Has your Dyson V11 started losing suction power? Or does it seem to have a shorter battery life? Here’s how to replace the battery on this popular cordless vacuum.
The original Dyson V11 cordless vacuum doesn’t have swappable batteries, but you can replace the battery when it reaches the end of its lifespan.
Changing the battery is a simple process that involves three screws. All you’ll need is a Phillips screwdriver and a replacement battery (make sure you’re using a genuine Dyson replacement).
Note: This guide is for the original Dyson V11 series, which doesn’t include a click-in battery. Some newer versions of the V11 have a click-in battery which is easier to remove and swap.
Step 1: Prepare The V11 Vacuum
Start by making sure the Dyson V11 is unplugged from its charger and isn’t in the docking station. You should never perform any maintenance on a vacuum cleaner while it’s plugged in.
Next, remove the wand from the vacuum so you’re just working with the main body. You can use Dyson’s red quick-release button to remove the wand (or any attached tools).
Step 2: Remove The Old Battery
Three screws need to be removed before you can take out the V11’s battery. Here’s where to find them:
- The first is on the rear of the vacuum body (almost directly behind the red trigger).
- The other two screws are located on the bottom of the battery. You’ll need to tilt the vacuum onto its side to access them.
It’s worth noting that the bottom screws are meant to be at an angle. Keep this in mind when removing and replacing the screws.
Be very careful to use the right screwdriver when removing the battery. Using the wrong screwdriver risks stripping the screw heads, which makes the battery very difficult to remove without specialist tools. We recommend using a Phillips screwdriver, but make sure you check the size.
Once the three screws have been removed, you should be able to slide the battery out of its housing in the vacuum’s handle.
Tip: Ensure that you dispose of the battery correctly. Check your local regulations to find out how to properly recycle the battery.
Step 3: Attach The New Battery
You’re now ready to attach the new battery. To do so, just slide the battery into the handle and secure it in place with the three screws.
Remember that the bottom screws are angled towards the dust canister (following the angled line of the handle). Don’t try to put them in straight!
The new battery should fit securely and easily. If it’s hard to slide in or doesn’t seem to fit, then you may have bought the wrong battery size.
Step 4: Fully Charge The Battery
The final step is to allow the new battery to fully charge. Dyson ships all of its batteries with a partial charge, so it’s important not to skip this step.
Once the vacuum is fully charged, it’s ready to be used again!
Replacing the Dyson V11’s battery should restore its cleaning run-time back to its original duration. If you’re still having issues with your vacuum, then we recommend contacting Dyson’s support team, as there may be a fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Dyson V11 battery is easy to replace. This is one of the things we like about Dyson vacuum cleaners, as not all vacuum manufacturers make it simple to replace the battery.
The Dyson V11 has a maximum run-time of 60 minutes. However, this is only when the vacuum is set to its lowest power mode and non-motorised tools are attached. The run-time drops significantly in the higher power modes or when using a motorised tool, so you should rarely expect to get the full 60 minutes. Read our full Dyson V11 review to find out more.
No, the original Dyson V11 doesn’t have a click-in battery. The battery is held in place with three screws, so you can’t quickly swap it for a second battery to increase run-time. This feature is found on newer Dyson cordless vacuums though – including some newer models of the V11.
This depends on how the vacuum is used. As a general rule, you can expect a Dyson battery to last around 2-6 years. Factors that can affect a battery’s lifespan include where the vacuum is stored, whether it’s allowed to run to empty, how frequently the high-power mode is used, and whether the battery is cool before being recharged.
Summary
Dyson makes it easy to change the battery on the V11 series. This is important, as lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan and are often the first vacuum component to malfunction.
We always recommend buying genuine vacuum components – including batteries. While third-party batteries exist, these probably won’t have gone through the same testing process as a genuine Dyson battery. Using third-party components could also affect your warranty.
Do you have any questions about how to change the Dyson V11’s battery? Please let us know in the comments section below.