Question 1

it's leaving behind a lot of pet hair and sand on my medium pile carpet, not picking up like it used to

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The floorhead height setting is incorrect, or the agitator (brush roll) is not making proper contact with the carpet. This model has a manual dial, not automatic adjustment. FIX Locate the dial on the floorhead. For medium pile carpet, it should be set to position '2' or '3'. Set it to the highest setting ('5') and make a pass. Then set it to '2' and make a pass. Listen to the motor sound; it should load slightly on '2'. Adjust until you hear the brush roll engaging the carpet fibers. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The brush roll bristles are worn down. Remove the floorhead and inspect the brush roll. The bristles should be stiff and approximately 1/2 inch long. If they are matted or less than 1/4 inch, replace the brush roll (part #161-0542). Worn bristles cannot agitate debris loose. HEADS UP Always turn the dial to the highest setting ('5') before pushing the floorhead under furniture. Dragging it on a low setting against a thick rug or obstruction will stall the brush roll and burn the belt.

Question 2

the vacuum just won't turn on, no lights, no sound, nothing. checked the outlet and it's fine

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Complete power failure. The thermal fuse on the motor or the main power switch has likely failed. This often follows an overheating event. FIX First, check the obvious. Ensure the cord is fully unwound from the rewind mechanism. Plug the vacuum directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip. Press the power button firmly. Listen for any click from the switch. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Inspect the power cord for damage, especially near the plug and where it enters the vacuum body. With the vacuum unplugged, try toggling the power button rapidly 10-15 times. A faulty switch can stick in the off position. If still dead, internal repair is required. HEADS UP Do not attempt to disassemble the main motor housing. It contains capacitors that can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged. This is a job for a qualified repair technician.

Question 3

how do i clean the filters on the 27909 model, the manual is gone and i don't want to ruin them

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS You have a two-stage filter system: a reusable foam filter and a pleated felt filter. Both require regular cleaning, but specific methods are critical. FIX Remove the dust cup. The foam filter is in the front. The felt filter is behind it. Tap both filters over a trash can to remove loose dirt. Rinse the foam filter under lukewarm water until water runs clear. Gently squeeze, do not wring. Tap the felt filter to clean; do not rinse or get it wet. Let the foam filter air dry for 24 hours before reassembly. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If suction remains poor after cleaning, the felt filter may be permanently clogged with fine dust. It is not washable. It must be replaced with part #161-0541. Order the official Bissell filter; off-brand filters often cause airflow problems. HEADS UP Never run the vacuum without both filters installed. Never run it with a damp foam filter. Moisture will be pulled into the motor and cause corrosion or an electrical short.

Question 4

the brush roll on my pet hair eraser turbo won't spin at all on any setting

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The drive belt has broken or come off the motor pulley. This is a frequent failure point if hair wraps around the brush roll ends and seizes it. FIX Unplug the vacuum. Remove the floorhead. Turn it over. Use a coin to turn the four latches to unlock the bottom cover. Remove the cover. You will see the brush roll and belt. Remove any hair from the brush roll ends. Check the belt. If it is broken or missing, replace it with part #160-4150, the official belt for this model. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK With the floorhead removed and the vacuum turned on (wand mode), listen at the hose connector on the floorhead. You should hear the motor engaging. If silent, the electrical contacts in the wand or floorhead connector are dirty or bent, preventing power from reaching the floorhead motor. HEADS UP When reinstalling the brush roll, ensure the belt is correctly seated on the small motor pulley before snapping the brush roll into place. An improperly seated belt will shred immediately.

Question 5

suction is really weak on my bissell pet hair eraser, even with a brand new filter

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A blockage exists in the airflow path after the dust cup. The most common locations are the hose, the hose inlet on the vacuum body, or the opening behind the dust cup. FIX Follow the air path. Remove the dust cup and hose. Shine a light into the hose inlet on the vacuum body. Check for a clog. Reattach the hose to the vacuum body only (not the floorhead). Turn on the vacuum and place your hand over the hose end. If suction is strong, the blockage is downstream in the floorhead or wand. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The hose itself may have an internal leak or tear. Detach it completely. Visually inspect along its entire length for cracks, especially at the bends. Listen for hissing air while the vacuum is running. HEADS UP Weak suction is almost never the motor on this model. It is a sequential checklist: dust cup full > filter dirty > hose/wand clog > hose leak > floorhead clog.

Question 6

my vacuum smells like burning when i use it, especially on carpet

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Friction burn. The drive belt for the motorized floorhead is slipping or the brush roll is obstructed, causing the belt to overheat against the motor pulley. FIX Turn off and unplug the vacuum. Remove the floorhead by pressing the two release latches. Inspect the brush roll. Remove any wound hair, string, or debris. Check the belt for signs of melting, stretching, or wear. Replace the belt if damaged. Ensure the brush roll spins freely by hand. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The burning smell may originate from the main motor if the primary filter is clogged. Perform a complete filter cleaning: empty the dust cup, rinse the foam filter, and tap out the felt filter. Let all parts dry for 24 hours before reassembly. HEADS UP The belt and brush roll are consumable parts. Check them every 3-6 months for wear, especially if you have long-haired pets. A dragging brush roll will burn out belts quickly.

Question 7

the rewind function on my pet hair eraser turbo isn't working, i press the button and the cord just jerks a little

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The cord rewind mechanism is jammed. The most common cause is the power cord not being guided straight into the housing during the last manual rewind, causing it to bind internally. FIX Unplug the vacuum. Manually pull the entire cord out of the housing. Inspect the cord for knots or damage. Clear any debris from the cord channel. Slowly, hand-over-hand, feed the cord back into the housing in a straight, untwisted line. Press the rewind button to test. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The rewind spring may be broken or disengaged. With the cord fully extended, listen for a loose rattling sound inside the housing when you tilt the vacuum. If present, this indicates an internal spring failure requiring repair. HEADS UP Never let the cord snap back into the housing. Always guide it in by hand for the last 2-3 feet to prevent internal jams and spring damage.

Question 8

my bissell pet hair eraser 27909 just stopped in the middle of vacuuming and now the power button light is flashing red

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The vacuum has entered a thermal protection shutdown. The motor or powerhead overheated, likely from a clog or a full dust cup blocking airflow. FIX Unplug the vacuum immediately. Let it cool for 45-60 minutes. While cooling, perform a full clean cycle. Empty the dust cup and clean the filter. Check the hose and floorhead for blockages, especially hair wrapped around the brush roll. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The thermal cutoff may have failed. After confirming no blockages and a clean filter, plug the vacuum into a different, known-good wall outlet. Press the power button. If the red flash persists, the unit requires service for a motor or electronic board fault. HEADS UP Always use the vacuum with a clean filter. Running it with a dirty filter is the primary cause of overheating and premature motor failure on this model.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Rewind Vacuum 27909

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