Why Won’t My Bissell Hardwood Floor Vacuum Suck?

Your Bissell hardwood floor vacuum may stop sucking due to various reasons. Common reasons include a blocked pet hair eraser, a clogged main hose, a clogged pre-motor filter, a blocked dirt container, or technical problems.

This article lists all the possible reasons why your Bissell hardwood vacuum isn’t sucking dirt from the floor.

Bissell Hardwood Floor Vacuum Won’t Suck – Reasons and Fixes

Cause 1: Clogged Pet Hair Eraser

Some Bissells come with pet erasers. The erasers can get clogged due to debris and hair accumulation. The blockage may cause your Bissell’s suction power to drop partially or completely. Inspect the eraser and brush on the vacuum. You’ll need to replace the roller to restore your vacuum to its full potential. Here’s how you can do it.

Solution

• Place or rest the vacuum on its back.
• Release the cover by removing the bottom screws.
• Take out the brush from its compartment.
• Remove and inspect the belt to ensure that there are no damages.
• Take the new brush and secure it to the old belt.
• Pinch and hook the strap to the silver motor gear.
• Place the replacement brush at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner chamber.
• Ensure that the brush caps are in line with their respective slots.
• Rotate the new brush or pet hair eraser to align the belt.
• Reattach the cover and secure the screws.

Cause 2: Overloaded Dirt Container

An overloaded dirt container is another possible cause of no suction. If the dirt container is full, your vacuum cannot collect more debris or dirt until the container gets empty. You need to inspect your dirt container first. Bissell vacuums usually have a transparent dirt container so you can inspect them by looking at them. The dirt container is located at the front of the vacuum.

Ensuring that the dirt container’s door is properly latched is equally important. The door will not close unless the container is fully assembled and properly closed.

Solution 

You have to empty the dirt container to combat this issue. Follow the given steps to clean the dirt container of your Bissell vacuum cleaner.

• Press the “Tank Release” button present on the vacuum.
• Remove the dirt tank or container.
• Push the “Empty” button and release the garbage into a garbage can.
• Reinstall or replace the empty dirt container in its place. The snapping sound is the indication that the container is fixed correctly.

Cause 3: Main Hose Is Not Secured

If your Bissell vacuum works properly, you have to tighten its hose. If the vacuum’s hose is loose, it will not suck the debris. So, secure the hose tightly to function the Bissell hardwood floor vacuum properly.

Solution

You do not need any specific tools to troubleshoot this issue. You can tighten your vacuum hose within a minute. In most cases, pushing the hose firmly secures it in its place. Besides this, some Bissell models have specific hose securing methods to follow like a twist’ and snap feature. Ensure that the hose will line up with the correct or corresponding tabs and notches. Turn the hose in a clockwise direction, and you will hear a snapping sound. This sound indicates that the hose is now secured, and you can perform regular cleaning functions.

Cause 4: Clogged Pre-Motor Filters

Pre-motor filters are used to clean the suction air with a vacuum cleaner after the air passes through the filter bag. Pre-motor filters clean air before it enters the vacuum motor. Any clogging in these filters may lead to no suction. So, inspect the motor filter thoroughly if your Bissell vacuum isn’t sucking.

Solution

• Take out the dirt cup to check two pre-motor filters.
• To clean the foam filter, use warm water and a mild detergent.
• Let the foam filter completely dry for at least 24-48 hours. Once the form filter is dry, reinstall it.
• Check the white pleated filter. Do not wash this filter; you only have to shake it to remove debris and dirt. Manufacturers recommend not to wash this filter because water can affect its efficiency.

Cause 5: Wrong Vacuum Setting

Some models have variable suction speeds for different types of floors. The problem may be as trivial as a wrong suction setting on your vacuum.

Solution

Check the level at which suction is set if you are experiencing low suction. You can adjust the suction through the handle/controller.

Cause 6: Faulty Motor Duct

Though it happens rarely, it is better to check the motor duct if nothing else works. You can check this by running the machine and feeling suction at the inner motor duct.

Solution

You’ll need to take your vacuum to an authorized Bissell service center. You can also reach Bissell here.

Cause 7: Blocked Extension Wand and Handle

Another common reason most vacuums show poor, or zero suction is a blockage in the extension wand and handles. The blockage usually happens due to not cleaning the wands and hoses regularly.

Solution

You can remove clogs in wands and handles by pushing something flexible with blunt edges through the wand. Make sure you don’t use anything that’s pointy or something that can damage the wand and pipes. A hole or leak in the pipe often requires replacement.

Cause 8: Dirty Filters

All vacuums have filters. Blocked or dirty filters can cause problems like suction drop, overheating, and improper cleaning. The filter cleaning process varies from one model to another. Please refer to your user manual to see how to clean/replace filters on your Bissell.

Solution

The following steps explain how to clean/replace the Bissell PowerEdge® Hard Floor Stick Vacuum filter.

• Place your machine on a flat surface.
• Remove the dirt cup and grasp the filter assembly by clear plastic tabs to lift it up/out.
• Rotate the clear plastic lid to the right to unlock and separate it from the white container by lifting it out.
• The filters are attached to the lid; remove them by twisting to the right to unlock them, then pull them apart.
• Remove the outer foam filter from the pleated filter. Please note that foam filters can be washed, but you can’t wash a pleated filter.
• Wash the foam filter with warm water. Gently squeeze to wring excess water and let it air-dry completely before returning it.
• Check the pre-motor mesh filter at the motor duct; clean it with warm water and detergent. Let the filter air-dry before inserting it back.
• Check for the suction at the motor end by placing your hand over the motor duct. Contact Bissell if there is no suction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Troubleshoot Bissell CrossWave Cleaner that doesn’t have Suction?

• Plug in the machine and press the “Hard Floor” button.
• Grab the front handle and press the silver release button to remove the dirty water tank.
• Feel for suction strength at the motor vents. Contact Bissell if there is no suction. Continue troubleshooting if you feel suction.
• Hold the dirt water tank, grasp, and pull the top from both sides to remove the top.
• Remove the filter.
• Wash the filter, screen, and float with warm water. Move the float up and down to ensure it moves freely and without friction.
• Let the filter dry and replace it; check that the edges are smooth and not folded.
• Check the water tank to inspect the rubber gasket around the top of the container. Replace it if it is missing or broken.
• Reattach the tank after everything is clean and dry.
• Make sure you hear a snapping sound when reinstalling the tank.
• Turn on the machine and test for suction.
• Unplug the machine if there is no suction.
• Remove the water tank brush window and recline the machine.
• Remove/clear any clogs in the debris channel of the foot. You’ll need a pen or straw for this task.

Why is Bissell’s pet vacuum brush not spinning?

Sometimes the brush motor gets stalled; consequently, the vacuum brush doesn’t spin. You can reset it by turning off and unplugging the vacuum cleaner. After a few seconds, plug back the vacuum and turn it on. If the issue persists after resetting, you may need to clean the brush roll. Debris accumulations in the brush role could be another possible cause of not spinning. Remove the brush roll and inspect it for cleaning.

How long do Bissell vacuums last?

Bissell vacuum models can last up to 8 years regardless of the model. A vacuum may last longer than its average lifespan if cared for and maintained properly.