You might use your Shark air purifier every day, but today it's not turning on as you’d expect. What can you do in this situation? We researched this concern for your convenience to give you the following answer.
Finding the reason why your Shark air purifier is the first step to fixing it. Troubleshooting it may require you to check its filter, motor, and/or power cord. Once you find the reason for the power failure, you can proceed to repair the device using the appropriate means based on your findings.
Continue reading as we talk about the ways to troubleshoot your Shark air purifier. We’ll also discuss different possible solutions that may help restore the appliance’s normal functions.
Shark Air Purifier Troubleshooting
Take note that you can stop at any time while you’re troubleshooting your Shark air purifier once you find the underlying issue. So here are the ways to troubleshoot an air purifier, including one from Shark:
Inspect The Power Cord
Your Shark air purifier’s power cord might be out of its socket. If so, plug it back into the outlet and check if power has been restored to the appliance. If the cord is still in the outlet, it might be defective.
Investigate The Power Outlet
Sometimes the problem may not lie within the Shark air purifier but with the power outlet instead. So plug the appliance's power cord into a different outlet. Try to turn it on if it solved the issue.
If the problem persists, try to plug another electronic device into the air purifier's original outlet. If the other device doesn't work either, then the outlet itself might be your main suspect.
Look At The Circuit Breaker
A tripped circuit breaker might also be the reason why your Shark air purifier won’t function, so find your home’s electrical service panel and open it. Here, take a look at the breaker connected to the appliance. If it tripped, and it’s not the first time this event happened, it might be best to replace it.
Examine The Controls
Certain Shark air purifiers have both onboard and remote controls. With the power cord in the outlet, try to turn on the device using the onboard controls. If the appliance responds, turn your attention to the remote control.
At this point, try to turn off the machine by pressing the “Off” button on the remote control. If the air purifier fails to respond, the remote control is at fault. Replace its batteries and check if that solved the issue. If not, the remote control is likely faulty and might need replacing.
Check The Filters
The filter in your Shark air purifier might have dust and debris buildup. Take note that an air purifier often works by pulling relatively dirty air and expelling clean air. Over time, dirt and other small objects can build up on the filter, preventing the appliance from working properly or at all.
Tip: You’ll know if it’s time to replace your Shark air purifier’s filter if the unit’s filter light is blinking. Check out our post about this particular subject matter to know more about it.
Inspect The Motor
A defective motor is another possible culprit to your Shark air purifier refusing to work. This underlying cause might come from different sources, such as overheating, and normal wear and tear.
Contact the brand’s customer service department to confirm your product’s warranty coverage. You might be able to take advantage of a limited warranty from the manufacturer, especially if your particular unit fails to provide the service you were promised when you purchased it.
How Do I Change The Filter In My Shark Air Purifier?
Take note that the specific steps to replace the filter in your Shark air purifier model may differ for other units. So consult your owner’s manual first before proceeding with this task.
Still, here are the steps to change the filter of the Air Purifier 6 from Shark to give you an idea of how to do this procedure:
What You’ll Need
- Replacement air filter
Step-By-Step Guide
- Pull the two tabs that secure the air purifier’s back cover to loosen it. Remove the back cover afterward and set it aside temporarily.
- Pull the tab at the top of the old air filter to remove the component from the appliance.
- Install the new filter in the same location as the old unit while paying attention to its orientation.
- Cover the filter by returning the back cover to its original location.
- Turn on the air purifier to check if it now turns on and runs without any hitch.
Check out this Shark air purifier replacement air filter on Amazon.
You can also watch the following video to gain additional insights into Shark air purifier filters:
How Do You Replace An Outlet?
You may need to replace the outlet if it’s the reason why your Shark air purifier won’t work. However, working with electricity requires some safety measures to be in place. Some preventive acts to follow are:
- Don’t bring wet objects into your workspace. Don’t touch any live electrical equipment if your hands are wet.
- Turn off the branch or main circuit breaker. That way, you can avoid risks of accidents and injuries, especially from possible overloads and short circuits.
- Wear insulated rubber gloves. Don’t touch electrical parts with your bare hands as remnants of live electricity may still shock you.
After ensuring your safety, continue this procedure by following these steps:
What You’ll Need
- Screwdriver
- Long-nose pliers
- Replacement outlet
Step-By-Step Guide
- With the electrical mains off, unscrew and remove the outlet cover’s plate.
- Check for live electrical circuits in the exposed outlet assembly with a multimeter.
- Once you confirm that no circuit exists currently, unscrew the outlet from its box. Pull out the outlet afterward.
- Take a picture of the outlet assembly with your smartphone to know the location of the wires.
- Unscrew the wires from the old outlet.
- Attach the wires to the new outlet. Ensure that the wires’ locations match the previous setup.
- Push the new outlet into its box and screw it in place.
- Secure the setup by returning the cover to the outlet.
Check out these replacement standard wall outlets on Amazon.
Once finished, restore power to the branch or main circuit breaker. Next, plug in your Shark air purifier and turn it on through its onboard or remote control. If done correctly, the appliance should power on as intended.
You can also watch the video below if you need a visual reference for this procedure:
How Do I Reset My Shark Air Purifier?
Resetting your Shark air purifier may also help restore its normal functions, particularly if it encounters an error or glitch in its system. Complete this task by following these steps:
Step-By-Step Guide
- Replace the filter in your Shark air purifier.
- Press and hold the Filter Life button for at least 3 seconds or until the timer resets.
- If done correctly, and there are no other errors, the air purifier should beep and turn on properly.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Shark Air Purifier?
If your Shark air purifier still gives you issues even after troubleshooting and attempting repairs, it may be time to replace the old unit with a new model.
Here are some excellent candidates that may pique your interest:
1. Dyson Pure Cool TP04
This particular air purifier doubles as a tower fan. It also has smart features to help prevent allergens and other harmful substances in a 360-degree radius around it. You can also leave the controls up to the device, thanks to its sensors.
Check out this product on Amazon.
2. Shark Air Purifier 6
If you want to stick to the Shark brand, perhaps you may want to replace your old model with the Air Purifier 6. This product can help clean the air within a 1,200-square-foot area. Although it’s quite large, it has six fans that help sanitize the air in your location while optimizing the machine’s airflow.
Check out this product on Amazon.
You can also check out our post comparing Dyson and Shark’s air purifiers if you’re thinking about buying a unit from one of these brands.
Final Thoughts
Remember, troubleshoot your Shark air purifier first to find the reason it’s not turning on properly or at all. Once you find the source of the issue, use the appropriate techniques based on your findings. Don’t tinker with the appliance more than necessary to avoid additional costs.