Bread Machine Not Working? Here’s All 9 Fixes to Try

Is your bread machine refusing to play ball? Then take a look at the 9 tips in this article that will get it up and running and back in the game.

If your bread machine won’t work, do this:

1. Ensure the mains power is working
2. Check your circuit breaker
3. Press and hold “start”
4. Cancel the timer
5. Regulate the internal temperature
6. Unplug it for 30 mins
7. Repair the timing belt
8. Oil the shaft
9. Call a professional

There are a number of things you can do to fix your bread machine. Are you ready to get started on yours? Then take a look at these steps in more detail below.

9 Ways to Fix Your Bread Machine

Your bread machine is out of action. All it does is beep, flash lights, and display error codes. Working out what’s wrong with it is not as simple as you thought it would be. So, take a look at the following 9 steps that will help you to fix the machine today.

Fix #1 Ensure the Mains Power Is Working

We must double-check that there isn’t a problem with your electrics. We should do this before presuming that there is an issue with the bread machine itself.

What you’ll need to do here is to ensure that your mains power outlet is working. Here’s how:

1. Unplug the bread machine from the mains outlet
2. Plug the bread machine into a power outlet in a different circuit
3. Attempt to turn the bread machine on. If it turns on, there is a problem with the power outlet. You will need to call an electrician to fix it. If the bread machine doesn’t turn on, move on to the next step in this article.

Fix #2 Check Your Circuit Breaker

Before we start pulling your bread machine to pieces, there is still something else we must do to rule out an electrical issue. That is, checking the circuit breaker for a tripped fuse. If there is a trip in the fuse box, reset it.

But what can you do if your bread machine keeps tripping your fuse box? Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Plug the bread machine into a different power outlet. Avoid placing it in a circuit that is already full of high voltage appliances.
• Discontinue the use of the bread machine. Your bread machine should not continuously trip your circuit breaker. If it does, you will need to contact your manufacturer to fix it.

Fix #3 Press and Hold “Start”

The next thing to do to get your bread machine on the road to recovery is to perform a mini restart. This should force it to “wake up” if its memory is full and it is struggling to turn on. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Plug the bread machine in and turn it on
2. Press and hold the “start” or power button for 5 seconds or until the display turns blank
3. Press the “start” or power button. The bread machine should now be working properly again. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step in this article.

Fix #4 Cancel the Timer

Most bread machines have a timer. This works to fix the baking process so that it starts at a time chosen by you. Some bread machines have the ability to delay the baking for as much as 13 hours.

But perhaps you wonder why you would want to delay your bread. Here are a couple of reasons why a bread machine timer comes in handy:

• To help you make freshly baked bread in the morning. Add the ingredients then set the timer to start the bread before you wake up.
• To help you make fresh bread ready for dinner. Not going to be home? Then why not set the timer to kick start the bread ready for when you get back?

If your bread machine was accidentally set on a timer, it may not begin baking for hours after you have pressed the start button. You will need to cancel these settings so that the machine will begin to bake as soon as you press “start”.

Not sure how to cancel the delayed start feature on your bread machine? Here are 3 ways you can do it:

• Press and hold the “start” or power button for 5 seconds or until the display turns blank
• Press the “delay start time” button then press “cancel”
• Plug the bread machine out of the mains and leave it unplugged for 30 minutes

Fix #5 Regulate the Internal Temperature

Is your bread machine displaying a strange error message? Or perhaps it is beeping continuously and you’re not sure why. In either case, it could be a temperature issue that is causing the bread machine to stop working.

The internal temperature of your bread machine could either be too hot or too cold. Here’s why:

• Your kitchen is too cold. Most bread machines will not operate in environments below 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius)
• Your kitchen is too hot. Most bread machines will not operate in environments above 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius)
• You have just baked a loaf of bread and the bread machine needs time to cool down before starting another

So what can you do if you suspect that your bread maker is not working due to a temperature issue? Here are 3 tips:

• If the bread machine is too cold, move it to a warmer room. Wait for the machine to warm up. The internal temperature of the bread machine should be above 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If the bread machine is too hot, move it to a cooler room. Wait for the machine to cool down. The internal temperature of the bread machine should be below 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you have just finished baking bread, allow the machine time to cool. Open its lid and remove the bread pan. Keep the lid open. Allow it to cool for 20 minutes before attempting to bake more bread.

Fix #6 Unplug It for 30 Mins

Your bread machine has a memory. Most do not last longer than 30 minutes. The extended memory helps the bread machine to pick up from where it left off if there is a power outage.

You need to erase this long memory, cancel any delayed start settings, and clear its cache. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Unplug the bread machine from the power outlet
2. Keep it unplugged for 30 minutes
3. Plug it back in and attempt to turn it on

Fix #7 Repair the Timing Belt

What if you can get your bread maker to turn on but the paddle won’t spin to knead the dough? Then there could be a problem with your timing belt. The timing belt wears out over time and might need replacing.

Every bread maker is slightly different. But here are some general instructions that will help you to remove the timing belt in yours:

1. Take out the bread pan
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the side wall of the bread maker
3. Remove the screws that are holding the heating element in place
4. Pull the side wall up and out of the bread maker
5. Remove the screws on the base of the bread maker
6. Remove the panel connector
7. Remove the screws that attach the panel connector to the base of the bread maker
8. Flip the base over so that the timing belt faces upward
9. Remove the screw and the plate to take out the wheel
10. Clean the pulley gears. If the teeth are worn out on them, replace them.
11. Install the new pulley gears and hook up the belt
12. Rotate the pulley wheels and push in the belt

Some things are better seen than explained. Do you fancy watching these instructions so you can follow along? Then take a look at this tutorial video.

Fix #8 Oil the Shaft

Does your bread machine make unusual noises when you use it? Then it might be time for you to oil the shaft. The shaft should be oiled every 6 months to keep the bread machine in good working order. But if you use your bread machine more than once a week, you might find it better to oil the shaft even more often.

But what kind of oil should you use? Here are some suggestions:

• 3-in-1 oil
• Sewing machine oil

And how can you go about doing it? Here are all the instructions you’ll need:

1. Turn the bread pan over
2. Squeeze a couple of drops of oil between the shaft and the retaining ring
3. Turn the ring a couple of times
4. Squeeze a couple of more drops of oil between the shaft and the retaining ring
5. Return the bread pan to the bread maker and use normally

Fix #9 Call a Professional

Have you tried all of the steps in this article but haven’t had any success at fixing your bread machine? Then the best thing for you to do from now on is to call a professional. It seems like there is a more serious problem with your unit.

When it comes to calling for help, you have a couple of options:

• Make a claim on your warranty. If it is still valid, you should get a repair or replacement free of charge.
• Call a professional. If the unit is no longer under warranty, you will have to call a specialist.

How to Hard Reset a Bread Machine

To hard reset your bread machine, you will have to do more than turn it on and off again. A bread machine has a long memory so that it will continue baking from where it left off if there is a power outage. To reset the machine, you will have to leave it unplugged for about 30 minutes.

This is how to hard reset your bread machine:

1. Unplug the bread machine from the power outlet
2. Keep the bread machine unplugged for 30 minutes
3. Plug it back in and turn it on

Conclusion

Your bread machine isn’t working and you’re not too sure why. Working out the issue with your unit on your own could seem impossible. I’m sure the 9 tips in this article have helped you to see how you can fix your bread machine or when you should call a professional if the problem is more serious.

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Have a great day!

-Craig