The Bissell CrossWave Cordless vacuum cleaner is a convenient machine that runs on battery. Unfortunately, the machine sometimes won’t charge. But why does a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge?

The most common reason why a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge is due to a damaged cord or plug. If a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge and the lights don’t turn on, first, try to realign the machine on the docking station. In most cases, the Bissell CrossWave should charge normally.

If the Bissell CrossWave is still not charging, then you need to troubleshoot the issue. In this post, we will show you how to fix a Bissell CrossWave that won’t charge.

Why is the Bissell CrossWave not charging?

A Bissell Crosswave may not charge because:

1. The cord or plug, or both, are damaged.
2. The outlet is not working
3. The cleanout cycle is running
4. Water went into the charging plug
5. The lights are simply turned off
6. Clogged brush roll

Here are each one explained in greater detail, along with the solutions:

1. Damaged cord or plug

The first reason why a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge is because the cord or plug, or both, are damaged. The cord should be smooth with no exposed wires, while the prongs on the plug should not be damaged.

If they are damaged, discontinue use to have them repaired by a qualified technician.

2. The outlet is not working

It may sound simple and silly, but often, a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge because the outlet you are using to charge the docking station is not working.

To check and see if an outlet is working, test it by plugging in a cell phone charger or small appliance. If there is no power to the outlet, test a different outlet in a separate room.

Reset your house’s circuit breaker if needed.

3. The cleanout cycle is running

A Bissell CrossWave comes with a 3-in-1 docking station that stores, charges, and cleans your machine.

Assuming the cord, plug, and outlet are all working normally, a Bissell CrossWave machine will start charging once it’s put on the dock, as long as the docking station is plugged in.

However, the charging will pause running the cleanout cycle. Once the cleanout cycle is complete, charging will resume. So, if a Bissell CrossWave is not charging, it may be running the cleanout cycle.

4. Water went into the charging plug

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the docking station is key to keeping your Bissell CrossWave in tip top shape. Anytime the machine is removed from the docking station, it’s important to wipe out the tray.

Unfortunately, some people rinse the tray under running water, causing water to go into the charging plug. This may result in the machine not charging.

If this is the case, it’s best to contact Bissell’s consumer care for guidance on how to fix the docking station.

5. The lights are simply turned off

Last but not least, it may be that your Bissell CrossWave is charging after all.

Depending on how charged the battery is, you may see up to three lights. When it’s dead, you will see one red blinking light. It will increase up to three lights as it charges.

When it’s fully charged on the docking station, there will be three white lights.

The lights will go off after about 10 minutes.

6. Clogged brush roll

While using or charging your machine, if you see three solid red lights, it indicates that there is a clog in the brush roll. Press the hard floor button twice to reset the machine.

Next, remove the obstruction causing the stalled brush roll.

In case you experience red flashing lights, turn the Bissell CrossWave off by pressing the hard floor button twice. Restart the machine.

If flashing red lights continue, it may be due to internal errors. It's best to contact Bissell’s consumer care.

Simple Battery Tips and FAQ

To charge a Bissell CrossWave optimally, be sure of two things:

1. For maximum runtime, let the Bissell CrossWave charge for four hours prior to use.
2. Make sure the Bissell CrossWave is fully charged before first use.

To check the battery status, remove the Bissell CrossWave from the charging base and turn the machine on. You will know when the battery is fully charged when all three white status lights are illuminated.

If you have tried everything, you may need to perform a factory reset. Here's how to do it properly.

1. How long does the Bissell CrossWave battery last?

The Bissell CrossWave runs on a 36V lithium-ion battery that provides up to 30 minutes of cordless cleaning power, so you can move throughout your home without being tied to an outlet.

2. How long does Bissell CrossWave take to charge?

The Bissell CrossWave can be stored on the docking station. It takes about 4 hours for a full charge (from depleted to full). However, if the battery is not depleted, it takes less than 4 hours to charge.

3. Can I leave my Bissell CrossWave on the charger?

It is not recommended to leave Bissell CrossWave on the charger. Overcharging may cause battery damage, fire, or explosion. Be sure to charge the unit when there is less than 10% power left (one LED flashing red).

4. How do I know if my CrossWave is charging?

You will know if a Bissell CrossWave is charging when the battery icon on the digital display is flashing. When the machine is fully charged, the icon will stop flashing.

Contacting Bissell for a Replacement (Our Experience)

In our experience, sometimes the Bissell CrossWave simply doesn’t work. Turning it on will only produce 2 red lights flashing (which means internal errors).

After contacting support, they immediately sent us a replacement and told us to use the old unit for spare parts. We were impressed in the beginning that they didn’t waste time getting us to troubleshoot. They just immediately sent us a complete replacement.

Unfortunately, the new unit also lasted a few times then had the same problem again. Again, we contacted Bissell and again, they immediately sent us a replacement unit without questions. 

The third unit looks slightly different. But more importantly, it hasn’t failed yet and we’ve used it many more times than the previous two. Additionally, it performs better since it doesn’t drop black dirt blobs of water every time we move it forward and back.

We would theorize that the internal errors are simply too complex to troubleshoot. That is why Bissell is kind enough to immediately send a replacement unit.

So, if your Bissell CrossWave would not charge, try contacting Bissell, you may get a new replacement for your expensive vacuum cleaner.

Final Words

And there you have it, the answer to the question: Why does a Bissell CrossWave won’t charge? Hopefully, by using the troubleshooting tips above, your machine is charging and you can go back to cleaning.

Related articles:

• How to fix Bissell carpet cleaner that won’t spray
• How to fix Bissell SpinWave not spinning
• Why Bissell CrossWave leaving streaks or leaking
• Why Bissell CrossWave keeps shutting off
• Why connect Bissell CrossWave to Wi-Fi
• Bissell CrossWave models comparison
• How to clean Bissell CrossWave
• How to use Bissell CrossWave