Symptoms
- Charge indicator shows full but runtime is short
- Battery percentage drops unusually fast after charging
- Vacuum used to run much longer on a full charge
- Charging light turns off quickly, sooner than before
Likely causes
- CommonBattery capacity naturally declining with ageRechargeable batteries lose maximum capacity gradually over hundreds of charge cycles.
- PossibleFrequent partial charging habitsSome battery chemistries benefit from occasional full discharge and recharge cycles to recalibrate their capacity readout.
- PossibleDirty battery or charger contactsPoor contact can cause charging to stop early or be less efficient.
- Less commonFaulty charging circuit boardA failing internal circuit can cut off charging before the battery is actually full.
What to do
- Clean the battery and charger contacts on both the vacuum and dock.
- Let the vacuum charge undisturbed for the full time listed in the manual, even after the light indicates done.
- Run the battery down fully once, then do a complete recharge to help recalibrate the capacity reading if applicable.
- Compare current runtime to the original spec sheet for your model to gauge how much capacity has been lost.
- Check the battery's approximate age against its typical 2–4 year lifespan.
- If the battery is old and runtime has dropped significantly, order a manufacturer-compatible replacement.
- If a brand-new battery still won't hold a charge, the charging circuit likely needs professional repair.
Tools and parts
- Dry cloth
Cordless vacuum replacement batterySearch: “cordless vacuum battery replacement”
When to call a pro
If a new battery doesn't fix short runtime, have the charging circuit board checked by the manufacturer or a repair technician.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.