Your vacuum should be fine. Blocking the suction will cause the motor to overheat. It probably tripped the thermal protection switch. I would unplug your vacuum and let it cool down for an hour and then plug it back and and turn it on. This will reset the thermal switch on your Shark and it should work as normal. If it doesn't work after letting it cool down I would return the vacuum immediately. Don't even bother with a warranty claim, Shark is notorious for rejecting warranty claims. Blockages are common, a lost sock, the edge of a rug, or a clogged filter. If your vacuum permanently broke from a temporary clog it isn't durable enough to keep.

That hole near the container that makes a loud rushing noise while you plug the main hose is just a release valve that opens when the main air path is blocked so the motor is still able to "breathe" when the hose is jammed. Have you checked all the piping, including inside the head? If you accidentally sucked large debris into it, you very well may have clogged it. A good way to trace a clog is to start from the beginning. If it is not flowing properly at the head, remove the wand and see if it is flowing properly at the end of the wand. If it is, then the clog is inside the head. If not, remove the wand and see if the airflow is correct at the end of the hose. If it is, then check for clogs in the wand. If it still feels clogged, do the same thing with the hose, which is connected directly to the bin. If the flow feels normal where the hose mounts, the clog is in the hose. Depending on where the clog is, you can use various tools like a broomstick or screwdriver to remove the clog. Also, if you do not do this already, the Sharks like to have their filters washed a couple times a month.

Hello, this is Ava with Think Crucial.

It seems that there may be something blocking the airway. To fix this, please make sure to unplugged the unit from the power before performing this.

There are two places where you can check for a blockage: the dust cup air duct and the intake opening behind the brush roll. To check for a blockage in the dust cup air duct stand the vacuum upright and remove the dust cup. Now you can disconnect the super stretch hose and check for clogs in the air duct behind the dust cup. If that is not the case, to check for a clog near the roller brush lay the vacuum down. Next check the opening behind the brush roll for clogs. If there is debris, clean the opening with scissors, carefully cutting away any debris.

If the dust cup is too full, there is no space for the dirt to go when you are vacuuming. To fix this, remove the dust cup and empty the it. If your vacuum is still not picking up dirt after emptying the dust cup, keep reading for other options to fix the suction.

If both your foam filter and felt filter have not been cleaned in the past month, this may be why your vacuum has lost suction. To clean the foam and felt filters, remove the dust cup and pull out the two filters that are on the top of the motor base. Rinse the filters with lukewarm water until the water is running clear. Let the filters dry fully before putting them back into the vacuum. If your vacuum is still not picking up dirt, you may need to replace it.

If none of the other solutions worked, your motor may be bad. You would need to check with Shark about this.

If your need to replace your Shark parts such as filter, belts or hose, you can also order replacement parts directly to us. You can check our online store in this link: http://www.thinkcrucial.com/search?type=product&q=shark

As a special offer here is an exclusive 10% coupon for Fixya.com readers, use code: FIXYA10

Ava B.
Think Crucial Customer Care
http://www.thinkcrucial.com/