{
  "$schema": "robofaults-fault-record/v0",
  "kind": "error",
  "brand": "shark",
  "page_en": "https://robofaults.com/shark/error-3/",
  "page_es": "https://robofaults.com/es/shark/error-3/",
  "code": "3",
  "slug": "error-3",
  "device_type": "vacuum",
  "name_en": "Suction motor error",
  "name_es": "Error del motor de succión",
  "badge": "ERR 3",
  "severity": "warn",
  "severity_note_en": "robot stops vacuuming until airflow through bin, filters and brushroll is clear",
  "severity_note_es": "el robot deja de aspirar hasta que el aire circule libre por el depósito, los filtros y el cepillo principal",
  "series": [
    "IQ",
    "EZ",
    "AI",
    "AI Ultra",
    "Matrix",
    "PowerDetect"
  ],
  "tools_en": "none",
  "tools_es": "ninguna",
  "time_min": 10,
  "difficulty": "easy",
  "safety": "none",
  "safety_note_en": "",
  "safety_note_es": "",
  "meaning_en": "Error 3 means <b>suction motor failure</b> — in practice the airflow is choked, not the motor dead. Empty the dust cup, clean the filters, and clear the brushroll and its compartment before suspecting hardware.",
  "meaning_es": "El error 3 significa un <b>fallo del motor de succión</b> — en la práctica el aire está bloqueado, no el motor muerto. Vacía el depósito de suciedad, limpia los filtros y despeja el cepillo principal y su compartimento antes de sospechar del hardware.",
  "causes": [
    {
      "title_en": "Dust cup full or its opening blocked",
      "title_es": "Depósito de suciedad lleno o con la entrada obstruida",
      "detail_en": "A packed dust cup or debris in the opening between robot and bin chokes the suction path first.",
      "detail_es": "Un depósito a rebosar o suciedad en la abertura entre el robot y el depósito estrangula primero el conducto de succión.",
      "likelihood": "most_common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clogged filters",
      "title_es": "Filtros obstruidos",
      "detail_en": "Shark's fix has you tap the filter clean and wipe the mesh screen on the dust cup door — fine dust builds an airtight mat.",
      "detail_es": "La solución de Shark indica sacudir el filtro y limpiar la rejilla de la tapa del depósito — el polvo fino forma una capa que no deja pasar aire.",
      "likelihood": "common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Brushroll compartment blocked",
      "title_es": "Compartimento del cepillo principal bloqueado",
      "detail_en": "Hair packed under the brushroll and its end cap restricts intake air enough to trip the error.",
      "detail_es": "El pelo acumulado bajo el cepillo principal y su tapa lateral restringe la entrada de aire lo bastante para disparar el error.",
      "likelihood": "common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Suction motor actually failing",
      "title_es": "Motor de succión realmente averiado",
      "detail_en": "If the error survives a full clean of bin, filters and brushroll, the motor itself needs service — contact Shark support.",
      "detail_es": "Si el error sobrevive a una limpieza completa de depósito, filtros y cepillo, el propio motor necesita servicio técnico — contacta con Shark.",
      "likelihood": "rare"
    }
  ],
  "steps": [
    {
      "title_en": "Power off and empty the dust cup",
      "title_es": "Apaga el robot y vacía el depósito",
      "detail_en": "Hold POWER for 3 seconds, remove the dust cup, empty it, and check the opening on the robot and the dust cup trap door for debris.",
      "detail_es": "Mantén POWER 3 segundos, saca el depósito de suciedad, vacíalo y revisa la abertura del robot y la trampilla del depósito por si hay suciedad."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clean the filters",
      "title_es": "Limpia los filtros",
      "detail_en": "Wipe the mesh filter on the dust cup door with a dry cloth, remove the foam/felt filter and tap it clean, then click the cup back in.",
      "detail_es": "Limpia la rejilla de la tapa del depósito con un paño seco, saca el filtro y sacúdelo para soltar el polvo, y encaja el depósito hasta oír un clic."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clear the brushroll",
      "title_es": "Despeja el cepillo principal",
      "detail_en": "Flip the robot, open the brushroll cover, lift the brushroll out, remove its end cap and cut away wrapped hair, then clear the compartment.",
      "detail_es": "Da la vuelta al robot, abre la tapa del cepillo principal, sácalo, retira su tapa lateral, corta el pelo enrollado y despeja el compartimento."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Reassemble and test",
      "title_es": "Monta y prueba",
      "detail_en": "Refit brushroll and cover, power on, and press VACUUM. If Error 3 returns immediately, contact Shark support with your model number.",
      "detail_es": "Vuelve a montar el cepillo y la tapa, enciende el robot y pulsa VACUUM. Si el error 3 vuelve de inmediato, contacta con Shark indicando tu modelo."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    "shark-brushroll-rv2000",
    "shark-washable-filter-rv2000"
  ],
  "related": [
    "31",
    "26",
    "9"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label_en": "Shark Support — RV2800 Series Error Codes, Suction Motor Error (Error 3)",
      "label_es": "Soporte de Shark — Códigos de error RV2800, motor de succión (error 3)",
      "url": "https://support.sharkninja.com/article/RV2800-Series-Error-Codes---Suction-Motor-Error-3",
      "kind": "official"
    },
    {
      "label_en": "Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty owner's guide — error code table (mirror)",
      "label_es": "Manual del Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty — tabla de códigos de error (copia)",
      "url": "https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2326407/Shark-Iq-Self-Empty.html?page=26",
      "kind": "community"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "official",
  "last_verified": "2026-07-06"
}