A Dyson cordless vacuum is one of the best ways to keep annoying specks of dirt out of sight. However, what happens when you come home from work and your favorite relaxation spot is still messy? Even worse, nothing happens when you place your Dyson in its charging station, and nothing happens? Do not fret about cleaning up manually, spending money at a repair shop, or even worse, but a new one altogether.
How do you know if your Dyson is charging?
Your Dyson vacuum has a LED indicator that should turn on when it starts charging. If you have a V10 or V11, its battery has blue indicators on both sides that should flash on and off as it charges. As soon as charging is done, the indicator will turn off. Dyson vacuums take anywhere between three and a half to four hours to charge.
However, if you notice a red or amber light or even no light, your Dyson is not charging. If you see any of these signs, read through the following pointers to help you figure out the problem.
Start from the basics
Is your Dyson’s charging station plugged in? Is the socket on? Is your vacuum properly docked in its charging station?
More often than not, such small issues may be the biggest culprit. A pet or child may have fiddled with the charging station or its cable, causing it to become loose. Before assuming the worst, ensure that the socket itself is working. Next, consider trying another power outlet or device.
If the plug is out by a fraction of an inch or your neighborhood is experiencing a brownout, your Dyson will not charge.
If you use a power extension or strip to charge your Dyson, eliminate them and connect the station’s plug directly to the power outlet on the wall. These accessories might interfere with the voltage getting to the charger.
Check the cord for damage
Next, examine your docking station’s cord. Wear and tear are common with electric cables, not to mention those few times when you tugged at it or your pets nibbled them. Such cables cannot transmit power and can destroy your docking station or vacuum.
Even worse, they can electrocute you, your child, or pet. Disconnect the worn cable from the mains and replace it as soon as possible for everyone’s safety.
Check the charger’s plug’s fuse
A fuse also comes with your vacuum’s charging station to protect it from excessive current. If the fuse in its plug appears burned, then it is blown, and current is not flowing through the charger.
You can replace it with another one. You need a flathead screwdriver to get it out and install a new fuse of the correct power rating.
You may also want to examine the plug itself for any signs of melting, soot, or cuts, which means that it needs to be replaced along with the fuse.
Temperature
Dyson’s components are sensitive to temperature extremes, and it will not charge if it is located at a place below 5 degrees or above 40 degrees. The solid amber light and the MAX button blinking will indicate such temperature extremes.
Move the charging station and vacuum to a friendlier temperature, say 25 degrees, give it time to adjust, then try to charge it.
Examine its airways
Next, examine your vacuum cleaner’s airways. The wand, hose, or dust canister may seem removed from the charging function, but the machine will experience a total power loss if these parts have a serious blockage.
You may also want to check whether its filters are in order. You may have forgotten to clean them, leading to a total blockage and consequent vacuum shutdown.
Dislodge as much debris as possible while being careful to avoid damaging the sensitive machine. Also, ensure that the filters are dry before reassembling your vacuum.
Clean the entire vacuum
Dirt, grime, and dust will accumulate on your Dyson as it does its routine rounds. A thin layer can cause it not to sit well on its charging station; thus, the battery and the charger will not connect.
Also, clean the inside of the vacuum to ensure that dirt isn’t interfering with the connection between your vacuum and its battery.
How old are your Dyson batteries?
Different Dyson models have different battery lives, with the older models like the V6s going for up to three years.
However, if your machine is a more recent model (V10 and V11), your battery’s tech is more advanced and should serve you for fifteen years. If you suspect your battery is too old, consider buying a new one for your Dyson to revitalize it and make it charge.
You might also want to determine whether your dealer sold you a cordless vacuum with a dead battery. Your machine may have sat in the shop for too long, and it's battery underwent natural degradation due to lack of use.
If your Dyson’s battery is defective, you should observe a red LED light. Also, examine the battery for signs of physical damage such as cracks.
Contacting Dyson with your vacuum’s purchase details may help you get a new battery. Moreover, replacing the battery is not complex; the user manual’s instructions should guide you. If you have a recent model like the V10, you will need a screwdriver to access the battery.
Ensure your Dyson has the right battery
If your battery has recently bowed out or broken, you may be tempted (or already have) to obtain a less expensive knock-off battery pack for your Dyson.
Unfortunately, these packs will only save you money for a moment before they cause real damage to your vacuum. If you have installed such a pack in your vacuum and it will not charge, remove the defective battery and obtain an original from Dyson.
The third-party knock-offs may be less costly but also have a reduced lifespan and suspicious components that are potentially dangerous.
An original Dyson battery is costlier and safer because it has been built with the right materials to prevent short-circuiting and moisture damage and subjected to rigorous quality control.
What’s more, Dyson will send you a fully compatible battery with your vacuum, thus eliminating any chances of further damage or money wastage.
Reset your Dyson’s battery
If your battery is right and everything with the station and power outlets is in order, consider resetting its battery.
This solution is more common with Dyson vacuums that will not work, but it might just jumpstart your machine.
Start by unplugging the charger from the wall, plugging it back in, and connecting your vacuum to the charger. Next, pull and hold your vacuum’s trigger for about twenty seconds; even if the machine doesn’t start, let the trigger go.
These steps will reset your battery and, hopefully, have your vacuum charging again.
Consider mounting your Dyson’s charging station
If your vacuum came with a wall-mounted docking station, then having it mounted should solve your problem. This may sound like unnecessary trouble, but mounting your charging station will ensure that your vacuum and charger are adequately connected.
Dyson vacuums are durable and reliable. However, like all electronic gadgets, they will encounter some glitches.
More often than not, your Dyson’s failure to charge can be attributed to small issues. You may need to replace something, but these new parts will have your Dyson looking good as new. If none of these pointers work, then it may be time to contact Dyson’s customer support desk.
They should be glad to help troubleshoot your vacuum and recommend the best way forward. If your warranty is still active, they will cater to all your repair costs.