Carpet Cleaner Keeps Blowing Fuses? Solve It in 5 Steps

You plug in your carpet cleaner and turn it on. But, in next to no time it blows a fuse – and that’s the second time it has done that today! Before the mere frustration makes you blow a fuse, take a look at 5 steps that will help you solve this problem.

If your carpet cleaner keeps blowing fuses, do this:

1. Plug it into a higher rated circuit
2. Check the carpet cleaner for leaks
3. Do not overfill the tanks
4. Check the outlet
5. Inspect the power cord

That’s right, in just a handful of steps, you can fix your carpet cleaner. Are you ready to repair yours? Then make sure you check out the more detailed instructions below.

5 Steps to Fix Your Carpet Cleaner That Keeps Blowing Fuses

You’ve been trying to deep clean the carpet. The first time the fuse blew you were shocked, but you reset the breakers and then started up again. The second time you were a little annoyed. I mean, you won’t finish cleaning the carpet until Christmas at this rate. The third time, however, you were fuming. Why does your carpet cleaner keep blowing fuses?

Thankfully, there is a simple solution to this problem. Coming up next you’ll see 5 ways in which you can fix your carpet cleaner. You’ll also find out in which instances it would be best to call in a professional or make a warranty claim.

Step #1 Plug It into a Higher Rated Circuit

Does your carpet cleaner only work for a few minutes at a time before it blows a fuse? Then a couple of things could be to blame. Here are 2 of them:

• The circuit you are plugging the carpet cleaner into is not rated high enough for it
• The circuit you are plugging it into is full

Carpet cleaners are heavy power suckers. So, plugging it into a mains outlet with insufficient voltage will cause the fuse to blow. Here’s how to fix this issue:

1. Check the voltage of the carpet cleaner
2. Check the maximum voltage of your mains power outlet
3. See if the voltage of the carpet cleaner is larger than that of your mains power outlet. If it is, you will have to plug the carpet cleaner into a power outlet with a higher voltage. Then turn it on to test it.

Plugging your carpet cleaner into a full circuit could cause the fuse to blow. If you suspect your circuit is full, have a look at these steps:

1. Unplug other appliances from the circuit. This is especially important with high voltage appliances.
2. If using an extension lead, unplug any other devices from it. You should do this before you plug in the carpet cleaner.
3. Plug the carpet cleaner in and turn it on to test it

Step #2 Check the Carpet Cleaner for Leaks

The next thing to do is to check your carpet cleaner for leaks. If your carpet cleaner leaks, the liquid could run onto the electrical components of the machine. If this were to happen, the fuse would blow as part of a safety feature.

To check your carpet cleaner for leaks, do the following:

1. Turn the carpet cleaner off and plug it out
2. With water and cleaning fluid in the tanks, check the outside of the machine. Run your hands over the outside of it and across its seals. If you feel any moisture, wipe it away.
3. Leave the machine for a couple of minutes
4. Run your hands over the machine again. If you feel moisture again in the spot that you dried, you can conclude that there is a leak.

If there is a leak in your carpet cleaner, you will have to find its source and then fix it before you attempt to use it again. If the leak is in its seals, you will have to replace them.

Is your carpet cleaner still under warranty? Then you can contact your manufacturer about this issue. They should be able to repair the unit for you free of charge. Depending on the warranty, they may even provide you with a replacement.

If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.

Step #3 Do Not Overfill the Tanks

Another common reason why carpet cleaners blow fuses is that their tanks are overfull. If you fill the water or cleaning fluid tank to above its capacity, it could leak while you are using the machine. This could cause the water or cleaning fluid to spill over onto the electrical components. Then, the safety fuse will blow.

Here’s what you should do if you suspect your tanks are to blame:

1. Turn the carpet cleaner off and plug it out
2. Remove some of the water and cleaning fluid from the tanks
3. Only fill the tanks as much as your user manual recommends
4. Plug the carpet cleaner in and turn it on to test it

Step #4 Check the Outlet

Inspecting your power outlet is another important step in this process. This is because a faulty outlet could cause any electrical appliance to trip. This is especially true of those that run with a high voltage.

It’s simple to check that your outlet is working well. This is what you’ll need to do:

1. Turn the carpet cleaner off and unplug it
2. Plug another high voltage appliance into the power outlet. You could use a hairdryer or a microwave.
3. If the circuit breaker trips, you can conclude that there is a problem with the power outlet
4. Plug the carpet cleaner into a different power outlet and turn it on to test it

If there is a problem with your power outlet, I do not recommend that you try to fix this yourself. You should call an electrician so that they can determine where the problem lies. They will be able to rectify the issue in the safest way.

In the meantime, you can continue using your carpet cleaner but with another power outlet.

Step #5 Inspect the Power Cord

Have you had your carpet cleaner knocking about for a couple of years now? A carpet cleaner is not a device that we use every day (and not even every year if we can get away with it). So, it would be easy for it to become damaged without us knowing while it is in storage.

But what could happen to your carpet cleaner? Many things, the power cord could crack, fray, and bend. If you have pets in the home, they could be using it as a very expensive chew toy behind your back.

If you are having problems with your carpet cleaner, make sure you check its power cord. Inspect it for any signs of damage. If you see any, you will have to replace the cord. Only qualified electricians should tackle this job.

Once you replace your power cord, keep it out of harm’s way. You should also test the unit straight away to make sure that replacing the cord has solved the issue.

What should you do if the problem persists? Do not continue to use the carpet cleaner. Get in touch with the manufacturer of the machine. If it is not under warranty, you should call a qualified electrician to have a look at it.

Conclusion

Does your carpet cleaner keep blowing fuses? Then you’re no doubt wondering whether the problem lies with the machine or your electrics. I am sure this article has helped you to determine which is the culprit. It has also no doubt indicated when it is best you call an electrician to handle the issue.

Has this article been useful to you? Then make sure you check out some of our other articles and free guides. You could even sign up to our email list.

Have a great day!

-Craig