A Shark PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum that will not charge has a dock or a charger problem, a battery contact problem or a battery that has reached the end of its life, and a short sequence of checks finds it. First check the dock or the charger. Plug it into a wall outlet that you know works and look for the dock's light; a dock with no light has no power, so check the adaptor and the plug, and try another outlet.
The checks in more detail
Seat the vacuum on the dock firmly so that the charging contacts on the vacuum and the dock meet; wipe the contacts with a dry cloth, as dust or a film stops the connection. If the battery pack comes out, remove it and charge it separately in the charger, which shows whether the pack or the vacuum is at fault. Watch the charge light. Shark's battery lights show the state: a pulsing light means charging, and a solid light means full; a light that flashes in a pattern signals a fault, often a temperature one.
If the vacuum is hot from use, or cold from a garage, the battery will not charge until it returns to room temperature, so let it rest for an hour. A battery that has been left completely flat for a long time may refuse to charge and need to be replaced. The age of the battery matters, since packs wear out over a few years. Check the pack's seating. A pack that is not clicked in properly can interrupt charging; remove it and refit it.
Use the charger that came with the vacuum, since a different one may not supply the right current. Check the cable for damage. If the pack charges in the charger but the vacuum still does not run, the problem is in the vacuum. A burning smell, a swollen pack or a hot charger means stop and unplug. Replacement battery packs are sold for the model by Shark. Contact Shark with the model number and purchase date if the vacuum does not charge with a good outlet, a clean dock and a seated pack.
Differential
Likely causes of “Shark PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum will not charge”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A dock or adaptor with no power
What separates it The dock light is off
How to confirm Try another outlet and check the adaptor
- 2
Dirty or misaligned charging contacts
What separates it The vacuum does not register
How to confirm Wipe the contacts and seat it firmly
- 3
The battery too hot or cold
What separates it The charge light flashes
How to confirm Let it reach room temperature
- 4
A pack that is not seated
What separates it Charging stops and starts
How to confirm Remove and refit the pack
- 5
A worn battery
What separates it The pack will not charge
How to confirm Replace the battery
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When the problem happens in the cycle
- Any code on the display
- Whether other appliances on the circuit work
- The model and serial numbers
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedTest the outlet and the dock light
ReversibleAnother outlet.
Wipe the contacts
ReversibleOn vacuum and dock.
Let it reach room temperature
ReversibleIf it flashes.
Charge the pack separately
ReversibleIf it comes out.
Refit the pack
ReversibleUntil it clicks.
Contact Shark
ReversibleIf it will not charge.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Charge light
- It shows charging, full or a fault.
- Temperature
- The pack will not charge hot or cold.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the steps do not clear it, contact the maker with the model and serial number
- !Check the warranty before a repair
- !Stop using the appliance if it smells hot or trips the breaker
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my PowerDetect charge?+
A dock, contact or battery problem.
What does a flashing light mean?+
Often a temperature fault.
Can the pack be replaced?+
Yes.
Should I use another charger?+
Use the original.