Is your vacuum cleaner cutting out right in the middle of cleaning? Annoying, isn’t it? Don’t worry, most of the time it comes down to just two causes: an overheating motor or an electrical issue.
The good news is that overheating is by far the most common culprit, and it’s usually a quick, simple fix.
Electrical problems, on the other hand, can be a little trickier and might mean a trip to the repair shop.
To help you out, I’ve got a handy video that shows what to do if your upright vacuum keeps shutting itself off. It might just save you the headache!
Overheating
A vacuum cleaner is a powerful machine, but it needs steady airflow to stay cool and run properly. When airflow is blocked, whether by a clog in the hose, tubing, or filters—the motor can overheat, and the vacuum will shut itself off.
Tip: If your vacuum shuts off at the same time every time (say, after 2 minutes of use), that’s usually a sign of a clog slowly overheating the motor. If the shut-offs happen randomly, it’s more likely an electrical problem.
Most vacuums have a built-in thermal shut-off switch designed to protect the motor from burning up if it gets too hot. That’s why clearing out any airflow restrictions is key.
Start by checking the tubing, intake, filters, and bag for blockages. Often, you’ll even hear the vacuum’s sound change when something is clogging it.
If you find a blockage, disconnect the tubing and clean it out. Many times it’s just a partial clog letting some air through but still overheating the motor, or a complete blockage—like a furball—stopping airflow entirely.
Pro tip: Once the tubing is removed, use a broom handle to push out any stuck debris. You’d be surprised what gets lodged in there, I’ve even seen wine corks jammed inside a vacuum hose!
Electrical
If you don’t find any clogs in your vacuum, the problem could be electrical. A common issue is a bad outlet. Try plugging the vacuum into a different socket and make sure the connection feels solid. A loose outlet is not only unreliable but also a fire hazard, if you notice one, it’s best to call an electrician.
If the outlet isn’t the culprit, the next possibilities are the power switch or even the motor itself. Unless you’re comfortable troubleshooting electrical components, it’s a good idea to take the vacuum to a repair shop for a proper checkup.
Tip: One way to tell if the outlet might be bad is to feel the vacuum’s cord. While it’s normal for cords to get slightly warm, a cord that feels unusually hot could signal a faulty outlet.
If the vacuum is a cheap “Super Store” vacuum cleaner, then it would not be worth it to fix. They don’t build those vacuums to last, here is a post I did on how long a vacuum cleaner is built to last.
Another Option
Another possibility is that you’re simply running the vacuum for too long. Many vacuums sold at big-box stores aren’t designed for extended, continuous use.
For these models, it’s best to vacuum in shorter sessions… about 30 minutes at a time… then let the machine rest for at least 15 minutes so the motor can cool down.
If All Else Fails
If you have cleaned, unclogged, and done everything you could possibly do, then it might be time for a New Vacuum Cleaner.
If you constantly have vacuum cleaners die on you, then I would recommend getting a shop vacuum like this one here (Amazon Link Ad). Shop vacuums can suck up just about anything, even water, and hold up a lot better than regular vacuum cleaners. The real kicker is that many Shop-Vacs are more powerful and cheaper than the standard vacuum cleaners that most people get.
If you have kids or pets, then a shop vacuum is a must-have! You never know what messes you’ll come across! There is so much you can do with a shop vacuum for use in your home that I have written a great post on it here.