None of the above worked for me this time - and this is at least the third time in a row I've had this problem. I ended up using a screwdriver to just pry open the bottom. Then I had to manually fish out with my fingers the rest of the junk (pet hair) from the upper half that was stuck as the canister itself will not detach either. Can't take this any longer. Will throw it out and look for something else. Any recommendations for vacuums that don't have this problem?!