Your Shark vacuum has a few different lights that tell you if it's working properly. If a light is flashing, it usually means something is preventing the vacuum from working.
If the Shark Vac light is flashing, it means the brush roll is not rotating. Red lights could mean the brush roll is stuck or the vacuum is overheating. Flashing headlights could mean the vacuum is not in carpet mode.

Flashing lights indicate that something needs to be fixed. Most cases can be resolved with basic troubleshooting, but some cases may require repairing the vacuum or replacing a broken part. Let's take a look at what all the blinking lights mean and what needs to be done to resolve them.
What does each light on the Shark vacuum mean?

There are a few different types of lights on the Shark vacuum. Knowing what each type of light means is critical to knowing how to repair your vacuum cleaner. If you know that a red light could mean it is overheating, this will save you some troubleshooting time.
light behavior | Sense |
green light on | The vacuum cleaner is working normally. |
red light on | Indicates an error such as overheating or a jam. |
babbling or babbling | Indicates battery status (low or charging) or that there is an error. |
The lights are not on | The vacuum is not receiving power or is not in the correct mode. |
Shark Vacuum Brush Roll light is flashing

Your Shark vacuum will have a light on the vacuum head. This light lets you know when the brush roll is stuck or not working properly. Sometimes there will be a pair of headlights instead of a small light, but they will work just the same.
What do the red lights on the Shark vacuum mean?
If the light is flashing red, it could mean two things:
- The vacuum is overheating.
- The brush roll is stuck.
If you've been vacuuming for a while, the light probably means the vacuum is overheating. If you've just started vacuuming or can't even start because the vacuum won't work, it's probably the brush roll.
Problems with the brush roll often prevent you from vacuuming because it doesn't spin when the lights are flashing; therefore, it should be easy to identify what the problem is.
What to do
If you think the vacuum is overheating, turn it off and let it sit for about 45 minutes. After it cools down completely, try vacuuming again. If the problem is overheating, your vacuum should work fine.
If the brush roll is stuck, turn the vacuum over so you can easily see the brush roll. The roller is likely to become tangled with hair or carpet fibers. Remove anything that is tangled around the roller. You can use scissors if necessary, but be careful not to cut the bristles or damage the machine.
Also clean around the brush roll. If you see debris caked in the cracks, clean them out.
If your vacuum is still not working properly after trying each of these options, try the troubleshooting steps listed at the end of this article.
Shark vacuum headlights are flashing

If your vacuum has headlights, they will be above the head of the vacuum. They work to light up the area in front of you, but they can also alert you to let you know something is wrong with your vacuum.
Copyright Content Owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was first published on 8/10/2020.
what it means
When your vacuum cleaner's headlights are flashing, it usually means there's a traffic jam. This is usually accompanied by a non-rotating brush roller.
What to do
Press the Access Brushroll buttons to open the door above the brush roll. Remove the door and push it back into place until you hear a click. Both sides of the door must be secured in place.
Then make sure the floor setting is set to Carpet mode. Tilt the vacuum and turn it on to see if the brush roll rotates.
If that doesn't work, try the troubleshooting steps below or consider calling the manufacturer.
Shark vacuum carpet and floor lights are flashing

Most Shark vacuums have specific buttons for carpets and hard floors. These buttons will flash to indicate that something is wrong.
what it means
Flashing lights on the floor and carpet can mean two different things:
- Flashing is switching between the lights:The vacuum is clogged somewhere and is preventing airflow.
- Lights flash together:There is a problem with the battery, either the charger or the battery itself.
What to do
If the lights alternate, allow the vac to cool for about 45 minutes. Once it cools down, clean the vacuum following the steps in the troubleshooting section below. After cleaning it, test the vacuum. If it still doesn't work, you may need to repair it.
If the lights flash at the same time, it is a battery related problem. Allow the battery to cool completely as it can overheat. After the battery has completely cooled down, allow it to fully recharge.
Test the battery when it is fully charged. If you're still having issues, it could be a problem with the charger that will need to be repaired or replaced.
Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is the first thing to do when your vacuum isn't working. It can save you a lot of money in the long run. Follow these steps when you have problems with your vacuum to try to solve the problem yourself instead of immediately buying a replacement that you really don't need.
The owner of the copyrighted article is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on 2020-08-10.
Read the Manual
Most manuals will list common problems and troubleshooting methods. If your Shark vacuum's lights are flashing, read your manual to see if it fixes the problem.
turn off and cool down
Allow the vacuum to cool completely before attempting to clean or test it. Overheating will cause the vacuum to temporarily stop working, and sometimes cooling it down is the only step needed to get it working again.
Forty-five minutes should be enough for the vacuum to cool down completely.
deep aspiration
- Empty the dust container and clean around it.The openings in the rest of the vacuum that lead to the dust bag can easily trap dust. Use your finger to remove any lumps.
- Remove and clean accessories.
- Clean the hoses.Use your fingers or the end of a broom handle to loosen any clumps of debris. Be careful not to damage the hoses.
- Clean around the brush.Remove the brush roll so you can clean thoroughly around it.
- Replace or wash the filter.Most filters can be rinsed with water and air dried. Do not place the filter back in the vacuum until it is completely dry. Replace the filter if you've had it in the vacuum for a year or more.
complete power supply
Make sure your cordless vacuum battery is fully charged.
If your vacuum does not have a battery, make sure the cord is plugged into a working electrical outlet. You can test the outlet by plugging in a light bulb. If the vacuum and light do not turn on when you plug them in, the outlet will need to be replaced.
final thoughts
If your vacuum still has flashing lights after trying all of the suggestions in this article, it may need to be repaired or replaced. Some problems need a little more than basic troubleshooting. Local repair shops are available or you can contact the manufacturer to find out what to do next.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this item. This post was published on 2020-08-10.
Shark Vacuum stays on/not active