My Dyson DC17 Animal will not stay on when I hit the power button

The knob on the bottom left side. It only has two settings, 'carpet' or 'hard floor'.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dyson+dc17+animal

Dyson Support and the Manual

https://www.dyson.com/support/vacuum-cleaners/uprights/dc17

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Please review the material here: http://www.dyson.com/Support/dc17/DC17-ANIMAL/DIAGNOSIS-ROOT-MENU/Flo-DC07-Gen-I-can-see-something-wrong-visual/Redirect-to-Flo-DC17-Check-brushbar/Flo-DC17-Check-brushbar/Flo-DC17-Reset-brushbar/Flo-DC17-Reset-brushbar

Hi there,
I am sorry to hear you are having difficulty with your DC17. If the brush bar is not spinning it may be obstructed.
Please visit http://www.dyson.com/support/help.asp?article=956&product=DC17-ANIMAL for step by step instructions on how to inspect your brush bar and clear any obstructions that may be present.
Once you have carried out these steps you may need to reset your brush bar. To do this please plug your machine in, recline it as if you are preparing to vacuum a carpeted surface, turn your machine on and if the brush bar is not spinning push the silver button next to your power button one time. This should reset the brush and it should begin spinning immediately.
If you are still having difficulty with your machine please contact the Dyson US Helpline at 1-866-693-9766 or the Dyson UK Helpline at 0800 298 0298 so we can provide further assistance.
Best wishes,
Jessica

Hi,

A new switch costs about $8 and can be replaced easily however not something that you can do at home if not capable. Dyson might be your first port of call as this is a known issue with the dc17.

Switch part number is 910971-01

I'm not sure about all the switches used in the vacuum, but I recently took some pictures of the power button assembly. The buttons in the picture below are (from left-to-right): Circuit Breaker, Brush Switch, Power Switch



The next picture shows how the plastic buttons that operate the brush and power switches should go together:



And finally, this is how the power button assembly reattaches:

Turn on the beater bar with the gray button next to the red power button. The powered beater bar will "propel" the vacuum across the carpet.

That's the problem with dyson. They work for the first few months then start to break down. Your switch might need replacing or your cord connection is lose and causing it to short out and turn off.

You will need to have the button replaced. Dyson power buttons are notorious for breaking because just a gentle push is all that is required and they can break if they have been pushed down roughly.

The on/off switcdh underneath the button sounds like it's faulty and will need replacing. I would suggest caling Dyson in your country with the Serial No of the unit for guidance.

This is over a year too late, but perhaps this will help other people in your situation. Here is how the switch assembly should go together: