Getting started
If you haven't already, watch our quick-start video and register your machine in our getting started section.
Watch the quick-start video
Our video shows you how to assemble and set up your vacuum, so it's ready to use.
Charge before first use
It's important to charge the battery before using your vacuum for the first time. This helps the battery monitoring system's algorithm more accurately calculate remaining run time.
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Getting to know your LCD screen
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¹Best accuracy achieved in Auto mode. Auto ramp feature in Auto mode only. Testing based on average in home usage according to Dyson internal test data. Microscopic dust is defined as particles less than 100 microns.
FAQs about the particle count graph
How do I know when I’ve achieved a deep clean?
The bars and numbers in the particle count graph will slow down to show that less debris is being picked up, letting you know you’ve achieved a deep clean.
Why do some bars move higher or faster than others?
The particle count is a scientific measurement of the debris in your bin. Each bar represents a different size of dust particle. The bars rise faster when more debris of that size is vacuumed.
Which cleaner heads and tools react to different levels of dust?
Reactive suction power works with all cleaner heads, including the Dyson Illuminated, High Torque and Direct drive cleaner heads, and the Dyson Hair screw tool.
Why would I change the motor sensitivity? And how do I do that?
In Auto mode, the motor – which controls suction power – intelligently reacts to the amount of dust detected to provide a deeper clean, automatically. More dust, more power. Adjusting the motor sensitivity in the settings menu affects how responsive your machine is to the level of dust detected. Set to ‘High’, and your machine will react more often, and provide more suction power, when a smaller concentration of dust is detected. Set to ‘Low’, and suction power will react less often, and to larger amounts of dust. To change the motor sensitivity, hold the selection button beneath the LCD screen to enter the settings menu. Then tap the button to scroll through to the motor sensitivity settings. Hold to select, then choose your preferred setting.
Does the particle count graph work with all cleaner heads, tools and accessories?
Yes. The graph works independently of the attachments, and can be used with all cleaner heads, tools and accessories.
Can I reset the screen to see the dust levels in a different room?
To reset the particle count, either charge your machine (the count will reset after 30 minutes of charging) or remove the click-in battery for 15 seconds before replacing. The vacuum can be purged of any residual dust in the cleaner head or wand by activating suction away from any surface for 10 seconds.
What’s the difference between Dyson DLS™ and what the piezo sensor is doing?
Dyson DLS™ (Dynamic Load Sensor) technology senses when the floor type changes, by monitoring brush bar resistance while using the High Torque cleaner head. The piezo sensor senses changes in dust levels, and works with any cleaner head.
Why can the vacuum filter down to 0.3/0.1 microns but only detect particles down to 10 microns?
While we can measure particles as small as 0.1 microns in the lab, it’s not yet possible to fit these measurement technologies into a vacuum cleaner. What we can't yet detect with our piezo sensor, we can filter out. Our HEPA filter media can capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns in size.
Your LCD screen displays
Settings, alerts and notifications
To enter the settings menu, hold the selection button. Tap the button to scroll through the options, hold to select. Press the Power button at any time to start cleaning.
Alerts and notifications
Getting to know your power modes
Your vacuum has three power modes, each designed for different tasks. Change power mode quickly by tapping the selection button.
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Auto/Med mode
The optimum balance of power and run time. Med mode applies when a non-powered tool is attached.
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Eco mode
Maximum run time, for longer cleans all around your home.
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Boost mode
For the toughest tasks. Designed for quick, intensive cleaning of ground-in dirt.
🛈 Intelligent suction power
Dyson recommends Auto mode for the best experience. In Auto mode, suction power automatically increases when higher concentrations of dust are detected. Once the dust is removed, power returns to normal to conserve the battery.²
²Suction optimisation works in Auto mode only.
FAQs about power modes and LCD screen
What's the difference between Auto and Med mode?
Both modes provide the optimal balance of power and run time. Auto mode works with all cleaner heads and the Dyson Hair screw tool, and automatically adjusts suction power to match the level of dust detected. Med mode is displayed instead of Auto mode when non-powered tools are attached, e.g. the Crevice tool.
How do I change the screen’s language?
Hold the selection button to enter the settings menu. Hold the ‘Select language’ option to view the languages available. Tap the button to scroll through the list. When you reach your preferred language, hold the button to select. If you select the wrong language, release the button before the countdown ends. To confirm the language, hold the button until the countdown ends.
Does the screen use up the battery?
The LCD screen only uses up to 1.5 watts of power, which won't noticeably impact run time.
Getting to know your cleaner heads
There are two different Dyson-engineered cleaner heads available for your Dyson V12 Detect Slim™ vacuum.
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Illuminated cleaner head
Hard floor specialist. 25cm-wide cleaner head with soft nylon and anti-static carbon fibre filaments removes fine dust from hard floors and narrow gaps. With a low profile to reach further under furniture.
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Motorbar™ cleaner head
De-tangling vanes automatically clear wrapped hair from the brush bar as you clean. The integrated motor drives stiff nylon bristles into carpets to capture ground-in dirt.
FAQs about cleaner heads
Does the angled beam work across all floor types? What about lighting or sunlight?
The angled beam is optimised to work on any smooth, hard floor – including white surfaces and wood laminate. The angled beam is visible in up to roughly 500 lux ambient light – about the same as a well-lit kitchen space. Direct sunlight is in the order of 10,000+ lux and not possible to outshine.
Why use a green light?
The human eye has evolved to be more sensitive to green light than any other colour, helping to enhance contrast and revealing more invisible dust.
Can I turn the angled beam on and off?
Your Dyson V12 Detect Slim™ vacuum is equipped with ONE of the following cleaner heads:
1. Laser Slim Fluffy™ cleaner head. Yes. The laser can be turned on or off using a slide button on the cleaner head.
2. Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head. No. There is no on/off switch. The light is permanantely on.
Do I need to provide any special care to maintain the optic lense performance?
The optic lense can be wiped clean with a microfibre cloth.
Is the optic lense waterproof?
It is not waterproof.
Why is the angled beam only on the hard floor Illuminated cleaner head, not on cleaner heads engineered for carpets?
This is a hard floor only technology. The laser effect does not work on carpet, and would not be useful on the Direct drive cleaner head.
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Powerful 3-in-1 cleaning
In just one click, your vacuum transforms to a mattress cleaner. It can also be used as a handheld cleaner, with a choice of accessories to clean hard-to-reach areas all around your home.
Dyson-engineered accessories
Our accessories add even greater versatility. Each can be attached to the wand for cleaning up high, or directly to your machine for handheld cleaning.
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Hair screw tool
Picks up long hair and pet hair. Fast. Anti-tangle conical brush bar spirals hair off and into the bin. Motor-driven cleaning for small spaces.
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Light pipe crevice tool
Crevice tool with LED lights lets you reach into dark, narrow spaces and see where you’re cleaning.
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Reach-under tool
Bends to comfortably reach down low. Engineered to clean further under furniture by adjusting the wand angle up to 90°.
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Built-in dusting and crevice tool
Wand detaches in a click to reveal a ready-to-go crevice tool, with optional brush, stored inside for on-the-spot cleans.
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Crevice tool
Engineered for precise cleaning around tricky edges and into hard-to-reach narrow spaces.
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Flexi crevice tool
Extends and bends to reach awkward narrow spaces where dust settles around your home and car.
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Combination tool
Two tools in one – wide nozzle and brush, for quick switching between cleaning and dusting tasks around your home or car.
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Soft dusting brush
For vacuum-assisted dusting of screens and surfaces. Soft bristles lift dust from delicate surfaces.
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Mattress tool
Removes dust, dirt and allergens from mattresses, futons and upholstery.
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Stubborn dirt brush
Stiff nylon bristles dislodge ground-in dirt from coarse carpets, high traffic areas and car interiors.
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Up-top adaptor
Bends and locks at different angles. Fits any compatible tool for effective cleaning in high, hard-to-reach areas of your home.
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Extension hose
Adds up to 61cm of flexible reach to any tool attachment, to clean up high or down low in your home or car.
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Quick-release adaptor
Attaches older Dyson universal-fit tools to our newer machines with quick-release catches.
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How to set up your wall dock
You can use the wall dock to store your vacuum, so it's always on hand and ready to use. Watch how.
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Getting the best from your battery
Charging the battery
You can charge your battery on or off the machine, and on or off the wall dock.
Changing batteries
If you have an additional battery, you can achieve 120 minutes of run time in Eco mode. Swap batteries quickly by pressing the red battery release button, and sliding the battery off your machine. Your extra battery clicks into place.
FAQs about the battery
How long does the battery take to fully charge?
A full charge takes up to 4.5 hours.
How will I know if the run time is getting low?
Run time is displayed on the LCD screen, and your machine will pulse three times to alert you if it's getting low.
Can I charge my batteries on and off my machine?
Yes, your swappable battery packs can be charged on or off your machine, on or off the dock.
Should I charge my vacuum after every use?
We recommend charging your machine after every clean to maximise run time.
Maintaining your machine
How to clean your vacuum
Cleaning removes dust build-up and helps optimise performance. The filter and brush bar in the Iluminated cleaner head can be washed, and the bin and tools wiped clean.
Why it's important to clean your filter regularly
The filter captures microscopic dust, which can accumulate and affect performance. Help maintain suction by washing the filter at least once a month, or more frequently if used heavily.
How to clean your filter
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1. Remove your Dyson filter
Remove your filter by unscrewing the post-motor filter from the machine.
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2. Remove excess dust
Tap your filter lightly on the side of the sink or in the bin, to remove any loose dust and debris.
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3. Rinse filter
Wash your filter with warm tap water – gently rubbing it with your hands. Don't use detergents.
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4. Give it a firm shake
Fill your filter with warm tap water. Cover the open ends with your hands and shake firmly to remove the dirt. It's important not to agitate the filter media, i.e. the pleated elements. Repeat until the water runs clear, and then firmly shake the filter to remove all excess water.
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5. Leave to dry for 24+ hours
After washing, leave to dry for at least 24 hours near airflow like a fan or open window. Place the larger end down. The filter must be completely dry before replacing, or it could damage the motor. Don't dry in a tumble dryer, microwave or near a naked flame.
Don't overfill the bin
Overfilling the bin can reduce suction and affect the accuracy of the particle count. To maintain suction, empty as soon as debris reaches the MAX marker.
Removing blockages
Your LCD screen will alert you if there's a blockage in your machine's airways. On-screen animation shows you which airflow pathways to check.
Washing the Dyson Illuminated brush bar
You can wash your Illuminated cleaner head's brush bar in warm water.
FAQs about maintenance
How will I know if there’s a blockage in my vacuum?
Your machine will pulse seven times to alert you if there’s a blockage. You can follow the animated guide on your LCD screen to clear it.
How often should I clean the filter?
The LCD screen on your machine will remind you when it's time to clean your filter. This will usually be around once a month, but may be more frequent if you use your machine more heavily. After cleaning the filter, always leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. You must ensure it's completely dry before refitting. We recommend following the cleaning instructions and cleaning by hand. The filter is not suitable for dishwasher use.
Does this vacuum connect to the Dyson Link app?
Your machine works independently and doesn't currently connect to the Dyson Link app.
Expert advice at the Dyson Demo and online
Our Dyson Experts are on hand at the Dyson Demo store and online to help you get the most from your Dyson V12 Detect Slim™ vacuum.