Nothing is going to the bottom basket everything is staying in the top part and suction gets bad

The sound is probably the suction release valve opening up which indicates a clog or restriction somewhere

You haven't given enough details of what machine you are asking about. Take it to your local vac shop for help.

There could be a few things that would cause your Dyson to have no suction. I will give you detailed step by step instructions along with pictures on how you can diagnose this.

Possible Problem #1. The first problem is extremely common. In fact, we probably see between 2-3 of these problems every week. It mostly happens after people take the bottom plate off the vacuum in order to clean the roller brush. What happens is when they reinstall the bottom plate, they put it on on incorrectly. It's actually very easy to do. When the bottom plate (soleplate) is installed wrong, there will be a gap between the bottom plate, and the agitator housing, or the purple tray the roller brush sits in. This will cause the soleplate to be a few inches higher off the ground then it should be, preventing the brushes from even hitting the carpet. This makes it seem to the user that vacuum has lost suction power because without the brushes hitting the carpet, the machine will not pick up very well on floors, but when they use the attachment hose there's plenty of suction power.

Here's a picture of the WRONG way to install the bottom plate. Notice the gap in between the two housings:



Here's another picture, that is the RIGHT way to install the soleplate:



I would say probably 6 times out of 10 this is the problem with the customers machine. If you checked the soleplate and it is installed correctly, move on to the second possible problem.

Possible Problem # 2. Turn the vacuum cleaner upside down so the brush roller is facing upwards. I found the easiest way to work on it is to put it on a counter top or work bench. On the left hand side behind the roller brush you should see a flexible transparent hose that goes from the motor to the agitator housing. This hose actually has a lot of strain on it when the vacuum cleaner is in the reclined position. When the first few series of Dyson DC07 models came out, they didn't make this hose long enough, so when the vacuum was in the reclined position, it would put too much stress on the hose, and cause the hose to actually crack, usually right where the end of the hose that goes into the agitator housing. Examine your hose and see if you have any visible cracks in this hose. If you need to you may just remove the entire hose assembly by pulling on it. It will easily come right out of the machine so you can inspect it better. Here's a picture of where the hose usually cracks:



This would also explain why the vacuum works fine when using the attachments, but not on the floors. The attachment hose uses a different suction channel, and when the machine is in the upright position, no suction goes through this hose. If you do find a crack in this hose, the this hose needs to be replaced. Here's a direct link to that hose on our GoVacuum website.
Dyson DC-07 & DC-14 Upright Replacement Internal Hose Part # 904219

Possible Problem #3. I would suspect that this may not be the problem, but if neither of the solutions above worked, then try this one. Dyson's in general are prone to clogging. There are a few clog ports throughout the vacuum cleaner that were added there due to Dyson prototypes becoming clogged at these points. Here are pictures of how and where to check for these clogs. Simply remove the suction port covers at both of these locations:





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Hi There,

I think I know exactly what the problem is with your Dyson. I'd be happy to try and walk you through it, but just want to make sure that you still need help, or if you've already fixed the problem.

Because this unit is bagless there are more gaskets to seal the suction portion of the vac. you are most likely missing a seal, can you remove the basket and place your hand near the suction on the vacuum? it is shielded so you wont lose fingers. if there is suction there, look at the bottom of the basket for a gasket, same for the top

You have a Electrolux, not a Guardian though, right? The light you are talking about is the bag full indicator. I know your bag is not full, so, try this. The knob on the top of the cleaner is a fine adjustment designed to let the bag fill up in different conditions, (dirt types) . So...turn the dial down to setting 2. Try it again. Did it work? If so, this is your adjustment . No need to ever adjust it agin. It is NOT the suction control. If this did not fix ya (haha) then, your adjustment diaphragm is bad and you will have to break down and bring it to Aerus(Electrolux) for a repair. I hope this info was helpful, if so, please leave feedback, it helps my rating, Thanks, Rene(The Vacuum Doctor)

I recently bought a second hand Dyson DC07. Its suction was poor. I removed all the un-clipable pipe bits and to remove any blockage but it all looked clear. The Final Sponge and hepper filter did have a lot of dust in it and the rotating brush was full of hair but nothing bad.

I eventual gave in to curiosity and removed the three screws in the top or the yellow removable dust collection tube and cyclone bit to see what was in there. The mechanism to release the flap at the bottom of the collection tube does not allow you to remove the lid completely but it does open far enough to get inside. I found the whole top section of the yellow plastic bit blocked by a big plug of compacted dust and a champagne cork. If you are willing to take the risk and have a torx 15 screwdriver handy it that part may be blocked. It did get a bit messy.

If I was going to attempt the same procedure I'd remove the dust collection unit from the vacuum cleaner as I did before, but leave the clear tube attached and the emptying flap firmly closed to reduce the mess from the dust falling out the bottom while cleaning the top part.

On some units there is a screen that protects the impeller of the motor. If this gets sealed off with debris then it is like putting a potato in the tail pipe of a car. Taking the top off the unit reveals the motor. DO UN-PLUG the unit first from the electrical outlet. Take off the exhaust piping if any to allow the motor to be lifted out of the canister. There is typically enough wire to allow this without taking any wires off. Look at the bottom of the motor to make sure the nut has not spun off the impeller and it is still attached to make suction. The look at the hole (aprox. 2" round) to make sure it is clear of any debris. If it is not clean it and re-install everything. If the impeller is off the motor it is new motor time.

Hope this helps!!

VR

Hi,

These new fangled Hepa filters get clogged up pretty easy and when there's no place for an outlet of air there is no suction going into the clear basket.

You're right. Best way to clean these things is to bang them upside down outside on some concrete or another hard surface until there is no more dust coming out. You can replace them and eventually it comes to that.

The hose that leads up from the suction bed housing has a tight turn in the bottom area and this can collect something large that then collects smaller and smaller. The hose can be disconnected from the bottom unit and it may take a straightened coat hanger to clear out whatever may or may not be in there.

To be sure you have a tight seal just see that the plastic can is seated firmly at the bottom and the top locks in place. The gasket does its job once there is good airflow and the vacuum will do the rest.

Any questions or need for clarification just comment back to me below and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Regards,
Worldvet

I have been dealing with this exact same problem for a week and has been driving me crazy! I have done everything you just did and nothing worked. I just took the filter out that is underneath the canister and when I did it was clogged up real bad with tissue, styrofoam and hair. I reached in there and pulled as much out as I could then got needle nose pliers to reach in there to pull out the rest. Remember, it's behind the filter, not the filter itself. My vacuum works great now!!!