If your Dyson vacuum does not turn on no matter what you’re trying, it can be because of a number of things. There’s not usually one definite answer.
That’s why troubleshooting can be a bother. But, with my guidance, you should be able to find out what’s wrong and get ahead of it. Just take a look at the list below and you should find your problem.
Read: Ways to Fix a Dyson Vacuum Not Spinning and Picking up on Carpet
Causes For A Dyson Vacuum That Does Not Turn On
- Battery Needs Charging
Let me start by getting the most obvious and common reason for a Dyson vacuum not turning on out of the way. A lot of people just mistake an uncharged battery for some bigger problem.
So, let’s get that out of the way first by giving your battery a good charge. This kind of thing is especially common for people that are using their Dyson vacuum for the first time in a long time.
In cases like those, the battery needs to be charged extra, and maybe even kickstarted at times. It’s common when a battery is sitting aside so long, completely drained of power.
You can also use this solution if your Dyson vacuum’s light is on but it doesn’t work.
If you’re lucky, your problem is already dealt with. But, if your Dyson vacuum is still not turning on…
- Indicator Alerts
Depending on the model of your Dyson vacuum, there should be indicators on it that tell you about specific problems as they show up. For example, my Dyson V11 has a display on its handle for this.
There are different types of indicating symbols or lights on these vacuums that signal a certain issue. For example, a solid blue light on my Dyson V11 means that its battery is too low.
I have made about video about seeing a blue light on your Dyson vacuum which you can watch down below.
There are 2 reasons why you could see a blinking blue light on your Dyson vacuum.
First, is a battery issue. Make sure you charge the battery correctly.
Second, it could be due the moisture trapped inside the vacuum or wet filter. Make sure you dry the filter before install it back to the Dyson vacuum.
Similarly, a hazard symbol on the display means that there is something wrong with the filter. You might need to clean the filter, readjust it, or replace it entirely.
Other types of blockages can be signaled by these indicators too, which means specific components need cleaning. Pretty much all of these problems stop the device from turning on.
One of the parts of your vacuum which can have a blockage is its attachment like the wand. In case you experience this, you can read this article I’ve written about the different ways to fix Dyson vacuum cleaner wand not working.
Use the manual for your Dyson vacuum to learn more about the specific logo or lights that your device is showing. Then, deal with that as the manual suggests to get the device to turn on again.
- Bin Is Too Full
Have you been emptying your bin after using the device? People that don’t clean their bin or suck up too much dirt at a time without emptying the bin will eventually notice their Dyson vacuum power off.
This happens because a lot of Dyson vacuums actually have a limit to how much they can store in the bin. Once that limit is surpassed, the device refuses to turn on until you empty the bin.
Look at how full the bin I’m holding above is. There’s a lot of junk inside, and it’s almost reaching the max indicator I highlighted. Make sure your Dyson vacuum’s bin never reaches this point.
- Blocked Airways
Earlier I talked about how Dyson vacuums have indicators to highlight certain issues. Well, one specific indicator I want to talk about especially is the Blocked Airways message.
A lot of people eventually see this on their Dyson vacuums and don’t know what it means. It stops them from turning the device on, and it seems like a big issue. Here’s a picture of what this looks like:
All this usually is, is a sign that you need to clean your filters. They’re blocked to the point where air can’t flow through the device properly, and you need to wash them.
But, in some cases, the airways might be blocked at some other point too. If the filters aren’t at fault, the usual suspects are a dirty hose, dirty motor, and or something covering the end of an attachment.
I have a video about how you can fix a blocked airway in a Dyson vacuum and you can watch it below.
First, you would need to disconnect the parts and check if there is any blockage.
If there’s no blockage, the problem is due to the filter. Remove it and then clean it to remove any dust on its surface. Install it back and retry.
If it is still not working, try using water to clean the filter. Remember to dry the filter before installing it back to the vacuum.
- Replacement Battery Required
Usually, when a machine won’t turn on regardless of what you try, it means the battery powering it has died. That’s likely the case with your Dyson vacuum if no tip so far worked out.
Related: How to Use a Dyson to DeWALT Battery Adapter
I have a couple of questions that can help you determine if this is the case. For starters, how long have you had the vacuum? Has it been more than one or two years?
If yes, the second question is; have you ever replaced the battery in that time? If your answer to this is no, that just means your battery has likely died and your vacuum requires a new one.
Your old one can no longer hold enough charge and is not of much use. It’s a part of the life cycle of any battery. Dyson vacuum batteries can usually be found at the company’s website or other online retailers.
Once you have a new one that matches your model, attach it to the device and your vacuum should be turning on from now on.
