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.
My DC04 has an issue where the roller brush wouldn’t turn. Cost me a belt to find this out (they smell VERY BAD when they melt!) and ended up buying a replacement roller brush & sole plate (comes as a pack) and in 2 mins my DC04 was working as new.
I tried opening the roller brush up and no luck – new one was the only way forward.
Just wanted to post a comment re my dyson dc 14 not rotating its brushes, I had this problem today, after checking for brush obstruction, broken belt and reading this forum (and my neighbour saying the clutch was broken (ouch) I rung the helpline (in UK ) its 08002980298 the lovely lady answered quickly asked for serial number and talked me through how to reset the brush mechinism. Amazing it now works! so for anyone else who has the brush not working give this a try before trips to service agents or taking it apart-
Check machine is plugged in and switched on at wall.
Turn the all floors dial on the left fully back (it says off) then fully forward (says on).
Lay machine down so hose on floor and dust collector on top.
Pull front (where brush is) fully down, like you would when hoovering under furniture. lift it up again.
Keeping fingers etc out of way of brush switch machine on, hey presto it should now rotate!
Hope this helps, if not, its well worth ringing them, they are extreamly helpful and wont try and sell anything to you.
If your belt is ok then remove the roller brush and pop the plastic end caps off. You will be able to remove the metal bar that runs through the middle. On each end there is a bearing which you may find is very stiff to turn. Use a good lubricant that penetrates such as a 3 in 1 oil with ptfe. Avoid wd40 as while it will free them up, it’s no good long term. Pop it all back together and hopefully you are up and running.
Thanks for your help with non-rotating brushes. Very useful.
I thought I’d have to dismantle the thing but you advice saved a lot of trouble.
Shawn, thanks for the information. Worked like a charm.
Anne, thanks for that, it worked a treat. Suppose I’d better get on with vacuuming the house now I’ve got no excuse not to !!
I had an issue with my DC14 brush not turning even after I cleaned it out. The June 26, 2012 post by anne millward solved my issue. Thank you Anne!
i have a dc04 when reclined rattles very loud.i have changed the clutch and brush but still rattles.can you help
Sounds like you refitted the sole plate wrong and have trapped the belt.
Thanks Anne – worked a treat!
I have a DC04 Zorbster and the brush head doesn’t turn. I have been through all the checks and Dyson says it needs a new clutch assembly. I can save alot of money if I buy and fit this myself but is this something a lay person can do? Are there instructions published anywhere (Dyson said they would have to send an Engineer)? Many thanks for any help as I’m broke at the moment and cannot afford the cost of the Engineer
There is a motor swap guide here: http://dysonmedic.com/DC04%20Folder/DC04%20motor%20change.html which will give you an overview (just take the bits you need from that guide).
You will also need a clutch belt removal tool, a T15 Torx screwdriver and a Zorbster clutch that you can get here: http://manchestervacs.co.uk/Dyson/DC04-spares.html
If you encounter any difficulty doing it, you can ask more detailed advice here: http://manchestervacs.co.uk/DysonForum/
Anne thank you for the info. My brush stopped spinning and I did what you said. Now my brush is spinning again. Wow this saved me from thinking I needed to have my vac serviced.
Just wanted to say thank you for the information on your website. It helped solve my problem 🙂
hi i have put new clucth in dysondc04 but ir is now ratteling and the brushes are still not turning the belt is not traped and the clutch is engaged help it is driving me mad
Is this “ratteling” [sic] a loud ratcheting noise?
I have a DC14 animal that had a brush that stopped spinning. I took off my brush and then pryed off one of the end caps, which broke off of the knob that it was attached to (point here is to be careful prying off the cap and knob, one end comes off of the metal shaft bar and the other doesn’t on my model). I pulled off the other knob and cap from the other end, pulled the metal shaft bar out and cleaned off all the matted hair and dust from both ends. I then poured a few drops of gear lube oil into the brush bar shaft at both ends. I then reassembled the brush and glued the cap back on and Voila! The brushed worked, Thanks for everyone’s input
Thanks my DC04 brush stopped working and I thought it was a motor problem, read these posts and hey presto reset the clutch and now working fine!
Thank you so much keep up the good work!
Hello
I have changed a broken belt on my clutchless dc4 – worked great but belt keeps coming off after about 5 mins of hoovering. Put it back about 3 times and same thing. It all looks ok – I followed a you tube guide. Any ideas? Thanks
I haven’t been able to use my dyson dc07 animal properly in almost 5 years. When I first got it I paid almost $500 for it and refused to buy a new vacuum, so all these years i have been using the small rotating one that came with it. It’s a pain in the toosh. But after reading all this information I think I will finally be able to get the machine to run properly. There is no motor problem all it is, is that it just refuses to spin. I can’t try the tips out now as everyone but me is asleep. 🙂 I am actually looking forward to trying this all tomorrow.
Now it’s either fix it simply or buy a new one. thank you. let you know tomorrow how it goes
As you have a DC07 Holly, you can get my rather superb workshop manual for it in the US too from here: DC07 workshop manual.
😉
Hi I have a DC14 and have done everything but still the roller does not turn, any more suggestions?
In which case the bottom half wants stripping down and the clutch and brushroll checking. The DC07 is identical in that regard, so if there are no reputable repair shops near you, you could DIY with my DC07 workshop manual.
I was cleaning the brush roller of hair and one end popped out with the other end still held in place by the belt. I finished cleaning it and pushed the roller back in, but now when I start it, within a turn or two the belt slides to off-center and the brush jams and the unit makes a terrible sound. #1 How do I know if I have the brush roller back in place correctly? #2 What could be pulling the belt out of place each time? Thanks in advance for your help.
The brush roll isn’t located back in its guides. Turn the end and locate it properly.
Thank you! I know this sounds like a stupid question, but how do I know when I get it back in correctly? I don’t see any guides/fittings/pins, etc… I keep trying unsuccessfully & I fear stripping something when I keep testing it. Is there a diagram or such? Thanks again.
See if the diagrams on this article help: http://dysonmedic.com/DC04%20Folder/DC04%20belt%20change.html
Hi,
DC04.
How many settings is on the clutch knob? There seems to be 3 indicators but my knob only can turn to the first two? I can’t get it to turn to the indicator with the spinning wheel which I presume is the setting when you want the roller to turn ?
My roller doesn’t turn at the moment is it because it needs to be on the ‘roller’ setting ?
Thanks,
Brian
Hello Brian, great question; one that I have been asked before.
There are indeed three positions. Two are selectable as mentioned in the article [off and auto], the front one [on] is selected by the machine as you actually recline the machine.
As the machine is reclined, there is an actuator that actually engages the clutch and allows the brush roll to turn. As that happens, the knob turns to the third position you mention.
When you stand it upright again, the knob turns back to the “auto” position.
Hello.
I have an old dc04 which keeps breaking its clutch belts. Have replaced 4 in a short period. The brush bar turns freely without any stickiness or catching.
Anyone have a suggestion as to why it keeps breaking the belts?
Thanks in advance
Which belt is it breaking? Is it always the same one?
It is the belt that goes from the motor to the brush bar (easily accessed by removing the underside of the head (three turn locks hold it on).
Sorry in delay replying, lost this thread and then got caught up in Xmas chaos.
Happy new year all!
Clutches have two belts, neither go from the motor to the brushbar.
Sounds like you have a non clutched machine, and those belts can break often depending on usage, yes.
Thank you Anne!!!! Problem solved. 🙂
Hi, it seems after some investigation my dc04 needs a belt changing, I think that can be easily achieved but there doesnt seem to be any suction going through to the brush section, silly question really but I cant see how replacing the belt to make the brushes turn would restore suction. I’ve checked for obstructions and cleared the filters. Is there something else I should be looking for?
What colour is your machine, Gerry? Is it a clutched machine?
Hi Angus, the machine is grey and blue with a purple trim. I dont believe it has a clutch, there seems to be only one belt missing (for the brushes)