Stand mixers are essential kitchen appliances for bakers and home cooks. When your stand mixer suddenly stops working and won’t turn on, it can be extremely frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get your stand mixer functioning again.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common reasons a stand mixer may not turn on and provide detailed instructions for diagnosing and repairing the issue.
Why a Stand Mixer May Not Turn On
Before diving into troubleshooting, it helps to understand what may cause a stand mixer to not power on in the first place. Here are the most common culprits:
- Electrical Issues – Faulty wiring, bad connections, tripped breakers, and blown fuses can prevent power from reaching the stand mixer.
- Damaged Power Cord – Frayed cords, loose plugs, and cracked wiring can interrupt the flow of electricity.
- Mechanical Problems – Issues with the gears, motor, or attachments can seize up the stand mixer.
- Overheating – Prolonged use causes overheating, which triggers the internal thermostat to shut off power.
- Faulty Parts – Worn or defective carbon brushes, switches, and controls can stop the stand mixer from turning on.
Now let’s explore each of these common issues in more detail and how to troubleshoot them.
Step 1: Check the Power Supply
The first step is verifying that power is actually reaching the electrical outlet where your stand mixer is plugged in.
- Plug a small appliance like a lamp into the outlet to double-check it’s functioning properly
- Check your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box for any tripped switches or blown fuses
- Ensure the wall switch controlling the kitchen outlet is in the “ON” position
- Try a different outlet in case the original one is damaged
If power gets to the outlet, then the issue lies with the stand mixer itself. Time to investigate further.
Step 2: Examine the Power Cord and Plug
With the appliance unplugged from the wall, thoroughly inspect both ends of the power cord for damage.
- Check for fraying, loose wiring, cracks, burns, or bent prongs
- Wiggle the cord to feel for any loose connections
- Examine the point where the cord enters the stand mixer for ripped insulation
- Lift the removable plug cover to inspect the interior (if equipped)
- Plug and unplug the stand mixer several times to test cord snugness
If the power cord or plug is damaged in any way, don’t use the stand mixer. Instead, have the cord replaced by a professional to avoid electrical shorts and shocks.
Step 3: Try Resetting the Stand Mixer
Before tackling complex repairs, attempt power cycling the stand mixer first. Here’s how:
- Unplug the stand mixer
- Wait 30 seconds
- Plug it back in and press the power switch
Resetting the electrical components often resolves temporary glitches that prevent powering on.
Step 4: Check the Carbon Brushes
Carbon brushes deliver electricity from the power cord to the electric motor that operates the stand mixer. But after prolonged use, these brushes wear down and need replacement.
Worn brushes are a common reason why stand mixers fail to start. Especially if the mixer sparked, smelled oddly, or made straining noises beforehand.
- Inspect carbon brushes for excessive wear using the included tool
- Notches indicate when brushes need changing
- Purchase replacement carbon brushes from the manufacturer or online
- Carefully disconnect wiring and remove old brushes
- Install new matched brushes of the same size and gauge
- Reconnect wiring properly to avoid short circuit
If symptoms resolve after installing new brushes, then bingo! You found the culprit. If not, continue troubleshooting other potential issues.
Step 5: Check Electrical Components and Wiring
The transformer, speed control switch, control board, and internal wiring also play a role in powering stand mixers. Issues with these can stop the appliance dead in its tracks.
Carefully examine the following for damage or disconnection:
- Thermal cutout switch (the “brain” that controls electrical power)
- Speed control switch (sets mixer speeds)
- Transformer (converts high to low voltage)
- Capacitors (regulate energy distribution)
- Wiring between parts (transmits electric signals)
- Connectors and terminals (facilitate connections)
Opening the stand mixer exposes dangerous high voltage parts. Refer to the schematics and use extreme care when handling live electrical components. Loose or damaged pieces must be repaired by a professional for safety.
Step 6: Release Jammed Attachments
If attachments like the dough hook, paddle, whisk or splash guard get lodged in the mixer bowl in an off-center position, they can bind the mechanical operation and prevent start-up.
- Turn bowl carefully by hand to determine where binding occurs
- Look inside bowl for obstructions like dish towels or utensils
- Gently wiggle attachment and lift slowly until released
- Do NOT force release or make mechanical alterations
Spinning the bowl manually should realign components and allow normal operation. If parts seem damaged or deformed, replace them immediately. Never operate stand mixers with bent attachments or broken pieces inside the bowl.
Step 7: Inspect Gears and Lubricate
The stand mixer’s metal gear teeth mesh together to transfer power from the electric motor to the rotating attachment hub and bowl.
Issues in the gearbox, like broken teeth or lack of lubrication, can totally seize up this mechanical operation. The motor strains unsuccessfully when starting until the underlying problem gets addressed.
- Remove bottom inspection plate to access gears
- Check for cracked, chipped, or broken gear teeth
- Ensure gears spin freely without grinding or catching
- Re-grease gears completely using manufacturer safe lubricant
With gears free of defects and freshly greased, reassemble and test mixer operation. Grinding noises point to lingering mechanical problems in the gearbox needing repair.
Step 8: Check Motor Operation
The stand mixer motor contains windings of coiled wire that create a magnetic field when electrified. This field interacts with a centered rotor to spin the attachments.
Motor trouble can definitely keep stand mixers from starting. Here’s how to evaluate:
- Remove inspection plate to get visual access
- Check windings and rotor for dark scorch marks
- Use a multimeter to check if windings produce correct resistance
- Inspect for damaged wires with frayed insulation
- Ensure rotor spins freely without wobbling
- Test centrifugal switch sitting at end of motor shaft
Faulty windings and switches must be replaced, while worn rotors may just need realignment. In some cases, it’s best to replace entire motor assembly if internal parts can’t be repaired.
Professional help is recommended for any complex electrical repairs required inside the motor housing.
Step 9: Let Overheated Stand Mixer Cool Down
Today’s stand mixers contain internal thermostats that cut power if components get too hot during prolonged mixing. This prevents permanent damage to electrical and mechanical elements from overheating.
If your mixer was working fine then suddenly stopped, chances are it simply overheated and needs to cool off:
- Unplug stand mixer and let it sit for 30-60 minutes
- Clear ventilation ports of any dust buildup
- Never resume use until fully cooled internally
- Use lower speeds and brief mixing intervals
- Avoid heavy batter that strains motor
Prevention is key here. Don’t overwork your stand mixer during each use session. Let it rest periodically, and that overtime shutoff should never kick in.
Step 10: Consider Replacing Faulty Parts
Despite your best troubleshooting efforts, some stand mixer malfunctions require replacement parts to resolve, including:
- Power cord (if damaged)
- Speed control switch (if mechanically sticking)
- Motor (if windings/rotor are shot)
- Capacitors (if bulging or leaks detected)
- Control board (if circuits fail)
- Damaged gears (if teeth are missing or cracked)
Always order directly from the manufacturer or purchase approved replacement parts in order to maintain warranty protections and ensure overall appliance safety. DIY installation tutorials are available online for many models.
Step 11: Seek Professional Repairs as Needed
If you have exhausted all home troubleshooting options and your stand mixer still fails to power on, specialized repair may be essential. Look for appliance repair experts certified by the mixer brand and ready to tackle electrical/mechanical issues.
Professional stand mixer service includes:
- Diagnostic testing
- Disassembly of housing
- Inspection for failed parts
- Required repairs/replacements
- Fully reassembled with parts warranty
This solution prevents you from having to purchase costly specialty tools and risks botching fixes of complex internal issues. Leave that to the repair pros!
Preventing Stand Mixer Problems
A little prevention goes a long way in ensuring a long-lived stand mixer! Here are pro tips:
- Don’t strain motor – Avoid excessively stiff batters
- Scrape bowl regularly – Prevent buildup
- Clean with vinegar – Dissolve stuck bits
- Fully dry before storing – Prevent moisture damage
- Store detached bowl – Reduce gear/hub wear
- Refresh grease yearly – Keep gears smooth
- Vacuum ventilation – Clear cooling vents
- Consider added mixer warranty for parts/service protection
By regularly maintaining your stand mixer and quickly addressing any performance changes, you can avoid frustrating situations where it refuses to turn on at all.
Read More: 5 Simple Steps to Clean a Stand Mixer for a Streak-Free Shine
When to Buy a New Stand Mixer
While most stand mixer issues are repairable, there comes a point of diminishing returns for an aging appliance with an extensive repair rap sheet.
Consider upgrading to a newer model when your mixer shows multiple symptoms:
- Frequent overheating
- Lots of concerning noises
- Continual issues restarting
- Worn gears/motor issues
- Fifth repair in two years
- Parts no longer produced
- Cost exceeding replacement stand mixer
Knowing when to call it quits for extensive repairs and invest in a modern stand mixer can resolve ongoing frustrations. Just be sure to properly recycle your old mixer!
Closing Thoughts
When your trusty kitchen companion refuses to start and mix, it’s incredibly inconvenient for the avid baker. Hopefully, this comprehensive troubleshooting guide for a dead stand mixer will assist you in diagnosing common problems and even resolving some fixes yourself.
Know when to seek professional assistance for complex electrical and mechanical issues, though. And remember – regular maintenance and prompt issue addressing help maximize appliance lifespan and mixing performance. Here’s to many more years of happy baking with a smoothly-running stand mixer!