How to replace Kenmore canister vacuum filter.

Just use the sponge filter, if wet dust goes through the blades, it will build up, throw it off balance and the vacuum blades will break loose from the shaft.

you have lost the rubber insert at the bottom of the canister. The bottom of the center cone normally fits into this and blocks the bottom of the cone. It would have fallen out when you emptied it.

Yes the sponge type filter

The first step towards improving the suction is to clean the circular HEPA filter. The filter also houses a circular sponge which should be rinsed and dried before putting it back. Check the HEPA filter to see if it needs replacement -- will look muddy! Another quick check is to remove the HEPA filter, run the vacuum cleaner momentarily in upright position to check if suction is restored at the hose end.

After doing this if suction is still poor or non existent, you should detach the transparent canister - a bit tricky since the release rod for the flap has to be aligned when you want to reassemble the unit.
Once the canister is removed, you should check and clean the center tube/shaft for any clogged dust (use a wire coat hanger if needed to pry out the dust). This tube gets clogged if the vacuum cleaner was used to pick up damp/wet spills etc.

Depending on age there may be one or two filters. A Hepa filter is an exhaust filter generally at the back end of the vac, sometimes at the back top.
For this style filter there will be a small grill with a release tab on it, simply pull the finger tab and the grill should pop off revealing the filter.
There is normally a bag chamber filter behind the dust bag as well. Open the bag chamber below the tool storage and remove the bag.There will be a soft filter sitting behind the bag on most models. If it is a sponge type it can be washed and reinstalled when dry, but if fabric it is disposable.Make sure you have replacement filters in hand before changing as some filters simply pop into a reusable frame, often a red frame. If the material slides out the frame is generally reusable, if glued in , it is likely disposable.
USE only the specified filter and chose the best quality multi ply filter bags for maximum vac performance and efficiency

if its just a piece of foam it don't matter.if it has a cloth covered side the the cloth will be towards the outide of the canister

This type of vacuum does not use a bag. If you are worried about clogging the filter cartridge try using a paper filter for a shop-vac. They are relatively cheap and are available at most hardware and department stores. These are made to simply wrap around the big cartridge. A rubber band will hold it in place.

hi take off canister cover remove bag now if you look inside canister you will/should see a gauze type filter at the opposite end of canister from where bag locks in ?? remove this gauze filter and for now just shake tap on floor to remve dust/debri etc /from it this gauze is the filter that when vac is working andfilling the dust bag ? the pressure of air only that blows bag up but allows only air to pass thro the microscopic holes in bag ? then has to expel via the gauze filter to exterior ? and any dust etc that is clever enough to seep through the bag ??? will not pass further due to gauze ? and so prevents this blowing back into room ok so far ?? if this gauze is blocked due to whatever ?? then pressure build up in canister will result in cover lifting? this is provided that the fault is not the actual cover securing latch is ok and not damaged ? hope this explains and helps ? best wishes from uk !

I actually pulled back my old vac after using this thing. Having said that I have played around with it and one quick cure is the remove or clean the little circle sponge filter at bottom. If you remove the canister and look at the bottom of vac you will see where the air travels down through a small circle. In there is a sponge filter that is probably clogged. Now Being frustrated, I just removed it and the vac sucks like crazy now. There are just way to many filters to worry about. As mentioned you need to clean the top main filiter, then the top sponge filter, and then dont froget there is alson one in the front of the machine (square paper filter) that catches dust leaving vac. These are on top of the little circle one that I removed, so I dont think it will be missed. Try and see what you think.