If your vacuum produces smoke, it’s not always the damaged motor.
Factors like a clogged brush roller or damage to the belt might be the reason for the smoke. In most cases, one can fix a vacuum just by replacing its belt and cleaning its roller. Smoke from a vacuum also indicates oil vapors escaping out. In this case, you’ve nothing to worry about.
Continue reading for a detailed guide on why is my vacuum smoking with practical troubleshooting in 2024.
- 👨🏭How To Fix a Smoking Vacuum: Troubleshooting
- 👎Reason #1: Damaged Belt (with Fix)
- 🔥Reason #2: Burn-Out Motor (with Fix)
- 😢Reason #3: Clogged Brush Roller/Hose (with Fix)
- 🛢️Reason #4: Normal Functioning of Oil-Sealed Mechanical Pump (with Fix)
- ✅How To Prevent Vacuum Smoking & Burning Smell
- 💡Why Is My Vacuum Smoking: FAQs
👨🏭How To Fix a Smoking Vacuum: Troubleshooting
| Reason | How To Fix |
| Damaged Belt | Inspect the cause, replace the belt and be careful ahead. |
| Burn Out Motor | Get the motor fixed by an authorized repair shop for vacuum cleaners, or replace it. |
| Clogged Brush Roller/Hose | Clean the brush roller and vacuum hose regularly or replace them. |
| Normal functioning of Oil-Sealed Mechanical Pump | Clean and change the internal oil mist separator components. |
Also Read: Why My Dyson Smells Weird
👎Reason #1: Damaged Belt (with Fix)
If a vacuum’s belt is damaged, it may produce smoke. This is because the belt helps clean surfaces by rotating the roller brush continuously whenever you use the vacuum.
Therefore, any damage to the belt will cause mechanical damage to the vacuum.
🤷♂️How It Happens
Wear and tear to the vacuum belt due to long-term usage is quite common.
The belt might get out of position, stretched, burned, or cracked. Such belt problems are generally the root cause of vacuum smoking. It can also be a manufacturing defect if it’s a new vacuum cleaner.
🔧How To Fix
❗Tips/Warnings
Also Read: What Can I Use Instead Of A Vacuum Belt
🔥Reason #2: Burn-Out Motor (with Fix)
Motors are an integral part of the mechanics of the vacuum and the suction power generating source. As a result, they tend to get damaged with long-term usage.
Also, if you have used your cleaner for 3-4 hours straight, the motor might not be able to produce the output power needed for further cleaning.
🤷♀️How It Happens
When a motor has been overused/used over a long period (years mainly), its power output diminishes. As a result, it might stop functioning or burn out.
Using the vacuum with such a problem puts too much load on the device, resulting in smoking.
🔧How To Fix
❕Tips/warnings
Also Read: Why Is My Vacuum Spitting Dirt?
😢Reason #3: Clogged Brush Roller/Hose (with Fix)
It may come as a surprise, but a simple thing, such as a clogged or broken brush roller, can cause a motor to smoke. If the roller can’t roll properly, it puts pressure on the mechanical unit of the vacuum.
🤷♂️How It Happens:
If there are objects lodged (dust and other debris) between the brush roller and the belt, it hinders their motion. Due to this, the load the motor puts on the belt causes physical damage to the belt. It’s the same for a broken or faulty brush roller.
🔧How To Fix:
❗Tips/Warnings:
Also Read: Why Does My Shark Keep Stopping
🛢️Reason #4: Normal Functioning of Oil-Sealed Mechanical Pump (with Fix)
If your vacuum is functioning correctly, but you see the vacuum pump smoking, it is most likely the natural oil discharge from it in the form of vapors. As more air enters through the pump, more oil mist is produced.
🤷♀️How It Happens:
It is a part of the normal functioning of an oil-sealed mechanical vacuum pump to release oil vapor as a part of its working process.
🔧How To Fix:
❕Tips/Warnings:
✅How To Prevent Vacuum Smoking & Burning Smell
Follow these tips to prevent smoking/burning smell in your vacuum:
💡Why Is My Vacuum Smoking: FAQs
Why does my vacuum smell like it’s burning?
If your vacuum smells like it is burning, it is most likely due to a damaged belt. The belt is made of rubber and will smell like burnt rubber when it suffers damage.
Is it normal for a vacuum to smoke?
Don’t be concerned if a new vacuum starts smoking and has no issue with its parts.
It’s normal for a vacuum with an oil mist separator to release oil vapors. You may clean or replace oil mist separator components, including the oil reservoir, if needed.
Note: There is a noticeable difference between smoke due to mechanical malfunction and oil vaporization.
What do you do if your vacuum starts smoking?
You first need to identify the problem. Then, it’s recommended to unclog the brush roller and make sure it moves unhindered.
The second thing to check is the condition of the belt. If neither is damaged, then you should check the motor. Purchase a replacement belt or change any damaged parts to fix smoking problems.
What happens if your vacuum overheats?
If a vacuum overheats because of its motor, it may completely stop working. The mechanical parts within the vacuum may also get damaged due to the excess load. As a result, there could also be a burning odor.
How do I stop my vacuum from overheating?
You should not use your vacuum for 3-4 hours in one go. Also, maintain the vacuum parts in good condition to avoid unnecessary heat from the machine.
Adarsh is a Health Science graduate with expertise in environmental health and wellness. He is a Neat Freak who constantly looks for ways to keep his surroundings clean. At Clean Homies, Adarsh is focused on researching and sharing information on how you can maintain hygiene at home for a happy life.
