Bissell Vacuum Won’t Stay On? – Complete Fix Guide

Are you facing a situation where the Bissell vacuum won’t stay on? In that case, it makes your cleaning sessions more difficult to complete.

When the Bissell vacuum can’t stay on for long, the most common cause is overheating, so ensure you clean all the tanks and filters. Other situations will require you to replace the power cord or the battery and check the inner power button’s working to see if anything is preventing its correct functioning.

All of the solutions mentioned above will be detailed in the guide below.

Some of them involve using a multimeter and dealing with electrical components.

However, there is no need to worry, as we will give you careful instructions.

Bissell Vacuum Won’t Stay On – Reasons

Sometimes your Bissell vacuum keeps shutting off, right?

Before thinking that the appliance is gone for good and you should buy another one, you can investigate the causes.

Sometimes, fixing what’s broken or replacing some damaged components is feasible.

So before we jump to the working solutions, let’s think about what’s going on with your Bissell vacuum. That way, you can quickly fix it.

✅ Damaged Power Cord

If there is any damage to the power cord, the electricity stream won’t be constant. Thus, the power will be delivered, but sometimes the appliance will shut itself off.

✅ Defective Power Button

When the power button is defective, it won’t communicate correctly with the appliance. Sometimes it will make the vacuum shut off when it shouldn’t.

✅ Overheating

Many smart devices and appliances will turn off when overheating occurs. The overheating cause could be too much debris within the vacuum cleaner.

✅ Defective Battery

If you have a model that uses a battery, then the battery may no longer be good for use. Although lithium batteries should last long, they can also fail.

How To Fix A Bissell Vacuum That Keeps Shutting Off

Now that you know the probable causes, you are probably thinking about the situations when your vacuum shuts off.

Probably there is something in those experiences that will help you identify the problem.

With that in mind, let’s go to the fixing methods.

1. Inspect The Power Cord

If you are using a corded vacuum model, the power cord has likely been damaged.

It can happen from storing it incorrectly and letting it heat too much. 

Test The Power Cord

It is hard to tell whether the power cord is damaged just from looking at it.

So you are going to use a multimeter.

1. Place its probes on the power cord’s metal prongs. 
2. Adjust to continuity
3. If it doesn’t beep, the cable is the issue.

Once you identify that the power cord is damaged, the following steps will depend on your warranty.

If the warranty has already expired, you can replace the cord yourself.

Replace The Power Cord

If you’ve determined that the power cord is the issue, you must buy a replacement with the same electrical specs.

Once you have it in your hands, do the following:

1. Remove the screws holding the device’s cord;
2. Disconnect the internal wiring to release the cable;
3. Connect the new electrical cable to the inside wiring;
4. Reattach each of the fastening screws.

2. Inspect The Battery

If you have a vacuum model that works on a battery, the battery may become defective.

When that happens, it might allow the vacuum cleaner to turn on, but it will shut the device off when performing long cleaning sessions.

Before all else, take the robot from its dock and place it on a towel or other soft surface.

Also, ensure that the power switch is off.

1. Grab a Philips-head screwdriver;
2. Remove the two battery cover screws;
3. Carefully raise the battery cover;
4. Take the battery out of its compartment;
5. Twist it in a way it keeps sitting on the robot’s bottom.

Test The Battery

Now you must check the battery’s appearance. Is it swollen or bulging? Does it look burned or anything else?

Anything that looks out of place can indicate the battery truly being the culprit.

Again the multimeter will be handy:

1. Set a multimeter to continuity;
2. Touch its probes to the battery’s wires;
3. Test it.

If the continuity test fails, you will have your answer.

Tip: Pay attention to how the battery is positioned in its compartment. It will be useful when installing the new one.

Replace The Battery

Buying a replacement battery is not difficult. Some replacement parts can be bought directly from Bissell.

If your warranty is still up, you can require a new battery.

If none of those options apply, you can still buy the correct part from Amazon or another retailer.

1. Use your finger to depress the connecting tab;
2. Now pull it away from the robot;
3. Depress the battery connection until it clicks;
4. Ensure it is immobile;
5. Turn the new battery to ensure it is above the battery compartment;
6. The wires must be at the top position.
7. Insert the battery;
8. The wires must be connected to the correct places.

In replacing the battery, avoid applying stress to the battery or pinching or twisting the cables.

Note: Remember that the Bissell battery included in the vacuums only lasts 30 minutes at maximum. If you are cleaning for all that time and the device shuts down, there is nothing wrong with the battery.

3. Fix The Power Button

Another probable cause behind your Bissell vacuum shutting down all the time is a malfunctioning power button.

But, of course, different things could be happening: wires are damaged, debris in it, or it is somewhat out of place.

Usually, a Bissell vacuum will come with an owner’s guide. In that guide, you can check a detailed diagram of the vacuum’s inner workings.

With it, you can disassemble it to gain access to certain parts.

So here are the steps you must follow:

1. Refer to the owner’s guide and disassemble the vacuum;
2. Find the power button’s inner workings;
3. Grab a cotton swab and get rid of all the dust and debris;
4. Blow the dust away if necessary;
5. Check the wires;
6. See if there is anything broken in the power button’s mechanism.

• Once you clean the vacuum’s inside and ensure everything is in place, you must reassemble it.

Do that in a way the power button stays tightly in place.

Once reassembled, check if the power button’s functioning has become smoother.

4. Get Rid Of Overheating Causes

Suppose you’ve tested the power cord or battery, and the power button is fine. In that case, your Bissell vacuum may be facing overheating. 

When it overheats, it immediately turns itself off. Devices nowadays do that so that the internal components don’t get damaged.

Clean The Main Dirt Tank

Then you must be thinking: why is the vacuum overheating? The most common cause is accumulated debris.

First, clean the main dirt tank:

1. Open the dirt tank;
2. Rotate the inner cyclone clockwise;
3. Remove the tank;
4. Dispose of all of its contents;
5. Grab a moist towel and wipe it clean;

Clean The Pre-Motor Filter

Now on to the pre-motor filter:

1. Press the filter button on the handle;
2. If it says it is full, remove it;
3. Wash by hand with water and light detergent;

Clean The Post-Motor Filter

Finally, you must assess the post-motor filter’s status too. It is located in a tray underneath the dirt tank.

1. Remove that tray;
2. Take the filter out;
3. Put all its contents away;
4. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth
5. Reassemble it.

Keep in mind that the post-motor filter is not water-washable.

As for the washable parts, remember to let them dry completely before reassembling them.

What We Learned

What to do when the Bissell vacuum won’t stay on? Fortunately, you do not need to despair.

All you must do is start by inspecting how the components responsible for the power are doing. Other steps can also be necessary, and the guide above covers all you need.

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