Shark vacuums are powerful, light, and compact. This makes them a breeze to use around the house — especially if you’ve got a cordless model you don’t have to plug in! But even some of the best vacuum cleaners can experience issues. And over time, you might have noticed your Shark vac’s not sucking up dirt quite as well as when it was new.

Less power means larger bits of debris getting left behind. And it might even take a couple of passes to pick up smaller bits when it only used to take one. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to fork out on a replacement anytime soon. Chances are that all your Shark vacuum needs is a little TLC. And our guide features several steps you can try to restore your vac’s performance.

Please note: Before carrying out any kind of maintenance on your Shark vac, make sure it’s turned off and unplugged from the wall (unless where noted).

Empty the dust bin and clean the filters

One of the main reasons why your Shark vacuum might be down on power is because its dust cup (bin) is full. Or it’s possible the filters are blocked. These parts will eventually get clogged over time, so it’s important to clear them regularly.

Fortunately, emptying the dust cup is one of the easiest ways to keep your Shark vac working well:

• Remove the dust cup: Use the release button to detach the cup from your vacuum, then empty its contents over your bin by pressing down on the latch. You’ll know it needs emptying when dirt and debris has reached the ‘MAX’ fill line.

• Wipe with a damp cloth: If waste is still stuck inside of the dust cup, use a slightly dampened cloth to clean the inside. Let it air dry completely before reattaching it to your vacuum.

Now, it’s time to clear out the filters. But don’t worry — they’re a doddle to sort out too. These parts remove dust and allergens from the air your vac sucks in. Which means the dirt they trap can build up fast and cause poor suction if you don’t clean them often.

Here’s how to give the foam, felt, and post-motor filters a freshen up:

• Remove the filters: The location of the filters will depend on which Shark model you have, but these are usually fitted underneath the dust cup. If you’re not sure, just check your instruction booklet to find out where they are.

• Tap off loose dirt: This should get rid of most of the dust. But remember to do it over a bin so you don’t make a mess.

• Hand wash with water: Rinse the filters under a tap until the water runs clean. Then allow them to air dry for 24 hours before reinserting them.

Cleaning tip: Emptying the dust cup can be messy. The last thing you’ll want to do is create a big dust cloud in your kitchen or spill rubbish on your freshly-vacuumed floor! That’s why it’s best to empty the dust cup each time you vacuum to avoid big build-ups.

Make sure your vacuum is fully charged

Shark cordless vacuum cleaners feature rechargeable batteries. And while these nifty bits of tech let you tackle the entire house in record time — you must make sure they’re fully charged first. Not only so they can run long enough, but so they’ll have plenty of suction performance. If the battery’s low, it can reduce the vacuum's power and its ability to pick up dust and hair.

That’s why you should charge your Shark vac until it’s full before every vacuum. Some of the best Shark vacuums, like the Shark Detect Clean & Empty Pet Cordless Vac, even come with a charging dock. This means you can just put it back when you’re done and know it’ll be fully charged and ready for next time.

Clean the vacuum head

Hair and other debris can get tangled up in your Shark vacuum’s brush-roll. This can end up clogging the floorhead, which is one of the most common causes for a loss of suction. That means you’ll need to clear it out, which will take no time at all if you follow these simple steps:

1. Remove the floorhead: Detach it from the main body of the vacuum.

2. Clear debris from the bristles: Use scissors to carefully cut away any hair or string wrapped around the brush-roll.

3. Wipe with a damp cloth: This is so you can get rid of any stubborn dirt or debris.

4. Reattach the vacuum head: Just fix the floorhead back onto your vacuum and turn it on to check it’s picking up dust better.

Got a DuoClean?

Some Shark vacuum models come with DuoClean floorheads that are designed to pick up more. But these take a little longer to clean as they feature two brush-rolls — a bristle brush-roll and a soft front roller. Here’s how to clean each one:

• Bristle brush-roll: Take off the floorhead cover and remove any debris or blockages. You might need to unscrew a few bolts, so make sure you have a set of screwdrivers to hand.

• Soft front roller: Just tap off any loose dirt to start with. Then grab a dry towel to wipe it clean and get rid of debris caught in the teeth behind the brush-roll. You can also hand wash this using water if you prefer, but make sure it’s totally dry before putting it back in.

Check for clogs in the hose

It’s easy to check if Shark upright vacuum cleaners have a hose blockage. Just remove the handle and switch on your vac to find out if there’s any suction. If not, that means there’s some kind of obstruction in the handle or hose. But if this section is free of a blockage, or you’ve got a Shark stick vacuum, have a look through the wand to make sure nothing’s stuck in the pipe.

Shining a torch into the hose can help you see where the blockage might be. You can also check the floorhead arm for obstructions. Then once you’ve found that pesky lump of dust and debris, just use a long flexible brush or a broom handle to push the clog out. But make sure you do it slowly so you don’t damage the hose.

Adjust the cleaning head height

Most Shark vacuums have height adjustment knobs or levers on their floorheads. These let you control the suction power and tackle different floor types. But if the cleaning head on your vac has been accidentally set to a higher level, it might not make proper contact with your floor and have poor suction.

This is why you should try lowering the height and see if it brings back some performance. Just follow these steps to set it right:

1. Find the height adjustment knob or lever: Closely look over your vac’s floorhead until you’ve located it.

2. Adjust the height: A lower height is typically best for hard floors, while higher settings are better for carpets.

3. Test the vacuum on your floor: Check the cleaning head is making proper contact with your floor and if the suction is as powerful as it should be.

When to consider a replacement vacuum

If you've tried all the above steps and your Shark vacuum’s still not sucking properly, it might be time to think about a replacement. Over time, vacuums can just wear out and lose their effectiveness no matter what you do.

If you reckon a new vac is in order, make sure to view our huge range of vacuum cleaners. And if you need help finding the right one, check out our Floorcare buying guide.

Need more advice?

We hope your Shark vacuum is now running a lot smoother. And we’ve got plenty more tips for getting the most out of your vac, like Which vacuum cleaner tools to use and when. Or if you want something that can clean your floors without you lifting a finger, check out the Best robot vacuum cleaners.