Vacuum stops and displays E3; motor sounds strained before shutdown
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Remove the battery pack before disassembly. Allow the unit to cool for at least 30 minutes if it feels hot.
- 1. Let it cool: If the body of the vacuum is warm or hot, leave it powered off with the battery removed until it reaches room temperature.
- 2. Clean dust container and cyclone: Detach the dust bin and cyclone. Empty and thoroughly clean both. Use a soft brush to remove compacted dust from cyclone channels.
- 3. Service filters: Remove the pre-motor and HEPA filters. Tap them gently to remove loose dust. Wash only if the manual states they are washable. Let washable filters dry completely (24 hours) before reinstalling.
- 4. Check cooling vents: Inspect the motor housing vents on the handheld unit for lint or dust buildup. Use a soft brush or low-power vacuum to clean them. Do not poke sharp objects into the vents.
- 5. Test operation: Reassemble and run the vacuum on low power first. If E3 reappears quickly even with clean filters and vents, the motor temperature sensor or motor windings may be faulty.
Do not continue using the vacuum if it overheats repeatedly; this can cause permanent motor damage. Seek professional service for sensor or motor replacement.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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