Shark Drive Wheel Speed Imbalance / Sensor Fault

Robot vacuum spins in circles or cannot drive straight

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

One drive wheel jammed or dragging, Encoder sensor on wheel failing, Debris in wheel well, IMU/gyroscope miscalibration

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn OFF and invert the robot.

  • Check wheel movement: Spin each drive wheel by hand. They should feel similar in resistance.
  • Clean wheel wells: Remove hair and debris from around each wheel and suspension.
  • Flat surface test: Place the robot on a flat floor and start a cleaning cycle. Observe if one wheel fails to turn properly.

If one wheel is clearly weaker or not turning, replace that drive wheel assembly. If both move but navigation is still erratic, the IMU or main board may be at fault.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Drive Wheel Assembly
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