Polaris Maxx Troubleshooting

If you are having problems with your Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner, you are not alone. Many Polaris Maxx owners experience issues with their pool cleaner from time to time, and it can be frustrating to deal with these problems.

I have problems with my Polaris Maxx View Polaris Maxx Manual

Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner Problems

The Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner does not move or moves slowly.

Solution:

  • Confirm that the main drain is closed.
  • Check wheel speed to verify proper flow. Refer to section, “Check for Proper Flow.”
  • Check to see if any interior teeth of the tracks are worn. If so, contact your dealer for replacement tracks.
  • Clean or backwash filter and empty pump basket.
  • Check for debris caught in the engine. Refer to section, “Remove Debris from Engine”.
  • Switch cleaner to large debris cleaning mode. Refer to section, “Cleaner Vacuum Modes”.
  • Check for air in system. If water level in pump basket drops or you see excessive air bubbles in the pump basket or coming from the return lines, there is air in the system. Check hose connections, tighten all fittings at pump and check o-ring at pump basket for wear.
  • For skimmer installations, check the Flowkeeper™ to make sure that it can move freely with the water flow.

The Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner pattern does not cover entire pool

Solution:

  •  Confirm proper hose length for your pool. Refer to section, “Determine Correct Hose Length.”
  • Count wheel rotations to verify proper flow. Refer to section, “Check for Proper Flow”. Adjust flow if necessary.
  • Ensure return line fittings are directed downward. Add a return diverter if necessary.
  • Make sure hose is not kinked or coiled. Lay in sun to straighten if necessary.
  • Verify hose float is positioned approximately 9″ from cleaner head on the leader hose (c/g).
  • Observe cleaner for more than five (5) minutes and ensure that each drive track is periodically reversing direction. If it is not, contact dealer or service center for help.

The Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner gets stuck at steps.

Solution:

  • Observe cleaner for more than five (5) minutes and ensure that each drive track is periodically reversing direction. If it is not, contact you dealer or service center for help.
  • Ensure the swivel on top of the cleaner rotates freely.
  • Count wheel rotations to verify proper flow. Refer to section, “Check for Proper Flow”. Adjust flow if necessary.
  • Confirm proper hose length for your pool. Refer to section, “Determine Correct Hose Length.”

The Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner won’t climb walls.

Solution:

  • Count wheel rotations to verify proper flow. Refer to section, “Check for Proper Flow”. Adjust flow if necessary.
  • Verify hose float is positioned approximately 9″ from cleaner

The Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner riding on its side.

Solution:

  •  Verify hose float is positioned approximately 9″ from cleaner.

Polaris Maxx Replacement Parts

Troubleshooting a Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner

Share your Polaris Maxx Pool Cleaner Problems, issues , tips, ideas, and frustrations with other owners.

  1. My Polaris MAXX vacuum outer wheels are not rotating (turning) like they used to. I’ve had the pool store look at the vacuum and they said the rubber tracks and all parts do not need to be replaced but I’m wondering if there are interior gears/gaskets that may wear out that would stop the outer wheels from rolling on the pool floor.

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      • also same issue i have replaced all parts for it and still nothing im not sure what else to do

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    • I am having the same problem Feb. 15, 2024. Leslies pool looked at mine said all was good. Thought my hose may have been old (unit is about 2-3 years old). Replaced all Zodiac hoses (no knock -offs) just now and same issue, he is staying in the deep end and staying relatively in circles. Looking to replace unit but now only sells as a complete set not just the vacuum. P.K Southern California. I would expect more for a $600 3 year old purchase.

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    • We have issues with it not crawling the walls except for a few inches but the biggest issue we have from the first couple of months after purchasing it is that the wheels just stop moving all together. We called Zodiak/Polaris and was told to take it into Leslie’s Pool Store where we bought it. We took it into the Leslie Pool store a few times and they looked it over and told us they cannot see any problem and that it should be working properly.
      Now it is out of warranty and now it only will move for about 5 min and stops. I have to give it a nudge to start it again and often have to take it out of the pool and turn all the parts manually and then it restarts. It is a real hassle. Polaris will do nothing for us now because it is out of warranty even though we told them we have been taking it into Leslie’s as instructed and they just keep telling us there is nothing wrong. I will never buy another Zodiac/Polaris again. From reading reviews we are not the only people having this issue so I am very disappointed that Zodiac/Polaris does not stand behind their product.

      Reply
      • Hi Lynn,

        Same issue I am having. I bought it less than a year ago and will bring it to Leslie for them to look at it.

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      • I’m having the same issue!!
        Did anyone answer you? Or all the others! Mine is just sitting in the bottom of the pool also!

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        • I have had mine for a year or so and noticed the flowkeeper value keeps opening on start up. I’m wondering if the flow rate keeps changing.

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    • Same problem did you get a reply? An answer?!!!!!
      Any answer????

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  2. we just bought this Polaris Maxx cleaner and are trying to hook it up to the skimmer (we dont have a designated port). The cuff that goes in to the skimmer hole will not go in all the way and keeps popping out. it seems too big but the skimmer is standard 1.5″.

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    • Hello Debbie,

      I have the same problem so I wrapped it with the black plumbing tape and it finally worked. I too wasn’t able to truly get a suction until it started sucking. I spent several hours dealing with this issue.

      Reply
  3. I bought the Polaris max this past summer, I also bought a new pump as mine went out. When I connect the line to the dedicated skin report, the wheels turn at a good pace, but when the head is completely submerged, it does not move at all at the bottom. I have removed it from the dedicated port, and feel the suction and it is very very good.

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  4. Polaris Maxx spends 90% in the deep end. Adjusted leader hose float 9 inches from cleaner head as described. Adjusted flow at 10 wheel revolutions in 24 seconds. Set up hose length to deepest end from suction port and then added leader hose as instructed.
    Spends 80% of time rotating clockwise and counterclockwise and moving maybe 2 to 4 feet and sometimes about a foot.
    Why is this cleaner rotating more than traveling in a straight path?
    Even tried adjusting flow slower and faster. Tried adjusting hose float at different heights on leader hose. Tried adding another length of hose. Nothing works. Doesn’t cover much area when moving.

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    • I’m having same issue with the unit spending more time spinning than going straight. Did you find a resolution? Brand new unit.

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  5. Changed tire tread with polaris parts. unit not moving now? not sure if something broke.

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  6. The tread belt on one side is loose and comes off the track. Can’t figure out how to adjust the tension.

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  7. Polaris maxx pool cleaner makes grinding sound tracks appear loose. I disassembled and did nit fund gear wear, p
    But shaft at top of tread appears to have a lot of movement. Could the tracks need to be replaced?

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  8. The Polaris maxx will not stay connected to the side of our pool. I purchased a lock cover and when the pump turned on, the cleaner disconnects from the pool. Please help.

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  9. I get air bubbles every time I use my Polaris Maxx. I do not have air in the system any other time

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  10. Goes in circles then straight but only a foot or two. Goes in circles, repeats

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  11. The vacuum stopped moving around the pool and it’s barely a year old by less than a month. We checked for debris, leaning hose, etc and nothing is wrong other than it won’t move around anymore. We don’t even get leaves in our pool and just dust so it’s not working through major debris on regular basis even.

    Reply
  12. My sweep has stopped moving. I checked the engine no debris. The tread is good one wheel turns very freely. One wheel doesn’t.
    I need help. I’m very upset.

    Reply

Polaris Maxx Issues? Need Help?

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