One Side Of Your Toaster Not Staying Down? Here’s Why

Do you have a toaster that has multiple slots? If so, you probably use your toaster a lot. Otherwise, you would not invest so much in your toaster. You need both slots to work, and it can be frustrating when they do not. So, how come one side of your toaster is not able to stay down like the other one? 

There are several possible reasons why this might be the case. First, there could be a problem with that specific lever. Or, there could be an issue with the magnet. There could also be a lot of crumbs on that side of the toaster, making it difficult for your toaster to work properly. You might also have an issue with a fuse or the heating element that is impacting your toaster.

Because there are so many reasons why one side of your toaster might not be staying down, it is important to take a closer look at the possibilities. Why is your toaster not staying down? Is this something you can fix on your own? Or, do you need to replace your toaster? 

We have done a significant amount of research to make this easier for you, so read on to learn more about why your toaster might not be staying down as it should.

A Problem with the Lever on That Half of the Toaster

The first possible reason why that half of your toaster might not be staying down to that there is a problem with the lever on that side of your toaster. If the other half of your toaster is working properly, this is a sign that the toaster is plugged in. Therefore, the power supply should be fine. 

As a result, you should start by taking a closer look at a potential mechanical problem. 

If the lever is not working properly, there is a good chance that you use that half of the toaster more often than the other half. It is possible that you may have broken that lever due to routine wear and tear. You may need to replace that lever before the toaster will work properly. 

How do you know if the lever is broken? You should visually inspect the lever for any signs of significant damage. For example, there might be a crack in the exterior of the lever. Or, the lever might feel a bit loose when compared to the lever on the other side. 

If you really want to see if the problem is the lever, you should use a screwdriver to remove both levers. Then, take the lever from the good side and move it to the bad side. If the good lever is able to make the bad side work, then you know the problem is the lever. This means that you need to replace the bad lever with one that works. 

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to find a new lever for the toaster. Take a look at the manual, see what type of lever the toaster uses, and find a new lever for your toaster. Once you install it, both sides of the toaster should stay down once again. 

There Is a Problem with the Magnet on That Half of the Toaster

Sticking with the mechanical theme, it is also possible that there could be a problem with the magnet on that half of the toaster. Start with the part where you switch the levers between the two sides. If you swap the lever and the good lever is no longer working on the bad side, there is something else wrong with the toaster.

It is possible there could be a problem with the magnet in the toaster. Every toaster is different, and your toaster might not necessarily have a magnet; however, there are a lot of toasters that do. It is the job of the magnet to hold the lever down, allowing the toaster to toast when you press the lever. 

Similar to the lever, the magnet could degrade with time. The more you press the lever, the more wear and tear you put on the magnet. Eventually, the magnet is going to give out, and it could crack. 

What you need to do is remove the lever. Then, take a look at the manual to see where the magnet is located. You may even want to look up a picture of the magnet in the toaster online so you know what you were looking for.

Take a closer look at the magnet and inspect it for signs of visual damage. If you see a giant crack going through the magnet, then you have probably found the issue. You can also use another magnet to test the magnet in your toaster. That way, you can figure out if the magnet in your toaster is really dead.

If you find that the magnet is dead, you will need to order another one for your toaster. Take a look at the cost of your toaster and compare this to the cost of the magnet. That way, you can figure out if the replacement price is worth it.

On the other hand, there are other potential reasons by the toaster on that side will not stay down.

There Is a Lot of Food Debris

If you use one half of the toaster more than other half, it is entirely possible that food debris could be the issue. In this case, there could be food debris blocking a lever or the magnet. 

In order for your magnet to work properly, it has to have a strong connection with the letter when you press it down. If you press down the lever in the toaster does not stay down, it is possible there is a bunch of food debris stuff in between the lever and the magnet. 

So, you have to clean out the toaster if you wanted to work properly. Start by unplugging the toaster. Then, take it outside. That way, you don’t have to worry about crumbs going all over the house. 

Flip the toaster upside down and give the bottom a nice smack. This should be enough to get a lot of the crumbs out of the toaster. If you are concerned that there are other crumbs present, you may want to remove the tray from the bottom. Then, clean the tray thoroughly.

You might also want to use a can of compressed air to blow the crumbs out of the toaster. After you are finished cleaning the toaster, put it back together, and plug it in. Then, see if the other half of the toaster will stay down. If it does, you have solved the problem. 

There Could Be a Problem with the Heating Element

If you are certain the issue is not the lever, the magnet, or food debris, then you may need to take a look at potential electrical problems as well. For example, you could have a problem with the heating element on that side of the toaster.

Typically, the lever stays down on the heating element turns on. When the heating element shuts off, the lever releases, releasing your bread or bagel. If you find that the toaster on one half of the appliance is not staying down, there could be a problem with the heating element. 

You will need to take a deep dive into your toaster to see if this is the problem. First, you will have to unscrew the front of the toaster to reveal the heating element. Then, you will need to use a multimeter to test the conductivity of the heating element. 

You should get a number that is significantly above 0. If the number you get is close to 0, this is a sign that the heating element is dead, and you will have to replace it. At this point, you might be better off getting a new toaster instead of paying for a new heating element. 

In general, your heating elements should wear evenly. It is unusual for one of your heating elements to give out way before the other one. If this happens, it could be a sign that you are using one half of the toaster significantly more than the other half. 

Inspect the Fuse

If the heating element still has plenty of conductivity, then you may need to take a look at the fuse. It is possible that your toaster could have two separate fuses for each half. Therefore, you will need to figure out if you have one fuse that powers one-half of the toaster. 

Use the manual to figure out where the fuse is located. Then, that’s the conductivity of the fuse. Again, if you get a number that is close to 0, this could be a sign that the fuse has died. You may also see signs that the fuse has blown, such as a bunch of burning or scarring. If this is the case, then you may need to get a new fuse. 

This is another situation where you need to compare the cost of the fuse to the value of the toaster. That way, you can figure out what the best use of your money might be. 

Figure Out Why One Half of Your Toaster Is Not Staying Down

These are just a few of the possible reasons why one-half of your toaster might not be staying down. There is a good chance there is a mechanical issue somewhere, such as a problem with the lever or the magnet. 

If you do have an electrical problem with your toaster, you need to weigh the cost of replacing that part with the cost of replacing the entire toaster. There could be a chance that the other half of your toaster will fail in the near future. Therefore, it might be better to replace the appliance instead.