The #1 reason vacuums fail is due to a broken or loose aggitator belt. Remove the bottom plate of your vacuum cleaner and inspect the belt. Sometimes it's obvious and the belt is clearly broken. If the belt isn't broken, check to see if it may be stretched out. A vacuum cleaner belt needs to be on tight enough to effectively transfer power from the motor to the aggitator/brush.

If the belt seems loose. This may be due to normal wear and tear.

Vacuum belts should have a dull-black appearance. If your belt appears to be shiney on one or both sides, this is most likely due to your motor overheating and you should bring it in to a vacuum cleaner shop for further inspection.

If the belt appears to be stretched out only in one small area, this may be due to either getting an item temporarily caught in the aggitator brush, OR your vacuum motor may be running hot. Change the belt. If, after you change the belt and the vacuum still doesn't work or you smell a burning rubber smell, your vacuum may be overheating or your aggitator may not be turning properly.

#2 Most Common Vacuum Failure. Sometimes your belt breaks because the AGGITATOR or BRUSHROLL is not turning properly.

To check the AGGITATOR/BRUSHROLL:
1. Remove the Aggitator/Brushroll
2. Hold the ENDS, one in each hand, and rotate the Aggitator/Brushroll with one of your thumbs.
3. The Aggitator/Brushroll should revolve freely, several times.

If the Aggitator/Brushroll does not rotate easily, try to remove the end-caps. Sometimes hair and other debrit collect behind the brushroll ends and keep it from rotating properly.

If the Aggitator/Brushroll is made of plastic or the endcaps are made of plastic, it is often the case that when enough hair and debrit collect behind them, they may cause the plastic to melt. You'll need to replace the Aggitator/Brushroll.

Is your bag too full. Change the bag.

Have you been vacuuming up any types of powder or fine dust? This may cause the bag to prematurely fail because fine dust clogs the microscopic pores not allowing air to escape from the bag. This can cause overheating and poor pick-up.

Make sure the bag is properly installed. A poorly installed bag may allow dust to clog the motor or pre-motor filters. If you have a pre-motor filter in your vacuum, you can clean it off and correct the problem. If your vacuum doesn't have a pre-motor filter and dirt has gone into the motor, you need to bring your vacuum cleaner into a repair shop.

BAGGED VACUUMS - most modern vacuums that use bags have a filter after the bag to capture any dust that escapes the bag and may enter the motor. Many of these filters can be cleaned by taking them outside and dusting them off.

BAGLESS VACUUMS - All Bagless Vacuums have filters. The most common type is located inside of the clear plastic dust bin. These filters should be cleaned off after every use of the vacuum (reguardless of what the manufacturer says). Remove the filter and take it outside and tap it on a hard surface to clean it. You can also take a basting brush or paint brush and thoroughly clean between the pleats.

Even if a bagless vacuum filter looks clean, sometimes they are loaded with fine dust and silt between the pleats. Follow the above instructions to clean them.

If your vacuum has a hose that can be removed - try dropping a nickle through the hose and make sure it comes out the other end. If it doesnt, you've got a clog. Sometimes you can reverse the hose on the vacuum and suck the clog out easier from the opposite end. If not, try straightening a clothes hanger, leaving a curly-cue in the end, and snake the clog out.

If you have an upright vacuum cleaner with a hose that can't easily be removed, sometimes you can still drop a nickle through the hose. If not, try using a flashlight to inspect the inside of the hose. Again, sometimes you can use a clothes hanger straightened out, leaving a slight bend or curley-cue in the end to tease the clog out.

Some vacuums require that the bag cover be snapped into place properly to form a tight seal. If the cover isn't installed properly you may be loosing suction here.

All bagless vacuums require the dust bin to be secured in place to operate properly opperate. Make sure the dust container is not loose or leaking.

Turn your vacuum over.

Take a flashlight and inspect the intake behind the Aggitator/Brushroll. This is a likely place to find a clog.

If your vacuum make a harsh grinding sound when turned on it may be due to a few causes.
1. Something is stuck in the Aggitator/Brushroll. - Remove it.
2. Something is caught in the motor fan. - If you can see the obstruction remove it. You may have to dissassemble your vacuum to get to the object.
3. Something has gotten into and broken your motor fan. You will need to replace the fan.
4. An object has passed through to your motor and has cracked the fan housing - you may need to replace the entire motor.

If your vacuum is making a humming or buzzing sound, most likely something is stuck in your motor. You will have do dissasemble the motor and remove the obstruction. Another possible cause is your Aggitator/Brushroll is frozen. (See Above)

If your vacuum has a burning smell, determine if it is an electrical burning smell, or a burnt rubber smell.

If it is an electrical smell, most likely your motor is bad and needs to be replaced.

If it is a burning rubber smell, it might be one of the following:
1. Your belt is simply loose.
2. Your motor is running hot. Check your filters. Check for clogs. If the problem is not filters or clogs, then your motor may be going bad and overheating.
3. Your Aggitator/Brushroll is not turning properly (See "Check The Aggitator" above.