Black and Decker Dustbuster Not Charging? Here’s the Fix

The Dustbuster is a convenient handheld vacuum cleaner made by Black and Decker. The device lets you quickly clean up spills and messes around your home without having to carry around a heavy machine.

However, sometimes the device won’t charge. So why is your Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) not charging?

A Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) may not hold a charge if its lithium-ion battery is dead. After about 300 to 500 charge cycles, or about 2 to 3 years of moderate daily use, a Dustbuster will not be able to hold a charge and should be replaced.

The Dustbuster also will not charge properly unless the plug sits firmly inside or it sits properly on the charger.

In this post, we will show you how to fix a Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner that is not charging, including simple tips on how to prolong its battery life.

Troubleshooting Black and Decker Dustbuster Not Charging

The Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) uses an internal battery that charges when plugged into a wall. If your device stops charging properly, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the charge indicator LED

It’s a good idea to look at the charge indicator LED light as soon as you plug the Dustbuster into its charger. The indicator light is a small light that lets you know the device is plugged into the charger and is charging properly. If the indicator light does not turn on, then it may be that you are using a faulty outlet.

According to Black and Decker, you must use a working 120-volt receptacle. Plug another electrical item into the socket and ensure it works properly. If the outlet is faulty, try moving the Dustbuster to another outlet and see if it works there. Jiggle the cord and watch the light.

2. Check the position of the Dustbuster while charging

When you charge your a Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner, you either plug a cord into the device or attach the device to a charging base. The device will not charge properly unless the plug sits firmly inside or it sits properly on the charger.

If your Dustbuster uses a charging cord, check the cord and make sure you do not see any fraying or wear. On the other hand, if your Dustbuster uses a charging base, remove it and place it back carefully on the base.

Wiggle it slightly until you hear a click or popping sound and see if it charges.

A dead battery, maybe?

There are two telltale signs that a Dustbuster is charging properly:

1. The charge indicator LED light is turned on.
2. The charger feels slightly warm to the touch.

If the Dustbuster still does not charge, then it means that the battery is dead. In other words, the battery is no longer able to hold a charge. You can tell if the battery is dead if the device can only turn on for 30 seconds.

FAQ on Black and Decker Dustbuster Battery

1.How long does Black and Decker Dustbuster take to charge?

A Black and Decker Dustbuster takes about 4 hours to charge. According to Black and Decker, the charge duration (the time it takes to charge from 0 to 100 percent) is 4 hours.

However, if you are not charging from 0 percent, it should charge in less than 4 hours.

2. How do I know if my Black and Decker Dustbuster is charging?

A Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) is charging when the charge indicator LED is turned on. However, some models do not have a charge indicator LED. To tell if the unit is charging, the charger will become warm to the touch when in charge mode.

3. How long does the Black and Decker handheld vacuum battery last?

With moderate daily use, a Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner’s battery lasts between 2 to 3 years before it won’t be able to hold a charge.

The typical estimated life of a lithium-ion battery is about two to three years or 300 to 500 charge cycles, whichever occurs first. One charge cycle is a period of use from fully charged, to fully discharged, and fully recharged again.

4. Why does Black and Decker Dustbuster not work (keeps shutting off)?

A Black and Decker Dustbuster may not work and keeps shutting off its battery is no longer able to hold a charge. If the Black and Decker Dustbuster battery is not able to hold a charge, it will last for just about 30 seconds before it shuts off again.

By then you have to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it on again to get another 30 seconds of suction.

Unfortunately, you cannot replace the battery since it is built into the handheld vacuum cleaner. You have to buy a whole new unit or learn how to prolong the battery life.

5. How to prolong Black and Decker Dustbuster battery?

A Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner uses a lithium-ion battery. Here are some of the best tips to prolong a Black and Decker Dustbuster battery life:

• Minimize the amount of time the battery spends at either 100% or 0% charge - Both extremely high and low “states of charge” stress batteries. Charge the battery if it reaches 50% and consider using a partial charge that restores the battery to 80%, instead of 100%. If that’s not possible, then unplug the device as soon as it reaches 100%. (source)
• Avoid extreme high and low temperatures - When using or storing the Dustbuster, avoid extreme temperatures, both high and low. Elevated temperatures can accelerate the degradation of the battery components and can lead to safety risks, including fire or explosion. If the battery is noticeably hot while it’s charging, unplug it. 

Like any other lithium-ion battery devices, the first thing you must do is to fully change the Dustbuster before using it the first time. Then, avoid using it until the battery is too weak to run. 

The tips above sound simple, but can significantly prolong the battery life of a Dustbuster handheld vacuum cleaner while maintaining its maximum battery capacity.

Bottom Line

Now you know why a Black and Decker handheld vacuum cleaner (Dustbuster) is not charging. Either you are not placing the device properly on its charger, you are using a faulty outlet, or the battery life is depleted.

A vacuum cleaner will not last forever. If your device’s battery is no longer able to hold a charge, it may be time to invest in a new one. Why not check out the list of the best handheld vacuum cleaners right here?

You may also want to read: How to clean Dustbuster and its filters