Is your Shark Rocket or Vertex vacuuming but not picking anything up? Learn how to find hidden clogs in the long wand and restore 100% suction power.
Stick vacuums (like the Shark Rocket, Vertex, and Stratos) have a long, narrow air path. Because the metal wand is several feet long, it is the most common place for a “hidden clog” to form.
Is your Shark Rocket or Vertex vacuuming but not picking anything up? Learn how to find hidden clogs in the long wand and restore 100% suction power.
- Symptoms: Vacuum motor sounds normal but dirt remains on the floor, Suction feels strong at the handle but weak at the floor, Debris falls back out of the wand when you turn it off, A whistling noise coming from the middle of the wand
- Tools: A Penny or Marble, Broom Handle, Flashlight
- Difficulty: Easy
If you have cleaned your filters and emptied the dust cup but the suction is still weak, the problem is likely inside the wand. Here is the professional way to find and clear it.
1. The “Penny Test” (Diagnostic)
This is the fastest way to check the integrity of your vacuum’s airway without taking anything apart.
- Remove the floor nozzle and the hand-vac motor pod so you are holding only the long metal wand.
- Hold the wand vertically.
- Drop a penny or a small marble into the top.
- The Result: If the penny doesn’t fall out the bottom instantly, you have a clog. Even if you can see a tiny bit of light through the wand, a partial clog (like a clump of hair) is enough to kill 80% of your suction power.
2. Clearing the “Broom Handle” Clog
Never try to “suck out” a wand clog with another vacuum; it will only tighten the knot.
- The Fix: Use a broom handle or a long wooden dowel. Push it through the wand from the bottom (the nozzle end) towards the top.
- Why from the bottom? Clogs usually form at the top “neck” of the wand where it narrows. Pushing from the bottom forces the clog back out the way it came, which is much easier than trying to force it through the narrowest part.
3. The “Cuff” Inspection
Inspect the two plastic “cuffs” on either end of the wand. These houses the electrical pins.
- The Issue: Sometimes a small sock or a piece of plastic wrap gets caught right on the edge of the internal plastic rim.
- The Fix: Use a flashlight to inspect the interior of both cuffs. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull out any debris trapped in the rim.
4. Testing the Motor Suction
If the wand passes the Penny Test but you still have no suction, you need to rule out the motor pod.
- Remove all attachments.
- Turn the vacuum on.
- Place your hand directly over the suction hole on the hand-vac unit.
- The Result: If the suction is strong enough to hold your hand against the machine, the motor is perfect. The clog is in your floor nozzle or the wand.
Suction Loss Checklist
| Component | Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dust Cup | Is it past the ‘Max Fill’ line? | Empty and wipe intake |
| Metal Wand | Does a penny fall through? | Clear with broom handle |
| Floor Nozzle | Is the neck clear? | Check the ‘elbow’ joint |
| Filters | Are they white or grey? | Wash and dry 24 hours |
TIP: To prevent future wand clogs, never vacuum up large items like coins, paper clips, or tissues. Stick vacuums are designed for dust, pet hair, and small crumbs. Large items act as “anchors” for hair to wrap around, creating a clog in seconds.
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