Immersions blenders are perfect for making soups and sources without needing a dedicated jar. In addition, they allow you to blend in a variety of containers. This makes them more versatile than a countertop blender with a base.
Please keep reading to learn how to fix your immersion blender when it stops working.
Why is my immersion blender spinning but not blending?
Below are some reasons why your blender is not spinning;
Damaged Multispeed Switch
The multispeed switch is a critical component of the blender. Because of its high use and complexity, it is a frequent culprit when things go wrong. To service the multispeed switch:
- Remove the blender shell.
- Refer to your manual to find the location of the switch.
- Inspect the switch before removing it; in many cases, the problem is a loose terminal.
- A blackened terminal or wire may identify where the problem has occurred.
- Check the multispeed switch with a continuity tester or multitester.
- Use a can of compressed air or an electrical contact cleaner to clean the switch. If necessary, replace it.
Loose Drive Stud
If the motor operates well but the blades don’t spin, the problem may be the drive stud. The most frequent cause is a loose drive stud. To tighten the drive stud:
- Remove the blender cover and turn the blender over. The other end of the drive shaft will protrude from the bottom side of the motor.
- Grip the drive shaft with a wrench or pliers, then turn the blender on its side to attach a wrench to the drive stud.
- Hold the drive shaft steady as you turn the drive stud clockwise.
- The other cause of drive stud problems is the rounding of its corners, requiring a new drive stud.
- To replace a worn drive stud, reverse the instructions for tightening a drive stud, install the new part, and tighten it.
How do I fix a blender not working?
The following are some tips to repair a hand blender.
1. Test the switch
The first way to repair a hand blender is to test the switch since the most common problems with this appliance are related to the switch. If you are switching on the blender, but it is not working, you can take a volt-ohm meter to check the switch.
When you check, the reading should be a low-ready result, but if you get infinity, you may need to replace the switch.
2. Open and clean the motor body
Many problems related to hand blenders arise when the motor body isn’t clean. So it is important to open the motor body using a screwdriver and check the entire unit. Next, wipe and clean all the contacts. Do this using a clean cloth and a brush. Finally, ensure you spray all the openings of the body and the terminals on the back portion.
3. Check the fuse
After unscrewing the motor body, you must disassemble the appliance further to reach the fuse located in the inner portion. To check the fuse, remove the wire connector which joins the lead box containing the fuse and the power cord of the blender.
Connect the volt-ohm meter and see the reading. If the reading is high, then you must replace the fuse.
4. Check the blade shaft
In some cases, problems with hand blenders arise due to a jammed blade shaft. If this is the case, you must disassemble the appliance unit until you reach the blade shaft.
The blockage is usually due to stuck-up debris and food particles. First, clean any of these particles and then use white grease to lubricate rough areas. Finally, reassemble the unit again and check whether the blender is working fine after all these steps.
If you have tried all the above-given steps and are still facing any issue, contact a professional electrician or technician as there may be some other underlying issue that may need attention.
Common immersion blender problems and their fixes
These are the most common immersion blender problems and potential fixes;
Problems with the switch
Hand blenders can often develop problems related to the switch. If you are trying to use the switch on the blender and it doesn’t seem to be working properly, then you can check it using a volt-ohm meter. Setting the meter on the RX1 scale should show a low ready result. But if the reading is infinity, the issue must be repaired, or the switch may need to be replaced.
Jammed Blade shaft
Another common problem with hand blenders is a jammed blade shaft. If this is the case, you must disassemble the model until you gain access to it and clean out any debris or food particles that you may see. Use white grease to lubricate the rough areas, if any. In most cases of blade shaft jam, food particles, dust, and debris block the path of rotation.
Blender not working
One of the most common problems with hand blenders is the blender not working completely. This could be a result of an issue with the fuse. To check the fuse, you may first need to disassemble the unit till you reach the inner body where the fuse is located. Then, check it by removing the wire connector joining the lead box.
This contains both the fuse box and the power cord of your blender. Take a volt-ohm meter and clip its probes on both ends of the lead box. Set it to the RX1 scale and then check the reading. If the reading is high, you may need to replace the fuse.
Blender overheated stopped working
Most blenders are equipped with overheat protection. If the appliance overheats, it switches off automatically.
When this happens;
- Unplug the appliance and let it cool down for 10 minutes.
- Then put the mains plug back into the wall socket and switch the appliance on again.
That said, it is still important to know why your hand blender is overheating;
Substances processed
Relatively hard food substances or ice, when processed by the blender, causes stress to the motor, making it overheat as it will be doing more work than t is supposed to. Using the blender for lighter work eliminates the possibility of stressing the motor.
Operational time
Blenders also come with their stipulated time of operation. For instance, some can work for less than two minutes before being left to cool down, while others can run up to five minutes.
Determining your blender’s time is expected to run should not worry you much as the information is always written in the manual. However, you should consider reading through the manual to determine the exact operational procedure for your blender.
KitchenAid immersion blender stopped working
Here are some possible causes as to why your blender may suddenly stop working and a quick way to fix them.
Power connectivity
Since you use the blender more often, it’s possible to assume the power runs through to the blender at all times. Your blender may fail to start or suddenly shut down when its power connection is interrupted. Always check if the cables are well fit and the switch too. If the switch is not working, you may have to consider replacing it to get your blender running again.
Terminals
Dirty terminals may also be a reason why your blender stops working. Solving this situation, however, does not require much involvement. First, unscrew and open up the blender to expose the terminals, openings, and terminals on which you spray the solvent.
The terminals should be clean afterward, and if this was the main reason your blender stopped working in the first place, it should be operational when you are done.
Cuisinart immersion blender not working
Below are some potential fixes for your Cuisinart;
Check Outlet
Make sure the blender cord is plugged in correctly. Also, make sure the outlet is properly functioning.
Check Cord
Make sure the blender cord is not severed or detached from the plug. If wires are frayed, then use electrical tape to fix them.
Check Attachment
The attachment piece may not be put on correctly—double-check by removing and re-attaching to the motor body. Follow proper assembly instructions in the instruction manual.
Buttons Not Registering
If the high-speed setting is used longer than recommended, the motor will overheat and no longer work. Do not hold the ‘High’ button for longer than 50 seconds at a time. If this occurs, then a motor body replacement may be needed.
Motor Body and Blender Shaft Do Not Connect
The motor body and the blender shaft attachment will not fit into a single piece.
Warped Plastic
The heat from the drying cycle on most dishwashers is too hot for the plastic to handle without warping. Taking it out before the drying cycle or not running the dry cycle at all is the best solution. But if the plastic warps, a new blender shaft attachment is recommended.
Attachment Broken
The inside latch of the motor body that holds two pieces together is cracked or dislodged. Therefore, a new motor body is recommended.
Smart Stick Not Blending
The blender is plugged in and running, but the blades are not rotating.
Motor Is Not Running
When activating the Smart Stick, the motor will start. If the motor is not running, it may be overheated and need to be replaced.
Plastic Gear Wears Down
If the motor is running but the blades are not moving, the gear might be worn down and need to be replaced.
Blades Broke Off
The blades have broken off of the blender shaft. Food that is too dense may break the blades.
The hand blender is not working
Below are some reasons why your blender is not working;
Damaged Motor
If your blender doesn’t turn on, the issue could be a completely burned-out motor. Although replacing the motor is an advanced repair, unplug the blender before starting. Then, flip over the hand blender and unscrew the cover to access the motor.
Unscrew and remove the inside cover, also known as a motor platform. Pull out the motor carefully, and consult your manufacturer manual to determine which wires to desolder to remove the motor.
Depending on your model, you may also need to use wire cutters to detach a motor wire from the circuit board or motor cap. Then, install your new motor by soldering the same wires to it that you just detached.
Damaged Power Cord
If the power cord has developed a shot that has worsened and no longer makes contact, it can cause a power problem in your blender. First, unplug your blender before beginning this repair. Then, the procedure to remove the outer case of the hand blender.
The two power cord wires may be attached to the control board and can be soldered off or cut with wire cutters, depending on their location on your blender model. Check your manufacturer manual to find out their exact location. Then, solder the new power cord to the same spot on the control board, and thread the power cord back through the access hole on the top of the blender shell.
Blown Fuses
Many blender models have a fuse inline or even located on the circuit board. A burned-out fuse will cause your blender not to turn on. To check if the fuse is blown, remove the blender cover and inspect either the motor switch or circuit board for a blown fuse. You can use a multimeter to test for continuity; if the circuit is open, the fuse is blown. Make sure the new fuse has the same rating as the previous one.
The immersion blender won’t turn on
Like with any other troubleshooting process, before diving into your appliance’s guts, it’s important to look at external factors that could be contributing to the issue you’re experiencing. There’s a chance that nothing is wrong with your blender.
If your blender is not working, one of the reasons below is probably to blame;
A bad outlet
A bad wall outlet could fail to provide enough electricity to your appliance, causing it to malfunction or preventing it from turning on. This could explain your issue and cause your breakers to trip whenever you plug something in there.
Solution: Carefully unplug your blender, take it to a different section of the house, and plug it into a different outlet. If the appliance works, you have solved the mystery.
If this does not resolve the issue, there’s a chance that the wall outlet was fine, and the power cord is to blame.
Note: Your multimeter can test the suspicious wall outlet for conductivity. Just be very careful and follow all possible safety precautions when doing so.
Damaged Power Cord
If you tested your wall outlet with no success, the next thing you should take a look at is your power cord. This is the next link in the chain of energy supply. This can not only result in your blender not working but also trip your breakers and cause short circuits that can significantly shorten your appliance’s lifespan, so address this issue as soon as possible.
Solution: Try a different power cord.
If you have already tested your wall outlet and found it operating correctly, you can try using the new cord. Alternatively, unplug your blender and take it to a different section of the house.
The Switch Is Failing
If the power cord and the outlet are fine, the next step is to check the activation switch. This component can wear out or fail, Due to damage or just regular use. Leaving you unable to turn your blender on or off.
Solution: test the switch.
- Carefully unplug your appliance from the outlet and turn it upside down.
- Remove the screws at the bottom with either a flat or a cross screwdriver, depending on your model
- Expose your appliance’s guts
- Find your switch and carefully remove it
- Bring out your multimeter and test the switch for continuity.
Note: no continuity means that the part will have to be replaced. If you’re a visual person, like me, there are many online blender repair videos you can use for reference.
Blown Fuse
A blown fuse can cause a malfunctioning blender. Sometimes, blackouts and other energy surge-causing events can do internal damage to your appliance. Luckily, most electronics have fuses in them to prevent it.
When there’s a big spike in electricity, they break or “blow” to stop the electrical conduction throughout the appliance, thus preventing the surge from reaching and frying other components inside it.
If your blender is not working right after a big blackout, there’s a good chance that the fuse inside it blew to protect it. This is not entirely bad news. However, remember that you only have one, so it’s important to replace it as soon as possible to keep your blender protected from future spikes.
Check this too: Kitchenaid Water Filter How to & Troubleshooting Guide
Solution: Follow the steps from point #3 to expose your appliance’s internal components and identify your fuse. You don’t need a multimeter to test it for viability, as a blown fuse is very easy to spot. All you have to do is look for blackening inside its glass body and a broken filament.
Your Motor Burned Out
Depending on how old your blender is, this could be attributed to either regular wear and tear or user error. When your motor burns out, your blender cannot spin its blades or perform any other function.
Determining this as the culprit should not be too difficult. For example, when your blender’s motor burns out, it stops working abruptly and is usually in the middle of an operating cycle. A distinctive burning smell also accompanies this.
If this is your case, you might want to look at your warranty, as it will play a vital part in your decision.
Solution: Repairing a blender’s burned-out motor is not expensive per se, but things change when compared to the appliance’s price. If you’re still under warranty coverage, you can send your appliance in for repairs to your manufacturer, usually free of charge.
