Did you know that the first-ever electric blender was developed back in 1922? The blender was used mainly at soda fountains to make malts and milkshakes. Today, we use the electric blender to make baby foods and smoothies, and soups for the elderly. But there are times this equipment misbehaves such as a blender not turning on.

If your blender is not turning on, the main reasons could be a burnt motor, a faulty multispeed switch, the motor drive stud not being tight, or bad blade assembly.

So, what do you do with a blender that cannot turn on? In this article, you will learn how blenders work, how to troubleshoot a blender that cannot turn on, and how to fix a blender that is not turning on. Let’s get started.

Related: How To Troubleshoot Ninja Blender

How Does a Food Blender Work?

A stationary blender comprises a jar with a rotating metal blade at the bottom and is powered by an electric motor at the base. The varying current controls the blade’s speed to the motor.

The multispeed switch in the blender sends current to the motor depending on the control buttons that the user has selected or how far the rheostat is turned. More current translates to a higher speed of the motor.

The blender’s jar comprises seals that prevent seeping into the sensitive motor. For smooth operations, always keep the seals tight and ensure juices don’t overflow the blender’s jar capacity.

How To Troubleshoot A Blender That Cannot Turn On

Troubleshooting is the first thing you should do when your blender cannot turn on. Troubleshooting helps you know whether your appliance is broken or just a minor hitch that you can correct.

Below is how you can troubleshoot your blender like a pro:

Unplug the blender – Make sure the blender’s power cord is plugged firmly into the electrical outlet.

Tripped circuit breaker – A circuit breaker trips (shuts off the electric current flow) to prevent overheating when the circuit is overloaded. In your breaker box, clearly labels all the circuit breakers.

Check the breaker labeled as kitchen and see if it’s tripped. If the breaker is tripped, flip it back, and boom! Your problem is sorted out.

If your blender still cannot turn on, it could mean that you are still overloading your kitchen circuit breaker or the wiring to the breaker is faulty. It’s advisable to seek a licensed electrician to fix the problem to avoid any potential risk.

Burned-out motor -Replacing a burned-out motor requires some soldering; hence, you should be armed with the equipment. A motor can burn by chopping hard foods in the blender’s jar using a low motor speed.

First, unplug the blender and turn over its base. Remove the cover to locate the motor. If unsure of how to disconnect your gadget, you can check from the product’s manual.

A burned-out motor is the worst thing that can happen to your food blender. Depending on your blender’s model, balance the cost of replacing the motor versus buying a new blender.

Faulty power cord – Due to increased usage, the wires in the protective cable can break. Check if the power cord has some severe twists or curves.

If so, the power cord could be the problem. With the help of your user manual, you can easily remove the power cord from the base of your blender and replace it with a new one.

Damaged base -If the base of your blender is damaged in any way, the blender won’t turn on. The blender base is also known as a collar or container base.

Burned-out fuse – Most blenders come with an in-line fuse that protects the motor from overload. A fuse blows up because of the excessive current being sent to the motor.

With the help of your user manual, open the base of the blender and locate the fuse. Check if the fuse is damaged using a continuity tester. Higher reading shows that the fuse needs to be replaced.

Also, if you find the fuse’s circuit open, the fuse is burned out and needs replacement. Be sure to replace the damaged fuse with the same size.

Jammed blades – After use, improper cleaning of your blender makes some dirt build up, preventing the edges from turning. Jammed blades can also overwork the motor, resulting in blowing out both the motor and the fuse.

You will need to remove the base assembly that holds the blender’s glass and the blade assembly. Remove any dirt building up around the blades or the casing with the edges. Ensure you clean your blender thoroughly after every use and avoid overloading the blades with too many foods to process.

Dirty power terminals – Remove the plate behind the blender’s buttons and inspect the terminals. Use only approved cleaners to clean the terminals if you find any substance that has been built on them.

How To Fix A Blender That Is Not Turning On

After troubleshooting your blender, the next step is to fix the areas that need attention. Below is a step-by-step guide on servicing the multispeed switch, the motor, tightening the drive stud, and servicing the blade assembly.

Servicing The Multispeed Switch

The multispeed button is always the first suspect when the blender fails to turn on. To service the multispeed control, follow these steps;

• Step 1: remove the blender’s base.
• Step 2: The multispeed switch is permanently attached to the base with clips or screws, falling below the base’s faceplate or inside the base.
• Step 3: Inspect the switch before removing it. Check if there is a loose terminal. A blackened terminal or wire is also a sign that all is not well.
• Step 4: Check the multispeed switch with a continuity tester.
• Step 5: if the switch is damaged because of liquid spillage, use a can of compressed air or an electrical contact cleaner to clean the button. Consider replacing the switch if necessary.

Servicing The Motor

If your blender’s motor is faulty, then you should buy a new one. To test the motor, do the following:

• Step 1: Inspect each cord prong closely.
• Step 2: Select a speed-control button or turn the speed controller slightly, then read the resistance on the meter.
• Step 3: rotate the drive stud in a clockwise direction. If resistance reading changes, the motor needs service.

Tightening The Drive Stud

If the motor is operating well, but the blade in the blender’s jar is not turning usually, the drive stud could be the culprit. The drive could be loose and need to be tightened. The following is how to draw the drive stud:

• Step 1: remove the base and turn the blender upside down. You will see the edge of the drive shaft protruding from the bottom side of the motor.
• Step 2: grab the drive shaft with a wrench or pliers, then turn the blender on its side to attach a twist to the drive stud.
• Step 3: hold the drive shaft steady and turn the drive stud clockwise.

To replace a worn-out drive stud, reverse the instructions of tightening a drive stud, and after installing the unused part, pull it.

Service The Blade Assembly

The drive stud rotates the blade assembly, which blends or chops food within the jar. The jar leaking liquids causes most of the problems in the blade assembly. Here is how to fix it;

Step 1: tighten the base.

Step 2: If the problem persists, inspect and, if need be, replace the gasket.

Step 3: if the drive stud is turning, but the blade assembly is not, inspect the assembly socket into which the drive stud fits.

Step 4: if the blade assembly is worn out, replace it.

Final Thoughts

Imagine throwing away your blender because of an unplugged cord or a tripped circuit breaker. When your blender cannot turn on, the first thing you should do is troubleshoot.

With the help of your user manual, you can quickly a blender not turning on or even the delicate parts of your blender, like the multispeed switch, the motor, the drive stud tightening, and even the blade assembly. It is wise to balance the cost of repairing your gadget and buying a new one.