While a Bissell carpet cleaner is a reliable home appliance, sometimes it has trouble spraying water. When this happens, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself without taking the carpet cleaner to a service center.
You can fix a Bissell carpet cleaner that won’t spray water by removing air in the spray line, firmly affixing the water and formula tanks, or replacing the belt. Where the problem is caused by clogging, the machine will work after cleaning the in-line filter, spray tips, or heater.
You can fix most spray problems with the Bissell carpet cleaner at home. In this article, I’ll help you figure out why your Bissell carpet cleaner won’t spray water and explain how to fix the problem.
How To Fix Bissell Carpet Cleaner That Won’t Spray Water
1. Turn the Machine off and Back on Again
Restarting machines is a common fix for many glitches and works by triggering hardware resets that can fix problems caused by bugs or design flaws.
In the case of the Bissell carpet cleaner, it may be the case that there is an airlock — air in the spray line, which prevents water from flowing. You can fix this by turning off the carpet cleaner, waiting for one or two minutes, and turning it on again.
2. Make Sure the Water Tank Has Water and Is Securely Placed
Before you tamper with the carpet cleaner, you want to eliminate the first obvious possible cause. It may be that the carpet cleaner isn’t spraying water because there’s no water in the water tank. It may also be that there’s water, but the tank isn’t set firmly enough.
If the tank is empty, refill it with water, and your machine will start working again. Ensure to push the tank down to attach it to the base firmly. You must apply some pressure while pushing it down to fit correctly, as explained in the video below.
You should also make sure that the tank’s lid is attached properly, which you can do by filling the tank with water and attempting to lift it by the handle. If you succeed, the lid has been fixed properly.
3. Ensure the Formula Tank Has Formula and Is Fixed Properly
Besides ensuring that there’s Bissell formula in the formula tank, check if the red gasket is firmly in place. If not, lift it from the base using a screwdriver, pliers, or a stick and fix it properly to the formula tank.
Ensure you don’t interfere with the working of the valve. To check if the valve is working properly, press the valve with your little finger to see if liquid comes out.
4. Lift the Tank and Check if the Valve Is Working Properly
If the above doesn’t get the carpet cleaner to work, pull out the tank to check if it is pressing the valve beneath it properly. To troubleshoot this, do the following:
- Pull out the tank to reveal the valve.
- Turn the Bissell carpet cleaner on.
- Get a cup of water and pour it directly into the hole. It should automatically suck in the water.
The valve helps shut off, release, or dose the water. If you pour the water into the hole and the machine sucks in the water, everything else could be okay, and the only problem may be that the tank isn’t feeding water to the valve.
The valve has a round hollow peg upon which the tank rests. It will interfere with water flow if pushed down too far. You can remedy this by inserting a screw in the hollow part so that the tank sits higher to allow water to flow beneath it. Alternatively, you can order a new valve that fits better.
5. Check if the Belt Is Broken or Damaged
With the carpet cleaner standing upright, turn the power on and check if the brush is rotating. The pulley that drives the spray is the one that drives the brush. If the brush is not rotating, it means that there is a problem with this pulley/belt.
If the brush isn’t turning, open the belt compartment to figure out what’s wrong with the pulley. Unplug the machine from the power supply before doing this.
The belt access door is on the side of the machine. Open it with a flathead screwdriver to reveal the pump belt. If it is worn out or damaged, order a replacement online or buy one from your local store.
6. Check to See if the In-Line Filter Is Blocked
The in-line filter may be blocked, preventing water from flowing. To check if this is the case, unscrew the filter cap (the flow indicator) to reveal the filter and the spinner.
Pull the spinner and filter out and clean the area. To confirm if everything is okay, pour water through the flow indicator. Water should come out on the other end at the bottom of the carpet cleaner if there is no blockage.
7. Check if the Spray Tips Are Clean
Your Bissell carpet cleaner may fail to spray water because dirt and debris have clogged the spray tips. You can troubleshoot and fix this problem with the following process:
- Remove the tanks and put them aside.
- Flip the machine over.
- Lift the brush to inspect the spray tips and remove any buildup using an old toothbrush.
Consider cleaning this area regularly to keep your machine working in peak condition.
8. Check if Dry Soap Has Clogged the Heater
When cleaning, some soap will enter the heater section. Over time, the soap dries up, builds up, and clogs the machine. To fix this:
- Take the handle apart, after which you’ll see the heater unit, which is the box with the silver metallic cover.
- Unscrew the silver metallic cover. You’ll see the tubes inside the heater unit, which may be clogged with soap and other debris.
- Run a stick or screwdriver through the lines to remove the stuff stuck inside the box that’s preventing water from flowing through the passages.
- If you have a shop vac, use it to suck out the remaining loose debris.
You can prevent the soap from building up again by running clean, clear water through the handle after every cleaning session.
Final Thoughts
If you still can’t get your Bissell carpet cleaner to spray, don’t hesitate to contact a Bissell-authorized service center near you. You’ll get the help you need as their support teams around the country are well-trained and reliable.
