In this article, we will explain why your shark vacuum brush roll indicator light is not on.
Vacuum cleaners have become a standard accessory of every household, allowing for quick and easy clean-up. Thanks to the newest technologies, you can clean much more than just bare floors – Top brands create models which allow for furniture, upholstery, or even carpet cleaning.
However, since they are so advanced, you may encounter some problems along the way. Even most popular brands such as Roomba, Bissell, or Shark aren’t perfect. Today, we will talk about one common problem in the Shark vacuums which is the indicator light.
This feature is not always working properly as the indicator light tends to not turn on. If you have encountered this problem, we highly recommend reading this article, as it will teach you why this happens, and how to prevent it in the future.
Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of the article.
Why is the Shark’s vacuum brush roll indicator light not on?
There is no quick answer, as there could be many possible reasons. We will cover all the most common ones, and the first thing to check is the current cleaning mode. After that, you need to make sure whether the nozzle is connected properly, and the brush roll is not clogged. If that’s not the problem, it could be to overheating or belt damage.
Cleaning mode
The Shark vacuums have two modes – One activates only the suction and is indicated by the “I” symbol when the second one activates both brush roll and suction. It’s described by the “II” symbol on your vacuum. The brush roll indicator light will only turn on during the “II” mode, which is used for carpet cleaning. If you have your vacuum in the first mode, the indicator light won’t turn on, and neither will the brush roll.

Nozzle
Another thing to check is the position of the nozzle – It has to be attached properly, in order to keep the power going to the brush roll. Otherwise, the brush roll won’t turn on, and neither will the indicator light. In order to be sure, that the vacuum has its nozzle connected properly, you can push down on the vacuum towards its head.
Brush roll clog
The next thing to verify is whether your brush roll is not clogged – It’s a common problem, as it doesn’t work well with long hair. Any large debris, hair, or fur can happen to clog the whole brush roll, causing it to not turn on. This also translates to the indicator light not turning on.
Be sure that before you access the brush roll the vacuum isn’t plugged into an outlet. Then you can lay it on the ground, remove the cover and clean the brush roll. Depending on the model, there may be a different way to clean it, however, in most of their vacuums it’s pretty straightforward.
In order to prevent this from happening, you have to regularly maintain the vacuum – In the latter part of the article, you can read some of the most important maintenance steps. However, we highly recommend reading the manufacturer’s instructions, as it’s the best way to keep your vacuum running properly.
Overheating
Another common reason why your brush roll and indicator light isn’t turning on is overheating. It’s a problem that’s popular especially in the summertime. If the vacuum is running for a longer time, its temperature quickly rises, causing the unit to malfunction or even shut down.
When the vacuum gets too hot, you should firstly focus on the dustbin and filters. Clean them thoroughly, making sure, that there is no dust or debris clogging them. Longer cleaning sessions should also be spread over time. For example, it would be wise to clean one or two rooms, wait around 40 minutes, and then continue cleaning.
Belt damage
The last common problem would be belt damage, as it runs the brush roll. Without this part functioning properly, the brush roll won’t spin and the indicator light won’t turn on. It’s a little more complicated problem, however, it can still get fixed.
In order to do that, you should contact Shark’s customer service, as all belts have a lifetime warranty. After speaking to the brand representatives, you should know how to take care of this issue.
How does the Shark’s brush roll indicator light works?
We would also like to mention what is the indicator light supposed to do. This way, it will be easier to understand the malfunctions above. What’s more, it can also help you understand where exactly is the problem.
The brush roll is made exclusively for carpet cleaning, as it’s an automatic brush that spins after choosing the proper cleaning mode. It’s powered by a special belt, that activates when you pull a handle. To know whether the whole system is working as it should, Shark implemented a light indicator – When the light is green it’s functioning properly, otherwise there’s a malfunction.
How to prevent this issue from happening?
In order to prevent the brush roll indicator light from not turning on, you should follow the steps below. This is basic maintenance, that should be done by everyone regularly. However, we highly recommend reading the user’s guide, that comes with the vacuum – It’s the only way to be sure, you are doing everything correctly.
- In order to keep your Shark vacuum working properly, you should:
- Clean all the filters at least once a month
- Empty the dust cup after every cleaning session
- Remove any stuck hair and debris from the brush roll after every cleaning session
- Be sure to clean larger debris or small any elements traditional way
Those are some of the most important aspects to keep in mind. Once again, we strongly suggest reading the users guide provided by Shark.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shark vacuum brush roll sometimes gets tangled, overheated, or simply malfunctions. This causes the indicator light to not turn on, letting you know something isn’t working properly. By checking the most common reasons for this issue, you should quickly find out where is the problem.
After discovering the origin of the problem, we highly recommend following our advice to prevent this from happening in the future.

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.