Troubleshooting common Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Problems
Dyson Vacuum cleaners have a reputation for being expensive, but well worth the money with their reputation for excellence in households around the world.
It’s true that Dyson vacuums perform extremely well with proper maintenance like keeping filters clean, but even the best appliances give problems from time to time.
Our repair technicians at Bath Domestic Appliances find there are some issues with Dyson vacuum cleaners that crop up more often than others, so we’ve put together this list with some possible solutions you can try before calling in the professionals.
This is probably the most common problem we see with Dyson vacuums. It generally means the machine is overheating – and that in turn is likely to be because the airflow is blocked.
Before you panic, though, check your electrical supply – has the circuit breaker tripped, or is there a problem with the socket (try plugging in something else to check that it is working). If all seems well you can go back to looking at the vacuum cleaner; if the electrics look dodgy, call an electrician.
If the vacuum is still cutting out shortly after starting up, then you can try cleaning the filter (rinse under cold running water) which is probably clogged with dirt and debris. Make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and dried before you put it back together and try the vacuum again. If the vacuum continues to stop after starting (ie. overheating) call in a qualified repair technician to check it over. The problem could be caused by several things, such as a motor fault, defective switch, or damaged cable.
Tip: Dyson vacuums are dependent on a free airflow. Most problems arise because of a blockage – if not a dirty filter or cyclone unit, then something could be caught in the wand or the brush bar.
Once again, the lack of suction could be caused by a dirty filter or a blockage somewhere in the vacuum’s system. It could also be the result of the filter not being completely dry, so when you wash your filter make sure it is air dried for at least 24 hours before you replace it and use the vacuum.
Another cause of loss of suction power could also be a worn or broken seal around one of the connecting parts, meaning the machine will be sucking in air where it shouldn’t be, reducing the suction you get at the end of the wand or stick. A technician will be able to identify the source of the leak and replace the seal or gasket that is causing it.
If you have a Dyson cordless vacuum it will have a rechargeable lithium battery which charges on its docking station. A battery should last up to four years – though it may develop performance issues sooner than this depending on frequency of use and charging.
While it is charging the Dyson will display a solid blue light – if the blue light flashes then it means it is not charging, and if there’s no light at all it means it has completed charging.
If your vacuum won’t charge first check the obvious – is the charging station plugged in correctly and turned on? Also check that the charging cable is not damaged – if it is, stop using it and get a new one.
If you don’t have the docking station for your Dyson mounted on the wall this might affect the charging of the device. Dysons are designed to hang and charge in that position, to eliminate pressure on the charger cable. So you could try mounting the docking station as a solution.
Next, determine whether the battery casing is cracked or damaged – if it is the whole battery pack will need to be replaced.
Also check the machine thoroughly for blockages.
If all seems well but you aren’t getting charged up the battery might need replacing. You can order one directly from Dyson online and follow the instructions for replacing the battery which should be in your user manual. If you prefer, call a technician to do it for you.
Tip: It is recommended that you keep your Dyson cordless cleaner on permanent charge. It does the battery no harm – in fact is better for it – to keep it charging, and your machine is ready to use whenever you need it.
You really do need to have the brush bar (or beater bar) on your vacuum spinning for optimum cleaning performance, so as to dislodge the dirt from the carpets. If this isn’t happening it will impact on the operation and components of the whole vacuum cleaner, possibly causing overheating and motor damage.
The reason for the brush bar to stop working is usually down to fur, hair and other fibres becoming entangled around the brush and clogging it up. Most Dyson vacuum cleaner models allow for the removal of the cleaner head, and the opening of the base, so that you can access the brush bar and gently remove whatever is entangled in it. If necessary, you can carefully cut away fibres with a pair of scissors.
Blockages further up the system – in the wand, bin or filter – might also cause the brushbar to struggle to spin, so check all these thoroughly.
If you’re still having problems, Contact us at Bath Domestic Appliances today. We cover the city of Bath and the surrounding area of North East Somerset, as well as a large part of West Wiltshire, including Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge, Melksham and Corsham.
