A flashing red light on a Shark IQ usually means a jam.

It means something is stuck or the bin needs attention. The robot is smart enough to tell you it can’t work, but not smart enough to tell you exactly what’s wrong.

Nine times out of ten, it’s the brush roll. Hair, string, or a sock gets wrapped around it and the motor stalls. Flip the bot over, pull the brush roll out (press the tab on the side), and clean it off. If that’s clear, check the side brush and the wheels for debris.

The other common cause: the dustbin is full or not seated properly. Pop it out, empty it, and snap it back in until you hear a click. If it’s still flashing, the filter might be clogged. Tap it clean, or rinse it (dry completely before reinserting).

Rarely, the sensors inside the bin area get dirty. Wipe them with a dry cloth.

Still flashing? Try a hard reset: hold the clean button for 10 seconds until the light turns off, then turn it back on. If that doesn’t fix it, the battery or charging contacts might be shot—contact support.

But start with the brush roll. That’s almost always the culprit.