Dyson Seems popular....I Wish Mine Worked Better

Updated on April 24, 2008
S.W. asks from Salem, OR
29 answers

I had been wondering what everyone else thought about the Dyson. I paid 479.00 for mine, brought it home and initially loved it. (For about three weeks) Ever since the first three weeks it has lost suction. It still picks stuff up, but only if I run over it about 5 times. And even then I still have to bend down and pick stuff up. With all the rave reviews about the Dyson, I think I must have gotten a dud. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could fix it?

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So What Happened?

I just had to report back after all the great advice. I decided to take my vaccume apart and see what I could find. I was shocked to find a GIANT clog in the tube that comes up from the roller brush but before the canister. It had a full sized fountain pen with a 12 inch feather on it, as well as a large piece of cellophane and a piece of balled up ribbon about 3 feet long. Then of course behind that was a ton of pet hair. I could barely believe my eyes, A full sized pen and feather! Now that's some suction! I will never doubt my Dyson again.
Thanks for the great advice, love this site!

More Answers

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Our Dyson has such powerful suction that it's hard to use the hand attachments - the amount of strength needed to move it over surfaces is awfully h*** o* my joints. Other than that and the noise, I like the machine. It does a very clean job and exhausts little or no dust back into the air.

I wonder if you've checked to see if anything is clogging the hose or if the hose has any breaks in it, and if it's set at the correct height for the surface you are vacuuming. If it's really just not working well, I am told that the Dyson company is very good about helping customers work through technical and warranty problems. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Seattle on

Hi S.,

Well, the commercials made this vacuum sound like one of the top 10 best things next to sliced bread, but after my son's friend's mom told me to stay away from them(her exact words were hers is a piece of cr**), I quit wanting one. Now I sort of want one again lol, but my Hoover's just fine for now, plus I still can't afford one lol.

Anyhoo, you should have some sort of warranty on your vac(for example, my Bissell carpet cleaner had a 1 year warranty on it). Check your user's/owner's manual and see what yours says. If you still have the receipt, even if you didn't register the vacuum, they may still replace or fix it for you. If you haven't had it that long(I'm just guessing 3 weeks?), be sure and register it. You can do it online at their website. If it is still under the warranty period, you MUST take it to an authorized service center or send it back to them, or your warranty will void if not serviced by someone authorized.

Good luck. That's alot of money to pay for a convenience item that makes life harder.

K. W.

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H.K.

answers from Seattle on

No, that seems weird. We've had ours over a year & it's friggin amazing. You should NOT be going over stuff that much. I'd look into a warranty repair or replacement. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Anchorage on

We ahve a Dyson also. We LOVE IT. However, I have found that it does get clogged. My problem has been the trap door on the very bottom in the back. It doesn't look like much of a trap door but it is there. Double check ALL of the trap doors.

Also make sure the beater bar is cleam of hair or strings.

If that doesn't work or you can't figure it out, check into the warranty. Just go to the place you purchased it.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.A.

answers from Seattle on

I recently bought a dyson as well and I love it. I've always had bad experiences with vacuums so I'm crossing my fingers on this one! I've had a couple of moments with the dyson where it wasn't working right and I thought, "it really isn't that great!!" But then I started to figure out that the knob that takes it from bare floors to carpet kept getting switched. So once I switched back to carpet it worked! I also found that my grandmother used it once when I was gone and she pulled some things loose so I had to go through and make sure everything was plugged in right. Remember that it's a lifetime warranty so send it back if nothing works!!! That's what I'm banking on if anything goes wrong...good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Seattle on

I so agree with the response that you received from Shelley. Whenever I have lost suction with my Dyson it is because I sucked up a toy or a dryer sheet or my son dropped a toy in the top hose part (ideal for Lincoln Logs!) So, check all your parts, wash the filter, and see if that helps. I hope that it does because I have had my Dyson for a couple of years and I love it. And just like Shelley I am really irked by the people that are trashing Dysons when they've never owned one - everyone I know with a Dyson loves it.

But, maybe you did get a dud, sometimes it happens, but I would hope that it wouldn't turn you away from the brand unless it continued to happen. I had a Nikon camera that started having problems a few months after I bought it and I took it back to the store and the just straight exchanged it because this particular camera ended up having a technical problem from the factory, but I still now Nikon's are good cameras and that is what I have now and love it.

Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Richland on

Hi S., Gramma B. here. I have a similar machine and discovered there are 2 auxillary filters on the machine that need cleaned about every other time you vacuum. If you haven't already, you might check to see if yours has those. Mine were pretty clogged when I found them. It will definitely affect the suction of those are clogged. I do love the bagless system. And of course, the main canister needs emptied often too, like several times during each vacuuming session as it picks up way more dirt than a bagged vacuum. If this doesn't work, I'd suggest taking it to a service center - is it still under warranty? Hope this helps. Be blessed. Gramma B.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Seattle on

After we moved my Dyson SUCKED! And not on a good way! And it was only about 5 months old! I was ready to go to the highest skyscraper and throw it off. Then O thought I will clean it and give it some tender loving care and it will want to work for me again. So I did. . And you know all those wonderful removable parts so if you have clog you can easily get it out without a tech? Well one of those had got kocked on the moving truck so it was not fully snapped on! put it back on and Viola'! So check all pieces that you did not bang it on wall etc and knock one loose. I felt soooo stupid. But it is made to come apart easily with no tools so if we vacuum a toy etc we can easily get it out. So just check all your areas are fastened correctly and your not loosing suction through some other part. And if you are like most women make sure you hair has not taken over the brushes. And remember they come with an excellent manuf. warranty. Don't give up on it yet I glad I didn't and I have had mine for almost 3 years now. Good Luck.
S.
And by the way, these people bashing Dyson's that don't and never had one DON'T listen! This is 2 days in a row I have seen Dyson Bashing on this site by people who have never owned one. I don't bash the other brands even though I have owned 4 other brands they just did not perform as well as the Dyson, new technology and what not so I will be fair. If I may be a "hater" for a moment, maybe they're jealous they don't have one. I am sorry but when I saw the Dyson bashing again by some of the same people it irked me.

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M.W.

answers from Seattle on

Check out your vacuum. Is there hair wrapped around the brush under the vacuum? (that's usually why mine tends to lose suction). Are all the tubes clear? Have you cleaned the filter properly (read instructions very good before attempting this). I love mine but it can lose a bit of suction but usually it is something clogged in the tube or hair around the brush. Very easy to take care off and than I am off vacuuming again.

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M.W.

answers from Portland on

I've had my Dyson for about a year and a half or so and absolutely love it. One thing I have found that periodically to get it to run smoother I have to really clean it. I take the brush roller off and cut off all the hair, strings, etc that get wrapped around it. I have also wiped down the inside of the cyclone area to get rid of all the caked on dust. I maybe do that about once a month. Do you have pets? What model did you get? I love my Dyson so much, my in-laws also got one a few months ago and love theirs. Good luck, I hope that helps.

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

The other day I was using my sister's Dyson..and I kicked it wrong and a hose in the back came loose. Yeah...no more good suction. It sounds similar to your problem. Check all the connections for the hoses? Some of them aren't very intuitive, but give it a shot! She's had hers for nearly 5 years, and still loves it...except for when I kick the hoses loose. ;-)

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M.B.

answers from Seattle on

I responded to another vacuum problem of somone's on mamasource last week and told her that I took my bagless Hoover into a vacuum repair place because the switch wasn't working. Anyway, at that time, they let me know that they didn't like any of the bagless vacuums. They recomended others to me instead. I would just call up or visit a vacuum store and ask them some questions.
Good luck ~ M.

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A.H.

answers from Portland on

S. ~
Call Dyson customer service. It may still be under warranty. I broke the flap on the canister to my Dyson & when I called to order a replacement part they sent it out to me no charge even though my warranty had expired.

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K.N.

answers from Spokane on

I would call the company and see what they say. Or, you could go directly to where you bought it.
We found a brand new (used once) Kirby on Ebay for $440, including shipping. They realy are the best! Because Dyson is made of plastic, it just can't last a life time. My parents still have the Kirby they bought 20 years ago, and it works great!

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J.B.

answers from Seattle on

I recently bought a Meile brand canister Vacuum. I've got hardwood and carpet with two kids, a dog, cat, and obscene amounts of dust.... I was ready to drop the $ on a Dyson, but the lady at the Vac shop said that once the seals dry out and crack (which they do quickly) the vacuum is pretty pathetic. I recommend going to a vacuum dealer store and talking to someone who knows rather than a clueless clerk at target. I went to a shop in Olympia and they were very helpful and knowledgable. Thier customer service is excellent. If ever I have problemss or questions they said just come on in. They also do a free yearly "tune-up" for the life of the vacuum.

I have always had an upright until this one. I understand canister vaccums work better on hard surfaces as they don't scatter the dust. This one has an awesome telescoping wand and big floor head that swivels so I can get under the couch. The kids fight over who gets to use it. I hardly ever get to use it! (No complaints, thought).

They are pricey, but so far worth it.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

My parents owned an appliance store and were authorized dealers for Eureka. My mother said that a suction problem was usually caused by a plugged hose or wand or a leak in either. If it's an upright, something such as tangled string or broken or off wheel belt, would also cause lack of power.

I've always had vacuums with bags and found that if I allow them to get too full the vacuum loses power. I think Dyson is bagless but I'd guess there could be a blockage along the line somewhere. My usual problem was a clogged hose. If you vacuum something up, such as a bobby pin, that gets stuck crosswise, the hose gets quickly plugged.

Call a store that sells services vacuums or call the customer service number in your instruction booklet. They can advise you.

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B.B.

answers from Seattle on

I have had my Dyson for 3 years and still have lots of suction and love it. You sound like something is clogged. You have a warrenty, have it looked at... B.

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A.D.

answers from Portland on

I think you did get a dud--maybe you can still take it back? I hope so. I have a big dog and a cat, plus a toddler and I shed a bit too, and I never, ever have to hand pick up anything. In fact, more so the opposite: I have to pull throw rugs and curtains OUT of the Dyson if I get it too close. I hope you can return it.

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V.R.

answers from Portland on

My friend has a Dyson and her son shoved as much cereal as he could down the hose, so it lost suction. We cleaned out the hose and it works great again. Check the hose for any obstruction and clean out the filters. Some filters can be washed even. Just check with your owners manual before doing anything. Happy vaccuming!!

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S.W.

answers from Medford on

I would say that something is wrong with your Dyson and you should instantly e-mail or call the company. I have had mine for 6 months now and it still has the great suction that it started with!
S. W

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K.R.

answers from Seattle on

Recommend to call the Dyson company that you have problem with Dyson vacuum. The comapny might give you new one when old vacuum send back to the company.

K.

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K.C.

answers from Medford on

I agree, it is not at all what it is cracked up to be!! Mine has done the same thing, and for a long time I thought it was my "technique" or something. Then I inherited a WindTunnel vacuum and it works great! So I relegated the Dyson to the upstairs closet for the quick-n-dirty jobs (because I can't bear to have wasted almost $500!!), and use the WindTunnel for real cleaning.

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M.D.

answers from Seattle on

This may seem simple but this is what my dad suggested: Try checking for holes/a rip in the hose or a missing/broken seal. Good luck!
We have a Dyson that works great, so I hope you get yours figured out. Especially with how much they cost! :-(

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R.A.

answers from Portland on

call Dyson. mine was not working and they told me how to fix it over the phone

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B.S.

answers from Honolulu on

Sounds like something is clogging the filter or something else. Have you tried taking it apart. Whenever my vaccuum loses suction, I take the filter out and use the shop vac on it clean the filter. Then it works great again. If there isn't a filter, than there's something else clogging it. I was a janitor and then I cleaned apartments for two years so I know how frustrating it can be. Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Spokane on

Is the beater bar turned off? If so the suction is gone from what I've experienced.

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A.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I am having problems with my Dyson too! The main part of the vaccume works great, but pull out nozzle doesn't have any suction. I tried to take it to a vaccume repair shop, and they told me that they won't work on Dyson's. They said that if you box it up, you can send it to Dyson to be fixed because Dyson has it's own repair shop. I haven't gotten around to it yet though.
Have you checked the bottom of the vaccume and also it the hole that you can see when you empty it? There may be hair or something that is stuck and blocking the airways. We also had that problem, and had to remove all of the hair and stuff before it would work.-Just a thought. Good luck!

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J.E.

answers from Seattle on

I also have a dyson and was wondering at one point why it didn't seem to be working as well. When I started checking it out though, I discovered that when I had the canister off cleaning it, one of my kids had pulled the rubber seal off. Once I replaced that, I had no more problems with suction. I occasionally get a clog in the hose, but it works fine after I clean it. So, I would definitely recommend checking all your removable parts to make sure there are no clogs and make sure all of you rubber seals are in place. The other time that it seems to have difficulty is if I don't empty the canister often enough. So you might want to make sure that the canister is empty and maybe even clean the filter and fiter casing. I love my dyson.

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C.H.

answers from Portland on

We skipped the Dyson and purchased a Bissell Pet Hair Remover vacuum. We've had it for a little over a month and were highly impressed with it as it cleans better than any vacuum we've ever had. However yesterday as we were cleaning house the suction just 'went away' and I was afraid something was wrong. It turns out it has several filters that need to be cleaned routinely and they needed to be cleaned. As soon as we cleaned all of the filters the vacuum was back to it's old powerful suction. I don't know anything about Dyson vacs but perhaps one of your internal filters is clogged up.

Good Luck,
C.

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