Dyson V10 (SV12): filter, battery and blockage fixes
For owners of the Cyclone V10, Animal and Absolute. Two bin sizes exist; they share the filter and battery, but the manuals differ slightly on washing.
Confirm it's a V10
On machines with a screw-in battery, Dyson prints the serial number on the back of the battery pack at the base of the handle. If it isn't on the battery, look behind the bin: pull the red lever back, then lift up to release the cyclone.
Dyson sells the V10 in two bin sizes, a bigger bin and a smaller one, and keeps separate manuals for each. Both use the SV12 model code, the same filter and the same battery.
A V10 has no screen. It has blue charge lights and a FILTER light on the battery, a trigger, and three suction modes: mode 1 for maximum run time, mode 2 for balance, and maximum suction. If your machine has a screen behind the filter, it's a V11 or V15.
Wash or replace the filter
Wash the filter at least once a month, and whenever the FILTER light on the battery stays on.
- Twist the filter counterclockwise and pull it off the back of the machine.
- Tap off loose dust over a trash can.
- Hold it upright under the tap and rinse the inside, turning it as you go. The small-bin manual says cold water; the big-bin manual says warm. Never use detergent.
- Fill it with water, cover the open end with your hand and shake gently. Repeat until the water runs clear.
- Tap out the water and stand it filter end down to dry for at least 24 hours in a warm, airy spot. Don't use a dryer, oven, microwave or open flame.
- Twist it back on clockwise once it is completely dry.
Clear a blockage
When the V10 detects a blockage, the motor pulses (switches on and off quickly) and the blockage light comes on. The big-bin manual says it pulses six times and won't run again until the blockage is cleared.
- Take the vacuum off the charger and let it cool. Keep your fingers off the trigger.
- Remove the clear bin and look into the main body inlet.
- Remove the wand and check both ends. Clear anything inside by hand or with something blunt, never anything sharp.
- Check the neck and underside of the cleaner head. If you can't clear it, remove the brush bar (see the brush bar section).
- Refit everything and switch on. Note that Dyson's warranty doesn't cover clearing blockages.
Clean the brush bar
V10s shipped with a Torque Drive, Motorbar, Direct Drive or Fluffy head depending on the version. Each one releases its brush bar with a coin. The floor head guide has the steps and part numbers for each head.
Safety: Take the vacuum off the charger and detach the head from the wand before you put fingers near the brush bar.
Replace the battery
The V10 battery is held by three screws. Dyson's own manual says to contact Dyson if the battery needs replacing, and recommends running its online troubleshooting first to confirm the battery is the problem.
- Phillips #1 screwdriver
Safety: Only fit a genuine Dyson pack. Don't charge or use a pack that is swollen, cracked, leaking or hot, and take old packs to a battery recycling drop-off, never the trash.
- Take the vacuum off the charger, remove the wand and let it cool if you've just used it.
- Remove the one screw on the back of the handle, just above the battery.
- Turn the machine over and remove the two screws on the underside of the battery.
- Pull the battery down and out of the handle.
- Slide the new pack in, refit the three screws snugly (don't overtighten into the plastic), and charge it fully before use.
iFixit's V10 guide uses a Phillips #1 driver. Some owners report Torx-head screws on their units, so check the screw head before you turn it.
What the lights mean
These meanings come from the V10 operating manual. Any red light on the battery that isn't listed here is a reason to call Dyson, not to open the pack.
| Light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FILTER light on, steady | Wash the filter |
| FILTER light flashing | The filter isn't fitted correctly |
| Blockage light on, motor pulsing | There's a blockage; clear it before using the vacuum |
| One blue bar flashing while charging | Charging, low charge |
| Two or three blue bars while charging | Charging, medium or nearly full |
| Blue bars off on the charger | Fully charged |
| First bar flashing red | Battery fault: call Dyson |
| First bar solid red | Main body fault: call Dyson |
| Red bar flashing with a flashing blue pattern | Charger fault: call Dyson |
Pulsing on and off
That's the blockage cut-out. Follow the blockage steps, and wash the filter if the FILTER light is on.
Run time much shorter than it used to be
Check the filter and blockages first, since both make the motor work harder. If run time stays short, the battery is wearing out; see the battery swap.