Trouble With Weak Suction in a Vacuum

Full Bag

• If your vacuum cleaner uses a bag, the suction power tends to diminish as the bag fills up, and by the time the bag is three-quarters full, there may no longer be enough suction to finish vacuuming your home. Try changing the bag to see if that resolves the problem before moving onto any other troubleshooting steps.

Blocked or Kinked Hose

• If the suction on your vacuum cleaner drops abruptly, the most likely culprit is a blocked or kinked hose. It is easy for the hose to get kinked or twisted as you move around the room and vacuum under the couch and other pieces of furniture. Try laying the hose out and stretching it as far as it will go to remove any kinks. If the suction is still poor, turn the vacuum cleaner off, remove the hose and look for any blockages. You may have inadvertently sucked up a large object that is now blocking the hose and reducing your vacuum's suction power.

Worn Belt

• The belt that drives your vacuum cleaner could be broken or simply worn out to the point that it can no longer provide enough power to adequately run your vacuum cleaner. Consult the user's guide that came with your vacuum for the belt location then check it for any cracks or worn spots. Replace the belt if it appears worn or damaged.

Hole in the Hose

• Even the tiniest hole in your vacuum cleaner hose will cause a loss in suction. It is not always easy to see these small cracks, so the best way to find them is by placing your hand on the hose while the vacuum is on. Run your hand up and down the hose, gripping it firmly as you go. Hold your other hand over the end of the hose to test the suction. If the suction power increases when you have your hand over a particular part of the hose, you know that you have a hole.