How to Fix a Dyson Brush That Won't Spin: Troubleshooting Guide

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Learn how to fix a Dyson vacuum brush head that won't spin

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: June 2, 2024 Fact Checked

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Debris Tangled Around Brush

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Item Obstructing Vacuum

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Dirty Electric Contacts

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Vacuum Detects Carpet as Obstruction

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Contact Dyson

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Has your Dyson vacuum brush stopped spinning? This is a frustrating issue, especially when you really need to vacuum. We've outlined the 5 reasons why a Dyson brush won't spin, along with simple troubleshooting steps and fixes you can do to get your vacuum up and running again.

What to Do If Your Dyson's Brush Won't Spin

First, look at the brush roll and check for tangled-up hair, fibers, or other long objects (like strings, ribbons, or shoelaces). If you spot something tangled in the brush, remove it. Also, check the vacuum for blockages. If that doesn't work, try cleaning the electric contacts on each part of the vacuum.

Section 1 of 5:

Debris Tangled Around Brush

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1
Inspect the brush roll. If you see some hair or long fibers tangled around the brush roll, this is likely causing the brush not to spin properly. However, sometimes there can be hair or fibers inside the brush roll that you can't see just by looking at it.^{[1]
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- Even if you don't see anything wrapped around the brush roll, taking the roll out and cleaning it is a good first step to make sure there's nothing inside of it.
You can also use a screwdriver or other flat, rigid object. Simply insert the coin into the slot, turn it to loosen, and remove the cover.

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If there's any resistance, you can use a screwdriver to gently pry the brush roll out of the head. If it won't budge, you may want to contact Dyson for assistance to avoid breaking your vacuum.
If the hairs/fibers are tangled so badly that you can't remove them easily, use scissors to cut them so you can pull them off of the brush roll easily.
5
Check for tangles on the brush roll holder. In the vacuum head, make sure no hairs or fibers are tangled around the spindle holding the brush roll. If there is, remove them. You can use pliers or a screwdriver to remove the hair from the brush roll holder.
- You can also use a T8 Torx screwdriver and remove the spindle to clean out hair stuck inside.
Pull the end cap off of the brush roll and make sure there are no hairs or fibers tangled inside of the roll or the cap. If so, remove them (cutting if necessary).
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Replace the brush roll in the vacuum head. Slide the brush back on the spindle and replace the cover, using the coin to tighten it.
- Attempt to vacuum again. If the brush roll still won't spin, you may need to try one of the other methods in this article, or you may need to contact Dyson for a replacement.

Section 2 of 5:

Item Obstructing Vacuum

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Remove the stick from the canister and the head from the stick. These parts usually connect with a button that you press down to release the parts, then you pull them apart.
If there is a blockage, your vacuum won't work properly, as Dysons are made to stop working if an obstruction is detected. Check each part thoroughly for an obstruction.
If you find an obstruction, remove it. For obstructions in the stick, you can use a skinny object (like a broom handle) to push it out. In the head, remove the brush roll and pull out the obstruction. In the canister, open it like you are emptying it and pull out the blockage.
4
Put your vacuum back together again. Put the stick back into the canister and the head back on the end of the stick.
- Attempt to vacuum again. If the brush roll still won't spin, you may need to try one of the other methods in this article, or you may need to contact Dyson for a replacement.

Section 3 of 5:

Dirty Electric Contacts

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Remove the stick from the canister and the head from the stick. These parts usually connect with a button that you press down to release the parts, then you pull them apart.
These pins are the electric contacts that power the vacuum. If the contacts are dirty, your vacuum won't function properly.
Use compressed air to blow any dust or debris out of the area surrounding the electric contacts.
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Use electric contact cleaner to clean the contacts themselves. Each contact cleaner may have slightly different instructions, so follow the instructions on the cleaner to finish cleaning the contacts.
- You can also use rubbing alcohol instead of electric contact cleaner to clean the contacts. Use a cotton swab to rub the rubbing alcohol over the contacts and let them dry completely before reassembling the vacuum.
5
Put your vacuum back together again. Put the stick back into the canister and the head back on the end of the stick.
- Attempt to vacuum again. If the brush roll still won't spin, you may need to try one of the other methods in this article, or you may need to contact Dyson for a replacement.

Section 4 of 5:

Vacuum Detects Carpet as Obstruction

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Try your vacuum on another surface. If you have long or high-pile carpet (such as plush or shag carpeting), try your vacuum on a hardwood, linoleum, tile, or low-pile carpeting to see if it works. If the vacuum works as intended on these floors, there's a chance your Dyson is detecting the carpet as an obstruction and is therefore shutting down.
- Dysons are made to shut down if an obstruction is detected.
- If the vacuum doesn't work on any surface in your home, you may need to try one of the other methods in this article, or you may need to contact Dyson for a replacement.

Section 5 of 5:

Contact Dyson

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Contact Dyson support for help if nothing else works. If you've tried everything in this article and still can't get your brush head to spin, you may need to get your vacuum serviced or replacement parts. Dyson support can help with that.
- Go to Dyson's support page and live chat with an agent. Click the chat button in the lower-right corner to start a live chat. Live chat is available from 7 am to 12 am Central time.
- Call Dyson at 1-866-693-9766. Dyson's helpline hours are 8 am to 8 pm Central time Monday through Friday and 9am to 6 pm on Saturday. The helpline is closed on Sundays.