
To empty a Shark robot vacuum, you need to press the button located at the rear and remove the dust bin. Press a release button on the dust bin, open the lid, and empty the contents into the trash bin. Check for any stuck dirt and debris before you close the lid again. Try to shake the dust bin to get all the dust and small particles into the trash. When you are done, close the lid and place the dust bin back into the original slot.
There’s a chance your vacuum already stored all the debris inside the Shark base, as it does so after every cleaning. While it can hold weeks of debris, you should also empty it regularly. Start by sliding out the dust bin by pressing a button located on the Shark base. Open the bin and empty all the debris into the trash bin. Place the dust bin back into its spot when you are done.
Keep in mind that besides emptying, regular cleaning is necessary to keep your vacuum in good condition. Follow recommendations given by the manufacturer, or read the rest of the article below.
How do you know Shark robot vacuum is full?
Unfortunately, you can’t check how much empty space is left in your Shark robot vacuum, therefore, we recommend emptying the dust bin after every cleaning. That being said, you can see how much space is left inside the Shark base. A small fill window located at the front of the station shows how much space is left.

How often should you empty the Shark robot vacuum?
To keep your Shark robot vacuum operating at the highest performance, we highly recommend emptying the dust bin after every cleaning. Too much dirt and debris can significantly reduce the vacuum’s suction, and in some cases, it can lead to damage.
To prevent this from happening, regular emptying along with proper maintenance is necessary. Cleaning filters, replacing them and taking care of sensors, and brushes, are only some of the most important maintenance steps.
If you have a Shark IQ robot, then you will also have to clean the Shark base regularly. Once every two weeks should be enough in this case. This also means that there’s no need to clean the vacuum itself, as it empties all the debris into the dust bin at the Shark base.
How to empty the Shark robot vacuum?
Firstly, we need to address that depending on the type of Shark vacuum you own, the process may look a little different. Keep in mind that with Shark IQ, you will also have to empty the Shark’s base station. Without further ado, let’s get into the process.

How to empty the dust bin?
Firstly, we need to empty the dust bin itself. This is necessary when your vacuum doesn’t come with a self-empty feature that stores all the debris inside the base station. This can also be necessary when the machine gets clogged.
- Remove the dust bin. To start, find the button located at the rear of the vacuum to slide out the dust bin. When pressed, there should be no problem removing the container.
- Empty the contents. Now go with the container next to a trash bin and press the button on the dust bin to open the lid. Remove the contents into the trash and shake the dust bin to get everything, including small dust and debris particles.
- Continue maintenance if necessary. This is also a good time to clean filters and other elements of your vacuum. Try to get the dirt out of brushes, wheels, sensors, and other small elements.
- Install the dust bin. When you are done, you can install the dust bin by closing the lid again, and putting it into the slot.
If you own a vacuum that doesn’t come with a self-empty feature, do this after every cleaning. This will keep the suction at the optimal level, allowing for strong airflow and preventing damage.
How to empty the Shark base?
The shark base should also be emptied regularly, as all the debris gets stored there after each cleaning session. However, the base is designed to hold up to 2 weeks of dirt and debris before it needs to be emptied. The current level can be seen through the small, front window. When you see there’s not much space left, follow the instructions below:
- Remove the dust bin. Locate the button at the left side of the base to slide out the dust bin.
- Empty the dust bin. Open the cover of the container to get to its contents and empty them into the trash bin. Try to get out all the small particles of dust and debris.
- Install the dust bin. Now you can put the cover again, and install the bin into its slot at the Shark base.
From time to time, try to check for any clogged areas and stuck debris. The shark robot vacuum can sometimes have problems emptying all the dirt into the base.
Shark robot vacuum – Maintenance video tutorial
Maintenance tips for Shark robot vacuum
Besides emptying both the shark robot vacuum and the Shark base, it’s important to do other maintenance activities. Be sure to check for those in the user manual, or follow the instructions below:
- Washing the brushes. Brushes can accumulate a lot of dirt and debris when dealing with dusty floors every day. Stuck dirt can be hard to remove during a regular cleaning session, therefore, removing brushes, and washing them under running water every once in a while is a great practice.
- Cleaning the filters. If you don’t want to have dust flying around your house, cleaning filters is necessary. Keep in mind that those can’t be washed in water, however, shaking out the accumulated dust is good enough.
- Cleaning the wheels. The wheels of your Shark robot vacuum need to be relatively clean, in order to navigate properly. Try to check if the wheels turn properly, and remove any dirt if needed. The swivel wheel can be removed for easier access.
- Replacing the filters. In Shark robot vacuums, filters should be replaced every six months to keep the machine operating at the optimal level. Those can be purchased on Amazon or the official manufacturer’s website.
- Taking care of the sensors. This is another element important for good navigation. Shark robot vacuum avoids furniture and other obstacles by utilizing those elements. To clean them, locate them at the underside of the vacuum, and wipe off any dust or debris.
Those are the most important maintenance tips for a Shark robot vacuum cleaner. That being said, we highly recommend checking out the user manual that was included in the package. If you have any problems with your Shark vacuum cleaner, check out those articles for troubleshooting – “Why shark vacuum lights are flashing?” and “Shark vacuum brush roll indicator light not turning on“.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to empty a Shark robot vacuum, you need to slide out the dust bin by pressing the button located at the rear of the machine. Then, press the release button on the dust bin to open the lid and pour its contents into the trash bin. Be sure to check for any stuck dirt and debris before you close the lid.
If you are an owner of a Shark robot vacuum with a “self-empty” feature, you will need to empty the Shark base. Start by sliding out the dust bin by pressing a button located at the left side of the Shark base. Remove the cover and empty all the debris into the trash, once again be sure to get out all the small particles of dust and debris. Put back the cover and slide the bin into the proper slot again.

Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.