Generally, a shark robot vacuum doesn’t charge due to the accumulation of dust and dirt on the charging contact points or when there’s a faulty power outlet. The new shark robot can also stop charging when not positioned well. Also, make sure it is powered ON.
Is your Shark vacuum not charging? Don’t worry!
You are not the only one having this problem with shark robot vacuums. We did face this issue when we didn’t use the shark robot for one month.
Through this article, I am sharing all the possible causes of a shark vacuum not charging and how you can fix this issue quickly.
Quick Overview of Shark Vacuum Won’t Charge Problem Causes With Solutions
Here’s a table summarizing the problems with Shark Robot Vacuum and their solutions.
| Problem | Description |
| Outdated Firmware | The software that controls the vacuum may become outdated, leading to charging issues. |
| Robot Switch is Turned Off | The Shark robot vacuum has an on/off button that needs to be enabled for remote control and charging. If the robot isn’t charging or returning to its base station automatically, this could be the problem. |
| Dirty Charging Pins | The robot vacuum has two metal contact pins that connect to two metal plates on the charging dock. If these pins become dirty or blocked, it can prevent the device from charging. |
| Wall Outlet or Power Adapter Problems | A faulty wall socket or a damaged power adapter might not supply the enough power to charge your robot. Trying another outlet or power adapter can help identify if this is the issue. |
| Battery Problems | After long-term use, the vacuum’s battery might lose performance and need to be replaced. |
| Damaged Charging Dock | The charging station, an essential part of your robot vacuum, can also be damaged over time. If the vacuum isn’t charging, the charging dock might need to be replaced. |
Why is My Shark Robot Not Charging?
The main reasons for your shark robot vacuum not charging are dirty charging pins, outdated software, a faulty wall outlet or power adapter, and a damaged battery.
The other reasons are a damaged charging dock, the power switch being turned off, and a technical fault with the robot.
In the section below, we have mentioned all the troubleshooting tips you need to fix the charging issues with your shark robot vacuum.
What Do You Do if Your Shark Vacuum Won’t Charge? Troubleshooting Steps
If your shark vacuum doesn’t charge, you should perform the below troubleshooting and bring your robot back to working condition.
I will start with the basic troubleshooting ways and then move forward with the advanced ones.
Make Sure Your Shark Robot Firmware is Up-to-date
For a robot vacuum, its software is the most important part that enables a user to instruct the robot vacuum to perform a job.
The manufacturer updates the firmware regularly to fix the bugs and enhance the robot’s performance. However, when your robot is not updated with the latest firmware, the device can have problems like charging or connectivity issues.
So, as a Shark robot vacuum user, you should always keep your Shark robot vacuum firmware and your Shark App updated.
Here’s how you can update your shark robot firmware:
- Open the official Shark website to download the most recent firmware for your particular Shark Robot Vacuum model.
- Ensure your Shark Robot Vacuum is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network before you proceed.
- Open the SharkClean App on your smartphone and tap the ‘Settings‘ icon.”
- Select ‘Firmware‘.
- If there’s a firmware update available, you’ll see an ‘Update‘ option. Tap on it to start the update process.”
- The App will download and install the firmware update on your Shark Robot Vacuum. Make sure you stay connected to the internet during the entire process.”
- Upon completion, your Shark Robot Vacuum will run on the latest firmware version.
Make Sure Your Shark Robot is Switch ON
The Shark robot vacuums have a manual ON & OFF switch located at the side of the robot. This switch allows users to conserve the robot’s power by manually turning off the vacuum when it’s not in use or when there are no scheduled cleaning sessions for several days.
However, the switch might get flipped to the ‘off’ position during the vacuum’s cleaning cycle, especially when it bumps into the furniture or other obstacles. As a result, users may find their shark robot unresponsive and naturally assume that it needs recharging.
To revive their device, they place it on the charging dock. But when the manual switch is in the ‘off’ position, the robot vacuum often doesn’t charge.
Therefore, it’s essential for users to check the position of the manual switch if they encounter issues with charging.
If the switch is ‘off,’ simply flipping it back to ‘on’ might resolve the issue in seconds.
Manually Place the Robot Vacuum
Shark robot vacuums have blue LED light indicators that show remaining battery levels. If these blue lights are visible, your robot can travel back to the charging station.
However, if you don’t see any indicator lights, your robot’s battery is too low, and you will have to place your shark robot vacuum in the charging dock manually.
Clean Robot’s Charging Contacts/Pins
Usually, the robot vacuums have two metal charging contacts on the robot and two on the charging station that connect with each other to charge the robot.
When these charging pins don’t connect to each other due to the accumulation of dirt on the metal contacts or damaged pins, your shark robot won’t charge.
You can quickly determine whether these charging pins are working by looking at the battery indicator lights; if the LED indicator light blinks, the shark robot is charging.
Check The Dock For Power and Ensure It’s Not Damaged
Sometimes, there may be a problem with your charging dock itself. Usually, a green light turns on when the dock is connected to the wall outlet, which shows that it is receiving power to charge your robot vacuum.
If you don’t see the green light, you should try another power outlet and check if that solves the problem.
When I faced this problem, the problem was with the wall outlet. Generally, the wall outlets become loose in a few years.
Also, you should place your robot’s charging dock in an area free of obstructions and have at least three feet of space on either side of the dock and five feet on the front.
Inspect and Replace The Battery
If you have tried all the above troubleshooting methods and your shark robot is still not charging, consider inspecting your battery.
Sometimes, the battery inside the robot can slip away from its place due to bumps and can’t connect to its contacts inside the vacuum. A simple inspection repositioning of the battery correctly can solve this problem.
However, if your vacuum is old and you find the battery is itself damaged, you should get a new replacement battery as per your shark model.
Reset Your Shark Robot Vac
A factory reset is often helpful when your device has some technical glitch or bugs preventing it from working perfectly.
Most of the time, a factory reset to the device solves any temporary glitches in the system.
Here’s a simple method to reset the Shark Robot Vacuum:
- Open the SharkClean app on your smartphone and click “Settings”.
- Choose “Factory Reset”.
- Wait a few minutes, and your shark robot will be restored to the factory settings.
If you cannot reset your device via the App, check our exclusive guide on "how to reset shark robot vacuum"?
Contact Customer Support If Nothing Works
If you are done trying all the above troubleshooting ways, and your shark robot is still not charging, your robot might have some hardware issues that need to be repaired.
In this case, contacting shark customer support is the best option to fix the problem and get your robot working again.
Key Takeaways
- The firmware is an essential component of the vacuum cleaner, controlling its functions and operations. Regular updates from the manufacturer ensure smooth operation and can prevent issues like charging problems.
- The Shark robot vacuum features an on/off switch that needs to be in the ‘on’ position for the device to charge correctly. If the vacuum isn’t charging or returning to the base station automatically, checking the power button could solve the problem.
- The vacuum relies on connecting its metal contact pins and the charging dock’s metal plates to charge. Dirt or dust on these pins can disrupt this connection, preventing the device from charging.
- A simple reboot of the robot vacuum and the charging station can resolve many issues, including firmware and charging.
- A faulty wall socket or power adapter can also lead to charging issues. Trying different outlets or power adapters can help identify whether either is the root cause.
- Over time, batteries lose performance due to regular use and recharging cycles. If the vacuum isn’t charging, the battery might need replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a Shark robot to charge?
The charging time for a Shark robot vacuum varies depending on the model, but it typically ranges from 3 to 6 hours.
For example, the IZ300 model takes approximately 3 hours to reach a full charge; however, the first-time charge for the Shark AI Self-Empty XL RV2502AE model is recommended to be six hours.
How do I know if my Shark robot is charging?
When your Shark robot is charging, its indicator light will flash, and the robot will beep. Ensure the robot is correctly aligned with the charging dock and that the charging pins are clean for optimal charging.
What is the run time of a Shark robot battery?
The runtime of a Shark robot vacuum’s battery depends on the specific model and its battery condition. However, wired.com states that 50% of the battery lasted for 40 minutes of cleaning on the Shark IQ Robot. Always consider that runtime can be affected by factors like the type of surface being cleaned and the cleaning mode selected.