Is your Bissell vacuum failing to agitate the carpet? Learn how to replace a broken belt, clear brush jams, and reset the brush motor.
If your Bissell vacuum is leaving behind pet hair or feels “light” on the carpet, your brush roll is likely not spinning. This is usually caused by a snapped rubber belt or a jam that has triggered the safety shut-off.
Is your Bissell vacuum failing to agitate the carpet? Learn how to replace a broken belt, clear brush jams, and reset the brush motor.
- Symptoms: Brush not spinning, Burning rubber smell, Hard to push
- Estimated Cost: $5 - $10 (Replacement belt)
- Difficulty: Medium
Step 1: Identify the Cause
Before opening the vacuum, check these two things:
- The Height Adjustment: If the vacuum is set too low for thick carpet, the brush might stall. Try a higher setting.
- The Brush Switch: Some Bissell models have a “Brush On/Off” switch. Ensure it didn’t get bumped to “Off.”
Step 2: Clear the Hair Jams
Hair and carpet fibers can create enough friction to stop the motor or snap the belt.
- Unplug the vacuum and turn it over.
- Cut the hair: Use a seam ripper or scissors to cut through the bridge of hair wrapped around the roller.
- Spin by hand: Once clear, try to spin the brush with your fingers. It should move with slight resistance from the belt.
Step 3: Replace the Belt
If the brush spins freely with no resistance, the belt is broken.
- Remove the Screws: Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 5-7 screws holding the bottom cover on.
- Remove the Old Belt: Pull out the broken rubber pieces.
- Loop the New Belt: Place the new belt over the metal motor shaft, then stretch it over the “crowned” end of the brush roll.
- Reinstall the Brush: Slide the brush back into its slots. Spin it by hand manually a few times to center the belt before closing the cover.
Step 4: Resetting the Motor (Cordless/High-End Models)
Newer models like the ICONpet have a digital sensor. If the brush jams, the motor shuts down electronically.
- Clear the jam first.
- Power cycle: Turn the vacuum off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
- Check the indicators: If you see a flashing red light on the foot, there is still a jam or the motor is overheated.
CAUTION: Burning Smell? If you smell burning rubber, turn the vacuum off immediately. This means the belt is slipping against a jammed brush and melting. Continuous use will damage the plastic motor shaft.