A food blender is a compact motorized appliance that mixes, purees, or emulsifies food ingredients in a jar with blades at its bottom, which are connected to a motor shaft, and rotate at a varying speed. It is ideal for baby food, smoothies, shakes, soups, and more. But, like any other kitchen appliance, food blenders have drawbacks. Sometimes, it just won’t turn on! What to do then? Well, in this post we will share with you some tips on how to fix a blender that won’t turn on.
First things first: Troubleshoot
Like any other gadget or tool, the first thing you have to do when your blender doesn’t turn on is to troubleshoot it. Before you decide to throw it away or hire a professional to do repairs, figure out if it is really broken.
Possible Causes
When your blender doesn’t turn on, it doesn’t automatically mean it is broken and needs replacement. So, what’s wrong then?
Here are a few measures you can do to help you identify the problem:
- Check for power connection.
Disconnect the power cord and test the electrical buttons by switching them to “ON” one at a time. You can conclude that the switches are working when there is a low reading. If there’s none, then the switch is damaged and has to be replaced.
- Check and clean the terminals.
Remove the plastic faceplate that covers the switch buttons and housing to expose the screws that hold the housing cover of the switch. Then, remove the screws attaching the plate to the housing and spray cleaning solvent to the terminals and openings.
Remember to use the appropriate cleaning agent. The manufacturer usually indicates this in the blender’s instruction manual.
- Check and test the fuse.
The fuse is usually located at the end of the wire from the terminal where the power cord is attached. You can use a voltmeter for the reading. A high reading means that the fuse may need to be replaced, but it is crucial that you purchase one with the same size.
- Check for jams.
Jamming one of the possible causes why your blender is not working. When this happens, disassemble the drive and move and turn the shaft of the blade. Debris in the blades usually is the cause of this.
After doing the series of inspections and the steps mentioned above, do a final check. Next, plug your blender and re-test the switches. If they are still not working, then it means that the motor is burned out which will require a replacement.
Food Blender Repairs
Once you figured out what the cause of your faulty blender is, you can now start with the repair. Repairing blenders may cover the following:
- Servicing the switch
The multi-speed switch is considered as a critical component of the blender because of its function and complexity. It is usually the culprit when things don’t go well with a food blender.
Here are the steps to fix the switch:
Step 1: Remove the base of the blender.
Step 2: Check if the switch is properly attached to the base. If there is a loose terminal, then there lies your problem. If none, then check for blackened or loose wires for these may be where the problem occurred.
Step 3: Use a multitester to check the multi-speed.
Step 4: Clean the switch using an electrical contact cleaner or a can with compressed air. It is prone to damage from liquids because of its location. Replace it if necessary.
- Replacing the fuse
Most blenders have an in-line fuse which protects the motor from overloading. However, the fuse will blow if there is excessive current that was sent to the motor.
Here are the steps to replace the fuse:
Step 1: Remove the blender’s base and locate the fuse which is connected to the multi-speed switch wire, which is then connected to the motor.
Step 2: Disconnect the wire and then check the fuse using a multitester. An open circuit means that the fuse is blown.
Step 3: Replace the faulty fuse with the exact match.
- Tightening the drive stud
If the blade of the blender does not turn as it should but the motor operates well, then the issue may have been from a loosened drive stud.
Here is how to tighten the drive stud:
Step 1: Remove the blender’s base and turn the device over so that the drive shaft will protrude.
Step 2: Grab the drive shaft using pliers or a wrench. Turn the blender on its side so you can attach a wrench to the drive stud.
Step 3: Turn the drive stud clockwise while holding the shaft steadily.
- Servicing the motor
Food blender motors usually withstand years of service, if not well abused, of course. Unfortunately, it is more cost efficient to buy a new one than have the motor replaced.
Here are the steps to test the motor:
Step 1: Put probes in the cord prongs.
Step 2: Turn a speed button slightly and read the meter resistance.
Step 3: Turn the drive stud clockwise with just one turn. If the resistance reads changes, then the motor needs servicing. You may then take it to the repair center or decide to buy a new food blender instead, depending on the cost.
How to Fix a Blender That Won’t Turn On: Final Thoughts
It takes two to tango—this can be applied to the use of blenders as well. If your food blender takes much abuse, then chances are some of its parts are going to loosen and will need adjustment or worse, will require a replacement.
It is always easier to have someone else do the repairs than spending your time figuring out what went wrong with your blender. However, learning how to fix a blender that won’t turn on may save you bucks, which you can allot to more important things in life. So, don’t give up on it yet, not unless you are 100% sure it is broken.