The Brush Roll Won’t Turn – Dyson DC04, Dyson DC07 and Dyson DC14
So your brush roll (sometimes called a brush bar or a beater bar) wont turn or spin round on your Dyson DC04, Dyson DC07 or Dyson DC14?
I am going to cover the DC04, DC07 and DC14 models altogether here as the following advice is applicable for all three as they have very similar bottom end mechanicals.
First you should establish if your machine is a model with a clutch or without a clutch. If your machine is a model with a clutch, it will typically be designated as an “all floors”, a “multi floor”, an “allergy”, an “animal” or an “absolute”. If your Dyson has a clutch fitted, it will have a knob on the bottom body on the left hand side (looking from the front). It looks like this:
The clutch (if fitted), is designed to stop your machine from breaking the belts. If your machine has a clutch, the reason the brush bar isn’t spinning is unlikely to be a snapped belt. The clutch allows your brush roll to be turned off (for certain types of hard floors, etc.). First you should check if your brush bar is turned on. Try to turn the knob one click clockwise to the “auto” position.
If it is in the ”auto” position already, now recline the machine by bending the wand handle back whilst holding your foot in the front corner recess of the body when the machine is running (in cleaning position). Did you know that on clutched models, the brush bar is not designed to turn until the machine is reclined into the cleaning position? Many people don’t. Many people think if the brush bar isn’t spinning when the Dyson is upright, that there is something wrong with it. There isn’t! Check to see if the brush bar spins when the machine is reclined in the cleaning position! If after turning the clutch to “auto” the machine brush bar is spinning when the machine is reclined, the problem is solved.
If you have a Dyson without a clutch, the brush roll should spin at all times; no matter if the machine is reclined or stood upright. If your machine doesn’t have a clutch, and the brush bar is not spinning, check the drive belt, it has probably snapped and wants replacing.
What if after reclining brush bar still does not turn What next?
The clutch is switched to “auto” yes?
Hi, I have fitted new belts a new motor and finally a new clutch. The brush is still not spinning when reclined. I’m going mad here. The roller brush turns manually no bother. What next?
Martin.
Is the clutch switched to auto? Did you strip the clutch yourself?
Thank You Thank You Thank You.
Thanks a million! I had to replace the upper housing (big piece) on my DC14. After getting it back together, the brush wasn’t rolling. Having previous knowledge of how the clutch works, I totally forgot about the bare floor/carpet selector. It works now albeit with a blow to my ego.
I have changed the belt and it turns freely by hand, but when i switch the cleaner on it doesnt turn, its a clutchless model so should turn at all times, any ideas?
oh and I should have said its a dc07, there was a smell of burning but i assumed that was the belt as before i changed it, it was loose, could it be a motor although it doesnt sound any different?
Dyson DC14, brush will not turn when vacuum is on, in reclined position, it does have a clutch.
Brush will spin freely by hand.
Has suction.
No smells, not weird sounds.
Brush is clean from debris.
Hello. I have a similar issue.. When i recline it to engage the brush it does so for a brief time before it locks and makes a noise.. I heard that noise before when i would get a string or such wrapped around the roller. I cleared out all threads from the roller yet it continues to do it.. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
That sounds like a clutch or seized brushroll bearings – possibly both.
And the clutch is switched on?
Sounds like you trapped the belt in the sole plate as you was refitting it. Its easily done on clutchless models.