Shark Stratos and Vertex cordless: filters, battery and clogs

Stratos and Vertex sticks look alike but take different filters and batteries. Match your model number to the parts first. The steps are the same for all three.

Stratos IZ862H
Vertex IZ462H
Vertex Pro IZ662H
Release-button battery

Match your model number to the right parts

Shark's rating label sits on the back or bottom of the main unit. On the Vertex IZ462H family, the model and serial numbers are on the QR code label on the bottom of the back of the handheld vacuum and on the battery.

Model	Sold as	Pre-motor filters	HEPA filter	Battery
IZ862H (also IZ840H, UZ865H)	Stratos cordless	XFFKIZ700	XPSMFIZ700	XBATR725SL
IZ462H (also IZ482H, IZ483H)	Vertex cordless	617FJ140	XHF161H	XSBT750
IZ662H	Vertex Pro cordless	XFFKIZ600	Check Shark's parts search	XBATR725

The IZ362H is a Rocket Pet Pro, not a Vertex, and takes different parts. Some IZ440-series Vertex models have a non-removable battery; Shark's guide labels them that way.

Wash the pre-motor and HEPA filters

Shark says to clean the pre-motor filters at least once a month and the post-motor HEPA filter at least once a year, more often with heavy use. Tap off loose dirt between washes.

XFFKIZ700Stratos pre-motor foam and felt kit. Fits IZ862H, IZ840H, UZ865H.

XPSMFIZ700Stratos post-motor HEPA filter. Fits IZ862H, IZ840H, UZ865H.

617FJ140Vertex pre-motor foam and felt kit. Fits IZ462H, IZ440H, IZ482H, IZ483H.

XHF161HVertex post-motor HEPA filter. Fits IZ462H, IZ440H, IZ482H, IZ483H.

XFFKIZ600Vertex Pro pre-motor foam and felt kit. Fits IZ662H, IZ682H, IZ683H.

Safety: Turn the vacuum off and remove the battery before you take out the filters.

Remove the dust cup. Pull the foam and felt pre-motor filters out of the back of the dust cup.
Pull the post-motor HEPA filter out of the handheld vacuum.
Rinse the filters with water only. No soap.
Let them air-dry completely: Shark says up to 48 hours for the Stratos and at least 24 hours for the Vertex.
Refit every filter. The vacuum won't run, or has no suction, without the post-motor filter in place.

The dust cup can be rinsed with water too. Dry it on its side with the lid open (48 hours for Stratos, 24 for Vertex). The Stratos odor cartridges should be replaced every 6 months, and the odor dial must be fitted for the vacuum to run.

Clear a clog in the handheld, wand or floor nozzle

Safety: Turn the vacuum off and remove the battery first.

Take the handheld vacuum off the wand and check every intake opening on the dust cup.
Remove the handheld and the floor nozzle from the wand. On the MultiFLEX section, pinch the tabs on both sides of the clog access hose and lift it out. Clear anything inside.
On the floor nozzle, use the edge of a coin to open the three locks underneath. Remove the cover, tilt back the neck and clear the opening.
Refit the nozzle cover by sliding its inserts into the slots and pressing down on all sides, then turn the locks clockwise until they click.

Brushrolls and the soft roller

These heads are designed to strip hair off their own brushrolls. If hair is wrapped around one, keep cleaning on the Carpet setting over a bare floor, low-pile carpet or small rug. Remove any fibers that are still wrapped after that. On the Vertex, turn the coin locks counterclockwise and lift the cover to reach the self-cleaning brushroll.

Soft roller

Pull the soft roller out by its tab.
Tap off loose debris and wipe it with a dry towel.
Hand wash it with water only when needed, then let it air-dry completely (Shark says 24 to 48 hours for the Stratos).
Push it back in until it clicks.

The brushrolls only spin when the handheld is tilted back; on the Stratos, the nozzle swivel must also be unlocked.

Swap the battery pack

The battery comes out without tools on the Stratos IZ862H and the Vertex IZ462H.

XBATR725SLStratos battery. Shark's guide says IZ840H, IZ841H, IZ842H, IZ862H, IZ863H, IZ864H and IZ882H use only this pack.

XSBT750Vertex battery. For IZ462H, IZ482H and IZ483H.

XBATR725Vertex Pro battery. For IZ662H and IZ682H, IZ683H.

Turn the vacuum off.
Press and hold the battery release button and slide the battery out of the back of the handheld.
Slide the new genuine pack into the slot until it seats.
Charge it fully before use: about 3.5 hours on the Stratos and about 3 hours on the Vertex. The vacuum won't turn on while the charger is connected.

Safety: Use only the Shark pack listed for your model. Don't charge a pack that is swollen, cracked or hot, and recycle old packs at a battery drop-off rather than in the trash.

Lights and symptoms

Red filter icon (Stratos)

Low suction. Clean the filters, empty the dust cup and clear any blockage.

F0 on the display and a flashing Clean Sense IQ icon (Stratos)

The debris sensors are blocked. Wipe them with a microfiber cloth; they sit inside the handheld nozzle about 3 inches down the air path, lined up with the IQ logos.

Red nozzle light (Vertex)

Low or no suction. Check the wand, nozzle and handheld for a blockage.

Blinking red nozzle light (Vertex)

The vacuum overheated and shut off. Clear all blockages and wait 60 minutes for the motor to cool.

Battery lights flashing (Vertex)

Bottom light flashing: the battery needs charging. Top and bottom flashing: the battery is too hot or cold, so charging has paused and will resume. Top two or bottom two flashing: call Shark at 1-800-798-7398.

Charging light colors (Stratos)

The light pulses yellow from 0 to 75%, green from 76 to 99%, and white at 100%, then turns off when charging is complete.

Turns off by itself

Check the battery lights.
Empty the dust cup and clean the filters.
Clear the wand, accessories and inlets.
Let the vacuum and battery cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes, then restart.

Brushrolls don't spin

Turn off and clear any blockage. Tilt the handheld back far enough for the brushrolls to engage. If the nozzle headlights are off too, reconnect the handheld, wand and nozzle firmly.