How To Reset Dyson Vacuum?

Dyson vacuum cleaners are well-engineered appliances. Still, they suffer from the occasional fault that prevents you from using them like normal. But since Dyson vacuums don’t have dedicated reset buttons, how do you reset them to clear the fault?

Dyson vacuums do not have dedicated reset buttons. Instead, resetting your Dyson will depend on which fault prevents it from working normally. For example, if the vacuum has overheated, be sure to clear any clogs and let the unit cool down completely for about an hour. That will reset its thermal switch and let you use it normally again.

This guide will walk you through the most common Dyson vacuum faults that will require you to reset the unit. First, you’ll learn what those faults are and how they happen. Then, you’ll learn how to reset the unit and get it working normally again.

How Do You Reset A Dyson Vacuum?

Dyson vacuums do not come with a dedicated reset button. Instead, there are several methods you can use to reset the vacuum. The correct reset method will depend on the issue that’s preventing the vacuum from working.

The most common issues that’ll prevent your Dyson from working include a fault with the digital motor motherboard, a pulsing or overheating motor, or if you install the filter incorrectly. 

In those situations, your Dyson vacuum will not work until you’ve reset its affected part correctly, following the steps below.

Read: 4 Reasons Why Dyson Vacuum Smells Bad

The Digital Motor Motherboard Is Faulty

What’s happening: Several Dyson vacuum models use a digital suction motor that’s controlled by a motherboard. You’ll typically find them on Dyson’s various cordless handheld models.

The digital motor motherboard is responsible for managing the vacuum’s functions and ensuring that all components are powered correctly.

Like other electronic devices, the digital motor motherboard can suffer a fault from time to time. When that happens, your first troubleshooting step is to reset the vacuum to get the motherboard working correctly again.

How to reset the vacuum: You can reset a faulty digital motor motherboard on your Dyson vacuum through power cycling. In simple terms, that means to turn the vacuum on and off again, but with an extended period in between.

To do that, remove the vacuum’s power source for at least 5 minutes. That means you should remove its plug from the wall socket or remove the cordless vacuum’s battery. 

During this time, any electrical power that’s retained in the motherboard will dissipate naturally, causing the electronic components to reset themselves.

After the 5 minutes have passed and the reset is complete, reconnect the vacuum to its power source and continue using it normally.

Read: Dyson Vacuum Has No Power

The Motor Is Pulsing 

What’s happening: Another common malfunction you might experience with a Dyson vacuum is its motor pulsing when you try to use it. 

In other words, the vacuum’s motor will turn on and off repeatedly instead of running continuously. When that happens, the vacuum can’t produce enough continuous suction for you to clean your floor.

The Dyson vacuum motor pulses like that because there’s a blockage somewhere in the unit. When the vacuum senses the lack of airflow that blockage causes, it pulses the motor on and off to prevent it from overheating and burning out.

How to reset the vacuum: To reset your Dyson vacuum’s pulsing motor, start by removing its detachable parts. That includes the hose, wand, cleaning head, and anything else.

Next, clean out any blockages you find in those parts. 

Before putting those parts back together, be sure to clean the electrical connectors on each one. Those electrical connectors carry power from the vacuum’s main unit down to the cleaning head on the floor.

Lastly, reattach all the parts that you removed earlier. The reset is successful when the vacuum no longer senses any airflow restrictions inside. As a result, the motor will run continuously and not pulse anymore.

Read: Dyson Vacuum No Suction

The Vacuum Overheats

What’s happening: Overheating can cause a lot of damage to a Dyson vacuum. That’s why all Dyson models come with a thermal fuse as a form of protection.

The thermal fuse works in a very straightforward way. When it senses that the vacuum is overheating beyond safe operating temperatures, it will cut the vacuum’s power supply. That process is also known as a ‘thermal cutoff’.

In other words, the thermal fuse shuts the vacuum off to prevent it from overheating too much and damaging itself.

That overheating typically happens when there’s a lack of airflow in the vacuum which prevents heat from escaping. Typically, that happens when there’s a severe clog preventing smooth airflow. The same also happens when the bin is too full, and no more air can flow through.

After a thermal cutoff, the vacuum can only work again once you reset the thermal fuse.

How to reset the vacuum: The good news here is that the thermal fuse can reset itself. However, that will only happen once the overheating vacuum has cooled off entirely.

You can help the thermal fuse reset by disconnecting the vacuum’s power source (wall plug or battery) and leaving it to cool for at least an hour.

At the same time, be sure to clear any clogs and empty the bin to prevent this from happening again.

Once the vacuum cools down and the thermal fuse resets itself, you can resume vacuuming once more.

Read: Dyson Vacuum Troubleshooting Guide

The Filter Is Installed Incorrectly

What’s happening: Lastly, your Dyson vacuum will also need a reset if you’ve installed the filter incorrectly. That typically happens after cleaning the filter or replacing it with a new one.

Firstly, it’s likely that the filter was not pushed all the way into place. Besides that, dirt and debris around the filter could prevent it from fitting perfectly into the vacuum.

When the filter isn’t installed correctly on a Dyson vacuum, you won’t be able to turn on the unit. Instead, you’ll see a flashing indicator light telling you that there’s a problem.

To get the vacuum running again, you’ll have to focus your attention on resetting the filter in your Dyson vacuum.

How to reset the vacuum: Start by removing the filter from your Dyson vacuum completely. Then, clean the areas around the filter unit to ensure that they’re free from any debris that might obstruct it.

The filter’s locking mechanism is different depending on the Dyson model that you have. For example, the Dyson V10 and several others require you to twist the filter clockwise until you hear a click. 

Be sure to refer to your user manual to know how to install the filter correctly on your particular Dyson vacuum model.

You can consider the reset successful when the vacuum senses that the filter is installed correctly. Then, you can resume regular use of your Dyson vacuum unit.

Read: Why Is Dyson Vacuum Not Holding A Charge?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few additional questions and answers that you’ll find helpful as you troubleshoot your Dyson vacuum:

Do Dyson Vacuum Cleaners Have A Reset Button?

No, Dyson vacuums do not have dedicated reset buttons. To reset the vacuum, you must first understand what’s preventing it from working correctly. Each common fault has a different reset method that will get the vacuum working normally again.

Is There A Fuse In My Dyson?

Yes, there are 2 fuses in your Dyson vacuum that you should know about. The first is a standard electrical fuse that prevents damage from faults like short circuits and power surges. The second is a thermal fuse that prevents the vacuum motor from overheating and damaging the appliance.

Why Does My Dyson Overheat And Cut Out?

Dyson vacuums typically overheat and cut out because of a blockage. That blockage causes an airflow restriction that prevents hot air from escaping the vacuum as it should. Once the thermal fuse trips and the vacuum cuts out, it will only reset and work again after it cools down completely. That cooldown process will take at least an hour.

How Do You Clear A Dyson Blockage?

To clear a blockage causing your Dyson vacuum to overheat, start by removing its detachable parts. That means you should remove the hose, wand, bin, cleaning head, and anything else. Next, empty the bin and clear all other parts for dirt, dust, and debris buildups. Finally, don’t forget to clean the vacuum filter and replace it if necessary.

Why Has My Dyson Cordless Stopped Working?

Your Dyson cordless vacuum stops working when there’s an airflow restriction inside or when the motor overheats. The same also happens if the digital motor motherboard suffers a fault. You must reset the Dyson vacuum appropriately to get it working normally again when any of that happens.