This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and solve problems with the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed Vacuum model NV 681.
Student-Contributed Wiki
An awesome team of students from our education program made this wiki.
The vacuum is unresponsive and does not show any sign of turning on.
The Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away Speed Vacuum comes with a motor protective thermostat. If the vacuum motor is exhausted, it will begin to overheat. The thermostat prevents the motor from further damage due to overheating by turning the vacuum off.
Hold your hand near the motor. If you can feel excess heat, unplug the vacuum and let it cool down for 45 minutes to an hour before attempting to turn it back on. If you do not feel excess heat, then address a different troubleshooting method.
A dead outlet or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet is being used. A GFCI outlet will have test/reset buttons on it, while a non-GFCI outlet will not have any buttons on it.
To test a non GFCI outlet, you will need to obtain a multi-meter device. Unplug the vacuum, insert one prong from the multi-meter into each of the vertical slots on the outlet, and check if your multi-meter reads the prescribed number of volts for your outlet. If your reading is less than the prescribed amount or zero, then your outlet is dead and will need to be fixed by an electrician before you can use your vacuum on this outlet again.
To test a GFCI outlet, simply unplug the vacuum, hit the reset button,and plug the vacuum back in. If the vacuum still doesn’t turn on, unplug it again, hit reset, and plug in a different device that has a smaller amperage use. If the new device does turn on, then the amperage use for your vacuum is too high for the outlet, and you will need to use a different outlet. If this new device doesn’t turn on, then your GFCI outlet is dead and will need to be fixed by an electrician before you can use your vacuum on this outlet again.
If the outlet is working, then address a different troubleshooting method.
This is the most common issue with vacuums since they have a high amperage use and are known to trip circuit breakers (or fuses) especially after prolonged use.
To check if you tripped a fuse, first unplug the vacuum. Then, locate your breaker box. Reset the breaker by switching the fuse from the off position to the on position. Plug your vacuum back in. If it still doesn’t start, unplug and restart the breaker again. Unplug all other devices from the breaker system, and plug in your vacuum again. If it still does not turn on then either test the vacuum with another breaker system by extension cord, then address a different troubleshooting method.
At times, the vacuum will not turn on because the dust bag is full. First, unplug the vacuum. Then, remove the dust collector bag and empty its contents into a trash can. Place the dust collector bag correctly into the vacuum, and plug the vacuum back in.
If it still does not turn on, then address a different troubleshooting method.
The on/off button to the vacuum may be broken. This can be determined by visual inspection. If the button is cracked, warped, chipped, then the issue will lie in repairing or replacing the button so that it can function properly. Consider purchasing a replacement button. If the button is jammed, then it may be necessary to remove the button, clean the button and its connection, and place the button back into its original correct position.
Your vacuum smells as if it is burning and it will not go away.
The main reason why a vacuum may be emitting a smell of burning rubber is a broken belt or an object is suck. Excess hair or fur caught around the roller brush can also cause this issue. Turn off your vacuum and let it cool before doing anything.
Once the vacuum is cooled, check the belt to see if there is anything suck or broken. Clean the roller of any hair or fur, so the roller is not slowed or impeded. A broken belt can also result in the smell of burning rubber. If you observe any damage to the belt of the vacuum, you will have to replace it using this guide.
Turn off and unplug the vacuum before observing anything. Once the vacuum has cooled check the roller brush for any damages or any debris. If you notice any debris you will have to clean the roller brush. Any damages to the roller brush can cause the vacuum to emit a burning odor. If you observe any damage to the roller brush you will have to refer to this guide in order to replace it.
Once you observed that the belt or roller brush of your vacuum has no damage or debris, but your vacuum still emits a burning smell when powered on, then the problem is the motor. Contact Shark customer service or support for further assistance.
Vacuum is on and running, but suction is not at full power.
Turn off the vacuum and unplug from the wall. Pull upwards on the latch on top of the Lift-Away Pod. Take the dust collector to a safe place to empty, hold away from your face, press the release latch on the side, near the bottom of the cup. Clear the dust collector of any obstructions, and return to vacuum.
The vacuum hose has an obstruction, causing poor sucking. The red indicator light may be blinking, meaning there is a clog in the vacuum system. Clutch the “Lift-Away” handle, and remove the vacuum for the floor stand. Flip the Remove the hose clip, and pull the handle away from the wand. Look down the wand for anything blocking the air flow. To remove the hose, press the grey release tab where the hose meets the dust collector. Pull the hose off. The most common place for hose clogs is where the hose meets the dust collector. Visually inspect each end, and look down the hose to check for a clog. In the event of a clog in the hose or wand, a long skinny pole or broom handle works best to dislodge the obstruction. Beware of puncturing the delicate hose walls with a sharp edge.
When running the vacuum on the hardwood, tile, or linoleum, the mode set on the handle should reflect “Hard Floor”. The “Turbo” mode should be used on a short pile carpet like an outdoor carpet or mat. When using the vacuum on a high pile carpet such as a shag rug, or long fiber carpet, used the “Carpet” mode.
Roller brush indicator light on the floor nozzle is red. Vacuum does not move with ease across the floor and a possible lack of suction.
If the roller brush indicator light, located on the floor nozzle lights red, you must remove the obstruction before using your vacuum. To remove the roller brush refer to this guide for further instructions.
If an object is obstructing the belt from spinning the roller brush will also not work. You will have to unplug the vacuum and let it cool before observing the belt. Once the vacuum is cooled, you have to turn the vacuum over to see any objects that are preventing the belt from moving. Refer to this guide for further instructions on how to remove the belt from your vacuum.
Indicator light is solid red or blinking.
If the indicator light is solid red, the roller brush is jammed. Turn off your vacuum and let it cool down before checking your roller brush for obstruction. Once cooled turn the vacuum over to see the roller brush for any debris. If you do see debris in the roller brush and are able to pull it out safely, but if not remove the roller brush using this guide.
If the indicator light is flashing red, the thermostat is overheating. To reset the thermostat, turn off and unplug the vacuum. Empty the dust cup and filter and assure there are no blockages in the hose. Allow the vacuum to cool for at least 45 minutes before turning it back on.
