General Troubleshooting

• 1). Check the power supply to the vacuum cleaner. Plug it into a working electrical outlet, and check the breaker or fuse box. Replace any blown fuses, or reset a tripped breaker. If this does not fix the problem, turn off and unplug the machine before continuing the troubleshooting process.
  
  
• 2). Check the bag if the cleaner does not pick up dirt adequately. If the bag is full or nearly full, change it.
  
  
• 3). Change the height adjustment mechanism on the vacuum if it doesn't pick up dirt or it is hard to push and pull over the floor. Turn the height adjustment dial, located on the front of the machine, to a lower setting if it's not picking up dirt, or to a higher setting if it's difficult to push.
  
  
• 4). Turn the vacuum cleaner over and inspect the belt for cracks or looseness due to stretching if it does not pick up dirt. Manually turn the brush bar to rotate the belt so you can examine its entire length. If the belt is broken, cracked or stretched, replace it with a new one.
  
  
• 5). Examine the brush bar if the Bissell does not pick up materials as expected. If the brush bristles are old and worn, replace the entire brush bar assembly. If hair or debris is caught in the bristles, remove the brush and clean it.
  
  
• 6). Check the air passageway for clogs if the machine doesn't suck properly. Take the brush cover from the machine, then reach into the passageway behind it to remove any clogging materials. If the clog remains, take the vacuum body completely off of the powerfoot to get to the stuck material.
  
  

Brush and Belt Replacement

• 1). Recline the Bissell by pushing the pedal and laying the machine's handle down flat. Turn the vacuum over so you have access to its underside.
  
  
• 2). Push the tabs on the brush cover inward with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the cover from the bottom of the vacuum.
  
  
• 3). Pull the brush out of the cleaner by lifting upward on both ends. Take off and throw away the belt, if necessary. Remove any hair or debris from the brush, or replace the brush if it is worn.
  
  
• 4). Thread a new belt -- or the old belt if still in good shape -- over the motor pulley. Pull the other end of the belt over the brush bar.
  
  
• 5). Push the end of the brush on which the belt is located back into place as you pull its other end down into its slot. Manually turn the brush to ensure the belt is seated and centered.
  
  
• 6). Line the notches on the brush bar cover back up and push it down to lock it.
  
  

Powerfoot Removal

• 1). Turn the screw on the front of the vacuum body counterclockwise. Take it off of the machine.
  
  
• 2). Turn the Bissell 3540-1 around so you have access to its back side. Push the screwdriver carefully under the plastic tab and lift the vacuum body up as you push down on the powerfoot.
  
  
• 3). Take any blockages out of the interior of the vacuum, then set the vacuum body back onto the powerfoot and push downward to reconnect them.