Does your Dyson vacuum seem to have lost some of its suction?
Is the vacuum cleaner suddenly making unusual noises and intermittently shutting down during use?
In addition to the vacuum itself feeling hot to the touch, these are all classic signs of an overheating cleaner.
If you are wondering, “why is my Dyson vacuum overheating?” The answer could be several things. Age, wear and tear, and blockages from dust and debris can cause the vacuum’s motor to work too hard, resulting in a host of performance issues, including overheating.
Most of the time, cleaning the vacuum cleaner itself should be able to resolve the problem. Read on to find out possible reasons why your Dyson vacuum might be heating up.
You Haven’t Cleaned Your Filters In A Long While
Whether it is a cordless stick vacuum or a canister vacuum has one or several filters that when clogged with dust and debris may cause a reduction in airflow. Filled up filters may also result in the vacuum shutting off on its own during use, which frankly, makes for a frustrating cleaning experience.
Most Dysons will come with a washable pre-motor filter and a non-washable but replaceable post-motor HEPA filter. It is a good idea to check and clean the filters at least once a month and replace them every six months or so.
To clean the filter, just remove it from the machine and clean it under cold running water without any detergents. Squeeze out the water from the filter and continue cleaning until the water runs clear.
Leave the filter in a warm place to dry for at least 24 hours before placing it back in the machine. Avoid drying vacuum filters over a fire, microwave or in a dryer.
For a post-motor HEPA filter, simply use a handheld vacuum to blow away any lingering dust trapped on the filters.
The Brush Bar Is Clogged Or Faulty
If the brush rollers at the bottom of the vacuum are having trouble spinning, the vacuum could heat up as the motor struggles to get the brushes in motion.
Problems with the brush bar are usually due to bound up roller brushes but a broken belt, or in the worst-case scenario, a faulty motor, can also slow down the vacuum and cause overheating.
To diagnose the problem, unplug the vacuum and place it on its side to inspect the roller brushes. Depending on your model, you might have to unfasten some screws to remove the soleplate underneath the brush bar to access the brushes.
Use a pair of scissors to cut any threads, fibers, and pet hairs tangled around the brushes, ensuring not to cut the brush bristles. I would also recommend having a look at the brush roll bearings, which can wear out over time and slow down the brushes’ rolling motion.
If this does not solve the problem, you might want to check the belt (if your model has one) or have a Dyson representative check the motor.
There Is A Blockage In The Tubes
Your vacuum might end up struggling and overheating if a large item is trapped inside the hose or wand.
To check if the hose in an upright vacuum is blocked, lift out the entire cleaning wand and look inside for anything stuck in there. You also want to check inside the hose that connects to the wand and remove any items trapped in there.
While you are at it, try removing the cleaning head to separate it from the rest of the vacuum then plug on the cleaner and place your hand over the hole left by the cleaning head.
If you can feel suction, the blockage might be in the cleaning head. If not, the machine itself might have a blockage but it should be possible to get that out.
The Cyclone Assembly Is Too Dirty
Many Dysons feature a cyclone dirt-collection mechanism. The cyclone technology works excellently to minimize clogs from the accumulation of dust and debris. Still, now and then you might need to clean the inside parts of the vacuum to improve its efficiency after prolonged use.
Excessive dust inside the cyclone system can slow down the vacuum and cause the motor to work extra hard, increasing the risk of overheating. Disassembling the cyclonic canister and cleaning its interior might resolve the problem.
To prolong the life and improve the performance of the cyclone system, be sure to empty and clean the vacuum’s bin, ideally after every use.
Other than an accumulation of dust, worn-out seals in the cyclone assembly can cause a decrease in airflow, forcing the vacuum to work harder to clean surfaces. Replace any worn out or faulty seals to improve the vacuum’s performance.
The Interior Elements Are Faulty
If you have an older machine, chances are good that some of its parts are worn out and in need of replacing.
Generally, cleaning your vacuum should resolve issues with overheating. However, if the problem persists, the vacuum’s interior mechanism could be faulty.
A broken motor will produce excessive heat and should be the first place to check if your vacuum is acting up. I would recommend having a Dyson professional look at your machine if you suspect a faulty motor. They will recommend whether you should replace the motor or consider buying a new vacuum.
You should only open up your machine to check for faulty elements if you have professional know-how.
Conclusion
Overheating is generally not a common problem with Dysons. These vacuum models come with a safety mechanism that automatically stops the vacuum when the machine starts to overheat. Unsurprisingly, intermittent stopping and starting are some of the telltale signs of an overheating vacuum.
All in all, if you are wondering why is my Dyson vacuum overheating, packed out filters are the most common culprit. So, just to recap, you can resolve vacuum overheating problems by:
- Cleaning and replacing your filters regularly
- Keeping an eye on the roller brushes and removing tangled up hair and debris
- Replacing faulty bearings and seals wherever they are on the vacuum
- Regularly checking the vacuum tubes for possible blockages
- Getting a Dyson professional to service the vacuum’s motor
Got questions or comments? Please leave them below!
