Most Common Shark Steam Mop Problems (And Their Solutions)

Listed below are the seven most common problems with a Shark steam mop and their solutions. If you are experiencing an issue, take the time to learn how to troubleshoot your Shark steam mop.

1. Shark steam mop will not turn on

If your Shark steam mop will not turn on, check to see if the machine is properly plugged into the wall socket, and that the socket is properly working. If you still cannot power on the steam mop, try another wall socket. Remember, a Shark steam mop should be securely plugged into a 120V AC electrical outlet only.

Check your fuse or breaker. Go to your home's electric service panel (usually, a gray metal box on an interior wall of your basement or garage, near your outside electric meter). Open the door of the service panel and see if a circuit breaker is tripped (or a fuse is blown). If so, reset the breaker (or replace the fuse).

2. Shark steam mop is not steaming

Before you panic, make sure there is enough water in the Shark steam mop’s tank. No water means no steam. If there is no water in the tank (or not enough of it), simply add water to the tank.

To refill the Shark steam mop tank, turn the water tank cap counterclockwise and remove it from the tank. Use the filling flask and pour water into the tank. Please don’t overfill. Replace the cap on the water tank.

Once you've filled the tank to the fill line, give your Shark steam mop about 30 seconds to heat up and produce steam before moving on to other troubleshooting procedures. If your Shark steam mop is still not steaming, either the water intake tube is bent or the nozzle is clogged with mineral deposits.

Water intake tube is bent

Simple tweaks may solve your Shark steam mop not steaming problem. Watch out for the water intake tube as you fill the water tank. If the tube is bent, straighten it out to ensure it reaches the bottom of the tank.

Turn the steam-locking collar into the “Steam and Spray” position rather than the “Spray Only” position if your particular Shark steam mop has a steam-locking collar (as featured on the Steam and Spray models).

Mineral deposits inside the tank

Calcium and mineral deposits may build up inside the water tank and in your Shark steam mop’s nozzle over time, especially if you live in an area with hard water. Mineral deposits inhibit the flow of steam.

To decalcify your Shark steam mop, empty the water in the tank. Fill the tank with equal parts water and white vinegar. Leave the cap open and let it sit for one hour. Drain the tank and rinse twice with fresh water or until the vinegar odor dissipates. This should make your Shark steam mop steaming again.

Do not turn on the Shark steam mop while the vinegar is in the tank. Only add vinegar to decalcify the tank and when the machine is turned off. You should never add vinegar when using a steam mop. In fact, Shark does not recommend adding vinegar while the machine is turned on.

Nozzle is clogged

Over time and use, calcium and mineral deposits may also build up in your Shark steam mop's nozzle, inhibiting the release of steam. To get the steam flowing again, grab the nozzle cleaner included with your steam mop. If you don't have one, a straightened-out paper clip works just fine, too.

Unplug the Shark steam mop and remove its head. You’ll see a small hole – this is the nozzle from which the mop releases steam. Insert the end of your paper clip into the hold and gently move it up and down several times. This should remove the mineral deposits and get your Shark steam mop steaming again.

In the future, use distilled water when using your Shark steam mop. This reduces the chance of calcium and mineral deposits inside your machine, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

3. Cannot select steam setting (flashing blue light remains on)

If you have already plugged in your Shark steam mop but you cannot select a steam setting, unplug the machine and try a different electrical outlet. This may reset the standby mode.

After trying a different electrical outlet, add water to the tank and press the ON/Standby button once again to select a steam setting. If the unit still does not work, you need to contact Shark support.

4. Shark steam mop leaves water on the floor

Your Shark steam mop leaves water on the floor because the microfiber cleaning pad is dirty and soaked through. Check to see if the microfiber cleaning pad is soaked through. Unplug the Shark steam mop and change the microfiber cleaning pad. Make sure the microfiber cleaning pad is attached correctly.

5. Shark steam mop leaves a white spot on the floor

Your Shark steam mop leaves a white spot on the floor when it is left in one position too long or hard water is used in the water tank. Tap water tends to leave that white stain. Basically it's condensation trapped in there.

To remove the white spot left by your Shark steam mop, moisten one end of a towel with undiluted white vinegar and wipe away the white spot with the towel. Moisten the opposite end of the towel with water and wipe the vinegar from the floor. The vinegar smell will go away once it is dry.

In the future, do not leave your Shark steam mop on the floor with a damp or wet cleaning pad for too long. If you’re using tap water, switch to distilled water. Make sure the cap is securely on the water tank.

6. Floors are cloudy, streaky, or spotty after using Shark steam mop

The floors can become cloud, streaky, or spotty after using the Shark steam mop because of 1 of 4 reasons:

• The microfiber pad is dirty - If the microfiber cleaning pad is dirty, please change the pad. If you washed the cleaning pad with powder detergent, then it might be ruined. You need to buy replacement mop pads right here. 
• You left the Shark steam mop in the same spot for too long - Avoid leaving the Shark steam mop pad in the same spot for too long to avoid cloudy, streaky, or spotty floors.
• You are using tap water - Depending on where you live, tap water contains added minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals in hard water form deposits that can cause cloudy, streaky, or spotty floors. In the future, you might want to switch to distilled water.
• Leftover from past cleaners on the floor - This might be leftover from past cleaners used on the floor surface. Use the Shark steam mop a few more times and see if the leftover cloudiness is removed. If this does not work, we suggest rinsing the floor with water, letting it dry, and then steam mopping again with a clean pad. One or more rinses generally removes the residue. A more stubborn case may require you to rinse the floor with a mix of one part vinegar and two parts water.

7. Shark steam mop is hard to push

If your Shark steam mop is hard to push, it means either the microfiber cleaning pad is not attached properly or the microfiber cleaning pad is excessively dirty. Make sure the microfiber cleaning pad is attached correctly and replace the microfiber cleaning pad if it is too dirty or wet.

Conclusion

And there you go, the most common Shark steam mop problems and their solutions. By taking the time to troubleshoot your Shark steam mop, it will continue to work optimally for a very long time.

Remember, a Shark steam mop has a one year limited warranty. If your Shark steam mop fails to operate properly while in use under normal household conditions within the warranty period, return the complete Shark steam mop including its accessories, freight prepaid, back to Shark.

Related articles:

• How to use Shark steam mop (complete manual)
• Shark steam mop buyer’s guide
• How to clean Shark steam mop
• Shark steam mop leaking? Here's the fix