Why Does My Dyson Vacuum Keep Shutting Off?

Sometimes you are cleaning with your vacuum, and it suddenly shuts off. Why does my Dyson vacuum keep shutting off?

If that is repeatedly happening, it is time to investigate and find a definitive solution.

A Dyson vacuum that keeps shutting off might be suffering from overheating, be it because of how you use it or dirty insides.

If that is not the issue, you must investigate the power source, such as the battery or the power cord that feeds it, or even the internal motor or other electrical components.

The guide below will help you identify the correct source of the issue and eliminate it once and for all.

It will be necessary to disassemble the parts of your vacuum, so do it carefully because you don’t want to damage it further.

Why Does My Dyson Vacuum Keep Shutting Off

Why does my Dyson vacuum cleaner keep shutting off? When cleaning your house, you might eventually run into an issue that turns the Dyson vacuum off.

At first, you don’t know what is causing it. Because of that, it is important to take a good look at the most common causes:

✅ Overheating

Dyson vacuums have a built-in thermal sensor that shuts off the machine when it overheats. That is usually caused by a blockage in the airways or a dirty filter. 

✅ Battery

If you have a cordless Dyson vacuum, the battery may be running low or need to be replaced.

✅ Power Cord

If you have a corded Dyson vacuum, the power cord may be damaged or faulty.

✅ Motor or Electrical Problem

There may be an issue with the vacuum’s motor or electrical system.

Solve The Dyson Vacuum Shutting Off

You can investigate plenty of parts when the Dyson vacuum keeps shutting off.

However, as you have seen from the potential causes, there are some parts you might have to disassemble.

Note: It is also possible that you will have to replace some components.

1. Assess The Power Cord

Suppose you are using a wired Dyson vacuum. In that case, the first thing you must consider is that the power cord can be either damaged or defective.

First check for:

• Signs of burn;
• “Thin” parts where the internal wires are visible or almost visible;
• Tears in the protection.

Further, you might want to test with a multimeter to check if the power cord can truly establish enough current:

1. Pair the probes to the cord’s prongs;
2. Choose “continuity”;
3. Check the results.

Replace The Cord

If the multimeter shows that the power cord is no longer good, you must replace it.

Fortunately, finding a replacement power cord and installing it is not hard.

You only must pay attention to the electrical specs and get a cord with the same capacities.

Then:

1. Locate and unscrew the securing screws of the damaged cord;
2. Detach the internal wiring to release the cable;
3. Attach the new electrical cable to the inside wiring;
4. Replace each of the fastening screws.

After that, your Dyson vacuum should stop shutting off unexpectedly.

2. Investigate The Battery

Other Dyson vacuum models work with a battery rather than a power cord.

Note: Before using the vacuum, you must ensure the battery is 100% charged. 

If, even in those situations, the vacuum keeps shutting off, you will have to check the battery’s condition.

First, find it:

1. Ensure that the Dyson vacuum is off;
2. Press the red button to detach the battery (or unscrew the battery screws when applicable);
3. Check if it shows signs of damage or is worn out.

Replace The Battery

Dyson batteries are supposed to last up to 6 years. However, your battery may require replacement before that.

The vacuum constantly shutting off is one sign of that, but other signs include:

• The battery takes too long to charge;
• The vacuum doesn’t have as much cleaning power as before;
• You have to recharge it too many times.

You can then buy a Dyson replacement battery for your vacuum. Discard the old one.

3. Get Rid Of Overheating Causes

Perhaps the battery or power cord on your Dyson vacuum is completely fine. In that case, it is worth checking for overheating issues.

Vacuum cleaners will shut down when they get too hot.

The vacuum can get too hot because of the following:

• Blocked airway;
• Clogged filter;
• Max Power is turned on for too long.

Okay, so first, you must try to use the Max Power mode for less time. Next:

Clean The Airway

A dusty and filthy airway in your Dyson vacuum will make it overheat.

So here is what you must do to ensure it doesn’t:

1. Disassemble all of its parts;
2. Empty the dustbin;
3. Wipe the dustbin clean with a soft cloth;
4. Wipe and scrub all the other parts to get rid of dust too.

Unclog The Filters

When it comes to the filter, you can do more than wipe and scrub. The filters require more intensive cleaning.

First, you must locate and remove the following:

1. Pull the bin’s pre-filter straight up;
2. Locate the vacuum’s back and twist the post-filter to remove it;

Sometimes the filters will look clean to the naked eye. However, they might have plenty of accumulated dust and other filth.

Do this:

1. Rinse the pre-filter under cold water;
2. You can twist and squeeze it;
3. Rinse the post-filter under water;
4. Let them dry once they look completely clean.

If the filters still present a bad look or smell after you’ve washed them, it might be time to buy replacements.

Alert: The Dyson vacuum filters cannot be washed with soap or detergent!

4. Replace The Motor

Another cause of the Dyson vacuum shutting off whenever you need to clean can be a faulty motor. The motor will start but soon stops.

That is because it is defective, unable to keep working for long.

Fortunately, replacing the Dyson vacuum’s motor is very easy:

1. Detach the cleaner rod;
2. Remove the cyclone; 
3. Detach the dustbin;
4. Remove the bin’s filter;
5. Unplug the battery;
6. Discard the old motor body;
7. Put all the parts into the new motor body.

5. Ensure You Are Using The Correct Accessory

The Dyson vacuum is a very versatile appliance since it has plenty of useful accessories in different conditions.

However, you must also pay attention to the fact that using some accessories under the wrong conditions will shut the vacuum down.

Situations such as the below will make the vacuum cleaner shut off:

• Cleaning the wrong type of floor with an improper accessory;
• Vacuuming wet rooms with a nozzle that can’t get wet;

Thus, when changing accessories in your vacuum, you must pay attention to their specs.

Important: Don't force them to do what's beyond their capacities.

6. Check The Power Button

Lastly, you may have damaged the power button unknowingly.

For example, suppose the Dyson vacuum keeps shutting off even after you’ve checked all the solutions above. In that case, you must now check the power button. 

Perhaps the button is stuck, and thus it will constantly shut down. On the other hand, its internal wiring might be damaged.

Here is what you will do:

1. Disassemble the vacuum;
2. Find the inner wiring behind the power button;
3. Remove all dust and dirt with a cotton swab;
4. Check the wires;
5. Reconnect wires if necessary;
6. Assess the button’s mechanism;
7. Dislodge it if necessary.

Replace The Button

Suppose that the power button is damaged, almost broken completely.

In that case, you can install a replacement:

1. Detach the old button, taking care of the electrical wires;
2. Put the new one in place;
3. Attach the electrical components to it.

What We Learned

Why does my Dyson vacuum keep shutting off?

As you have seen, the issues on a Dyson vacuum that make it shut off repeatedly have to do with its electrical conditions.

It is not being powered well enough, or something is making it too hot, so it shuts itself to prevent damage.

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