If you notice your Bissell Crosswave is not picking up water as effectively as it should, it can be frustrating and concerning. However, in most cases, there are straightforward fixes we can walk you through.
The innovative Bissell Crosswave combines a vacuum and mop in one convenient floor cleaner. Its powerful suction is key for lifting water and cleaning solution off your sealed hard floors. When this vital water pick-up fails, it hampers the entire cleaning performance.
The Water Tank is Full
The first thing to check is whether the water tank is full. The Crosswave has a finite water storage capacity. An internal float mechanism automatically shuts off any more water from entering once the tank reaches maximum volume.
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Manually inspect under the tank lid for signs of fullness before continuing troubleshooting. Water should be emptied when you hear the float trigger or see it flipped upwards.
Preventing Water Tank Overfills
Get into the habit of proactively dumping the dirty water tank before it reaches full capacity. Try to empty it when the tank water level is 3/4 or more full. This ensures enough vacant room remains for continuous water suction.
Clogged Filter Causing Poor Suction
It’s quite common for debris and sediment to gradually restrict the Crosswave’s filters over time. This disrupts the critical suction airflow pathway between the motorized brush roll and vacuum.
Carefully check both the foam pre-motor filter and fleece post-motor filter inside the dirty water tank. Look for any visible dirt build-up or clogging.
| Signs of a Clogged Filter |
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If you confirm the filter is obstructed, promptly replace it with a new Bissell one. This instantly restores strong suction flow for lifting water again.
Regular Filter Maintenance is Key
Get ahead of future clogging issues by washing filters monthly. Alternatively, just swap in a new filter set every 2-3 months depending on your usage levels. Remember, unclogged filters are vital for water pick-up!
Low Battery Preventing Suction
While it may not seem closely related, having your Crosswave battery maintained is crucial for consistent water suction functionality.
Check if the battery icon on your Crosswave is blinking or displaying as low. Then examine the charging dock connections to ensure the device is seated fully to recharge properly when not in use.
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If replacing the battery is needed, only use original Bissell lithium-ion packs. This restores the correct voltage for restarting the suction motor.
Maximizing Battery Charge
Help your Crosswave battery last longer by recharging immediately after you finish cleaning floors, not mid-session. Also avoid leaving the device docked for more than 5 hours consecutively.
Float Ball Obstruction
Inside the Crosswave dirty water tank is a small float ball near the fill line. This rises to shut off incoming water when full. If debris jams around this ball, it can get stuck in the upwards position.
| Stuck Float Ball Symptoms |
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Carefully clean all around the float ball with a cotton swab after emptying the tank. Avoid overfilling the tank which can trap debris around the ball. You may need to dislodge stuck hair or particles to get the float moving freely again.
Rinsing Out the Tank
Once a month, do a deeper clean by filling your empty tank with hot water and white vinegar. Let soak 30 minutes then rinse clean. This dissolves any sticky grime interfering with float ball movement.
Brush Roll Failing to Spin
The Crosswave depends on its motorized brush roll spinning to suction up dirty water. If this action gets disrupted, it blocks effective water pickup.
Check underneath your Crosswave cleaning head for signs of a stalled or jammed brush roll. Also inspect for any tangled debris restricting movement. You may need to detach the brush chamber to clear obstructions.
| Brush Roll Problems |
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If the bristles are excessively worn down, replacement is needed for renewed scrubbing and water suction power. Install an authentic Bissell brush roll to restore performance.
Extending Roller Brush Lifespan
Help maximize your existing roller brush by detangling any strands of hair weekly using scissors or an X-Acto knife. Also avoid pressing down with extra force when scrubbing delicate floors.
Further Advanced Troubleshooting
If you’ve triple checked all the previous troubleshooting tips but your Crosswave still fails to suck up water, don’t lose hope! Here are a few more advanced tactics to try:
Inspect Internal Hoses
Examine the inner suction hoses running from the motorized foot to the dirty water tank. If cracked or detached, this can introduce air leaks hindering water lift.
Ensure Water Tank Lid Fits Tight
Check that the gasket seal on the tank lid lays flat and the locking tabs fit snugly when closed. Any gaps here allows suction loss.
Test Suction on Different Surfaces
See if water pickup improves when cleaning thicker rugs instead of hard floors. This helps diagnose where loss of suction originates.
As a last resort, contact Bissell support online or by phone. They can offer specialized troubleshooting for resolving any remaining water suction issues.
Preventing Future Crosswave Water Pick-Up Problems
An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to maintaining consistent Bissell Crosswave performance.
Follow this simple monthly maintenance checklist to minimize issues like water suction failure:
- Rinse and air dry wet brushes
- Check filters and brush roll for debris
- Examines all seals and internal hoses
- Test suction on multiple surfaces
- Fully recharge battery each use
Additionally, always fill the clean water tank fully before cleaning and lift the Crosswave as you push forward to prevent water trailing behind.
Catching small problems early makes a difference too. Contact Bissell at the first sign of intermittent suction issues or leaking.
As we’ve covered, there are a handful of common reasons a Crosswave can fail at one of its core functions – water suction.
From a full dirty water tank to clogged filter to battery issues, many problems can disrupt air flow causing poor water lift.
The good news is that nearly all these suction failures can be reversed with basic maintenance and part replacements as needed. Use our detailed troubleshooting guide to get your Crosswave sucking up water again!
Investing a few minutes into regularly checking filters, float balls, and brushes pays off by preventing pricey repairs down the road while restoring wet scrubbing power.
