Dyson Vacuum Battery Keeps Cutting Out? 5 Fixes to Try

Does your Dyson vacuum power on for only a few seconds before it cuts out? Don’t worry, not even Speedy Gonzales can finish his vacuuming in less than 2 seconds flat. Take a look at the 5 tips in this article that’ll help you boost your Dyson’s battery life and get your spring clean back on a roll.

If your Dyson vacuum battery keeps cutting out do this:

1. Check that the battery is full
2. Inspect the unit for a blockage
3. Clean the filter
4. Turn the filter upside down
5. Clean the battery’s contacts

5 Things to Do When Your Dyson Battery Keeps Cutting Out

It’s cleaning day. And the last job between you and a relaxing weekend off is the vacuuming. Vacuuming the house is usually a piece of cake thanks to your cordless Dyson. But what if you’ve had your vacuum charging since morning and when you went to press the trigger nothing happened?

Before you drive down in a rage to your local skip and fling your Dyson out of the car window, it’s time to see what we can do to fix your battery.

Coming up next, you’ll see 5 ways that you can fix your Dyson battery, finish the vacuuming, and still make it to the couch for a well-earned rest.

Step #1 Check That the Battery Is Full

Your first port of call when your Dyson battery is playing up is to check that it is full. You should charge your Dyson until it shows a full battery. How long this takes will depend on the model of your vacuum.

It’s important that you charge your battery until it is full for a few reasons. Here are just two of them:

• The battery life of your vacuum will deplete over time. So charging it until full will give you the maximum use time.
• Your Dyson vacuum will only last about 6 minutes on max power. So if you do not charge the battery for long enough, it will run low very quickly.

NOTE: Remember to unplug your Dyson before you press the trigger button. Most cordless vacuums will not work with the charging plug in.

Step #2 Inspect the Unit for a Blockage

The next thing to do when your vacuum cleaner cuts out for no apparent reason is to check for a blockage. But why is this important?

Most Dyson vacuums are made with an automatic shut-off feature. This kicks in when the unit detects a blockage. It does this to prevent you from doing any damage to the motor or other parts of the vacuum.

To clear the vacuum, you will need to dismantle the accessories or floor tools. You will also need to empty the bin. That’s a lot to figure out. But I’ve got your back. Here’s how to do it:

1. Allow the vacuum to cool before attempting to dismantle it
2. Remove the floor tool from the vacuum
3. Check the floor tool for blockages and remove them. To clean your floor tools, do this:
   • Remove any hair, dust, or debris from the tool
   • If the tool has a dust guard, remove it and clean underneath it
   • Clean the neck of the floor tool
   • Pull the hair and dust from between the brushes of the floor tools
4. If there is an accessory on the vacuum, remove it and check it for blockages
5. Remove the wand from the body of the vacuum
6. Look down the wand to see if there is anything blocking it. If there is, use a broom handle to push the obstruction out of the wand.
7. Empty the waste bin
8. Clean the waste bin with a cleaning cloth. Ensure that you remove all dust and dirt from it.
9. Return the waste bin to the vacuum
10. Reconnect the wand and the floor tool or accessory
11. Press the trigger button

Step #3 Clean the Filter

We’re now moving on to your filter. But perhaps you wonder what the filter has to do with your vacuum’s battery. Well, this is where the automatic shut-off mechanism kicks in again. If your vacuum thinks that its filter is too full for you to continue using, it will cut out.

To check if this is the problem with your vacuum, you will need to remove the filter and clean it.

Here’s how to clean your Dyson filter:

1. Remove the filter
2. Dispose of any large pieces of dust and dirt from the filter
3. Run it under cold water. Rinse away any stubborn dust or dirt.
4. Rinse the sponge part of the filter. Squeeze the sponge until the water runs clear.
5. Rinse the paper part of the filter until visibly clean
6. Leave the filter to dry thoroughly for 24 hours
7. Return the filter to the vacuum
8. Press the trigger button

Step #4 Turn the Filter Upside Down

Are you using a Dyson handheld vacuum? Does it turn itself off after just a few seconds of use? Then this step is for you.

I know it sounds strange, but I’m going to need you to remove the filter and turn it upside down. Stick with me as I explain why.

There is a lever on the inside of the vacuum. This needs to be pressed in for your vacuum to turn on and stay on. You can find this tiny lever behind your vacuum’s filter. What often happens, is that the filter gets worn out or dented in just where the lever is. So if it’s dented, it will not push the mechanism that turns the vacuum on.

What you’ll need to do is change the position of the filter. Once you’ve moved it, the lever will press against a section of the filter that is not worn out. This should keep it working for a while. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Remove the filter from the vacuum
2. Turn it upside down and then put it back into the vacuum head
3. Press the trigger button

Would you like to watch these steps as they are completed? Then take a look at this video.

Step #5 Clean the Battery’s Contacts

Does your Dyson vacuum cut out after 2 to 4 seconds of use? Then you could have a problem with damaged contacts or dirty contacts.

It is possible for the contacts in your Dyson vacuum to become defective over time. They could also become covered with dust. This would inhibit the battery’s ability to charge. Either way, it’s time to pop the battery out and take a look at what’s going on.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Press the battery release catch
   • NOTE: Some Dyson batteries do not have a release catch. You will need to use a small screwdriver to undo the battery compartment. You can find one of the mini screws above the charging point. The other mini screw is behind the washable filter.
2. Remove the battery
3. Inspect the contacts on the battery for damage. If the contacts are damaged, you will need to replace them.
4. Use a dry cleaning cloth to wipe over the contacts. Ensure you remove any dust that has built up over them
5. Reinsert the battery
6. Press the trigger

If the Battery Still Cuts Out

When all else fails, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and order a new battery.

Although more pricey, I recommend you purchase a genuine Dyson battery. That way, you can be sure that Dyson will continue to help you with your product in the future. You’ll also be able to benefit from their 1-year battery guarantee.

If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.

Conclusion

Does your Dyson battery cut out after a few seconds of use? Leaving it charging all night and still having no power in the morning is more than frustrating. But I’m sure the 5 tips in this article have helped you to identify the problem and fix it.

Has this article been useful to you? Then make sure you check out some of our other articles and free guides. You could even sign up to our email list.

Have a great day!

-Craig