A VAX carpet cleaner can keep your carpets looking new for years. But the machine’s brush may stop rolling – and make you wonder if it’s time to replace the vac. The good news is, that there are quick fixes to implement if you find your VAX carpet cleaner brushes not turning.
The most common reason behind your VAX cleaner’s brush problem is a blockage in the brush bar. It can be easily solved by removing the brush roll and cleaning it. It could also be a broken drive belt that needs to be replaced. There are other common causes – most of which are easy to solve.
This article will help you identify what’s preventing the brush in your VAX carpet washer from turning – and solve the problem.
Vax Carpet Cleaner Brushes Not Turning: Causes and Quick Fixes
VAX carpet cleaners can keep carpets, rugs, mats, etc., spick and span without needing deep cleaning services frequently. But if the brush stops turning, it won’t get the job done.
Today, we’ll help you identify the reason behind your VAX carpet cleaner’s brush roll not working – and tell you how to fix the common problems –
a) Obstruction in Brush Bar
While cleaning the carpet, your VAX carpet cleaner might suck up a large object like a curtain tassel, a sock, or a Lego piece. These get lodged in the head instead of reaching the dirt cup, preventing the brush from rotating.
Another potential obstruction is hair, string, or pet fur. Don’t ignore the potential of fibres or lint from the surface of carpets getting lodged in the brush bar.
These weave and coil around the brush roll, causing trouble in turning. They also get tangled in the bristles of the brush and can reduce their ability to function properly – or rotate.
Solution –
Inspect the brush properly to see what is lodged in the head. It is important to remove such obstructions to prevent them from causing graver problems in the machine later.
To remove any obstruction, turn off the machine and cut off the power supply. Then, remove the brush from the vac’s body and clean out any object that might be caught in it.
To remove hair or any stringy material tangled around the bristles or the roller, you can start with a seam ripper. It’s a common household tool to break sewn thread on a piece of cloth – and can be a handy tool in ripping hair around brushes.
Use the seam ripper to lift the strands and cut them using the same. Once done, use your hands to remove them from the brush roll and brush bristles.
You can also use scissors to cut the strands wrapping the brush bar. It will be quicker – but a lot riskier. That’s because you might end up chopping off the bristles of the brush.
b) Broken Drive Belt
Some models, like Vax W85DPE, have a drive belt that moves the brush, but it undergoes wear and tear due to regular usage. When a carpet cleaner is overused without replacing the degraded belt, the brush may stop turning.
The drive belt can break, especially if you hoover a carpet edge or thick objects like cords – or due to seized bearings on the brush bar ends. The belt can get stuck, overheat, and “snag”.
Belts also tend to get stretched, worn, or cracked over time and need to be replaced thrice a year. Plus, the belt can’t move if displaced or the channel has grime.
Solution –
Check the drive belt to spot damages in it, including breakage. If you notice such problems, you need to get them replaced to get your carpet cleaner in working condition again.
Changing drive belts is not much of a challenge if you know your way around tools and appliances, especially in models like VAX Dual Power or W85DPE.
Start by removing the screws holding the belt guard in place – and remove the brushes. You’ll have to get rid of the belt stretched around the belt and a shaft – and put in a new one.
Then, put the hatch and the screws back – and your vac will be as good as new. However, the process can get slightly complicated in new models, as some screws might be hard to locate, and the machine’s internal parts are also set in a complex manner.
For instance, if you want to fix the problem of your VAX Air Reach brush not turning, here’s a video that explains the process. It’s a good idea to contact a professional to get the job done.
c) Activated Motor Protection Sensor
Some VAX carpet cleaners are equipped with a Motor Protection Sensor that gets activated as soon as the machine moves over an obstruction. This security feature stops brush rotations.
The sensor’s purpose is to stop the machine from vacuuming up any potential obstruction. That’s because large objects can get stuck in the machine and damage the motor.
Usually, when the feature kicks in, you will also notice a red light on the Powered Head. This is to indicate that there is a problem that could potentially harm your vac and needs your attention.
Solution –
You will need to reset the brush so the carpet cleaner can work again in no time. Start by turning off the machine and removing the Powered Head from the vac’s wand.
Check if there is any obstruction and remove it. Then wait 1 minute – or an hour, if the machine is too hot – and replace the Powered Head.
Turn on the machine and press the brush on/off button to get the machine working again. You may need to look at the user manual as the process may vary from one model to the other.
It is also a good idea to check the dirt containers to find large objects in them. For a deep-down dirt cleanup, wash your vac’s filters, as well, and allow them to dry for 24 hours.
Only some VAX cleaners have the Motor Protection Sensor, e.g., the Air series. For instance, if you find the VAX Air 3 Pet brush bar not working, one of the ways to fix the problem is by resetting the brush roll.
d) Brush Roll Turned Off
In some VAX vacuum carpet washers, there’s a separate button for the brushes. It’s possible to accidentally set this button off while working or cleaning the machine.
This button stops the brush from cleaning hard floors and needs to be turned back on for carpets. You might have forgotten to turn on the spinning function or switched it off accidentally.
Modern models like Vax Air or Vax Mach Air series have the brush reset option. So, if you notice the issue of a VAX Mach Airbrush not spinning, this button might be pushed in.
Solution –
The solution to this problem is as simple as you might have already guessed. You just need to turn the brush roll on separately after turning on the machine.
First, turn on your carpet cleaner by pressing the power switch. Then, make sure that the switch to operate the button is not pressed.
Also, check if the button is on or off after using it for floor cleaning. Once you reset the brush, you will not face the issue of the brush not turning.
Different VAX models may have the brush on/off or reset buttons in different positions. For instance, in the Vax VX1 model, you’ll find the brush reset button on the handle.
If you need help with how to turn the brush on or off, the user manual should be handy. You can also consult the VAX customer support centre to find a quick solution.
e) Holding Vac in an Upright Position
Your VAX carpet cleaner may refuse to work properly if you hold it in the wrong position, i.e., the upright position. This is typically true for upright models or vacs with a brush reset feature.
Holding the vac upright typically signals the device’s brush to stop rolling. It is an excellent design feature to ensure that the machine doesn’t harm the surface on which it stands.
It also helps put the cleaner in a fixed position with no movements. Thus, you cannot clean your dirty carpets or floors while holding the vac upright.
Solution –
To make sure that the VAX brushes are working, you must ensure that it is in the right vacuuming position. For that, hold the machine in a slightly slanted position.
All you need to do is pull back the handle a little. As a result, the device will not be upright, and the brushes won’t touch the floor.
Doing so will prevent the brush’s deactivation, which is required while the machine is resting or stored away. So you have to be careful about how you hold the carpet cleaner while using an upright model or vac that comes with a brush reset option.
When you clean a rug or carpet pile, the moving motion of the brush is required for thorough cleaning. So, don’t attempt to clean carpets when the brush is still – unlike floors.
Move the wand over carpets to get rid of deep-set debris, stubborn stains, tangled hair of pets, etc. To put it on rest in the middle of your cleaning session, you can again make it stand erect and stop the brush movement without turning the device or the brush off repeatedly.
f) Brush Reset Malfunction
You may experience a problem with the brush’s motion because there’s an issue with the brush reset function. As mentioned earlier, this feature is present in only some VAX carpet cleaners.
So, you’ll need to consult the manual to learn more about your VAX cleaner. If you find that the appliance has this feature, it’s worth finding out if it is behind the brush problem.
The problem may occur if the appliance develops a hardware or software error that prevents it from working properly. Or, it can result from the wrong Powered Head reinstallation.
Solution –
If your VAX carpet cleaner is powered to reset the brush, check the Powered Head. Make sure that they are set in position properly.
This step is a must if you have previously made an attempt to reset the brush. This requires removing and replacing the Powered Head, which, if done wrong, can stop the brush from getting reset and rotating properly.
Also, check if the brushes are installed into the carpet cleaner properly. VAX cleaner models can vary from each other, and the brush removal and reinstallation can also differ accordingly.
For instance, in the VAX Platinum Power Max model, there are screws that need to be removed to take the brush out of the suction head. Here’s a video that shows how to take out and replace the brush roll in the VAX Platinum.
However, if the reset malfunctions because of an internal issue, you shouldn’t attempt to identify or fix it yourself. Instead, consult vacuum cleaner experts to repair the device.
Final Words
Remember that the problems mentioned above can lead to brush rotation issues in any VAX cleaner. That means it can be a regular vacuum cleaner or one with carpet-cleaning abilities.
So the possibility of brush rotation problems in the VAX ONEPWR Glide Hard Floor Cleaner is as likely as the Vax Cordless Slim Vac brush not spinning. The good news is that the solutions we have mentioned apply to all cleaners.
But if the simple solutions do not work, it’s important that you consult the VAX customer support team and get expert help instead of putting the device at risk.
FAQ
a) Why is your VAX Air Pet brush bar not working?
You may find your VAX Air vac model, e.g., the VAX Air Pet or the VAX Air 3 brush bar, not working. It can be due to a dirty or obstructed brush roll or broken drive belts. Depending on the model, it can also be an activated Motor Protection Sensor or keeping the device upright.
b) What should you do if your VAX Mach Air Revive brush is not spinning?
If you face the problem of the VAX Mach Air Revive brush not spinning, check the brush roll and pull out any large object or cat/dog hair entangled in the bristles. Check the drive belt frequently and replace it every few months. Also, remember to check if the brush is turned off.
c) How do you remove the brush from VAX Air Reach?
Removing the brush from the VAX Air Reach is a fairly easy process. Start by turning the device around to undo the screws that hold the hatch in place. Once you’ve removed the screws and the hatch, you can access the brush, which can be pulled out for cleaning, as described in this video.