Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Guides

How to fix a Shark robot vacuum that’s not charging

By

Shark has a number of handy cordless vacuums designed with rechargeable batteries, including slim stick vacuums and the Ion line of robot vacuums. Many robot vacs have the ability to go back to their charging stations automatically when necessary.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

20 minutes

What You Need

  • Shark vacuum

While you can expect rechargeable batteries to lose a little juice over time, if your Shark robovac or similar vacuum is relatively new but just not charging, then there’s certainly something wrong. Going over these steps can help you find the problem and fix it fast.

Why is my Shark vacuum not charging?

Charging problems, especially with a newer Shark vacuum, are usually caused by positioning or power issues. Thankfully these are not permanent issues. There are often simple fixes to try if you know what to look for -- and that’s where we’re going to help out!

Shark vac under sofa.

What do you do if your Shark robot vacuum won’t charge?

Step 1: Look at your on/off switch.

Shark robot vacuums have a manual on/off switch located on the robovac itself. Switching the bot off can help you save on power if you don’t want to use the battery or don’t plan on scheduling a vacuum session for a few days. However, sometimes this switch gets flipped to the off position when the robot bumps into furniture. Users find the robot unresponsive and try putting the bot in its charger to give the battery a boost, but when the robot vacuum is off, it won’t always charge.

Check the manual switch, and make sure it’s in the on position. Sometimes, this easy fix is all you need.

Power button on Shark Ion.

Step 2: Check if you need to manually place the vac.

Your Shark robot vac should have blue LED indicator lights on the top of the unit to show battery strength. As long as at least one of these indicator lights is on, then your bot probably has enough remaining battery life to go back to its charger automatically. If all the lights on the vacuum are off, then the battery is probably too empty to fuel a trip back to the dock. In these cases, your vacuum needs a little help: Carry it back to the dock and put it in place so that it starts charging.

This is also good advice for using your robot vacuum for the first time: It usually needs to be charged in the dock before it’s ready for action.

Related

Step 3: Clean all charging contacts.

The Shark vacuum should have two metal contact points designed to fit against two metal plates on the charging dock. When these two pieces make proper contact, the battery can charge. However, sometimes the contacts can’t connect. Clean the contacts on both the bot and the charging dock to see if this fixes the problem. The battery indicator lights on your vacuum will start blinking when the robot is charging, which is an easy way to see if it’s working.

Shark Dock Placement.

Step 4: Check the dock for power and proper operation.

While not as common, something might have happened to the charging dock to prevent it from working properly. When the dock is turned on and ready to charge, it should have a green light illuminated on the side. If your dock doesn’t, make sure it’s plugged in, and try another outlet to see if it can get power elsewhere.

You should always place the dock in an area that’s free of obstructions. It should have three feet of space on either side and five feet of space in front of it. If there isn’t enough room, the robovac may not be able to make it back properly.

Step 5: Inspect and replace the battery.

If nothing else works, it’s time to open up the battery case and take a look. Sometimes the battery may have gotten dirty or slipped away from its contacts inside the Shark robot vacuum. Cleaning and repositioning it may fix your problem. But if it’s an old battery or there are clear signs of damage, you should order a replacement battery that matches your model.

If none of these troubleshooting tips work, it might be time for a new model. Check out our list of the best Shark vacuums to see which model might be right for you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma
Contributor
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
This popular robot vacuum is discounted from $250 to $129
Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum placed on a carpet while lit up.

One of the best robot vacuum deals is over at Walmart today where you can buy the Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum for $129. It usually costs $250 so you're saving a sizeable $121 off the usual price. If you're looking for an inexpensive way to automate cleaning your home, this is a good way to do so. It has all the essential features you need. We're here to explain more about it or you can simply hit the buy button to get straight into making a purchase.

Why you should buy the Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum
Eufy is generally a well-respected name in the best robot vacuums world when it comes to value. The Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum richly demonstrates that. You get 1500Pa suction power which is reasonable for the size and price of the robot vacuum. Alongside that is BoostIQ technology so that the Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum is able to provide an extra burst of power as needed. It also has three brushes for loosening particles along with a three-layer filtration system so it can break down all kinds of dirt and liberate your floors of unwanted debris. It can cope with both carpets and hard floors while also remaining quieter than you'd ever expect.

Read more
This top-rated cordless vacuum is under $100 at Walmart right now
moosoo 4 in 1 cordless stick vacuum deal walmart july 2023 lightweight cleaner

There’s a huge discount taking place on a cordless vacuum with great reviews at Walmart today, one you should consider if you have some smaller spaces or tough to reach places to keep clean. The Moosoo 4-in-1 Lightweight Stick Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is currently going for just $98, which is a massive discount from its regular price of $250. It makes for a savings of $152, in fact, and it’s a great option if you’ve been hoping for one of the best Dyson vacuums but don’t like their price points. Walmart is also including free shipping with a purchase.

Why you should get the Moosoo 4-in-1 Lightweight Stick Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Apartments, homes, and offices often come with their fair share of difficult to reach spaces. Keeping them clean is made easier with a vacuum like the Moosoo 4-in-1 Lightweight Stick Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It’s capable of cleaning carpets, bare floors, stairs, and upholstery. This model is also an upgrade over previous models, and the new filtration system can now remove up to 99.97% of microscopic dust. It has a large dust cup that will keep you from having to stop and empty very often, making this an ideal vacuum for homes with kids and pets. It’s designed to be used for regular cleaning and to be as efficient as possible.

Read more
Walmart is selling this $180 robot vacuum for under $90 today
The IonVac SmartClean 2000 robot vacuum with its remote and app.

Searching for robot vacuum deals, but most offers that you see are still beyond your budget? Don't lose heart because there are offers like Walmart's $92 discount for the IonVac SmartClean 2000. The smart home device is already affordable at its original price of $180, but it's now even cheaper at just $88. You're going to have to be quick with your purchase though, because robot vacuums that go for less than $100 always sell out quickly. You'll miss out on this bargain if you hesitate, so push through with the transaction as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the IonVac SmartClean 2000 robot vacuum
The IonVac SmartClean 2000 robot vacuum may be cheap, but with a complete cleaning system that features 2,000Pa of suction power, a roller brush, and side brushes, it won't have any trouble picking up all kinds of dirt and debris around your home. Sensors are important to consider, according to our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum, but the IonVac SmartClean 2000 has this covered with its anti-collision and cliff sensors that will prevent the device from bumping into furniture and falling down the stairs.

Read more