cleaner can no longer suck up dirt and you are actually brooming. And yeah, that sucks…
Don't be afraid if your vacuum cleaner stops sucking: in many cases this is easy to fix! Let's take a look at why a vacuum cleaner can lose its suction power and then how you can increase it again.
What determines the suction power of a vacuum cleaner?
To determine how well a vacuum cleaner performs, I always look at the suction power in my vacuum cleaner reviews. Although it is often said that the number of Watts of a vacuum cleaner says something about the suction power, the opposite is true. The number of Watts says nothing at all about the suction power, I became clear in my article about the vacuum cleaner suction power.
Although it is often said that the number of Watts of a vacuum cleaner says something about the suction power, the opposite is true.
The suction power is mainly determined by the connection of parts and how clean the filters are. And these are also a number of elements that can cause a decrease in suction power if this is not in order.
Causes for vacuum cleaner that doesn't suck
There can be many different causes for a reduction in suction power. I list the most common problems:
- Vacuum cleaner is full of dust: if a vacuum cleaner has not been emptied for a long time, it can become too full. The suction power may decrease as the vacuum becomes fuller.*
- Clogged or old filter: an unwashed or old filter can become clogged. This makes it harder for the air to pass and leave the vacuum cleaner.
- Air Leakage: if any part does not connect, there may be an air leak. As a result, the vacuum cleaner is less able to suck in air in one place. Open the furniture slide on the handle, you will notice that the suction power decreases immediately.
- Blockage: a blockage in the vacuum cleaner rod or in the suction brush may result in the vacuum cleaner not vacuuming at all.
- A battery that is almost empty: an empty battery will result in a less powerful vacuum cleaner. **
* A full vacuum cleaner can cause a loss of suction power. However, this does depend on the type of vacuum cleaner. This is often not the case with a bagless vacuum cleaner: it retains the suction power, even as the dust container fills up.
** Cordless vacuum cleaners use a battery. In many cases, a vacuum cleaner can become less powerful if the battery runs out. It's one of the drawbacks of cordless vacuuming.
Increasing the suction power of a vacuum cleaner
As I mentioned earlier, you don't have to throw away your vacuum cleaner right away if it no longer sucks (well). In many cases you can already solve the problem by checking your vacuum cleaner for possible blockages. This also has a positive effect on how long a vacuum cleaner lasts.
In many cases you can already solve the problem by checking your vacuum cleaner for possible blockages.
See below how you can probably increase the suction power of a vacuum cleaner again.
- Emptying the dust container: if the dust container or dust bag is full, the dust collector may lose suction power. Empty the dust container or replace the dust bag with a new one.
- Checking for blockages: Remove the various vacuum cleaner parts and check them for blockages. By the way, did you know that vacuum pine needles can already cause a blockage in the vacuum cleaner rod?
- Check possible air leaks: check the rod, hose and suction brush for connections. Where possible, seal it with silicone tape or replace the part that no longer fits properly.
- Washing filters: It is important to wash or replace filters regularly. Discover how easy it is to clean a HEPA filter.
Note: does the vacuum cleaner smell like burnt rubber or plastic? Then there may be a defective vacuum cleaner motor or another broken part. Do not vacuum any further and consult the manufacturer!
Robbert Tigchelaar has made testing vacuum cleaners his life's work. He has dedicated himself to conducting fully independent and valuable tests of vacuum cleaners to provide consumers with honest advice. His expertise in vacuum cleaners has been highlighted in The Washington Post and the Daily Express.
