An air fryer has become incredibly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to traditional deep frying. By using rapid air circulation technology, air fryers can produce crispy, delicious fried foods using little to no oil.
However, like any kitchen appliance, air fryers can occasionally malfunction or underperform. When this happens, it’s important to accurately diagnose the issue before attempting to fix it yourself or seek professional assistance.
This comprehensive troubleshooting guide covers the most common air fryer problems and step-by-step solutions to get your appliance back up and running.
Common Air Fryer Issues
These are the most prevalent air fryer problems users report:
Power Problems
Issues with the power supply are one of the most common reasons an air fryer malfunctions. Here are the leading power problems air fryer owners face:
- Fryer won’t turn on at all
- Unit immediately shuts off after being powered on
- Touch screen is unresponsive
- Buttons do not respond when pressed
- Flashing power indicator light
If your fryer displays any of these power-related issues, the first troubleshooting step is to diagnose the root cause of the problem.
Overheating
Since air fryers cook food by rapidly circulating hot air, it’s not uncommon for certain units to struggle with overheating over time. Possible overheating problems include:
- Burning smell from fryer
- Excess steam escaping from vents
- Fryer feels extremely hot to the touch
- Food is burning, even on low temperatures
Excess heat can damage the internal components of your air fryer or even become a fire hazard if left unaddressed. Pinpointing why your appliance is overheating is critical.
Smoking
Many first-time air fryer users experience some smoke escaping from their unit and worry something is wrong. However, a small amount of smoke during the preheating process or when cooking especially greasy foods is perfectly normal.
You may have a legitimate smoking concern if:
- Thick, dark smoke is billowing from vents
- Smoke has a burning plastic smell
- Smoke persists long after preheating
It’s important to differentiate harmless air fryer smoking from the kind requiring troubleshooting.
Cooking Issues
Assuming your appliance turns on without technical problems, you may still encounter difficulties actually cooking food in your air fryer. Common cooking problems include:
- Foods are undercooked or raw in the middle
- Ingredients are scorched or burnt on the outside
- Oil, crumbs, or food debris stuck to fryer basket
- Grease leaking into bottom of appliance
- Parts are difficult to clean after cooking
Sometimes minor adjustments are all that’s needed to address an air fryer cooking malfunction.
Strange Noises
Your air fryer may suddenly start emitting odd noises like:
- Loud rattling sound
- High-pitched vibrating/squeaking
- Hammering, knocking reverberations
Unusual noises often indicate an internal hardware problem or buildup of debris.
Error Codes
Some advanced air fryer models feature an digital display that shows error codes. Typical codes you may encounter include:
| Code | Meaning |
| E1 | Temperature control failure |
| E2 | Temperature sensor failure |
| E3 | Heating element failure |
Though generic, error codes provide valuable clues to narrow down the origin of malfunctions.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Power Issues
Power-related issues are typically caused by faulty electrical connections or problems with the internal wiring. Here is a systematic approach to diagnose common power problems:
- Inspect Electrical Cord
- Check that the power cord is securely plugged into the wall outlet all the way
- Make sure cord is not frayed, cut, or crimped
- Try plugging into another outlet
- Test On/Off Button
- Verify button moves smoothly when pressed
- Attempt tapping button rapidly
- Initiate power cycle: unplug unit > wait 1 minute > plug back in > tap button
- Still won’t turn on? Issue likely isn’t the button
- Reset Appliance
- Unplug air fryer from power source
- Leave unplugged for minimum 5 minutes
- Reconnect unit
- Attempt powering on
- This allows internal electric components to discharge and reset.
- Verify Internal Wiring
- Only attempt if experienced working with electrical appliances
- Carefully inspect wiring for damage or detachment
- Check that wires are connected properly to control boards/buttons
If you’ve methodically tried all troubleshooting tips without success, the issue likely requires professional service or replacement.
Stopping Air Fryer Overheating
It’s critical to fully diagnose why your air fryer model is overheating before attempting to fix the problem on your own:
Reasons for Overheating
- Insufficient air circulation
- Faulty heating element
- Clogged vents/air intakes
- Internal component failure
- Too full fryer basket
Here are the general methods to combat each overheating cause:
Improve Airflow
Overstuffed or compacted food prevents air from moving freely:
- Don’t overfill fryer basket
- Avoid cramming in thick food (e.g. whole chickens)
- Cut larger ingredients into smaller pieces
- Periodically shake basket during cooking
Clear Vents/Intakes
Buildup of grease and crumbs can block airflow:
- Clean vents with toothbrush + warm water
- Use compressed air to dislodge debris
- Replace detachable airflow guards
Replace Components
Faulty parts must be swapped with working replacements:
- Heating coils
- Internal fan mechanisms
- Thermostats
- Control boards
Replacing specialized internal components is best left to qualified technicians given the risk of electrical or grease burns. Purchase manufacturer replacement parts whenever possible.
Eliminating Troublesome Air Fryer Smoke
Smoke escaping from your air fryer is not automatically a cause for panic. Here is how to determine whether smoke levels are normal or problematic:
| Smoke Behavior | Normal or Problem? |
| Thin wisps during preheat | Normal |
| Light smoke with fatty foods like bacon | Normal |
| Thick billowing smoke | Problem |
| Acrid burning plastic smell | Problem |
| Smoke after preheat stage | Problem |
You can reduce even harmless thin smoking by:
- Using recommended cooking temperatures
- Avoiding oil overflows in fryer basket
- Handling delicate batters gently
For thicker problematic smoke, the root causes likely involve:
- Grease buildup on heating elements
- Damaged fan or thermostat
- Too much batter/breading on food
- Basket overfilled with ingredients
Carefully clean the heating coils and internal fan with warm water and compressed air. Avoid submerging any part in liquid. Burnt on grease may require replacing internal parts by an authorized technician.
Fixing Common Air Fryer Cooking Problems
You don’t need to be an electrical engineer to troubleshoot basic air frying issues. Here are straightforward tips to achieve crispy, evenly cooked food:
Undercooked Food Fixes
- Increase cooking temp 25 degrees F
- Add a few extra minutes to cook times
- Cut dense food into smaller pieces (2-inch chunks max)
- Avoid overfilling fryer basket
Overcooked or Burnt Food Fixes
- Lower cooking temp 25 degrees F
- Remove ingredients sooner
- Brush delicate items with oil instead of drowning
- Keep ready foods from sitting in fryer too long
Messy Fryer Basket Solutions
- Lightly grease basket with pan spray
- Dredge damp food in dry ingredients
- Allow excess batter to drip off food
- Clean basket thoroughly after each use
Fat Leakage in Appliance Solutions
- Never overfill basket with batter/greasy food
- Replace worn out basket with holes/damage
- Empty grease collector pan regularly
- Use foil liner for extra leakage protection
With a little trial and error, you’ll find the right settings and prep adjustments for mess-free, picture-perfect air frying.
Interpreting and Resolving Air Fryer Error Codes
Advanced digital air fryer models may display cryptic error codes to indicate potential issues. Here is what common codes signify and how to interpret them:
| Code | Meaning | Possible Solution |
| E1 | Temperature control failure | Temperature regulator or thermometer may need replacement by technician |
| E2 | Temperature sensor failure | Temperature sensor wiring may be damaged or sensor itself isn’t working properly. Could require full sensor replacement by technician |
| E3 | Heating element failure | Fryer is failing to generate enough heat to properly cook food. Check that heating coil or rods are not damaged or burned out and securely in place. May require professional heating element replacement if issue persists |
General Error Code Troubleshooting Process:
- Unplug air fryer and let fully cool for at least 10 minutes (for safety)
- Check that heating element is connected properly, wires aren’t damaged, and element is in functional condition
- Reconnect power cord and check if error code persists after running a basic test cook cycle
- If code still displays, contact manufacturer about ordering replacement parts and scheduling professional service call
Diagnosing and Fixing Unusual Noises
Several internal components could produce unusual noises like:
- Internal fan blade hitting obstruction
- Loose wiring creating rattling inside
- Grease or food debris building up
It’s safest and most effective to systematically isolate the root cause of air fryer noises by location:
1. Attempting to pinpoint the source area of the sound first by listening closely to:
- Front – Control panel
- Sides/Back – Motor fan area
- Bottom – Elements underneath fryer basket
- Inside – Coming from under fryer basket
2. Then inspect areas with audible noise by:
- Removing and thoroughly cleaning fryer basket
- Carefully wiping down elements and internal fan area with a soft cloth to dislodge debris
- Checking control panel buttons for looseness
- Ensuring appliance doesn’t wobble on countertop surface while powered on
3. Final resolution measures if noise persists:
- Replacing internal fan
- Securing loose internal wiring or control panel components
- Leveling/stabilizing wobbly fryer with rubber feet pads
- Seeking professional repair service help if beyond DIY abilities
Always exercise extreme caution when inspecting a hot powered-on air fryer. Wait for the appliance to cool fully before carefully wiping down or adjusting any internal mechanisms to prevent burns or electrical shock.
Final Thoughts
Troubleshooting common air fryer malfunctions doesn’t need to be frustrating or require expensive technician visits.
Hopefully this comprehensive guide has equipped you to accurately diagnose and resolve many basic air frying appliance issues yourself using systematic troubleshooting processes for:
- Power loss
- Overheating
- Abnormal smoke
- Uneven cooking results
- Error codes
- Unusual noises
Leverage the step-by-step solutions provided above to safely handle your air fryer’s most prevalent problems. With the right strategic approach, you can get your appliance back up and running again in no time.
As always, exercise caution when dealing with any malfunctioning electrical appliance. Seek professional assistance whenever issues exceeds your technical comfort level or know-how.
Properly maintaining your air fryer by routinely cleaning and not overfilling will also go a long way towards preventing many common failures or headaches while air frying foods to crispy perfection!