Why is my Dyson overheating? – [9 Easy Solutions]

Even though Dyson vacuums are one of the best machines available on the market, they can’t be reliable in all cases. Many people struggle to troubleshoot their vacuums, due to the lack of information on this topic. One of the most common problems the brand is facing right now is vacuum overheating.

If that’s something that has happened to you, don’t worry, in this article, we will explain why your Dyson is overheating, and what to do to fix it. The process isn’t that complicated once you find the root of the problem, however, know that troubleshooting can take quite some time.

You should know that an overheating vacuum can unexpectedly turn off, which may be confusing for a lot of people. This is actually a mechanism that prevents damage to various elements in the machine by incorporating vacuum fuses.

Problems with vacuum fuse can lead to serious damage to components, therefore, we recommend finding the location of your Dyson fuse, and doing standard maintenance.

Why is my Dyson overheating?

The most common reason why your Dyson vacuum is overheating is due to a blockage. This can be fixed by inspecting various elements such as dustbin, hose, and brush roll. You should also look for dirty filters and broken elements such as the motor’s belt and electrical installation.

How do you fix Dyson overheating? – 9 simple solutions

The hardest part of fixing a vacuum that’s overheating is finding the root of the problem. After you do the proper troubleshooting, the work is rather simple. You either try to clean, repair, or replace the broken elements and then test the results.

Check the condition of the belt

Your Dyson’s belt is an important element in the cleaning mechanism that allows the brush roll to spin and pick up dirt. A broken belt will put unwanted strain on the motor which can lead to overheating. Extra strain on the belt is usually a result of too much debris in the brush roll.

To fix this issue, you should first locate the belt in your Dyson vacuum – Either by reading the user’s manual or watching a tutorial. If you find the belt broken, you should try to replace it yourself or bring the vacuum to a professional repairman.

Examine the power cord for any signs of damage.

A damaged power cord can struggle to transport enough energy for the vacuum to work efficiently. What’s even more important, a cord that is cracked can be harmful to you and the people around you. You should never under any circumstance use electronics that have a damaged power cord, as it can result in electric shock or fire hazard.

Replacing the power cord can be done using DIY techniques, however, we wouldn’t recommend it unless you are an experienced handyman.

Clear any blockages

Blockage can come from more than one source, however, the most common ones are the vacuum head and the hose/extension wand. Checking for those two should be your priority when your Dyson overheats.

From the vacuum head

The most common issue with clogged vacuum heads is the long hair that prevents the brush roll from spinning. Unnecessary strain is being put on the motor, causing your cleaning machine to overheat and turn off as a result.

The best way to get rid of the hair that is stuck inside your vacuum’s head is to grab a pair of scissors and cut along the edge of the brush roll. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Detach your Dyson’s head from the rest of the vacuum.
2. Remove the plastic lid that is located on the bottom of the brush head or the cap on its side.
3. Remove the brush roll from the lid.
4. Use a pair of scissors to cut hair along the edge of the brush roll.
5. Clean the brush with warm water, and wipe off the excess water.
6. Let the brush roll air dry before putting the vacuum together.

If there are problems with the head of your Dyson, such as the brush roll not spinning or spinning and stopping, we highly recommend looking more into this problem. There’s a chance it’s causing the motor of your vacuum to struggle and shut down.

From the Dyson hose or extension wand

The first thing you should do is detach the hose from the rest of your Dyson and find a long thin object (eg. broom, stick, PVC pipe, etc.) that can be inserted into the extension wand. Put your broom inside the wand and dislodge any blockage that you can find.

Rinse or swap out the filters

Depending on the model of your Dyson vacuum, it comes with either one or two filters. Those filters can usually be washed under tap water which comes in handy in case of any stuck dirt and debris. That being said, you should always check first with your user’s manual and act accordingly.

Start cleaning your filters by spraying compressed air or simply wiping the filters with a dry cloth. After that’s done, you can run cold tap water over them and let them air dry.

If you can see that the filets are old and worn out, you can replace them by going to Amazon and purchasing a new pair. Dyson actually recommends swapping out your filters at least once every 12 months.

Dispose of the debris in the dustbin

Dustbin should be replaced when it’s full ¾ of the way, as sucking more dirt will only lower both suction power and efficiency. It can also lead to overheating as the vacuum struggles to squeeze more dirt into the crammed dustbin.

Clean or swap out the cooling fan

A damaged or clogged cooling fan will have trouble lowering the temperature of your vacuum cleaner, which inevitably leads to overheating. A vacuum that is not cooled properly will eventually turn off due to a high rise in temperature, which may leave you thinking the machine is ruined.

You should quickly locate the fan in your Dyson by looking at the user’s manual and removing as much dust as possible. If the fan appears to be broken, go ahead and fix it using your DIY skill, or replace it completely. 

Seek assistance from an expert to check the motor

The motor is probably the most important part of your vacuum cleaner, as it is responsible for the suction of your cleaning machine. Unfortunately, working with a motor can be complicated for people who don’t have a background in DIY, therefore we would recommend contacting an expert for this.

A professional can easily inspect the motor and check if everything works as it should. In case of any damage, the motor of your vacuum should be replaced.

Before doing anything yourself, you should also check the warranty of your vacuum cleaner, as it may cover this part of the machine. 

Check the power source

If your Dyson doesn’t receive enough power, it may struggle to run the motor and overheat as a result. Check the outlet, power cord, and plug for any damage or issues. Try switching to other power outlets or completely replace the power cord as discussed in the previous paragraphs.

Adjust the suction power

If your Dyson is constantly operating at maximum suction it may lead to overheating. Lowering the suction will reduce the strain on the motor, especially if you operate on medium or high-pile carpets that take a lot of power to go through.

Giving your vacuum cleaner a short break is also a good idea, especially if you are doing a lot of cleaning in one session.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most common reason why your Dyson vacuum cleaner overheats is due to blockage or clogging. It’s best to start the troubleshooting process by checking for an overfilled dustbin, blockage in the hose, or debris stuck in the brush roll and filters of the vacuum.

If none of these are a problem you should inspect the belt of the vacuum, or check for any electrical issues.

Lastly, it’s important to address that if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills, it may be worth contacting a professional that can help you diagnose a problem. From there, you can either contact Dyson to make use of your warranty or take matters into your own hands.

Alternatively, we can recommend you visiting our article about two very popular Dyson vacuum cleaners – dyson v7 vs dyson v6.