If you are an owner of a Dyson vacuum cleaner, chances are that you have experienced some kind of problem during the cleaning process. One of the most common ones is Dyson’s brush not spinning or the entire head not rotating. In this article, we will tackle this problem by showing you the possible causes and a few ways to fix this issue.
Quick Answer:
When the Dyson roller brush is not turning even after cleaning, it’s most likely due to a defective mechanism. However, you don’t have to purchase an entirely new attachment, as you can simply buy replacement roller brushes. We highly suggest getting Dyson roller brushes for the best results.
If you have enough time and persistence, we also advise you to test other potential problems related to Dyson’s head not spinning. In some cases, the problem may not be related to the brush roll altogether.
If our advice don’t help, check out other Dyson vacuum cleaners. You may want to enjoy reading our other article covering Dyson cordless vacuum v7 and v6.
Why is my Dyson brush not spinning?
The first, and most important step in finding out why your Dyson brush is not spinning is troubleshooting. Identifying the issue will allow us to take the proper actions in order to fix the problem. Read our troubleshooting guide below for a quick, actionable plan.
Troubleshooting Guide
If you don’t know why the head of your vacuum cleaner is not spinning, we highly recommend following the steps in the presented order. However, if you have any suspicions, you can go ahead and try out the steps you think are the most important in your case.
The brush not spinning at all
- Thoroughly clean the brush roll of your Dyson. The dirty and clogged brush roll is the most common reason for the brush to not rotate. Pay attention to any long hair that may restrain the movement of the brush. If the cleaning issue persists, go to the next step.
- Check whether the transmission rod isn’t stuck. If the transmission rod is stuck, you will have to take it out using a Torx screwdriver and remove any dirt and debris that you find.
- Check the electrical connectors. Electrical connectors need to be clean, in order to receive the power to spin the brush bar. They are present in all parts of the vacuum that are attached together, including the cleaning head.
- Look for blockages in the wand or bin inlet. Check for any blockages that can be obstructing the airflow and restrain the work of the brush roll.
One side of the brush not spinning
Some of the Dyson brush bars have two sides, and sometimes only one of them fails. This most of the time means that the side which stopped spinning is blocked with some kind of hair and debris. However, if cleaning doesn’t help, it’s likely that the plastic axle that the brush sits on has broken, and needs to be replaced.
The new Dyson brush not spinning
If your new Dyson brush bar is not spinning, you should check if all electrical connectors are clean, and transmit the required power to the cleaning head. Another reason could be a stuck transmission rod – Test this by removing the brush bar and turning the transmission rod by itself. If it won’t turn freely, you will have to remove it with a Torx screwdriver and clean the area underneath.
Dyson brush not spinning on the carpet
Dyson brush has problems spinning on some types of carpets, especially high-pile ones. This is caused by long strands of the carpet getting caught in the spinning brush bar mechanism. A quick way to fix it is by switching to Eco Mode, and only vacuuming the carpet.
How to fix Dyson brush not spinning?
Remove blockage from the Dyson brush roll
The first step in fixing the Dyson brush roll is to remove any clogging and blockage that you can find. Focus on long strands of hair that may obstruct the movement of the brush roll, and remove them using a pair of scissors.
Check all electrical components
The cleaning head of the Dyson vacuum is an electrical component that receives power from the battery located next to the motor. The power is delivered through multiple electrical connectors that are located inside the vacuum cleaner, especially between the elements that connect together.
The accumulation of dirt and dust can cause the electrical components to fail at some point, and not deliver power up to the cleaning head. This will make the brush bar spin intermittently or stop spinning at all. To fix this issue, you will have to clean all the connectors by taking the vacuum components apart.
Remove blockage from head attachment
Dirt and debris can also accumulate in the head attachment of the vacuum which will restrict the airflow. This will put unnecessary strain on various elements such as the motor, belt, and even brush roll. This can not only cause some parts to work less effectively, but it can also cause permanent damage to all elements.
Try to unclog the head of your vacuum by detaching this element from the rest of the unit. Now use a long thin object such as a broom, and push through the head attachment to remove large parts of debris.
If you find that there’s a weird smell coming out of your Dyson’s, be sure to check all the parts thoroughly. If your Dyson vacuum smells like dog, burning rubber, or any other unnerving thing, be sure to check out our other articles on this topic, and act accordingly.
Empty the dustbin
A dustbin that is full of dirt and debris can also put unnecessary strain on the motor, which directly impacts how all other electrical components operate. A motor that is under a lot of pressure can overheat and cause your vacuum to shut down completely. You should always empty your Dyson’s dustbin when it’s full ¾ of the way.
If that does happen, you should figure out why your Dyson vacuum cleaner overheats, and take proper steps to prevent it further damage.
Check the air inlet and wand
When dust, dirt, and other debris travel all the way from the brush bar to the vacuum bin, they need to go through the wand of your vacuum (the long tube) and then go through the bin inlet before entering the bin itself.
Unfortunately, if those elements aren’t cleaned regularly, there will be a buildup of dirt that can cause them to clog. You may not notice this at first, however, with time the vacuum will lose its suction little by little until it doesn’t remove any dirt at all.
To fix this, you will have to take your vacuum apart, and thoroughly clean it the whole way from the brush bar to the vacuum bin. Shining light into the wand and other elements can help you see if there’s any blockage that needs to be removed. Don’t forget to clean the area around the bin inlet to ensure stable airflow.
Clean the transmission rod
The brush bar spins thanks to the motor that is built into the cleaning head of the vacuum. The energy to the brush bar is transferred through the transmission rod which can get stuck or misplaced. After all, it’s the area of the vacuum that has the most contact with dirt and debris.
Dirt, dust, and hair can reduce the rod’s ability to spin the brush bar, making the vacuum practically unusable. To fix this issue, you will have to get a Torx screwdriver and get to the transmission rod. Once all the screws are removed, take out the transmission bar and remove any dirt that you can find underneath.
Replace your brush roller
In some cases, the problem may be in the brush roll itself. If you find any important elements to be broken, you may have to replace the brush roller. Fortunately, there are many parts available on Amazon, so replacing the whole head shouldn’t be necessary.
The Height Setting Is Too Low
In some cases, the height between your vacuum and the fibers of the carpet may be set incorrectly. This will make the vacuum much less effective at best and not function properly at worst. When the height is too low, the vacuum can suck up the long fibers and become stuck. However, when the vacuum is too high, it won’t pick up any dirt that is in between the fibers.
The height setting is undeniably one of the most problematic aspects of every vacuum cleaner. The brush roll can also get stuck in the long fibers of the carpet, which can be damaging both the carpet and the vacuum cleaner.
Brush Roll Belt Is Broken
If your brush roll is rotated by the belt, it won’t move when the belt is broken. A very clear indication of this problem is a motor that is running and making noise, while the belt is not spinning. In such a scenario, you may need to replace the belt to restore the proper functionality of the brush roll.
It’s important to check the belt regularly for any signs of wear and tear and replace it as soon as you see any damage. Additionally, look for any dirt and debris in the area of the belt that may influence how this part operates.
FAQ
Why does my Dyson roller keeps stopping?
There may be a couple of reasons why your Dyson keeps stopping, one of them is a jammed brush roll. Check for any dirt and hair that may obstruct how this part rotates. Another possible solution is a broken belt that needs a replacement, it’s a part that transfers the force to the brush roll.
There’s also an option for damaged or dirty electrical connectors that fail to deliver power to the motor. The same goes for the transmission rod that gets stuck due to dirt and debris around its position.
Although there are more reasons why your brush roll may keep rotating and stopping, those are the most common ones.
Why is my Dyson brush bar not spinning and has a burning smell?
When your Dyson is not working properly and you detect a burning smell, this may be an indication of a serious problem. One of the most common sources of this smell is a motor that’s overheating or worn and damaged the vacuum belt.
If you want to address this issue on your own, you need to start by unplugging the vacuum from the power outlet and checking the brush bar for any signs of damage or blockage. If that’s not the source of your problem, check the belt for signs of wear and damage and replace it if necessary. Alternatively, you should also check the motor of your vacuum, however, this part may need serious DIY skills to repair.
Please keep in mind that a vacuum that has a burning smell and is not functioning properly can be dangerous. You should seek professional help as using the vacuum can cause further damage to the machine.
Dyson handheld brush not spinning – What to do?
To fix a Dyson handheld brush that’s not spinning you should start by diagnosing the problem. There are a couple of potential problems that you can do, starting from removing any blockage, cleaning the brush thoroughly, checking the battery, or checking the motor.
Any dirt that may obstruct the movement of the parts of your vacuum should be cleaned, and all the broken elements should be replaced. If none of those steps help, you should seek help from a professional.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Dyson brush roll is not spinning it’s vital to find the root cause of the problem. The most common reason for this problem is a dirty or clogged brush roll, stuck transmission rod, or blockage in the wand and bin inlet. What’s more, accumulation of the dirt and debris in the head attachment or near the electrical components can put unnecessary strain on the motor, causing the vacuum to stop working.
Therefore, it is essential to clean and maintain your Dyson vacuum regularly to ensure optimal performance. If the problem persists, it is recommended to purchase a replacement roller brush or seek professional assistance.
Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.