How To Empty Dyson Cordless Vacuum [Inc. V7, V8, V10, V11 And V12]

Dyson cordless vacuums are powerful and easy to use. One of the most important things you can do to maintain your cordless vacuum is to empty the debris bin. We have done the research and gathered directions on removing the debris bins of a few cordless Dysons.

Dyson vacuums have a very user-friendly design. All Dyson cordless models will feature a red button or lever that will open the canister door. The location of this button or lever will vary based on the model.

Dyson cordless vacuums can vary slightly in construction but generally work the same way. Not only can you empty the canister, but you can remove it for further cleaning. Keep reading for cordless vacuum tips, troubleshooting, and more.

A Dyson cordless vacuum used in cleaning the car chairs, How To Empty Dyson Cordless Vacuum [Inc. V7, V8, V10, V11 And V12]

How to empty Dyson V7 and V8 cordless vacuums

Dyson V7 and V8 models have the same construction. They can be disassembled and cleaned the same way. The only difference between these two models is that the V8 has a more powerful suction. Emptying these bins is very simple; make sure you are over a garage can.

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A Dyson vacuum cleaner placed on the passenger seat of a car

The release latch on these Dyson models is located on the top of the vacuum next to the filter. When you pull up on the latch, the bottom of the canister will drop open. It is important that you are over a garbage bin because the debris will fall as soon as the latch is pulled.

The following video shows how to empty your Dyson V7, which will also work for the V8:

Can I clean my Dyson canister with water?

After a while, you may notice that your clear canister is beginning to collect a layer of dust. Although you should not submerge any part of your vacuum in water, you can use water to clean the canister. You should use a soft cloth dampened with water to wipe away any dust.

It is much easier to clean the canister if you remove it from the vacuum entirely.

How to remove the clear bin from my Dyson V7 or V8

After you pull the release tab and the bottom swings open, you will expose another release button. On the bottom of the canister, there will be a small red button. Press on that button while pulling off the clear bin to remove it altogether.

Once the bin is off, you will be able to easily clean the inside with a damp cloth. This video demonstrates how to remove and clean your Dyson V7 or V8 debris canister:

How to empty Dyson V10 and V11 cordless vacuums

Dyson V10 and V11 cordless sticks vacuums share a similar construction. The V11 has the stronger suction of the two. The stick attachment will need to be removed before emptying the debris canister. 

There will be a red button where the stick attachment and the debris canister meet. Press the button while pulling the stick off to remove it. There will be a red lever on the back of the canister to empty the debris. Hold the vacuum over a garbage bin and push down the red lever to empty the canister.

How to remove the clear bin on my Dyson V10 or V11

After pushing down on the lever, you will reveal a small red button with a white arrow on it. Press the button down while sliding the bin off of the vacuum to remove it. Once the bin is removed, you can clean it with a damp cloth.

The following video shows how to empty and remove the bin on your V10 or V11:

How to empty and remove Dyson V12 clear bin

Dyson V12 vacuums work similarly to the V10 and V11 models. The most notable difference between the models is that the V12 has a much smaller debris bin. Other than that, the bin removal process works the same.

First, push down on the red release lever to empty the bin. This will reveal a red button with a white number one on it. Press the button while pulling the bin to remove it. Then you can clean the inside of the bin with a damp cloth. The following video shows how to empty and remove the clear bin on a V12:

My Dyson canister won't open - what to do

Before trying to open the canister with tools or force, double-check the release button or lever. The canister will not open if the release button is not fully engaged. Make sure you are pressing down before moving on to the next troubleshooting steps.

A woman assembling the parts of a Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner

The release lever may be stuck

Some Dyson users have a problem with the canister where the release lever gets stuck. If your lever does not push past a certain point, try pulling it back slightly. After pulling the lever in the opposite direction a bit, try pressing it down again.

If that does not work, you may need to apply more pressure and some lubrication. You can use something like WD40 to help lubricate the vacuum pieces. Be careful not to apply too much pressure on the lever, or it can break off. 

You can find WD40 on Amazon.

The lever works but won't open the canister

If the release button moves freely but still does not open the canister, there is a problem with your release mechanism. If you are comfortable using tools, you can try to pry the canister door open using a flathead screwdriver. You will feel resistance from the lid suction, but be careful not to apply too much pressure.

The best way to solve this problem is to get your vacuum repaired by Dyson. They will be able to troubleshoot and replace vacuum parts as needed. 

What is the dust bin capacity for Dyson cordless vacuums?

The dust bin capacity for your vacuum will depend on the model. You should not allow the debris to collect until the bin is filled to the top. All debris bins will have a mark that indicates the maximum fill line. Some models have a small line with text, and others have a line circling the entire bin.

The capacity of a cordless vacuum in gallons will range from 0.14 to 0.20 gallons maximum. That is less than half the capacity of an upright Dyson model. With such a small capacity, it is essential to empty the bin frequently.

What if you pass the max fill line?

It may be tempting to go past the max fill line. It may look like there is still so much open space available. However, there is a reason why you shouldn't fill past that line. 

Once debris passes the fill line, it is in the working area of the cyclone. When debris gets into the cyclone, it can cause clogging and lower efficiency. Also, debris trapped in the cyclone can cause lingering bad smells with every use.

What is the suction power of a Dyson?

The suction power of your Dyson depends on the model. Suction power is measured in units of air watts [AW]. Dyson V7 and V8 are on the lower end of the suction spectrum with 100 AW and 115AW, respectively. On the higher end of the spectrum, Dyson V10 and V11 models have 151 AW and 185 AW of suction, respectively. 

Are Dyson cordless vacuums as powerful as corded?

Given the suction power of some Dyson cordless models, they can be as powerful as corded vacuums. For comparison, the average range of suction power for cordless vacuums is between 80 and 100 AW. For upright vacuums, it ranges between 180 and 200 AW.

A woman cleaning her apartment living room using a Dyson vacuum

With that in mind, Dyson cordless vacuums can have quite powerful suction. If you are looking for a cordless replacement for your upright vacuum, V10 and V11 models are the best options.

Although cordless vacuums can be powerful, they still run on battery power. Their battery packs can die out and need to be replaced periodically. For more information, read our article on how long Dyson cordless vacuum batteries last.

In Conclusion

Dyson cordless vacuums are simple yet powerful. It does not take much time or effort to empty and maintain them. When in doubt, look for a red button or lever other than the power trigger, and it will empty the debris bin. For more tips on Dyson maintenance, check out our article on how to unclog a blocked Dyson cordless vacuum.

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