What This Error Means
F9 on a Dyson vacuum cleaner usually means an internal airflow or motor protection fault.
The vacuum thinks it can’t move enough air or is overheating, so it cuts power to protect the motor.
Official Fix
Do this in order, don’t skip steps. Unplug / power off first.
- 1. Let it cool down
If it suddenly stopped and showed F9, leave it off for at least 30 minutes. The thermal cut-out may have tripped. - 2. Empty the bin properly
Don’t just dump the top layer. Open the bin, bang the packed dust out into a bag, and make sure nothing is jammed up around the shroud or bin inlet. - 3. Check for blockages front to back
Work in a straight line:- Remove the floor head. Look in the neck for hair or toys wedged inside.
- Check the wand/tube. Hold it up to a light. If you can’t see clean through, it’s clogged.
- Check the short hose and any U-bends or elbow joints on uprights.
- If it’s a cordless, check the small airway right where the wand clicks into the main body.
- 4. Clean the brush bar
Pull the brush bar out of the head (most Dyson heads have a coin slot or latch). Strip off hair, string, and carpet fibers. Make sure the ends spin freely in their bearings. - 5. Wash or swap the filters
Most Dysons have at least one pre-motor filter, many have a post-motor/HEPA filter too.- Take the filters out.
- Rinse in cold water only, no soap, no hot water.
- Squeeze out excess water and let them dry a full 24 hours, bone dry, before refitting.
- 6. Check all seals and latches
Refit the bin, wand, hose, and filters firmly until they click. Air leaks at a bad seal can fool the pressure sensor and throw an error. - 7. Battery and power check (cordless)
If it’s cordless and still shows F9:- Fully charge it until the charger light goes out.
- Try running it on normal/low power first, not boost.
- 8. Try again under light load
Run the vacuum with no floor head and no wand, just the main body or hose. If it runs fine like that but F9 appears when you add the head or wand, the blockage or drag is in that attachment. - 9. When to call Dyson
If you’ve:- Cleared all blockages.
- Cleaned and fully dried filters.
- Checked seals, head, and hose.
Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)
- ✅ Fix: Vacuum is under 5–6 years old, body is in good shape, F9 showed up after a clear clog or filthy filters, and it runs normally once cleaned.
- ⚠️ Debatable: Mid-age machine (6–8 years), weak battery on a cordless, or Dyson quotes you for a motor/control-board swap that’s around half the cost of a new unit.
- ❌ Replace: Cracked main body, burned smell from the motor, F9 returns even after pro service, or the repair quote is close to a new Dyson (or a solid non-Dyson) with warranty.
Parts You Might Need
- Replacement pre-motor filter – Find Replacement pre-motor filter on Amazon
- Replacement post-motor / HEPA filter – Find Replacement post-motor / HEPA filter on Amazon
- Replacement brush bar / cleaner head – Find Replacement brush bar / cleaner head on Amazon
- Replacement hose or wand – Find Replacement hose or wand on Amazon
- Replacement Dyson battery (cordless models) – Find Replacement Dyson battery on Amazon
- Replacement motor / cyclone assembly (advanced repair) – Find Replacement motor / cyclone assembly on Amazon
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