A Shark Matrix that stops mid-run is reporting an error: check the LEDs and match the number in Shark's chart. Error 10 or 16 means the robot is stuck: move it to a new location on a level surface and make sure the bumper moves in and out freely; Error 6 means the front bumper may be jammed; Error 5 means a drive wheel is stuck; Error 7 is a cliff sensor error; Error 24 says the battery is critically low, so place the robot on its base. Recharge and Resume is on by default: on a low battery the robot returns to the dock, recharges and picks up where it left off.
If it is idle away from the dock for 10 minutes it enters Sleep Mode; press any button to wake it.
Differential
Likely causes of “Shark robot vacuum keeps stopping, pulsing or shutting off”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Stuck on an obstacle
What separates it The robot shows Error 10 or 16 because it is stuck on an obstacle
How to confirm Move it to a level spot and free the bumper
- 2
A jammed bumper or stuck wheel
What separates it The robot shows Error 6 or 5 because a bumper is jammed or a wheel is stuck
How to confirm Clean the bumper, the wheels and the axles, and check that they move freely
- 3
Dirty cliff sensors
What separates it The robot shows Error 7 because the cliff sensors are dirty
How to confirm Move the robot to a clear spot, and clean the cliff sensors with a dry cloth
- 4
A critically low battery
What separates it The robot shows Error 24 because its battery is critically low
How to confirm Place it on the base and wait for the blue dock light
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The error number and LED colors
- Where in the room the robot stopped
- Whether it slept after 10 minutes idle
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRead the LEDs
ReversibleRead the LEDs, and match them to the error chart in the guide, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Free it
ReversibleFree the robot, by moving it to a level location, and making sure that the bumper moves freely.
Clean wheels and sensors
ReversibleClean the wheels and the sensors, by rotating each wheel while you dust, and using a dry cloth on the sensors.
Recharge
ReversibleRecharge the robot, by placing it on the dock, where all three LEDs run white in turn while it charges.
Wake it
ReversibleWake it by pressing any button, if it has gone to sleep on the floor.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The indicator lights
- Shark's guide describes three LEDs, left, middle and right. While charging, all three light white one after another, and it may take up to 6 hours to charge the robot fully. When the battery is low the left and right LEDs flash red, and you should place the robot on the dock by hand to begin charging. If the robot is idle and away from the dock for 10 minutes it enters Sleep Mode, and any button wakes it. The dock's own light is green when the dock has power and turns blue with a beep from the robot when the robot is seated correctly.
- The DOCK and CLEAN buttons
- Press CLEAN on the dock for a whole-home clean and press again to pause. For a Matrix room clean, first set up a map, move the robot to the room and press CLEAN, and for a 5 by 5 foot Matrix spot clean hold CLEAN for 5 to 7 seconds. Press DOCK to send the robot straight back to the dock. Hold DOCK for 5 to 7 seconds to turn the robot on or off, for 12 seconds to reboot it, and for 15 seconds to turn Recharge and Resume on or off, which is on by default.
- Safety notes
- The robot has a Class 1 laser navigation module that is safe under normal use, and Shark says never to look directly into it and always to switch the power off before lifting the robot or doing maintenance. Allow filters to air-dry completely, do not use the robot to pick up liquids or large objects, and do not place it on unstable surfaces. When you pick the robot up, take care not to trap fingers between the bumper and the body.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Stratos upright vacuum, Vertex upright vacuum, WANDVAC cordless vacuum.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a wheel motor encoder error (18) shows, call Shark Customer Service
- !Stop using the robot and call Shark if it stops on a stair edge again or a wheel will not turn freely
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What is Sleep Mode?+
After 10 minutes idle off the dock the robot sleeps.
What does Recharge and Resume do?+
Returns to the dock, recharges and continues.