Dyson DC33 Bagged Upright Vacuum

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :

If the machine will no longer efficiently pick items up, the filter might be dirty. If after cleaning the filter your vacuum is still not sucking things up, turn your vacuum around and pull the red tab at the bottom of your Dyson out.
Select the right cleaning mode for the right task. Position the slider to the left for use on deep- to medium-pile carpets, delicate flooring and rugs. Position the slider in the center for low-pile carpets and large debris. Position the slider to the right for hard floors and ground in dirt.
A 1/2 inch height adjustment should resolve this and be easily added by Dyson. Put a flip switch on the vacuum head itself that raises it up higher off the carpet.
Check the Circuit

Check the vacuum cleaner to see if it tripped a circuit breaker or blew a fuse. Check the circuit breakers, or fuses and, if it has tripped a circuit breaker or blown a fuse, simply re-set the breaker, or replace the fuse, and switch the vacuum on again.

When isolated strands pop up with vacuuming, this is called sprouting. With shedding, fibers are no longer connected to the carpet, but with sprouting, fibers remain attached. To resolve the problem, simply clip sprouts to an even height with the surrounding pile.
For a vacuum cleaner to glide easily on a carpet, air must flow into the nozzle and through the machine. Block the air flow and the vacuum seals itself to the carpet and is hard to push. And, unfortunately, that`s what many consumers have discovered when their new carpeting is installed.
If you`d rather not deal with a power cord when vacuuming carpets, the Dyson V15 Detect is a solid option.
Direct-Drive Cleaner Head

This tool is found in mid-priced options, the V7 and V8. It`s Dyson`s earliest standard brush roll option with a stiff and soft bristle combination, excellent at picking up debris on carpets.

When we contacted Dyson about your question, a representative told us that the machines can be hard to move across thicker-pile carpeting because of their “extremely strong suction,” but that there should be no severing of fibers.
To reset the Brush bar press the Brush bar control button twice or switch the machine off and back on.
Vacuuming carpets every day is OK. Some households might not need to vacuum as frequently. Still, it depends on the living arrangements, the carpet`s traffic daily, and the possibility of pets and kids treading the carpets. With the appropriate vacuum, you won`t damage your rugs.
Vacuum Carpet Frequently

According to Shaw Floors, manufacturer of carpet, vinyl, hardwood and laminate flooring, you should vacuum the traffic lanes in high-traffic areas daily and the entire area twice a week. For rooms with light traffic flow, vacuum the traffic lanes twice a week and the entire area once.

Low suction or poor pick-up may be due to a clog in the vacuum cleaner. If you notice a change in the sound of the motor or a reduction in the spinning action, check for clogs. First, remove the Easy Empty dirt tank from the vacuum and discard all dirt and debris.
“Bare Floor” mode is the ability to shut off the roller brush while still suctioning or as in the case with some like the Sebo Automatic X4 or Riccar Supralite, a squeegee behind the roller acts as an anti-scatter guard. This is the key feature for bare flooring to find in an upright vacuum.
Most flooring manufacturers recommend a variation of no more than 3/16 inch over a 10-foot span. Floor leveling is a relatively easy DIY project, although some subfloors with rot, insect damage, or structural issues may require professional attention.
For most models, the lowest setting is optimal for bare floors or thin carpeting. The middle setting offers the best suction for slightly fuller carpets. The highest setting is best for plush carpets or area rugs.
DO NOT use any vacuum made by Oreck, Dyson, Miele, Shark as these will cause excessive fuzzing. In addition DO NOT use any Robotic vacuum or Whole House Central vacuum system.
Vacuuming carpet is very similar to changing the oil in a car in that it is an integral part of regular maintenance and keeping it in tip-top shape. Regular vacuuming removes soil and dirt that can damage the carpet fiber and therefore reduce the useful life of the carpet.
Only Vacuum a Dry Carpet

If you vacuum a wet carpet, dirty water could enter the motor and cause damage to it. In severe cases where the carpet is too wet, you could even risk electrocution. Even in a mild scenario, you`d still end up with a soggy mess to deal with when you eventually empty the dust bag.

Nylon – Nylon is considered one of the most durable of all carpeting materials and the easiest to keep clean.
The Dyson soft roller head (Fluffy) is specially made for hardwood floors and coated with antistatic carbon fibre filaments removes dirt and fine debris. Use the right accessories. While it may seem like an effort to change tools mid-vacuum, this will help you remove dust you can see, and dust you can`t.
The reason you probably shouldn`t use a carpet cleaner on tile floors is because you`ll end up damaging your floors, plain and simple. Typically, carpet cleaners have parts that work great on carpets because it gets deep into the carpet. However, these parts that work great on carpet are typically metal.
If you`re vacuuming hardwood or other uncarpeted floors, put your vacuum on the bare floors setting. This setting uses suction only so your floors don`t get scratched by the powered brush. If your vacuum doesn`t have this setting, use it only on carpet and not on bare floors.
Vacuum your deep pile or ultra plush carpet as regularly as you would normal carpet, at least once a week, more often if you have children or pets and always tackle stains and spots as quickly as possible.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Just got my dc33… one issue… the dial switch to control btn bare floor / carpet mode doesn’t seem holding in it’s position when I set to the bare floor mode… it keeps coming back to carpet mode with brush-bar activated… the dial doesn’t really click to the floor mode. Any advice on this?
ANSWER : Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear you’re having difficulties with your DC33. If you’re concerned that the brush control doesn’t seem to be staying in position, it’s probably best if you get in touch with us directly. One of our experts will be happy to run through some troubleshooting over the phone with you to check everything is correct with your machine, and recommend the best course of action. You can call us free on 08002980298 (UK), or 1866MYDYSON (US). We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Jack
Dyson Online Customer Support

Can you advise which setting should be used on different floors, ie hard floors and carpets, theres 2 different settings and I don’t know which setting should be used on the different floors
ANSWER : Turn the machine on and look at the bottom. Turn to the two settings. The setting that stops the platten wheel from moving is for hard wood floors. If you cant tell, then setting 1 is most likely for carpets and 2 is for hard wood floors. Your machine is primarily a carpet vacuum cleaner, so 1 should be for carpets.

When i set the floor setting to carpet, it makes a nasty rattling noise. doesn’t do it on bare floor setting
ANSWER : Hi,
.
.There is one major difference between the hard floor setting and the carpet setting – the brushbar doesn’t spin on the hard floor setting. Hopefully this is a simple problem – the rattling noise suggests there may be something trapped behind the brush rollers. You can inspect this by removing the sole plate from the vacuum. Doing this may allow any trapped objects to fall out without need for any further inspection:
.
.To remove the sole plate:
.
.1. Lie the dyson on it’s side so you can access the underside or sit on a chair, turn the vacuum upside down and hold it between your knees.
.2. Using a coin or a large flat-bladed screwdriver undo the two yellow fasteners on either side of the “sole plate” which covers the brush rollers.
.3. Pivot the back edge of the sole plate upwards and remove it
.
.belectric_53.jpg.
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.Any loose debris can now be easily removed, While the sole plate is removed, it is a good opportunity to inspect the brushes and remove anything else that may be stuck to it.
.
.Replacing the sole plate is the exact reverse of the removal process. Before replacing the sole plate, ensure that the brush bar is correctly and fully inserted.
.
.There are other possible reason for the rattling noise, but your description leads me to believe that this should cure the fault. Inspect the brushbar first and then post back if you need further assistance.
.
.Regards,
.BElectric

When i set it on carpet instead of bare floor it is hard to push when i vacume (when i turn nob it only has two settings floor and carpet no high pile or low pile)
ANSWER : Hi there,

Sorry to hear you’re having difficulties using your DC14 on this particular carpet. You may want to contact your carpet manufacturer to check it’s suitable for cleaning with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a revolving brush. Manufacturers sometimes recommend cleaning certain types of carpeting using suction only.

If you have any further queries about using or maintaining your Dyson vacuum cleaner, please get in touch with us directly. One of our experts will be happy to provide the information and assistance you need. You can call us free on 08002980298 (UK), or 1866MYDYSON (US).

Kind regards,

Jack
Dyson Online Customer Support

Kenmore Vacuum 116.36623501 does not stay on bare floor setting
ANSWER : It sounds like there is something wrong with the latching assembly. GO to the Sears Parts website and enter your Model number. Look at the parts assembly for the Nozzle, and the problem will be in one of items 12 through 17.

My Hoover Windtunnel does not clean carpet. The machine keeps grabbing the carpet. It appears that even with the switch set for carpet, the machine keeps acting as though it were set for a hard floor. How can I fix it?
ANSWER : Move the height adjustment up a little

My carpet cleaner (bissell proheat plus) is not steaming, dispensing cleaner. Seems like there’s a little thingy that should be spinning or turning….. When I work a small area of carpet, it just leaves behind dry blobs of carpet gunk like pet hair. I had to use a carpet sweeper to clean up. FYI – I filled the cleaning fluid container and after trying to clean the carpet, it did empty out but the carpet isn’t wet. Any tips? The manual doesn’t help.
ANSWER : You need to replace the pump belt. Here is the belt you need:

Bissell ProHeat Belt

I have an electrolux renaisence vacuum. the brush in the floor attachment turns but I have no suction. When I change to bare floor option on the handle the brush stops turning (correct) but I still have no suction. The lights on the handle showing –floor,carpet, high and low all work.
ANSWER : Sounds like you have a clog, either in the hose or the inlet by the brush roll.