Why Isn't My Pool Cleaner Picking Up Debris?

Your automatic pool cleaner is supposed to make pool ownership easier, but it's frustrating when it stops doing its job. When you see it moving around yet leaving dirt and leaves behind, the fix is usually straightforward.

You don't need to be an expert to solve the problem. By checking a few key areas in a logical order, you can almost always find the cause and get your cleaner working again. This guide will walk you through that process, starting with the most common issues.

1. The Cleaner's Filter Bag or Canister is Full

Much like a household vacuum, a pool cleaner becomes ineffective once its bag is full. This should always be the first place you check when performance drops. A full filter doesn't just run out of room for debris; it actively chokes off the water flow that generates the cleaner's suction power.

Why a Full Filter Stops Suction

The first and most common reason a pool cleaner stops collecting debris is that its internal storage is full. Every robotic and pressure-side cleaner has a filter bag or canister designed to hold what it picks up. Once that space is filled, it can't hold any more. Critically, a full filter also blocks water from flowing through the cleaner, the very process that creates suction in the first place. Without proper water flow, there is no cleaning power.

How to Inspect and Clean the Filter

The filter must be readily accessible. On most units, you take off a top panel or turn the unit upside down to get to a compartment on the bottom. Is the bag or canister full? That could be your problem. But emptying it will not always solve all problems. Invisible dirt and algae can gum up the mesh of the filter and stop water from passing through, even when it looks empty. To give it a proper cleaning, invert the bag and hose it with a garden hose until the water comes out clean. Repeat with the canister screens. Regular weekly checking can stop it from happening again. This is an area where modern designs, like on the iGarden K60, simplify maintenance, as they often feature large-capacity filter baskets that are accessible from the top, making the check-and-clean process a quick, simple task.

Note: Standard suction-side cleaners do not have their own filter bags. They send debris to your pool's skimmer and pump basket, so you should check those locations instead.

2. The Water Flow or Suction Level is Incorrect

Think of water flow as the engine powering your auto cleaner. It cannot move or generate suction to pick up dirt without sufficient or too much water. This is a delicate balance, and its adjustment depends on the specific cleaner you have.

For Suction-Side Cleaners

These cleaners work off your main pool pump, so they're at the mercy of flow fluctuations. Too little flow and the cleaner has no power; too much and it'll lift off the pool floor and bounce around without cleaning. You can check the flow using the simple gauge that probably came with your machine. To adjust, turn the valves at your equipment pad or the regulator valve within the skimmer up or down to control the flow.

For Pressure-Side Cleaners

These cleaners have water forced through them, so a lack of pressure is generally not the issue. Start by seeing if their specialty booster pump is in operation. If it is, the most frequent problem is a tiny filter screen located where the cleaner's hose attaches to the pool wall. This screen tends to be clogged with small particles, and simply flushing it out can restore the cleaner's power in short order.

3. Key Parts Like Brushes or Shoes Are Worn Out

If the filter is clean and water flow is correct, the problem likely lies with the cleaner’s physical components. Over time, parts that scrub, seal, and create suction will inevitably wear down or get clogged. Checking these common wear-and-tear items is the next logical step in your diagnosis.

Brushes

The brushes on your cleaner are designed to scrub and loosen stubborn dirt from pool surfaces. Once they wear down, they lose effective contact with the floor and walls, often leaving fine dust or silt behind. If they look visibly flattened or shortened compared to images of a new part, it's time for a replacement.

Shoes or Pods (for Suction-Side Cleaners)

These components are critical for creating the seal needed for strong suction. As these soft, rubber-like "shoes" wear out, they create gaps that allow water to leak in from the sides. This causes a dramatic loss of vacuum power right at the point of cleaning.

Impeller

The impeller is a small, fan-like device inside the cleaner that spins to generate suction. Unlike brushes or shoes that wear out, the impeller's most common problem is getting jammed by a small twig, long hair, or a pebble. With the cleaner disconnected from power, you can typically open the housing to access the impeller and simply pull out any obstruction.

4. The Cleaner's Settings Are Wrong for the Debris Type

Buried on the underside of many cleaners is a powerful, yet frequently overlooked, feature: an adjustable intake port. Setting this correctly is like choosing the right tool for a job, as it tailors the cleaner's performance to target specific types of debris. If your cleaner is struggling with one type of mess, this is a crucial setting to check.

• For Large Debris (Leaves, Acorns): Use a wider opening. This allows bulky items to be picked up without immediately clogging the intake.
• For Fine Debris (Sand, Silt, Dirt): Use a narrower opening. This concentrates the water flow, creating the focused, high-velocity suction needed to lift heavy, fine particles off the pool floor. A wide setting will lack the power to lift this kind of debris effectively.

Consult your manual to locate and adjust this setting based on the primary type of debris you normally find in your pool.

5. An Air Leak is Disrupting the Suction (For Suction-Side Cleaners)

This problem is exclusive to suction-side cleaners, which operate like a long straw connected to your pool pump. If any air gets into that "straw," the vacuum is broken and suction power is lost. First, look for the tell-tale signs of a leak, then hunt down the source.

Signs of an Air Leak (The Symptoms)

You likely have an air leak if you notice either of these system-wide symptoms:

• A steady stream of air bubbles is shooting out of the return jets and into the pool.
• The water level in your pump basket appears low or is churning with air.

Where to Find the Leak (The Sources)

If you see the signs, check these common points of failure from the pool to the pump:

• The Cleaner's Hose: Carefully inspect each hose section for cracks or pinholes. To find a tiny leak, submerge sections of the hose while the pump is running and look for a stream of bubbles.
• Hose Connections: Ensure every connection between the hose sections is twisted on tightly and securely.
• The Pump Lid O-ring: This is a very common culprit. The large O-ring on your pump lid must be clean and properly lubricated to create an airtight seal. If it's dry, cracked, or dirty, it will let air into the system.

Finding and fixing an air leak—often by simply tightening a connection or replacing an inexpensive O-ring—can restore your cleaner's suction power instantly.

6. Your Main Pool Pump or Filter is Clogged or Dirty

Your pool cleaner is just one part of a larger ecosystem. If the "heart" of your pool—the main pump and filter—is clogged, it cannot provide the strong circulation your cleaner needs to operate. Before you conclude the cleaner itself is faulty, perform these two essential system checks.

A Note for Robotic Cleaner Owners: It's worth noting that this entire category of problems—issues with the main pump and filter pressure—does not directly affect the performance of self-contained robotic cleaners. iGarden K60, for example, uses its own internal motor for suction and is not dependent on your pool's circulation system. If you have a robotic cleaner and have already confirmed its internal filter is clean (Step 1), you can typically skip troubleshooting the main pool pump and filter.

Check the Pump Basket

The basket inside your main pool pump is the first line of defense against large debris. If this basket is full of leaves, it will severely restrict water flow to the pump, starving the entire system and rendering your cleaner powerless. Simply emptying this basket can often solve the entire problem.

Check the Main Filter Pressure

Look at the pressure gauge on your main pool filter. Take note of the current pressure (in PSI) and compare it to the "clean pressure" that was noted when the filter was last serviced. If the gauge reads 8-10 PSI or more above that clean pressure, the filter is clogged and restricting flow.

• For sand or D.E. filters, this means it's time to backwash.
• For cartridge filters, the cartridges need to be removed and thoroughly cleaned.

A clean main filter ensures strong circulation, which is essential for every piece of pool equipment—including your cleaner—to work correctly.

Work Through the Checklist!

As you can see, fixing a pool cleaner is usually a process of elimination. By starting with the simplest and most common problems—like a full filter bag—and then moving on to issues like water flow, worn parts, and the health of your main pool system, you can identify the root cause without guesswork. A cleaner that is moving but not cleaning is a clear sign that one of these elements is out of balance. Taking the time to walk through these steps will restore your cleaner's performance and the clarity of your pool water.