There are many instances when you want to drag out the blender, plop it on the counter, and blend something up that will taste delicious or help you make food quickly. However, if you’re asking yourself, “Why is my blender not blending?” there could be a variety of easy fixes available to help you.
Of course, it’s best to start with the easiest fixes first and work your way up to the harder ways to go about fixing it. In some cases, it might be time to get a replacement, but we’ll help you figure out what to do.
Initial Things to Do and Consider
Before troubleshooting your blender, here are some important tips and tricks that you can consider:
1. Check Power Settings
If your blender blends but doesn’t blend things correctly, you may have the power setting too high or too low. If the food becomes pureed and you wanted it chunky, you should turn the blender setting down. If you see large bits or pieces and you’re done blending, but the consistency isn’t correct, you need to turn the power setting higher.
If you’re blending a new food, it might be best to blend slowly or pulse the blender to see how quickly it blends. You can continue pulsing or blending until you get the right consistency.
Remember: Not All Food Products Are Equal
Your blender isn’t going to blend a tomato the same way and consistency as it will do tree nuts. You’re going to need to adjust the power settings. Along with such, you may get perfectly diced onions on one setting but get a mashed tomato with the same setting. Thicker, solid food is less likely to become liquefied than softer or watery food.
2. Add Water
Blenders require some liquid to blend food. Some blenders can chop hard ingredients like nuts, though it’s not a guarantee. Other blender manufacturers request that you don’t chop food with the blender because it could dull the blades.
If the blender just doesn’t catch food on the blades or nothing happens, you might consider adding a little liquid (usually water) to the mixture to help get things moving.
3. Understand How the Blender Works
If you’re wondering, “Why is my blender not blending at all?” you may want to consider a few common problems and check those issues before moving on to repairing the blender or sending it back to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement. Most blenders do come with a guarantee; if you can’t fix the problem yourself, make sure you send it back and have it replaced or repaired.
It can be helpful to learn how blenders work so that you understand what components might be functioning incorrectly. It has a motorized base with the cord and all the speeds, but it also has the seal and the drive stud, which is where the blender "cup" sits into the base. You also have the cup’s base and blades, as well as the cup or jar and the lid.
Simple Troubleshooting Techniques
Below are the common causes why the blender isn't blending, as well as the basic troubleshooting techniques you can do.
1. Multispeed Switch
The multispeed switch is one of the most important components on the blender. It can be damaged if you (or someone else in the family) press the buttons too hard. This piece can easily stop working or malfunction, but it can be easy to fix it.
The first step is to remove the base of the blender. This switch is attached using screws or clips, and you can access it from under the faceplate of the base or from inside.
Inspect the switch before you remove it; many times, you just have a loose terminal and you can tighten it back up without issue. If you see blackened terminals or wires, it likely shorted out, and you need to get it replaced.
If you have a multitester or continuity tester, you can check to ensure that it is getting consistent power. Since the switch is at the front, liquids can get inside and gum up the works.
You can use electrical contact cleaners or compressed air to remove the sticky build-up, which might let you press hard enough to get the blender to start.
2. Multispeed Fuse
Most blenders also have an in-line fuse to protect the motor from overloading. If the motor sees excessive electrical currents, the fuse blows.
Remove the blender’s base and locate the fuses in the wiring between the motor and multispeed switch. Disconnect that wire and use your multitester to check the fuse. You can easily buy a new fuse and replace it yourself.
3. Blade Doesn’t Turn
If the motor works well, but the blade doesn’t turn properly or doesn’t seem to break down the food, you may have a loose drive stud. To tighten it, you just have to remove the base and flip the blender upside down.
You’ll see the drive shaft protruding from the motor’s bottom. Grip that shaft with pliers or a wrench and turn the blender to its side to attach another wrench to the drive stud inside the base. Hold the drive shaft (underside of the motor) steady and turn the drive stud (inside the base) clockwise to tighten it.
Sometimes, you’ll notice a rounded corner drive stud. If this happens, you’ll need a new drive stud. You can reverse the above instruction for tightening to remove the old stud and then install the new one with the guidelines mentioned above.
4. Blade Servicing
The blade itself has a simple design and function. It rotates because of the drive stud, which helps it blend or chop food. The most common issue is that the jar leaks liquid.
You can easily remedy this problem by tightening the base. If that doesn’t help, you might need to replace the gasket.
If the drive stud turns, but the blade doesn’t, you should inspect the socket where the drive stud fits. It could be worn out and need to be replaced.
Conclusion
The question “Why is my blender not blending?” is a common one, but there are plenty of answers out there. Make sure that you plug in the blender correctly, use the right settings for the product you’re blending, and learn a little of the blender’s anatomy to find out what’s wrong and how to fix it. If the tips and troubleshooting techniques do not work, you may want to buy a new blender or use the warranty included with your current one to get it repaired or replaced.