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Repair guides and support for vacuums by Dyson, including upright, canister, and handheld vacuums.

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Great difficulty pulling head off stick - Dyson V11

I have tremendous difficulty separating the head from the shaft/stick of my Dyson V11 so I can dump the dirt that’s been vacuumed up. I have to stand on the bottom and work and work to get the head off. Or I have to hold the stick and have someone else pull the head off, but again, not at all easily. It’s been like that right from the very first time I used it. I’m young and strong, it’s not a matter of muscle. Anybody else with this problem?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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That's actually a different problem that I fortunately do not have. But thanks for trying!

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After reading the manual and watching Dyson's how to videos for the the V11. I determined there are two steps for the stated process. First push on the red disengage latch and then pull on the shaft. With this in mind, there is 2 points of possible issues. The first is with that disengage latch, possibly getting stuck and not disengaging fully. If this is the case, I might recommend some WD-40 to clean the latch if there is no physical damage to it. The second point of issue might be the shaft. I would use WD-40 again to clean the shaft of any debris that might be causing the friction/tension. If you're still having problems and there is no obvious sign of physical damage/imperfection. I would sand down the end of the shaft, just a little bit to help with tension.

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I had the same issue since I bought the vacuum. Today it was solved! While pressing the red button lightly, pull up on the BASE of the canister, not the handle. Came right off!

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Uburback you are a genius!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Such a simple solution that really works!!

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Thank you Uburback! I have been pulling on the handle for 2 years (as shown on Dyson), and it worked but has become harder and harder to pull off. Today couldn't get it off at all. Found this, pulled on the base at the bottom of the cyclone, not the handle and it came right off!! I did use canned air to blow off all the dust on the connection afterwards. Thanks again!

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Looks like another user had the same issue a year ago and got an answer here on iFixit. I can't open my Dyson to empty the rubbish

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I have had this problem with my Dyson 10. I believe that fine gritty dirt particles get in the grooves. I take a paper towel with a small bit of moisture-very small- and run it over the tracks. That seems to help. I am old and I don’t have the strength that I used to so this is an issue with this design. I am going to try to give both cleaner heads a better cleaning. The soft head seems to get quite dirty.

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Wow unbelievable, I watched multiple videos trying to figure this out with no answers. You solved the problem. Thank you!

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1 Comment:

Joan,

I could have written your exact words! I've had to put my foot on the suction head, with me almost falling over. This has happened several times.

I have also found all of the red buttons difficult to push in far enough to pull the wands or whatever it is that you're trying to pull, apart.

This is quite a big issue for me, as I was in a car accident, my one hand doesn't close all the way, and both hands are weak in general. I love the vacuum, but I'm afraid I will have to return it because it is not only not useful, it has become dangerous to try to use it!

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My husband found that straightening out the stick so it is completely upright helps to separate the dirt bin from the stick. I still have some difficulty. Will use a cloth us clean the area around the top of the stick.

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Joan Hise will be eternally grateful.
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