Its pretty undeniable that Dyson has set a gold standard on vacuums, down to every last detail. That includes performance, features, accessories, and design. However, you might be aware of the high price point that Dyson’s products come with. This means each purchase is really a big investment, with even the supposedly affordable models costing around $200.
That having been said, its really a uniquely awful feeling when you go to use your vacuum, only to discover that its just not turning on.
But hey, we’re here to help!
Finding out that your vacuum has stopped turning on is a common complaint, and one we’ve read a good deal of emails on. With such demand for an answer, we’ve put some effort into researching and putting together this guide. With luck you might even be able to fix your vacuum on your own.
Why has my Dyson stopped turning on? Unfortunately, there could be a myriad of reasons why your vacuum has stopped working. We’ll be listing a number of those below. Take a good look at your vacuum and see if any of these apply.
Corded Dyson Vacuums
The power cord is either broken or loose
This case is really only going to be an issue for Dyson vacuums that have cords, such as the Dyson Ball Animal 2.
Inspect your power cord.
You should be looking out for issues like rips, damage, or tearing. If your power cord is damaged, there might be more to worry about than maintenance costs, because power cords have the potential to cause serious harm. For example, it poses a potential house fire or electrocution risk. Thus, power cord damage should be taken seriously and met with an immediate cord replacement.
If you’re positive that your cord is damage free, the next place to inspect is the plug. Look out for any damage or bending on the prongs.
If both of these parts are damage free, you can try plugging your vacuum back in. Here, keep an eye out for any looseness. In this scenario, looseness means that power isn’t going into your vacuum.
Blown Fuse
Every Dyson contains a 13A fuse. If you get a potentially dangerous surge of electricity going through your vacuum, the fuse might blow. This happens to hopefully spare the motor and other parts of the vacuum from further harm.
A blown fuse means that your vacuum isn’t going to be operational. Without the motor, the power button wont be doing anything for you.
Most of the time, the fuse isn’t going to be the culprit. And if this does happen to be the issue, it usually happens in conjunction with some kind of motor damage as well. The unfortunate side of having a blown fuse is that you’ll need to return your vacuum to Dyson. If you want to fix your fuse yourself by replacing it, you’ll need to open the vacuum manually. This might not be a good idea, since opening your vacuum will render your warranty void.
Overheated Motor
An overheated motor is a relatively simply issue. We do get a lot of complaints about Dysons overheating and refusing to turn on, so stay tuned for some tips.
Vacuums can sometimes stop suddenly while in operation. In this case, feel the outside of the motor area to see if its overly warm. If the vacuum has overheated, the motor will turn off by itself in order to prevent extra harm.
This mechanism is totally normal, and doesn’t imply any serious damage to your vacuum. This issue also has a relatively easy fix! Once the vacuum cools, it should start working again. You should give your vacuum at least 30 minutes to rest and cool itself off. No additional help is required!
Cordless Dyson Vacuums
Battery Doesn’t Have a Charge
If your vacuum is cordless, its operating from a battery located in the machine’s interior. If this battery isn’t charged, the vacuum wont be able to turn on.
In this case, you should try recharging the battery with the provided charger. This usually takes about one or two hours, after which you can try the vacuum again.
Damaged Battery
Inspect the battery itself for any damage, such as denting or cracking. This issue is similar to the power cord damage we addressed earlier – it’s a serious safety risk that needs to be taken seriously. Dysons tend to use lithium ion batteries, which is a relevant fact.
Lithium will have a reaction to air if it is exposed, which means it could potentially spark, cause fire, or even explode. This means that you should take battery casing damage extremely seriously! Do not attempt to use the vacuum again, and place it somewhere safe in case it poses a safety risk.
Its best to take the battery out of the vacuum altogether and retain a photo of the damage for reference. After you do so, safely dispose of the battery.
If you have a photo of the battery, you can show Dyson’s customer service this photo when you speak with them regarding a replacement. Sources say that Dyson has dealt well with battery problems in the past, as they do occur frequently.
If your vacuum happens to still have warranty coverage, you might be able to have a new battery delivered to your home for free. If your vacuum happens to be one where battery replacement is difficult, you might need to bring the vacuum to a servicing point so it can be fixed in the factory.
Universal Problems
Here are some issue that can afflict either cordless or corded Dysons.
Clogged Airway
If something ends up blocking the Dyson’s airway, this causes the motor to work overtime in order to make up for the clog. This can cause overheating over a long period of time, and eventually can stop the motor from working.
If you want the vacuum to continue working, you’ll need to remove whatever is clogging it.
Flashing Troubleshooting Lights on the Dyson Vacuum
You’ll notice that Dyson stick models come with a light on their handle. This light is useful for troubleshooting purposes, and can indicate what issue your vacuum is having.
Flashing Blue Light
If you’re faced with a blue flashing light, a few things could be going wrong. Firstly, this could indicate that the vacuum’s battery is simply low, and your vacuum requires a charge. If you plug in your vacuum, this light should change from blue to amber, indicating that its charging.
If you find that the light is still blue after you plug in the vacuum, you might be dealing with a bigger issue. At this point, its best to bring your vacuum in to get looked at by a professional.
Solid Blue Light
The solid blue light on the vacuum means you should try pressing the vacuum’s “MAX” button. Then, the light should react by flashing. Pay attention and count how many times the light flashes.
If the light flashes seven times, the vacuum is too cold to function. If the light flashes eight times, this indicates an overheating problem.
Either way, this means you need to move your vacuum somewhere with an appropriate temperature so it can adjust until its ready to work.
If the light flashes eleven times, the vacuum is experiencing a clog. Refer to the section on clogs to get the vacuum working again. Clearing the clog means the vacuum will continue to operate.
Flashing Red Light
A red flashing light is never something you want to see. This means something in the vacuum has gone seriously wrong, and requires professional attention. In this case, call Dyson’s customer support to report the issue and receive further guidance.
If you’ve reached this stage, you’ll probably need to take your vacuum to a service center to get it checked out.
How to Replace a Dyson Vacuum’s Battery
If your cordless vacuum’s batter is broken, you’ll need to pay attention to which type of cordless vacuum you have,
Firstly, one of these vacuums will have a battery that is screwed in. To access the battery and replace it, you’ll need to take a couple of screws out.
The other type simply allows the battery to be clicked in or removed. This allows for easy access and fast battery changes. All you need to do is click on the battery pack, and it can be changed very easily.
Lets take a look at how batteries can be replaced on either model.
Screw-In Battery
These batteries will be located in the same place no matter which screw-in battery you have. Therefore, you can probably use these steps if you need to replace your battery.
Before you begin, ensure that your vacuum is unplugged and not connected to your charger.
Take the dust cup off the vacuum using the red lever located near the cup. Push the lever down twice, and avoid pressing the trigger located in the handle.
After you’ve removed the dust cup, examine the vacuum’s bottom. Look for a little screw that holds the battery there. You can use a #2 screwdriver to take it off.
You need to get rid of one more screw before accessing the battery. This one can be found on the handle’s back, near the middle. As soon as this screw is removed, you should be able to take the battery out. Grab hold of the battery pack and remove it by pulling downwards.
Grab your battery replacement and put it in, then replace those screws.
You can find replacement batteries on Dyson’s website!
Click-in Battery
Vacuums that come with batteries that click in include the Dyson V11 and V15 – the Outsize and the Detect. These vacuums also come with an additional battery with the box.
If you press the battery inwards, it should disengage right away, easy as that. Grab your reserve battery and replace it in the vacuum. That’s all!
How to Clear Blockages from Dyson Vacuums
Suction Hose & Wand
The most clog-prone spot is the suction hose, so check there first when searching for a clog.
Take the hose out of the vacuum by searching for the lever that releases it. Consult the user manual if you need some help locating it.
Then, take a look at the hose’s interior to inspect for clogs. Once you locate a clog, you can take a long object and clear the clog manually. Exercise caution to ensure that the hose doesn’t suffer any damage when you clear it out.
The next thing to do is look inside the suction wand. Do this the way that you checked out the hose, inspecting for clogs and clearing what you find.
Hose Inlet
The vacuum is connected to the suction hose using this inlet, and this component is also quite prone to clogs. Thankfully, this area is low maintenance. Just take a peek inside that inlet to identify any clogs or obstructions. You can clear away anything you need.
Cleaning Head
Look inside the cleaning head in case anything large is blocking it, such as a clump of hair. You can be especially vigilant in the brush roll area.
A clog in this spot is pretty dangerous because it can stop the flow of air. This means the motor can easily overheat. In addition, you risk causing the roller belt to snap.
A razor blade is one tool you could use to snip away any hair tangled in the vacuum. If stuff is lodged into the brush head, you can use tweezers to pull it out. The brush can also be disengaged off the vacuum so you can see it and clean it better.
The cleaning head’s downside also contains a couple of fasteners that keep the bottom plate well attached. Swiveling the fastener will disengage it, allowing you to access the brush better. If you take the bottom place off, you can wash the brush with water.
Wash the brush with water and use careful scrubbing motions to remove anything inside the bristles that might be impeding it. Make sure the brush is totally dried off before using it again – this might take around 24 hours in total.
Its really important NOT to use the brush if its not fully dried off. Make sure the brush is 100% dried if you want to use it in the vacuum.
This whole process can be reversed if you need to reinstall the brush head.
My Dyson Vacuum Continuously Turns On and Off
If you’re using your vacuum and notice that your vacuum switches on and off at will, you should stop using the vacuum right away. This problem can be quite dangerous on corded vacuums.
A potential issue that might be occurring has to do with power cord damage. This means that power is not being provided to the motor consistently. This means that continued use could trigger a burnout of the cord, and even a fire.
Unplug your vacuum and take a good look at the wiring.
If you can’t seem to find an issue with the power cord after your visual inspection, its still a good idea to take your vacuum to a professional. They can take a closer look at the vacuum to make sure it isn’t dangerous for you to use.
Conclusion
Usually, Dyson vacuums are extremely strong and reliable. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t fail on occasion. Its not uncommon for them to fail on occasion, so hopefully this article has shed some light on some things you can do in the event that your vacuum breaks down.
