Is your Miele vacuum cleaner switching off, losing suction, or otherwise suffering from technical problems? Here are six Miele vacuum cleaner troubleshooting tips to help fix your vac.
Miele vacuum cleaners are amongst the most reliable and durable on the market. They can still occasionally have issues though, so it’s important to know how to perform basic maintenance.
In this article, we’ll go through six tips for troubleshooting a Miele vacuum cleaner. We’ll also discuss when it’s best to contact a professional vacuum repair company.
Note: This article is specifically related to Miele cylinder vacuum cleaners. The advice below may not apply to Miele cordless vacuums.
6 Tips for Troubleshooting a Miele Vacuum Cleaner
1. Vacuum Switches Off During Use
Does your vacuum switch off during use? If so, then this may be due to a blockage somewhere in the vacuum.
Blockages reduce the amount of airflow in the vacuum cleaner. Aside from reducing suction power, this also means that less cooling air is passed over the motor.
Miele vacuum cleaners have a thermal sensor to detect when the motor is starting to overheat. When this sensor detects overheating, it automatically switches the vacuum off to protect against damage.
To check whether this is the issue, wait three hours before turning on your Miele vacuum again. It takes around this long for the thermal sensor to reset.
If the vacuum turns back on, then you almost certainly have a blockage problem. Turn off the vacuum immediately until you have found and removed the clog.
The good news is that clearing blockages is usually straightforward. Here are some of the most important places to check:
- Filters. A filter that’s clogged with dust and other debris can affect the amount of airflow through your vacuum cleaner.
- Bags. An overfilled bag forces the vacuum to work harder to maintain airflow. Make sure you check and replace the bag before it’s full.
- Hose. A partial or complete blockage anywhere in the hose can greatly reduce airflow in a cylinder vacuum cleaner.
- Floorhead. Any object or debris that narrows the floorhead inlet will reduce airflow and potentially lead to overheating.
2. Vacuum Switches Off During Use Without a Blockage
If you’ve followed the instructions in the previous step and the vacuum still switches off after a short period of use, then it’s possible that either the filter or bag aren’t fitted correctly.
When the filter or bag aren’t properly installed, there can sometimes be a gap that allows air to escape without reaching the vacuum’s motor. This can lead to a loss of suction and overheating.
Again, this is a simple fix. Open up the vacuum cleaner and check that the filter and bag are both in place.
Tip: In most cases, you’ll notice the filter or bag aren’t installed correctly because the lid won’t shut properly.
3. Vacuum Doesn’t Switch On At All
If your Miele vacuum doesn’t switch on at all, then there is likely to be an electrical problem. Unfortunately, electrical issues should only ever be fixed by a professional.
For vacuums that are still under warranty, contact Miele to see if they can fix the issue for you. You’ll need to take your Miele vacuum to a vacuum service centre if it’s out of warranty or second-hand though.
4. Vacuum Isn’t Picking Up Debris (Or It’s Spitting Out)
If the vacuum cleaner is powering up and running correctly, but fails to pick up debris, there may be a blockage in the floorhead.
These are often easy to resolve, but make sure the vacuum is switched off and unplugged before performing any maintenance.
Standard Miele floorheads don’t have a brush bar. For these heads, you should be able to see and remove any blockage at the inlet. If there’s no visible blockage, then there might be a clog further up the hose.
For heads with a brush bar, you might need to remove the brush to be able to resolve the blockage. You’ll find instructions on how to do this in the vacuum manual.
5. Vacuum Has Poor Suction
Don’t despair if your Miele vacuum doesn’t generate the same suction as when you first bought it. There’s often a simple fix!
The most common culprits for a Miele vacuum losing suction are a clogged filter, overfilled bag, and a blockage somewhere in the hose. In fact, nearly all suction issues can be resolved by removing blockages at these locations.
6. Brush Roll Isn’t Turning
Miele floorheads with a rotating brush often have a safety mechanism to switch off the belt if there is a blockage.
There is usually an obvious cause of this issue once you take a look into the floorhead. A jam is usually the result of the vacuum sucking up a large item, such as a pet toy, cleaning cloth, or sock.
Make sure you switch off the vacuum and unplug it from the power socket before removing any blockages in the floorhead. Aside from the risk of electrocution, the brush is likely to start spinning as you remove the blockage, which is a serious risk to your hands.
Once you’ve prepared your vacuum, remove the brush and turn it over. If there’s something blocking the brush roll, rotate the brush in the opposite direction to untangle it. Don’t use force for this, otherwise there’s a risk of damaging the belt.
After removing the blockage, check that the brush roll rotates freely when you push it by hand. On some models, you may also need to press a reset button once you start using the vacuum again.
Summary
We’re big fans of Miele vacuum cleaners at Spotless Vacuum. They are amongst the most reliable on the market, making them a great choice if you want a vacuum that’s built to last.
Don’t panic if your Miele vacuum has a problem. In many cases, there is a simple solution to restore your vacuum’s performance. Miele also has an excellent support team if you come across a problem that isn’t easy to fix.
Do you have any questions about Miele vacuum troubleshooting? Please let us know in the comments section below.