Dyson vacuum cleaners are amazing; however, they can also run into problems occasionally. For example, a common problem is that it no longer picks up debris.
Loss of suction on a Dyson Vacuum cleaner is likely due to a blockage in the air duct. Sometimes, dirty or worn filters can also reduce the suction power of your Dyson Vacuum cleaner.
Read on to understand why your Dyson no longer sucks and how you can recognize whether there is no or reduced suction power, and how to solve this:
How Do I Tell That My Dyson Vacuum Cleaner No Longer Sucks?
When your Dyson vacuum cleaner can no longer suck, the vacuum cleaner will let you know. If you have a newer version of the Dyson vacuum cleaner with an LCD, you will most likely get a message on the screen. For other models, a light might suddenly come on.
Depending on your model of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, you might receive a notification if the Dyson vacuum cleaner has low suction or if it doesn’t have suction power. Some of the notifications include:
- Lights come on (often located near the battery)
- A message on the LCD screen, e.g., Dyson airway blocked.
- The Dyson vacuum is pulsing: the Dyson stutters.
In addition to the above, if your Dyson vacuum cleaner is not working, the dirt will remain, and nothing will be vacuumed.
Reasons Why a Dyson Vacuum No Longer Sucks
There are several reasons why a Dyson vacuum suddenly no longer sucks properly. The most common cause for this problem is a blockage in the air duct; however, there can be more reasons as listed below:
- The filters are dirty, clogged, or need replacement.
- The dust container is too full.
- There’s a blockage somewhere in the vacuum cleaner.
- There could be an air leak due to the poor connection of Dyson parts.
- A low battery life.
How to Increase the Suction Power of Your Dyson Vacuum Cleaner
If your Dyson vacuum cleaner is not sucking, you can follow these steps to find out what the cause is:
Check the Filters
Your Dyson vacuum’s filtration system might be blocked with dirt, making it lose suction. Even models with a single filter might stop sucking normally if the filter gets full of dust and dirt.
Luckily, most Dyson vacuums are equipped with reusable filters; therefore, you don’t need to throw them out and buy a replacement whenever dirt has built up significantly. Instead, you can wash and dry them before reattaching them to the machine.
As you check the filters, you’ll need to figure out the actual model of your Dyson vacuum. Doing so will allow you to determine which filters need to be washed and how often. Remember to turn off the vacuum and unplug the vacuum before examining it.
You can clean the filters by following these steps:
- First, turn off the vacuum cleaner and disconnect it from the wall.
- Remove the filter. However, it’s best to remember that different models will have their filters in different locations; therefore, refer to your manual for accuracy.
- Wash the filters with cold water only. Avoid cleaning solutions or detergents because they might damage the filter.
- Rinse repeatedly until all the dirt is cleared away and can pass through.
- Dry the filters by leaving them in a warm place for at least 24 hours. Do not use a microwave or tumble dry.
- Reinstall the filters.
After reinstalling the filters, you can use the vacuum cleaner to confirm if the vacuum’s suction power has been restored. If your Dyson vacuum is still not sucking after cleaning the filter, there might be other possible causes that you can explore further.
How Often Should You Replace Your Dyson Vacuum Filter?
The actual period between replacements of the filters will depend on how often you vacuum your house and how dirty the floors are. Your Dyson vacuum user manual will teach you how to clean your Dyson vacuum and how to keep the filters free from blockages.
However, to be sure, you can replace the filters every year. You can also buy genuine filters for your vacuum directly from Dyson.
Check the U-bend Pipe
Most Dyson vacuum cleaners have a U-bend pipe at the back of the machine that connects the attachment hose to the dust cup. This pipe is locked into place with a quarter-turn screw.
Some of the pipes are transparent, and you can see if it’s blocked without removing them. If your model has an opaque model, you can take it off and check for blockages by blowing into one end.
Clean the pipe before putting it back in your vacuum cleaner to confirm if the suction power is restored.
Empty the Dust Container
Ensure that you’ve emptied the dirt bin on your Dyson vacuum. Emptying the bin might not cross your mind; however, it’s a common reason your Dyson vacuum might have no suction from the base.
It’s best always to pay attention to the clear bin to see how dirt and debris have filled up the bin and when you should empty it.
A nearly or full bin often leaves little space for more debris, which weakens the vacuum’s suction, leading to your Dyson vacuum not picking up dirt on the carpet. The air will then be directed to a small vent above the filter with a possible loud hiss.
If you want to empty the dust container of your Dyson vacuum, push the release lever on the hand and remove the clear container. You will find a red latch at the bottom of the bin. Hold it down, slide the dirt bin off the machine, and empty it.
Ensure that you also check the seals for any damage while you’re at it.
Check the Nozzle
If you own a Dyson handheld vacuum, check whether there’s any obstruction or blockage inside the nozzle that causes the vacuum to lose suction. This is quite an easy check that can help your vacuum cleaner to regain its suction.
Check the Bristles
Vacuum cleaners’ bristles are usually sharp at the beginning; however, they wear out over time, especially if you’ve used the vacuum for several years. If your Dyson vacuum cleaner lost suction, check if the bristles look like those of a new toothbrush. You might need to replace the whole brush bar if they don’t.
Check the Side Valve
There might be a valve on the side of your Dyson vacuum. You can remove it from the machine by pushing a button near it. Then, blow into one end to establish if there are any blockages.
If you can’t feel the air on the other end, it might mean that the valve needs to be cleaned.
Why Is My Dyson Vacuum Pulsing- Even After Filter Cleaning?
A vacuum cleaner’s airflow is vital for maintaining good suction power. Unfortunately, the air can no longer flow through if a blockage or an air duct is blocked. As a result, the vacuum loses its suction power, and the vacuum cleaner can break.
Your Dyson vacuum might pulse when it wants to prevent damage in case of a blockage in the air duct. It stops functioning immediately to prevent any damage.
If your Dyson vacuum pulses, there might be a problem with the vacuum cleaner’s airflow. Pulsing is an audible function where the vacuum cleaner makes a stuttering sound. The pulsing is often due to a blockage in the air duct or clogged filters.
Check this too: Bisell Carpet Cleaner Troubleshooting
Your Dyson Vacuum Pulsates Due to Airflow Problems
Your Dyson vacuum is designed to pulse; therefore, don’t worry that the motor will break or your vacuum will get stuck. Pulsing indicates a restriction of airflow and damage to the motor caused by a clogged filter or a blockage in the unit.
The pulsing can best be described as stuttering. It might seem like the Dyson turns on and off in quick succession. However, when your Dyson vacuum pulses, you can hear it clearly; sometimes, a blue light will blink too.
Pulsing might be due to the following problems:
- A blockage in the vacuum cleaner rod
- A blockage in the vacuum cleaner itself
- Clogged or worn filters
- Blockages in the attachments
After the stutter, the Dyson will stop functioning immediately. For example, if a vacuum cleaner’s air duct is blocked, the air can no longer flow through. As a result, the suction power will decrease, and the Dyson vacuum cleaner can no longer cool down.
How to Make Your Dyson Cleaner Stop Pulsing
If you want to make your Dyson vacuum cleaner stop pulsing, you’ll have to look for blockage in the vacuum cleaner. Here’s how you can discover the blockade’s location:
- First, remove all Dyson parts from the vacuum cleaner.
- Check if the Dyson vacuum is still pulsing. If the vacuum cleaner still stutters, the blockage might be in the vacuum cleaner itself. Empty the dust container and check the air inlets. If there is still some pulsing, there might be a blockage in the vacuum cleaner rod or one of the Dyson parts. You can proceed to step 3 below.
- Check the vacuum cleaner rod and suction brushes for any blockages and remove them.
- Click all parts back on the Dyson vacuum and check that the vacuum cleaner no longer pulses when you turn it on. If it pulses, proceed to the step below.
- Remove the filter from your Dyson vacuum, check if it’s dirty, and clean it.
- Let the filter dry for at least 24 hours.
If you’ve thoroughly cleaned the Dyson filter and let it dry for at least 24 hours, but the pulsing still hasn’t disappeared, you might need to replace it. Always confirm your Dyson’s serial number before buying a new filter to ensure you have the right one.
Although you can always wash a Dyson filter, it’s best to replace yours at least once annually.
Don’t fret if your Dyson vacuum cleaner turns on but is not sucking because this is quite a common issue. You can always figure out the issue and fix it by following the tips above or calling a professional to assist. Maintaining your vacuum is always advisable to ensure that these issues don’t arise again.