Dyson Cyclone V10 cordless vacuum keeps stopping, pulsing or shutting off

The checks in more detail

A V10 that will not start at all after a charge has a battery or contact problem. Begin with the airway. Remove the bin and the wand, look through each part and the floor tool and clear any blockage with a broom handle from the clean end. Empty the bin, below the maximum line. Next the filter. The V10 has one washable filter, which Dyson says to wash monthly in cold water and dry for at least twenty-four hours before refitting. A dirty or damp filter chokes the airflow and the machine pulses or stops.

Check the brush bar: hair wraps round it and stalls it, which can cause the machine to cut out. Cut it free. Look at the battery, which clicks in and out, and press it in firmly, since a loose battery makes the power stutter. The charge lights show the level, and flashing lights at power-up can report a fault, such as a temperature problem or a blockage. Let the machine cool if it feels warm. The V10 uses a click-in battery that wears out over the years, giving shorter runs and sudden cut-outs, and a new battery restores the machine.

Use a lower mode for long cleans and the top mode for short bursts. Charge at room temperature and do not use a battery that is very cold or hot. If the machine still pulses with a clear airway and a dry filter, check the vacuum's seals and the cyclone. A machine that stops with a burning smell should be left alone and sent for service. Contact Dyson with the serial number if the V10 fails after these checks, since a motor or battery fault is covered during warranty.