My Kirby Vacuum Is Running Too Fast

Settings

• For Kirby vacuum cleaners that have self-propelling components, begin by carefully checking your settings. If you have variable speed options, you may have simply adjusted your speed too high. The transmission, when working properly, adds extra force and the cleaner can move too quickly. Double-check your adjustments and adjust the transmission up and down, if possible, to spot any potential settings issues.

Height

• Kirby vacuums may have an option to raise or lower the vacuum cleaner height. Together with transmission speed, this height control provides a key way to control how fast the vacuum cleaner is moving. If the vacuum cleaner is moving too quickly, it may be skating above your floor without cleaning properly. By lowering your vacuum cleaner, you can reduce speed while also creating a better cleaning process. Too low, however, may damage your carpet.

Transmission Issues

• It is possible that the transmission system itself has jammed or broken, causing your Kirby vacuum to run at a high speed without any way to change it. If you can disengage the self-propelling feature you can use your vacuum cleaner normally. Fixing the transmission problem may require an expensive replacement, but you can take the vacuum cleaner to a repair shop to evaluate the problem and determine how difficult -- and expensive -- it may be to repair.

Motor Issues

• If the vacuum cleaner sounds like it is running louder and faster, even though the movement speed remains relatively unchanged, the problem is probably with the motor instead of the transmission. Vacuum cleaner motors can burn out over time, especially if the vacuum cleaner is often used with a dirty filter. If the motor is failing, the only permanent solution is to replace it. This can be expensive, so compare repair costs to the cost of buying a new vacuum cleaner.