Air Fryer Troubleshooting – Problems Sorted – 2021 Update

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This write up was produced (and will be kept updated) with ways to troubleshoot air fryer problems.

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You spend good money on your air fryer, and you give it a nice spot in your kitchen.

You tell your friends and family that you have an air fryer and are eating healthier.

You are feeling good and happy… things couldn’t be any better.

Then.. after a while you may hit an issue.

Something has gone wrong with the air fryer.

Something isn’t quite right

Not good.

philips hd9220/20 healthier oil free airfryer is the perfect kitchen companion
Perfect in any kitchen

How do you deal with it?

How do you get your “lovely Air Fryer” back again?

Well we have tried to collect as many problems as we can and produce solutions to them.

It’s never going to be a “perfect fit” for everyone but if it helps just a few, we’ve done a good job 😉

See if your problem is below (and hopefully a solution). If not please post your problem in the comments and hopefully a solution can be found.

Air Fryer Won’t Switch on or Switches Off

Problem: The Air Fryer won’t even switch on at the wall

Problem: The Air Fryer sometimes switches off halfway through cooking

REMEDY:

Many electrical issues would be covered by a manufacturers warranty however there are some home based things you can try first.

Check to make sure that the most obvious things have been checked off.  Is the plug loose in the wall socket?  (push it back in if so).  Is there a bad connection near the plug?  This can sometimes happen when the wires are moved day after day.  Unplug the plug and check for any loose wires.  If you are not sure then ask an electrician to take a look.  Finally try another device in the same socket to rule out there being a socket issue.

If you don’t get any luck then see if it can be repaired under warranty.  Other than that you might want to look for a new air fryer.

The Air Fryer Has A Smell Of Old Food

Problem:  The air fryer has a lingering smell of older food that was cooked before.

Problem:  The food I cook smells like other food previously cooked.

REMEDY:

A more thorough cleaning regime must be used to remove any lingering smells.  Make sure to follow the instructions that came with your air fryer.  Many parts can be popped in the dishwasher.  Some can’t, so these will need a good hot clean in some hot soapy water.

Repeated thorough cleaning will ensure that the air fryer soon returns to a nice fresh clean odour-free machine.

The Air Fryer Has White smoke coming out of it

Problem: White smoke seems to be coming out of the air fryer

REMEDY:

in almost all cases White smoke is not in fact smoke but steam.  This naturally occurs when cooking foods that have a percentage of water inside them and is completely harmless.  If the “steam” has a smell of smoke about it then of course unplug the fryer right away and get it looked at by an expert or hopefully the manufacturer.  If the smell is simply of food then all is fine.

The Air Fryer has Blue smoke coming out of it

Problem:  Blue smoke is coming out of the air fryer

REMEDY:

Unplug the fryer straight away for your own safety.  This is almost always a sign of a serious electrical fault.  Contact the manufacturer to arrange inspection.  If you are out of warranty period though you might want to opt for a brand new air fryer instead.

The Air Fryer has Black smoke coming out of it

Problem: Black smoke is coming out of the air fryer

REMEDY:

Usually this happens when you are cooking highly fatty foods.  The oil within the fat is starting to burn.  You can pop in some water to the bottom of the tray and this helps to cool things down.

The food is coming out soft and not crispy

Problem: Food is not coming out of the air fryer crispy and tasty.

REMEDY:

This is because it’s cooking with air and not oil.  If you cannot get the desired texture on the outside try spraying with a little fry light spray oil or a thin layer of oil being brushed on.

I can not open or close the pull out tray

Problem: The tray can not be pulled out fully.

Problem: Can not put the tray back in properly.

REMEDY:

There may be a couple of things here, firstly, if the unit was a cheaper model, or a not so well known brand, there “may” (or may not) be a design issue where parts of the unit expand with the heat causing this issue.  However with many laws designed to protect consumers this is fairly unlikely.

The second thing that might be of use here is that some air fryers require you to slightly lift the tray when pulling out or pushing back in, before completing the sliding movement in or out.  However please do refer to the manufacturers instructions.

The third thing to check is to see if there may be some food or grease that has gotten pushed into the opening were the tray physically meets the air fryer, and is causing an obstruction.

The air fryer is not blowing hot air

Problem:  After just a few uses, the air fryer now only blows cold air

REMEDY:

This is a problem that needs to be addressed by the manufacturer.  Contact whoever you bought the air fryer from in the first instance, or the manufacturer.  If you have a warranty then be sure to use this service to get a repair.

Having trouble with the air fryer drawer not going in quite right?

Air fryers sometimes have flimsy designs.  The back of the drawer can bend a bit after being repeatedly used in and out, catching on internal lips within the tray compartment.

Try instead to LIFT the back / handle end of the drawer as you slide the drawer in.  So in essence it’s “nose down, tail up” as you go in.  This dos seem to work surprisingly well for many people who have had this problem from my research!

The air fryer won’t switch off!

There is a switch located within the compartment.  For example on a Power XL air fryer the switch is underneath the tray area and presses down when you put the tray in.  Try to give it a good thorough clean and then try again.

Are you technically minded?

The video below will lead you down many rabbit holes of video after video if you start clicking through to other videos, BUT if you don’t mind getting your voltage meter out and testing things this will certainly help.

Personally I’d rather not mess with anything electrical myself and would rather use the services of a qualified electrician, however if you do read on down the comments for that video you will read how it has helped a few people figure out how to change thermal fuses for less than £10.

Please note: I am not recommending you do this yourself unless qualified.

 

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39 thoughts on “Air Fryer Troubleshooting – Problems Sorted – 2021 Update”

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Jayne, It doesn’t sound right. Im not sure which air fryer you own, or how long you have had it, but I would definitely try to capture the noise on a video on your phone and send it to the manufacturer -I often try to send it to their facebook page if they have one.. easy to send videos that way. Good luck with it – might not be wise to use it till its been sorted..
      Shaun

  2. jayne barlow

    hi shaun its an egl 2.6l black mechanical air fryer model 24005614/L0940
    no idea who the manufacturer is as i bought it out of a catalogue less than 12 months ago

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi jayne, is there a model number underneath the air fryer, or a manufacturers label anywhere on it?

  4. Sandy

    Hi there. I have a Chefman air fryer. Sometimes the timer dial won’t move. Meaning it stays on the same number like it’s stuck. What can the problem be.

    1. Shaun Baird

      H Sandy, it doesn’t sound like it’s something you could fix somehow on your own (not sure if I would want to do it). I’d suggest contacting chefman direct in the first instance. You can email them on: customersupport@chefman.com or their address and hone details are: Chefman, 200 Performance Drive, Suite 207, Mahwah, NJ 07495 = tel: 1 (888) 315-6553

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi carmel sounds like it might be the timer that needs replacing. It might not but my investigating leads me to think that it might as others have had the same issue. Best bet is to get in touch with Tefal direct https://www.tefal.co.uk/contact-us. Let me know how you get on

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Stacey, it’s often because of a build up of food/grease etc underneath the drawer. There is a button that presses down when the draqwer is pushed in. Just see if you can clean it and see if it is workign properly after that – let me know 🙂

  7. Nico

    Hi, when I turn my air fryer on, it comes up with a flashing fan logo and won’t let me do anything else or press any buttons. Do you have any idea what it could be? Many thanks

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi which air fryer is this?… Usually flashing can mean the air is recirculating… IM wonering if you just need to wait a few minutes before it can be sued… but possibly a fault

  8. Ann McCarthy

    I have a Tower aer fryer just heard this jingle noise as if a spoon or some metal instrument was attached, turned off then on again ,Aer fryer nit blowing out any air, i just miss it so much its about a year old. Thank you

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Ann, I would suggest contacting Tower support, their details are:
      Email: customerservice@towerhousewares.co.uk
      Telephone: 0333 220 6066
      Address: Sutton House, Berry Hill Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2NL

      I does sound like it needs technical help – Im sorry I cant provide a technical solution

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Brian, often it can be down to small food deposits or crumbs that have become wedged in where the drawer goes in and out. Sometimes it can be down to a small dent or damage to the drawer itself from previous entry/withdrawal not bein done quite perfectly. Check the drawer for any signs of damage.

  10. Mavis Bottomley

    Hi Shaun I have bought the digital health fryer model 480005
    I have followed instructions, warmed it up, place food in drawer, pressed arrows Thor temperature and cooking time. Nothing works.
    Took back to Curry’s got replacement.
    Same thing happening with this one.
    Yet food cooks but I do not know on what temptrture.
    What am I doing wrong.
    Mavis Bottomley

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Mavis, for reference there is an instruction booklet in pdf format you can download for reference here: https://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/Pdf/IB480005.pdf. Page 8 is the section you should refer to. Essentially once on, and program selected, it will cook at 180 for 10 minutes, but you can manually adjust the temperature on the left of the screen with the up and down arrows, and the time on the right of the screen using the plus and minus symbols.

  11. Tiffany Sweeney

    My air fryer is not blowing air. Stopped blowing air in the middle of cooking. The temp and timer are still on display. With a running ———— across screen. Not sure what is going on. It’s was hot. I have the vortex power xl. Only had it for 45 days.

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Tiffany I wouldn’t even think about repairing it, just get in touch with the manufacture straight away for a repair under your warranty.

  12. Anthony

    Hi Shaun my Tefal model SERIEO01-1 is no longer working. Whe I turn it on the is a low hiss as opposed to the sound of hot air blowing when it was working properly.

  13. Gill Leigh

    I have just purchased an air fryer and was in the process of doing the first heat up and it switched itself off and won’t switch back on this is the first time I have used it since purchasing. I have done the obvious thing and changed the fuse still nothing is this normal or do I need to send it back?

  14. Mike

    Have a power air xl coil won’t heat up fan blows but will not heat up to any temp unit was a prize have no recipet only used about 5 or 6 times to do fries and chicken patties really liked it but I’m not sure what to do thanks for any help

    1. Shaun Baird

      Sounds like the heater element to me. This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e70rKNPEhGA) will give you some basic pointers but if unsure Id ask someone to do the repair for you if it is cost effective. It would also be advantageous to contact the manufacturer and explain the circumstances how you won it, because they may still honour the manufacturers warranty

  15. Vicki Farr

    I have a new power xl vortex air fryer I have cooked in it 2 times. Now it will not turn on. No lights nothing. I did check to see if there was any loose wires.

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Vicki, daft question have you tried the fuse in the plug? If no joy then take advantage of their warranty. Contact who you bought it off or find the contact details in your paperwork

  16. Danny

    Hi Shaun

    I have an Actifry express XL model AH950040. It keeps giving me error 6, over voltage. The power supply is fine, any ideas how to fix. Thank you for your time Danny

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Danny.. indeed a really silly code response given by Tefal! in their user guide (https://www.tefal.co.uk/medias/?context=bWFzdGVyfHJvb3R8NzE1NDI4fGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxoOTQvaDRlLzg4ODc3MTQ3MDk1MzQucGRmfGQ2N2ZiZDg0OTE2NjNlOGE4ODQyNGJmMjVhYTk1NWExNGIzZTFiZWE4NmFiYzNhMDNlNmJjYjlhOTZhOWQ4ZWE) it says as you mentioned Voltage too high, and to contact your utility provider. Personally I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so stupid! Anyway, it seems from my research you “may” need something that protects your equipment from the power networks. I looked at surge protectors and voltage regulators. I am erring on the side of recommending a surge protector (like this one at less than £10 – https://amzn.to/3afHawV) that plugs in and you plug your air fryer into it. Any equipment nowadays with microchips in/modern electronics should use surge protectors. Now on the flip side, I’ve no idea if your air fryer has been damaged by a recent surge or power outage, so it may not be usable anyway, but a surge protector would make sense for anything that has delicate electronics in it. let me know how you get on with this.

  17. Sandra

    I used my Tower Air fryer/oven today for the first time. First time I used it the internal light was on during cooking, tonight food cooked ok but the internal light did not come on at all.

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Sandra, so if this is the first time, and the purchase was made within 12 months you are entitled to use their warranty. However for a quick chat here are their contcat details: Email: customerservice@towerhousewares.co.uk
      Telephone: 0333 220 6066
      Address: Sutton House, Berry Hill Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2NL

      if there is a fault they suggest you contact the retailer first (whoever you bought it from), but Id certainly give them a quick call first and see whats what-it could be something simple such as a bulb or a fault with the unit

  18. Amy

    My power fryer xl keeps beeping and the lights are flashing after closing the fryer drawer

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi is the drawer closed properly? Could there be any food product contaminating the contacts? take alittle look inside and make sure its all clean and there are no apparent bent or broken areas

  19. Vin Zichichi

    Excellent video, albeit, more work than I’m willing to get into. However, you provided solid, straight-forward info. Without the BS most folks add to their videos. Since the thermal coupler is probably a common occurrence, the Mfg. should make it easier to get at! But they would prefer you buy another one, I guess $100′ dollars is a throwaway today – – might as well add to land fill,,,
    Thanks Again

  20. Mark Cyster

    Hi Shaun, the air fryer has been working fine, it was plugged in today and you get 111 degrees c on the screen then it goes dead. If you unplug a while and re try it does the same.
    Any ideas please

    1. Shaun Baird

      Hi Mark sounds like a faulty circuit board or a short circuit somewhere or even a faulty sensor or thermostat. In short Im not sure on the answer but if it’s within the warranty I’d be contacting the manufacturer, sorry.

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