Dyson Hair Dryer Blinking Red Light? – (6 Instant Fixes)

Dyson hair dryer blinking red light can occur in set patterns – if you spot three consecutive blinking lights, it indicates an issue with overheating or faulty attachments.

If this issue presents itself, don’t worry; we have some fixes for you to try out.

To fix your Dyson hair dryer blinking red light, start by resetting the device and checking for overheating. Next, perform filter maintenance and check the attachments for issues.

Now that you know the Dyson blinking red light general fixes, let’s first try to understand what causes this warning light.

Why is My Dyson Hairdryer Blinking With A Red Light?

Whenever your Dyson hairdryer is blinking red, it means that it won’t turn on until the issue is resolved.

This serves as a safety feature in case the attachments aren’t correctly set up or the hair dryer struggles to cycle air.

Here are the most frequent causes of Dyson hairdryer blinking with a red light:

Now that you know the causes of a Dyson flashing red light, let’s try out some possible troubleshooting solutions.

How to Fix Dyson Hair Dryer Blinking Red light

Tip: Beware that Dyson hair dryers bought in the US only work with 120-volt power outlets.

Solution #1: Reset Your Dyson Hair Dryer

Dyson red light blinking hair dryer can sometimes be fixed by allowing the device to cool down and restarting it.

This can clear up software glitches that can cause a false blinking red light.

Here are the steps to reset your Dyson hair dryer:

1. Unplug the Dyson hair dryer from the electrical outlet.
2. Leave the device to cool down for at least 10 minutes.
3. If you are using a Dyson Supersonic device, press the “Test” button, then press the red knob after the device is no longer plugged in.
4. While waiting, visually inspect the Dyson hair dryer’s outer shell for damage.
5. Reconnect the hair dryer to your power supply once it has cooled down.
6. Turn on the Dyson dryer to see if the red light still blinks.

If you reset your Dyson, yet the red light still blinks, you can let the dryer sit for an hour to reset its internal electronics, so any static electricity gets discharged.

Note: If you see a red light flashing three times, immediately power off your Dyson device.

Solution #2: Check the Hair Dryer for Overheating

Overheating is perhaps the most common issue why your Dyson has a blinking or flashing red light.

This is because the device has an internal thermometer that prevents usage if a certain heat threshold is met.

To alleviate this, you must not only ensure no causes for overheating exist but also check for obstructions inside the device body.

Here is how to check your Dyson hair dryer for overheating: 

1. Turn off the Dyson hair dryer and then disconnect it from the power socket.
2. Allow your dryer to cool down completely for 5-6 minutes by placing it on a suitable surface that is dry and flat.
3. Ensure the room or environment where you use the hair dryer is not too hot.
4. If you notice that air is barely going out, it indicates a blockage inside the Dyson device – this strain must be addressed to prevent the motor from overheating.
5. Check your Dyson for any obstructions in the areas of the air intake vent and exhaust ports (pay attention to the back panel – you can use a flashlight to check for visible debris)
6. Once fully cooled, you can proceed to plug the dryer back in, switch its power on, and check if the light still blinks.

Note: Avoid using your Dyson hair dryer in humid environments such as the bathroom to prevent water ingress.

Solution #3: Inspect Your Dyson Power Supply

A faulty power supply that you use in your home to plug in your Dyson device can lead to irregular voltage, which can burn the internal circuit and cause a false warning light.

To ensure this does not happen for your Dyson, you have to manually check the power supply and output.

Having a handy multimeter can drastically help you out in this specific solution.

Here is how to ensure your Dyson power delivery and power cable are in order:

1. Disconnect your Dyson device from the electrical outlet before proceeding onward; always wear appropriate safety gear when handling electronics.
2. Look for any signs of damage on the cord and plug – pay attention to fraying or exposed cables. 
3. If you find damage, don’t attempt to fix the power cable with electrical tape – the cord has to be entirely replaced instead.
4. Straighten out any kinks or twists in the cord by tugging it gently; note to spin it in the opposite direction of the twisting you see.
5. Try plugging another device into the same outlet to ensure it’s working; if neither device works, the fault is within your power socket.

After these steps, plug the Dyson dryer into a different outlet; if possible, don’t plug it into a power strip that is already used by many other devices. 

If the red light still persists, confirm that there are no electrical issues with your outlet or home, such as a tripped circuit breaker that prevents device usage.

Note: Don't use third-party attachments for your Dyson hair dryer - use the original ones instead.

Solution #4: Perform Filter Maintenance

A blinking red light on the Dyson hair dryer can be due to a congested or obstructed air filter caused either by everyday use or due to a foreign object getting lodged.

If your Dyson air filter is not fully clear, your device will struggle to cycle through the air.

This can lead to overheating and raise a red light warning alert. Depending on your exact Dyson hairdryer model, you might have either a one-part or two-part filter.

Whichever the case, all parts of the filter need to be cleaned.

Here are the general steps to properly clean and service your Dyson air filter:

1. Turn off and unplug your Dyson hair dryer and let it fully cool down before handling it with your bare hands to prevent unpleasant burns.
2. Detach the filter from the bottom of the dryer (based on your exact model, the steps to remove the filter might vary).
3. Wash the filter with cool water and mild soap – untangle any hair and remove it with a brush to ensure no obstruction.
4. Allow the filter to air dry completely, and once it is dry, reattach the filter to the dryer.
5. Plug the Dyson device back into a working power outlet and turn its power switch.

After these steps, observe if the blinking red light has stopped – if the issue persists, it indicates an issue that is not related to the filter capacity of your Dyson.

Note: The Dyson hair dryer filters are designed to be maintained regularly to prevent overheating.

Solution #5: Check all Attachments for Issues 

Sometimes, your Dyson might malfunction if its attachments are incorrectly set up or if you are using incompatible parts.

To ensure this doesn’t cause a red light issue, you have to check the attachments for any faults.

Here is how to examine or check your Dyson hair dryer for attachment issues:

1. Power off, and then unplug your Dyson dryer, then wait for it to get cold to the touch.
2. Confirm that any attachments you have are correctly fitted and fully latched into place.
3. If the attachments you use are not centered, misaligned, or not fully fitted, they can cause damage to your Dyson hair dryer.
4. Remove any attachments present, and then plug in and try turning on your Dyson.
5. If you notice a red light, immediately power it off.
6. Ensure that your attachments are certified for your specific Dyson model – not all attachments are interchangeable. 
7. Plug the hair dryer back into the socket.

Afterward, switch on the Dyson hair dryer and look for the red light; if it’s gone, the issue may have been due to incorrectly set attachments.

Note: Don't have your Dyson power cord twisted or coiled; always unravel it before use.

Solution #6: Factory Reset

A factory reset is the last measure you should attempt after servicing and power cycling your Dyson – keep in mind that this will remove any current custom profiles or settings present.

This will revert it back to its default configuration and could potentially clear software-related issues causing a red light.

Here is how to factory reset a Dyson hair dryer properly:

1. Plug your Dyson into an outlet that you have previously ensured is adequately working.
2. Ensure the Dyson hair dryer is turned off before starting the process.
3. Press and hold the red button or button combination for a reset (you might need to press the smaller yellow button first on some models).
4. Keep the Dyson reset or power button pressed for at least 15 seconds.
5. Release the button and wait for the hair dryer to restart; if no lights show up, it indicates an electrical or power-related issue.
6. Test the Dyson hair dryer to see if the reset has resolved the blinking red light issue.

If the steps above don’t work to factory reset your device, please refer to the Dyson hair dryer user manual for instructions.

Note: After servicing the filter, let it fully dry out before installing it back.

Quick Recap

To fix the Dyson hair dryer’s blinking red light, start by power cycling it, letting it cool, and checking the attachments.

Afterward, perform a full cleaning of its air filter and factory reset it if needed.