Bissell SpinWave Not Spinning? Here’s How to Fix it

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The Bissell SpinWave is a powerful, yet convenient hard floor mop that scrubs your floors effortlessly. Sadly, sometimes both or one of the discs may stop rotating.

So, why is Bissell SpinWave not spinning, or only spinning on one side?

The Bissell SpinWave discs may not spin if the screws securing them are loose. Take off the mop pads on the bottom of the foot and tighten the screws that hold the discs in place. The discs may also not spin if there is too much resistance, used on carpet or rugs, or used without pads on bare floors.

Before you even think about throwing away your cleaning machine, it’s wise to learn how to fix it. Thankfully, it’s easier than you think. In this post, let’s learn how to fix a Bissell SpinWave that is not spinning.

Why is Bissell SpinWave Not Spinning?

There are several reasons why a Bissell SpinWave is not spinning, or simply spinning on one side. If the mop pads on the bottom stop rotating, it may be because of:

  1. If the SpinWave is corded, there may be damage to the power cord.
  2. If the SpinWave is cordless, it may run out of battery.
  3. The unit is not fully reclined (Bissell SpinWave will only run if the unit is reclined).
  4. Too much resistance (i.e. pushing toward the floor too strongly).
  5. You are stepping on the foot of the unit.
  6. The unit is used on carpet or rugs (Bissell SpinWave works on hard floors only).
  7. The unit is used without mop pads on bare floors.
  8. The screws securing the discs are loose.
  9. Debris under the mop pads and discs.
  10. The rotating discs are cracked or damaged.

Whether both Bissell SpinWave’s discs are not spinning or only one of the discs are spinning, you can easily solve the problem by doing the following:

1. Check the power cord or battery

The first thing you can do to troubleshoot the issue is to check the power cord or the battery. If your SpinWave is corded, make sure there is no damage anywhere on the power cord while the machine is unplugged.

If your SpinWave is cordless, you may need to charge the unit. The LED display will indicate how much battery life is left. If no lights display when you press the power button, then you need to charge the unit.

When plugged in, the blue indicator light will flash and fill until fully charged. If not, there may be a problem with the electrical outlet.

2. Check your power outlet

Next, Check to see if the outlet is working.  You can test this by plugging something small like a cell phone charger into the outlet.

Often, people don’t realize that there is a problem with their outlet, causing their machine to not work properly. If this is the case, Try using an outlet in a different area or resetting any tripped breakers.

3. Make sure the unit is fully reclined

If you are new to using the Bissell SpinWave, you may not realize that the unit is not fully reclined. Remember, you can only turn the power on when the unit is reclined first.

There is a chance that you are not using the machine correctly. Try fully reclining the machine and test whether both mop pads spin properly.

Also, remember that when put upright, your Bissell SpinWave will always turn off automatically.

4. You are using too much force

If you feel like your SpinWave is working sporadically, you may be putting too much force on your machine. Whenever there is too much resistance, the discs will stop spinning.

The pads will stop spinning from too much force whenever:

  • You are pushing the unit down too hard.
  • You are stepping on the foot of the Bissell SpinWave.
  • You are using it on carpet or rugs.
  • You are using it without pads on bare floors.

Try to apply gentle pressure as you push the machine through hard floors, without stepping on the unit, and not on carpet or rugs. Also make sure that the mop pads are installed properly.

5. Tighten the screws securing the mop pads

In most cases, one of the discs will stop spinning while the other one is still spinning. If this is the case, the screw securing one of the discs may be loose.

Also, if the discs are wobbly, the mop pads may not be raised or simply out of place.

Take off the pads on the bottom of the foot and tighten both screws in the discs. Make sure that both mop pads can be pushed back into place and lay flat on the discs.

While you’re at it, clear any debris under the mop pads and discs.

You can never imagine how much dirt, dust, and debris, including hair, may be trapped between the mop pads and the discs, causing them to not rotate properly.

6. Check the discs for damage

Last but not least, check the discs for any damage or cracks. If the rotating discs are cracked, then they will have to be replaced. Here is how to replace the spinning discs that secure the mop pads of a Bissell SpinWave:

To start, you will need a Phillips screwdriver. Make sure the machine is turned off and unplugged. 

First, carefully lay the machine on its back.

Next, remove the mop pads to expose the screws that hold each disc on. Unscrew the right disc screw by twisting it counterclockwise. Unscrew the left disc screw by twisting it clockwise. 

Even though the discs fit snugly, they are made to be removed. To remove the discs, pry them off from both sides pulling straight off the foot of the machine.

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Now, install the new discs, one at a time, by lining it up and pushing it straight down, with the hook and loop material facing away from the foot. To screw the disc back on, twist the right disc screw clockwise and the left disc screw counterclockwise until both are tight.

Apply the mop pads to the new discs by lining up the gray dot to the screw in the center of the disc. Make sure that both mop pads can be pushed back into place and lay flat on the discs.

Final Words

And there you have it, the complete troubleshooting guide to the question: why is my Bissell SpinWave not spinning, or spinning only on one side? By applying the tips we have shared with you, your Bissell SpinWave should be rotating properly, and you can get back to cleaning your house again in no time.

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