Shark Robot Vacuum Blinking Red Light? – (6 PROVEN Fix!)

Shark robot vacuum blinking red light can be confusing as you can’t tell straight away what causes this warning light to glow.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t worry; we will guide you through.

To fix your Shark Robot Vacuum blinking red light, start by checking if the sensors are clear of obstructions, then clean the robot’s brushes. Afterward, check the WiFi network.

Now that you know which fixes we will try for your Shark robot vacuum, let’s check out the most frequent causes of a blinking red light.

Why Does My Shark Robot Vacuum Red Light Blink?

There are multiple Shark robot vacuum models, and each of them might have a different meaning for the red warning light.

However, in most cases, a red blinking light indicates an issue with the battery, WiFi signal, or a jammed moving part.

Here is a list of the top most frequent causes of Shark robot vacuum red light blinking:

Now that you know the possible causes of a Shark robot blinking in red, let’s perform some actual solutions to fix these underlying issues.

How to Fix Shark Robot Vacuum Blinking Red Light

Tip: Some Robot Vacuums are not designed to be taken apart for maintenance.

Solution #1: Clean the Sensors of Your Shark Robot

Shark robot vacuum blinking red light 3 times can often be due to your sensors picking up incorrect input from the robot’s surrounding environment.

This is the first case you should check, and it can be handled by simply locating the sensor ports and servicing them.

Here is how to ensure your Shark robot vacuum sensors are in optimal condition:

1. Turn off your Shark robot vacuum to ensure safety while cleaning, and don’t handle it with wet hands.
2. Look for small glossy spots on the front and side of your robot to identify the sensors on your device (if you still can’t find them, look at the underside of the robot).
3. Gently wipe the sensors using a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust or debris obstructing them.
4. After cleaning, ensure that no residue or particles are left on the sensors.
5. When done cleaning, turn your Shark robot vacuum back on to check if the issue is resolved.
6. Let your Shark vacuum run for a couple of minutes to be sure it’s functioning properly without the red light blinking.

When cleaning your Shark robot, in general, it’s best to avoid using any harsh detergents to prevent damage to the sensors.

Note: Don't let your Shark robot vacuum run in on floors you just wiped or wet surfaces.

Solution #2: Power Cycle the Shark Robot and Dock

Shark robot vacuum blinking red battery light can happen when your Shark robot vacuum undergoes normal operation but receives a software error caused by static electricity building up inside it.

To clear this issue, all you have to do is power cycle your shark vacuum.

Here is the universal way to power cycle your Shark robot vacuum and its charging dock:

1. Power off your Shark Robot Vacuum from the main button.
2. For your robot charging dock – remove the charger from the power outlet.
3. Leave the robot vacuum and charging dock powered off for approximately 5 minutes.
4. After the waiting period, plug the charging dock back into the power outlet.
5. Next, place the Shark vacuum back onto its charging dock carefully.
6. Power on the Shark robot to see if it starts.
7. Check if the red light on the vacuum has ceased, indicating a successful reset.

If you notice the CHARGING light flashes red on your Shark Ion Robot Vacuum, it indicates the battery is critically low.

To fix the issue, place the vacuum on its charging dock.

Note: You can place special strips that act as boundaries so your Shark robot vacuum doesn't fall off a staircase.

Solution #3: Clear Obstructions from Wheels and Moving Parts

With regular use, any Shark robot vacuum can have some hair or debris stuck on its rotating wheels or the central steering wheel.

This is a normal occurrence, but it can sometimes trigger a red blinking light, telling you that its wheels can’t spin freely.

Here is how to properly clean and maintain your Shark robot vacuum to ensure proper function:

1. Turn off your Shark robot device and flip it to its underside.
2. Pay special attention to the wheels and moving parts for any trapped debris or hair.
3. Carefully remove any debris or obstructions causing block out your Shark robot from freely moving – you can use the brush that came with your device.
4. Clean the areas around the wheels and moving parts to ensure they are free of dirt and hair; sometimes, more persistent debris stays on the upper side of the wheelbase.
5. Try to spin the wheels with your hands to see if they can move without getting stuck – if they squeak, you can add a drop of machine oil to their bushings. 
6. Power on your Shark robot vacuum to see if the issue with the red light has been resolved.

Note: Periodically check your Shark robot vacuum pouch to ensure it doesn't overflow.

Solution #4: Check and Clean the Primary Rotating Brush

Many Shark robot vacuums have a sensor to detect issues with their main cleaning brush moving.

This is to ensure that if it becomes entangled, it will be cleaned by a human first so it can be efficiently cleaned again.

Here is how to check your Shark robot vacuum for an entangled rotating brush:

1. First, turn off your robot vacuum to maintain the brushes safely – don’t handle it with wet hands.
2. Flip your Shark robot to its underside to access its moving parts for maintenance. 
3. Remove any hair, fibers, or debris entangled in the brushes of your Shark vacuum.
4. Thoroughly clean both the main brush and, if present on your exact model –  the side brushes as well.
5. Ensure the brushes are not damaged or worn out, and replace them if necessary.
6. Reassemble the brushes back into the Shark robot vacuum correctly.
7. Power on the Shark vacuum to test if the red light issue has been resolved.

Note: It's suggested that you put any carpets at least 8-9 inches away from stairs for your Shark robot's safety.

Solution #5: Check for WiFi-Related Issues

On some models of Shark robot vacuums, the red light can come from a WiFi button instead, indicating connectivity problems.

As your Shark robots are smart devices, they need a stable connection to be controlled from your phone or tablet.

Here is how to ensure your Shark robot has access to a stable WiFi network:

1. Locate the Wi-Fi indicator light on your Shark robot vacuum – it’s typically on either the left or right half of the robot device when looking at it from above.
2. If the indicator light is red, it warns you of a WiFi connection issue that can be caused due to the robot being too far away from coverage or a network error.
3. Go to your WiFi router and see if the Internet and WiFi lights are blinking or solid; if not, contact your service provider for help.
4. After confirming your router lights blink, reboot your router and wait for it to restart.
5. Try to reconnect your Shark device to the same network as before through the Shark mobile app.

When performing the steps above, check that your phone or tablet is on the same network that you want to pair your Shark robot to.

Note: Some Shark robots can only connect to a 2.4GHz WiFi network.

Solution #6: How to Fix Shark Ion Robot Vacuum Blinking Red Light?

If you happen to have a Shark Ion robot vacuum model, then the red light can indicate a specific issue with the dust bin.

To prevent this light from appearing, you must empty and clean the dust bin and ensure it is snugly secured.

Here is how to service your Shark Ion Robot Vacuum dust bin to clear the red light:

1. If the CLEAN + MAX lights flash red, the dust bin might be missing.
2. Ensure the dust bin is properly inserted into the Shark Ion Robot Vacuum.
3. Check if the bin is full and empty it if necessary.
4. Clean any debris from the bin’s sensor area.
5. Reinsert the dust bin securely.
6. Restart your robot vacuum.

Note: It's not suggested to pick up your shark-cleaning robot while it's running or moving the dock.

Quick Recap

To fix the Shark robot vacuum blinking red light, start by checking if the primary cleaning brush is not tangled up and clean the sensors.

Next, check your WiFi network for issues and reset it.