Vacuums lose suction slowly, so you do not notice it until the carpet looks dirty after a pass. The cause is almost always simple: a full bin, a clogged filter, a brush roll wrapped in hair, or a hose with something stuck in it. All four are fixable in about 20 minutes with no special tools. Cleaning a vacuum is maintenance, not a repair, and a machine that gets cleaned lasts years longer than one that never gets opened up.
Suction dies at five chokepoints, and they stack. A bin that is half full already cuts airflow. A filter caked in fine dust chokes it further. A brush roll wrapped in hair and thread cannot spin freely, so it stops lifting dirt. A sock or clump stuck in the hose blocks the whole path. And a stretched belt slips instead of spinning the brush. Each one alone costs a little suction; together they make the vacuum push dirt around instead of picking it up. Work through them in order and test after each step — most vacuums recover after the first two.
Unplug it and empty the bin or bag. Unplug first — never work on the brush roll with the machine plugged in. Empty the bin or change the bag, and wipe the bin out with a damp cloth. A bin that looks half empty can still be packed tight around the filter, so shake the dust out properly.
Clean or replace the filter. Pull the filter out and tap it over a bin to knock the dust off. If it is a washable filter, rinse it under running water until the water runs clear, then let it dry completely — a full day is normal. Never put a damp filter back in, and never wash a filter that is not marked washable: it will fall apart and the dust will go straight through. When in doubt, replace it.
Cut hair and thread off the brush roll. Turn the machine over and look at the brush roll. Use scissors or a seam ripper to cut through the wrapped hair and thread along the roll, then pull the pieces off. Cut along the roll, not across the bristles — you are cutting the hair, not the brush. A roll that spins freely by hand is what you want.
Check the hose for clogs. Detach the hose and look through it toward the light. Push a broom handle gently through to find a blockage, and pull out whatever is stuck. If the hose detaches fully, you can rinse it with water and let it dry. A sock, a clump of pet hair, or a small toy is usually the culprit.
Check the belt. The belt drives the brush roll, and a stretched or cracked one slips. If the brush does not spin when the machine runs, or you smell burning rubber, the belt is the likely cause. Belts are cheap and model-specific — match the model number — and replacing one is usually a few screws and a stretch over two pulleys.
Wipe it down and check the settings. Wipe the exterior, the wheels, and the soleplate. Check the height setting: too high and the brush cannot reach the carpet pile, too low and it drags. Bare floors want the brush off or the highest setting, depending on the model — check the manual for yours.
Test it on carpet. Plug it in and run it over a dirty patch. Suction should feel strong at the hose end and the brush should spin. If it picks up properly, you are done. If it still will not pick up after all seven steps, the motor is likely weakening, and the repair vs replacement guide helps decide whether the machine is worth fixing.
Empty the bin or bag every use, or at least when it is half full — airflow drops long before the bin looks full. Rinse a washable filter monthly. Do the full clean — brush roll, hose, belt check — every three to six months, more often with pets. Put it on the same schedule as the other small jobs on the appliance maintenance checklist: a vacuum that gets cleaned on schedule keeps its suction for years, and the floor shows it. The same applies to the other cleaning appliances in the house — the steam mop vs traditional mop comparison covers the other half of floor care.
Only if it is marked washable. Rinse it until the water runs clear and let it dry completely — usually a full day — before putting it back. A damp filter grows mold and chokes airflow worse than a dirty one.
Usually a full bin, a damp filter, or something rotting in the hose. Empty and clean it, wash the filter if it is washable, and check the hose for a stuck clump. A baking soda sprinkle on the carpet before vacuuming helps with lingering smells.
Cut along the roll with scissors or a seam ripper, through the wrapped hair, then pull the pieces off. Do not cut across the bristles. A roll that spins freely by hand when you are done is the goal.
Very likely. A high-pitched whine usually means air is squeezing past a clog or a full filter. Work through the steps above: empty the bin, clean the filter, and check the hose. If the noise stays after a full clean, check the belt and the brush roll bearings.