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Dyson Airwrap not curling? Why curls drop and how to fix it

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In short

Airwrap curls usually fail for technique reasons: sections that are too big, hair that is too wet or too dry, skipping the cold shot, or using the wrong barrel direction. Rough-dry to about 80%, use small sections, hold each one for the full heat time, then set it with cold air and let it cool before touching. A blocked filter can also weaken airflow.

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Few things are more frustrating than spending half an hour with an Airwrap only for the curls to fall out before you leave the house. The good news is that it is rarely the tool. Air-only curls depend on airflow, moisture, section size and cooling, and small changes to your routine usually fix the problem. The same advice applies to other Coanda-style tools such as the Shark FlexStyle. This guide goes through the common causes in the order worth checking.

Quick checklist

  • Hair is about 80% dry before curling, not soaking and not bone dry.
  • Sections are about 2 to 3 cm wide.
  • The barrel matches the direction you want, and the arrow points the right way.
  • Each section gets the full heat time before the cold shot.
  • The cold shot is held until the hair feels cool.
  • You leave curls alone until fully cool.
  • The filter is clean.

Moisture: the most common cause

Coanda curlers set curls as the hair dries around the barrel. If hair is soaking, the barrel cannot dry it in the time you hold it, and the curl falls as it dries later. If hair is completely dry, there is little moisture to reshape, and the curl may be weak. Dyson's advice is generally to rough-dry first, and most people find around 80% dry gives the best hold.

If you washed your hair hours ago and it is now fully dry, lightly mist each section with water before curling. Use the dryer attachment or a regular dryer to rough-dry from wet, then switch to the barrels. Our guide to using an Airwrap on wet or dry hair explains this in more detail.

Section size and wrap

Large sections are the second big culprit. Air has to pass through and around all the hair on the barrel; thick sections leave the inner hair damp and unset. Use sections about the width of the barrel or narrower, and comb each one smooth before you offer the ends to the barrel so the airflow can catch and wrap them evenly.

Long hair needs more care, as the ends wrap many times and the outer layers get most of the air. Smaller sections help. Dyson sells longer barrels for long hair, and our multi-stylers for long hair guide compares tools with long barrels.

Air slotsAirflow follows the curveHair strandBarrelDirection of wrap: the air pulls the strand round the barrel.
The Coanda effect: fast air leaving the slots clings to the curved barrel and pulls the hair round with it.

Heat time, cold shot and cooling

Hair sets as it cools. Skipping or rushing the cold shot is a very common reason curls drop within an hour. On the Airwrap i.d. and Co-anda 2x, the automatic curl sequence handles heat and cool timings for you, but you still need small sections and patience. See our Airwrap settings explainer for suggested settings.

  1. 1

    Wrap the section and hold for 8 to 10 seconds on heat, longer for thick hair.

  2. 2

    Press the cold shot and hold for the same time again.

  3. 3

    Slide the barrel out gently without pulling the curl straight.

  4. 4

    Leave the curl, or pin it, until it is completely cool.

  5. 5

    Only brush or rake out once your whole head is cool.

Barrel direction and settings

Older Airwraps have separate left and right barrels; newer ones have a switch that changes airflow direction. An arrow on the barrel shows which way hair will wrap. If you use the wrong direction, hair will not catch, or curls will face the wrong way and look uneven. Curl away from the face on both sides for a natural look.

Using a very low airflow setting can stop the hair catching, while the highest setting can blow fine hair off the barrel. Start in the middle and adjust. If curls still fail on every setting, clean the filter: a clogged filter reduces airflow and makes every barrel less effective. Our filter cleaning guide shows how.

Products and hair type

Very fine, slippery or freshly conditioned hair can struggle to hold any curl. A light mousse on damp hair or a heat-styling spray before curling can help, and avoid heavy conditioners at the ends on curling days. Very heavy, thick hair may need a firmer product and smaller sections.

If your hair simply will not hold an air-only curl, a tool with some contact heat may suit you better. Our hot air brush vs curling tongs comparison covers the trade-offs, and the Airwrap alternatives guide includes heated options.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my Airwrap curls fall out after an hour? Usually the hair was too wet, the sections too large or the cold shot too short. Rough-dry to 80%, use small sections and cool each curl fully.

Why won't my hair wrap around the barrel? Check the barrel direction, use a medium airflow setting and offer only the ends of a well-combed section. Very short hair may be too short to wrap.

Does the Airwrap work on fine hair? Yes, but fine hair often needs a light hold product and small sections. Lower airflow helps stop fine strands blowing away.

Can a dirty filter stop curling? Yes. A blocked filter reduces airflow, which weakens the Coanda wrap and the drying effect. Clean it regularly.

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