Why Does My Bissell CrossWave Keep Shutting Off?

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It’s downright annoying each time you are trying to clean your house and your Bissell CrossWave keeps shutting off immediately after you turn the machine on. 

A Bissell CrossWave can keep shutting off immediately if:

  1. The dirty water tank’s sensor is not working properly due to dirt and debris.
  2. The handle is not inserted properly.
  3. Hair and debris is clogging the brush roll and/or the drive gear.
  4. The brush roll and/or the drive gear is damaged and needs replacing.
  5. If the lights are not turning on, the power switch is shorted and needs replacing.

In most cases, reinserting the handle until it clicks into place should fix the issue. You may also need to remove hair and debris from the drive gear where the brush roll goes into the foot of the machine.

Let’s dive deeper to fix a Bissell CrossWave that keeps shutting off.

How to Fix Bissell CrossWave that Keeps Shutting Off

There are 3 things you can do to fix a Bissell CrossWave that keeps shutting off. You can clean the dirty water tank components, reinsert the handle properly, and remove debris from the brush roll and its drive gear.

Here are each steps explained in greater detail:

1. Examine and fix the dirty water tank

A Bissell CrossWave may turn off automatically if the dirty tank is full. To check, examine the orange dirty water tank icon. If the light is on, you need to empty the dirty water tank.

If the dirty water tank is not full, but the orange dirty water tank icon is illuminated, the float sensors on the bottom of the dirty water tank lid may be dirty or covered by debris.

Turn off the machine and remove it from the docking station. Remove the dirty water tank by pressing down on the recessed button on top of the tank. Carefully remove the filter and the screen, then wash both of them with running water while carefully removing the debris.

Next, you need to clean three other important areas:

  1. Clean the float sensors on the bottom of the dirty water tank lid with a damp cloth or napkin.
  2. Wipe the gold sensors on top of the dirty water tank lid below the filter with a dry tissue.
  3. Wipe the gold dirty water tank connection spot on the machine with a tissue or soft cloth.

Rinse the entire dirty water tank, including the strainer as well. Make sure everything is completely dry before reinstalling them back into the machine. Otherwise, the machine can smell.

2. Reinsert the handle properly

Another reason why a Bissell CrossWave keeps shutting off is because the handle is not installed properly. It’s as simple as that. To troubleshoot this issue, plug the machine into a power outlet.

If the lights do turn on, recline the machine and choose a cleaning mode (rug or hard floor) to see if the machine turns off again.

If it does, unplug your machine and remove the handle by using a screwdriver to press the white tab found behind the clean tank. Pull up on the handle to remove.

Reinsert the top of the handle so it clicks into place. You should hear a click when the handle is secure and installed properly. Plug the machine in and check for power.

3. Make sure the brush roll is not jammed or clogged

If the machine turns off automatically again, unplug your machine and remove the nozzle.

Remove the brush roll from the machine and check for hair wrap and debris around the brush roll and its ends. Hold the tab on the brush roll and spin the other end.

Also, check the drive gear where the brush roll goes into the foot of the machine and remove any debris that may be wrapped in that area. Turn the gear by hand to see if it spins.

Plug the machine in, recline it and pick a cleaning mode to test that the machine turns on and stays on.

Bissell CrossWave Replacement Brush
On Sale
Bissell 1868 CrossWave...
  • Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
  • Microfiber dual action brush roll mops while bristles scrub the floor and pick up dry debris.
  • Pick up messes from area rugs and sealed hard floors including hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum, and more.
Bissell CrossWave Brush Roll Motor
Bissell 203-6757 Motor, Brushroll...
  • Brushroll motor
  • The country of origin of the product is china
  • The brand name of the product is: Bissell homecare international


If either the brush roll or the drive gear is damaged and cannot spin properly, you need to order a replacement or contact Bissell’s consumer care team right here.

Bottom Line

And there you have it, the quick and simple troubleshooting guide to the issue: why does my BIssell CrossWave keep shutting off?

In most cases, reinstalling the handle and cleaning hair and debris in and around the brush roll should fix the issue. If not, do not hesitate to contact Bissell’s consumer care team, since they are very helpful.

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