Tineco’s first vacuum cleaner was produced in 1998, making them relatively new in this industry when compared to giants like Bissell and Miele.
Though most customers praise this vacuum brand, some people have reported that their Tineco vacuum keeps shutting off (You can read a couple of stories by clicking here).
If you are one of these frustrated customers, don’t worry!
In this post you will learn:
- Why your Tineco vacuum keeps shutting off
- What to do about each possible cause
- And more!
Why Your Tineco Vacuum Keeps Shutting Off
Your Tineco vacuum can shut off if the roller brush, hose, or bin need unclogging, the battery is dead or overheated, the filter needs cleaning, the motor is overheated or the power cord is damaged. Through troubleshooting, you may identify the problem’s root cause and take the appropriate action.
Let’s take a closer look at each potential reason and what you can do about it:
1. Your Tineco Vacuum Power Cord Is Damaged
A damaged power cord won’t allow your Tineco vacuum to charge correctly.
But what could cause your Tineco vacuum power cord to get damaged?:
- Heavy use
- Age
- The cord being pinched
- Forcefully pulling the cord out of the outlet
- Heat exposure
- And more!
To test if the power cord is faulty, simply plug it into a wall socket and observe whether your Tineco begins to charge.
If it does not charge, plug the power cord into a different socket, while also plugging a different device, such as a cell phone, into the previous wall socket.
This test will help you determine whether the power cord of your Tineco vacuum needs replacing.
2. The Roller Brush Has Tangled Hairs
The roller brush allows your Tineco vacuum to agitate the carpet and loosen dirt and debris.
But if you live in a home with pets or family members who have long hair, chances are that the brush will soon clog.
Heavy clogs prevent the brush from rotating, which, in turns, can put a strain on the motor and result in your Tineco vacuum shutting off.
Make sure you remove tangled hairs by doing the following:
- Unplug your Tineco vacuum
- Remove the brush roll from your Tineco vacuum head
- Use your hands to remove hair and debris that are easy to pull out
- Use scissors to cut through stubborn clumps of hair (I have a spare pair of these I only use for this purpose)
- Rinse the brush roll with warm water
- Let the roller brush dry completely before putting back into your Tineco vacuum
When cleaning the brush roll, you may want to inspect for any wear and tear that may cause it to perform poorly.
If your Tineco brush roll needs replacing, you can easily order new ones from Amazon.
3. The Hose Is Clogged
Just like with the roller brush, a clog in your Tineco vacuum hose can put a strain on the motor.
That is why cleaning the hose regularly is important.
To clean the hose:
- Unplug your Tineco vacuum cleaner
- Detach the hose from the machine
- Locate the blockage in the hose and use a screwdriver to clear it out
- If the blockage is stubborn, you may need to use the pliers to remove it
- If the blockage is right in the middle of your Tineco vacuum hose, you can use a broomstick to clear it out
- Once the blockage is cleared, reassemble your Tineco vacuum cleaner and test it out
4. Your Tineco Vacuum Bin or DWT Needs Emptying
As mentioned in the previous steps, clogs can cause your Tineco vacuum to shut off. This includes clogs that form inside the appliance’s dust bin or dirty water tank (Depending on the Tineco model you have).
When your Tineco vacuum bin is full, it has a negative impact on the machine’s performance since the vacuum could overheat and break.
Ensure that you empty the bin after each use or before it goes over the “Max” line.
5. The Filter Is Clogged
Filters are an important component of your Tineco vacuum cleaner,
In fact, when your machine suctions dirt and dust, filters protect the motor from being hit by fine particles that could ruin the motor as they accumulate.
Furthermore, filters prevent you and your family from breathing in harmful allergens and microbes.
So, you can imagine how clogged your Tineco vacuum filter can get overtime!
Most Tineco vacuums come with:
- A pre-filter
- An HEPA filter
Your Tineco vacuum may also have a mesh filter in the dust bin, depending on the model.
Check your Tineco vacuum’s user manual to locate all the filters and learn how often they should be washed.
Washing frequency:
- Pre-filter: once a month
- Mesh filter: once a month
- HEPA filter: once every 3 months
Simply rinse the filters with water and let them dry completely before installing them in your Tineco vacuum.
You should also replace the pre-filter and HEPA filter as per the user manual:
- Pre-filter: once every 6 months
- HEPA filter: once every 12 months
You can get affordable replacement filters here.
Remember never to use your vacuum without a filter!
6. The Battery Needs Charging
If you own a cordless Tineco vacuum, then the issue may simply be a dead battery.
Try not to use your cordless vacuum unless it is fully charged.
Instead, let the battery charge completely before use.
This will help you preserve the battery longevity.
7. The Battery Is Overheated
If you see that the battery always overheats, remove it and put it aside to let it cool down.
Once cooled down, re-install the battery in your Tineco and test the machine.
If this did not solve the issue, you will want to try and replace the battery with a new one.
8. The Motor Is Overheated
The motor in your Tineco vacuum cleaner is responsible for powering the device and making it move.
It consists of a series of coils that rotate when electricity is sent to them.
This produces a magnetic field that turns the shaft of the motor, which in turn powers the appliance.
The coils may sometimes overheat due to a buildup of debris, an issue with the electrical connection, or if there is something blocking their rotation.
When the motor overheats it will malfunction. In that case, some Tineco models will warn you, such as the Tineco Ifloor 3 with its flashing Max light.
Do not attempt to fix or replace the motor yourself, unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Take your Tineco vacuum cleaner to a professional and let them do it for you.
Bear in mind though that motors are pretty expensive, so depending on how much you originally paid for your Tineco vacuum, you might simply want to consider buying a new machine instead.
Is It Worth Repairing A Tineco Vacuum Cleaner?
If you paid a lot of money for your Tineco vacuum, then it might be worth repairing it.
Of course, this also depends on the type of repair that needs to be done and how old your machine is.
Remember that Tineco vacuums come with a 2 year limited warranty and you can contact Tineco to see exactly what they can repair for your or whether they can replace the machine 🙂
Conclusion
As you can see, your Tineco vacuum may shut off for a variety of reasons.
Some are easy to fix, while others will require professional assistance or even replacing the machine.
To recap, if your Tineco vacuum keeps shutting off:
- Ensure the power cord is not frayed
- Remove any blockages from the roller brush
- Unclog the hose
- Empty the bin
- Wash the filter
- Charge the battery
- Replace the battery
- Inspect the motor for damage
