A loud or changed noise from a Dyson V15 Detect usually means airflow is restricted or something is on the brush bar. Dyson's manual lists the checks: a blockage (pulsing motor), a dirty or badly fitted filter, an overfull bin, and hair or fibers wrapped on the brush bar or in the cleaner head or Hair screw tool. A rising pitch with weak pickup points to a blockage; a rattle points to something in the head. Auto mode raises suction by itself when it senses more dust, so a louder tone on a dusty floor is normal. Use Eco for the quietest run.
Differential
Likely causes of “Dyson cordless vacuum makes a loud, rattling, whistling or grinding noise”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A blockage
What separates it The pitch is higher and it pulses because there is a blockage
How to confirm Clear the blockage before you use the machine again
- 2
Filter dirty or not seated
What separates it There is whistling or weak suction because the filter is dirty or not seated
How to confirm Wash the filter, and refit it dry, so that it seats properly
- 3
Auto mode ramping up
What separates it The machine is louder on dusty floors because Auto mode is ramping up
How to confirm This is normal, since Auto mode gets louder on dust, and Eco is quieter
- 4
Debris on the bar
What separates it There is a rattle or grinding at the head because of debris on the bar
How to confirm Clear the hair and fibers from the brush bar, and try again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The sound and when it occurs
- Which power mode the machine is in when it is noisy
- Whether an alert shows on the screen
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedStop and disconnect
ReversibleStop and disconnect, by removing the machine from the charger, before you inspect it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the head
ReversibleCheck the head, by clearing the bar and the head of hair and debris, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the filter
ReversibleCheck the filter, by washing it and letting it dry completely, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Empty the bin
ReversibleEmpty the bin when the dirt reaches the MAX line, so the motor is not strained.
Try Eco
ReversibleTry Eco mode, and compare the sound with the sound in the other modes, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Clearing a blockage safely
- Take the machine off the charger, let it cool, and keep away from the trigger and sharp objects. Remove the bin and look at the main body, paying particular attention to the air inlet on the right side just below where the bin joins. Check the wand at both ends and the cleaner head. If the machine detects a blockage the motor pulses and you cannot use it until it is cleared; using it while it pulses makes it cut out automatically. Make sure the blockage is completely clear and all parts are refitted before using it again. Dyson notes that clearing blockages is not covered by the warranty.
- Washing the filter, step by step
- Twist the filter counter-clockwise and pull it away, tap it gently over a bin, then hold it by the hard end and wash it under warm running tap water, rubbing gently with your fingers. Cover one end with your hand, fill the filter with warm water and shake it firmly, then empty and shake again in both upward and downward positions until no water comes out. Dry it upright with the pleated end up for at least 24 hours in a warm, ventilated place and never in a tumble dryer, microwave or near a flame. Washing is due at least monthly, and a damp filter can damage the machine.
- Floors and tools
- Before vacuuming, check that the underside of the head or tool is clean and free of objects that could damage floors, and check the flooring maker's advice for rugs and carpets. Some carpets fuzz when a rotating brush bar is used, in which case Dyson suggests vacuuming without the motorized floor tool. Tools including the combination tool, crevice tool, extension hose, light pipe crevice tool, low-reach adaptor, soft dusting brush, stubborn dirt brush, up-top adapter and mattress tool are wiped with a damp lint-free cloth without touching the connector end, and must be dry before use.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Gen5detect cordless vacuum, V12, V11, V8, Cinetic Big Ball vacuum.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a grinding sound continues with a clear bar, filter and airways, contact Dyson support
- !Stop using the machine and call Dyson support if the sound is a metal on metal scrape or the machine vibrates hard
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does it get louder?+
Auto mode raises suction when it senses more dust.
Is Boost louder?+
It is the highest power mode.
Can a blockage change the sound?+
Yes, a blockage can change the sound, giving a higher pitch and pulsing.
Is a rattle normal?+
No, a rattle is not normal, so check the head for debris.
Does the filter matter?+
Yes, the filter matters, since a dirty filter makes the motor work harder and louder.
Can I turn off auto?+
Turn off particle count in settings.
Does the laser affect sound?+
No; it is a light for spotting dust.