Why Isn't My Air Fryer Switching On? 6 Potential Reasons And How To Fix

Once you start using an air fryer, there really is no going back. When it comes to cooking, an air fryer is a real game changer, and you will quickly find yourself using your air fryer every single day.

Don’t believe us? Just ask anybody who owns an air fryer. 

There are all sorts of amazing things that you can cook using your air fryer. From meat to fries, and even sweet treats too, your air fryer truly is versatile.

That is why it is so devastating when you switch your air fryer on, and nothing happens. 

In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at 6 potential reasons why your air fryer won’t switch on, and how to fix it. So, if you want to find out more, keep on reading!

6 Reasons Why Your Air Fryer Won’t Switch On

So with no further ado, let’s dive right in and take a look at 6 potential reasons why your air fryer isn’t switching on.

If you have gone to switch your air fryer on, only to find that nothing is happening, then it is possibly caused by one of these reasons.

So, work your way through the list until you find the cause of the problem.

1. It Isn’t Plugged In

Now, this might seem like an obvious one, but you will be surprised how often this is the cause for an air fryer switching on.

When you are rushing around, cooking a meal, it is very easy to think that you have plugged your air fryer in. When in reality, you haven’t. 

Sockets can sometimes be tricky things. You might have thought that you’d plugged your air fryer in, but in reality, the plug hasn’t fully fitted into the socket.

Likewise, you may have plugged the air fryer in, but failed to switch the electricity to the plug on.

Alternatively, if you are rushing around, you might have got so caught up with filling the air fryer basket that you simply forgot to plug the air fryer in. 

It might seem silly, but before you panic that your air fryer has stopped working, you should first check that it is plugged in.

It is also best to check that the power is switched on too. Once you have checked this, move onto the next reason if your air fryer still isn’t working. 

2. The Cable Is Damaged

If your air fryer is plugged in, but not working, then it might be due to damage to the cable.

There is a fair chance that this is the reason why your air fryer isn’t working if your air fryer is older, or you use it a lot. 

Over time, it is possible for the wires in the cable to become twisted, squashed, bent, and more.

All of this movement to the wire can damage it, preventing electricity from traveling from the socket to the mechanics inside the air fryer.

To identify if this is the problem, you should pay close attention to the cable. Touch the cable, run your fingers along it, and inspect it closely with your eyes.

If there are any cracks in the casing, and there are any exposed wires, then it is likely that the cause of your air fryer’s problems is the cable being damaged.

Speak to a certified technician, and they should be able to repair this problem for you.  

3. The Socket Is Damaged

If the cable looks healthy, but your air fryer still won’t switch on, then the culprit could be a damaged socket.

Thankfully, this is an issue which is very easy to pinpoint, all you will need is an additional electrical appliance. 

Remove the air fryer plug, and plug in the separate electrical appliance. Switch the socket on, and see if the electrical appliance works.

If the electrical appliance switches on, then it is safe to say that the socket is working fine. However, if the appliance doesn’t switch on, then it is likely that the socket itself has become damaged.

This is a fairly common problem, and one that can easily be resolved by calling an electrician.

If this is the case, then you can rest assured that the air fryer itself is working fine, it is just your socket that is faulty.

4. The Basket Is Placed Incorrectly

Most air fryers will come with a basket. It is the basket which you place your food inside, so the basket is a very important component of the air fryer.

A lot of air fryers come with built-in safety features, including one that prevents the air fryer from switching on unless the basket is fitted correctly. 

Many air fryers will not start unless the basket is placed in the right place.

An incorrectly placed basket could prevent the air fryer from closing and it could also stop the latch from falling into the right place.

Both of these will prevent your air fryer from switching on in most models. 

So, before you panic that your air fryer is broken, try removing the basket, and re-fitting it. This could correct the problem and get your air fryer working again. 

5. The Fuse Has Blown

Almost all electrical appliances are operated using fuses, and fuses regularly break. So, if your air fryer has stopped working, there is a fair chance that it is due to a blown fuse.

Thankfully, replacing a blown fuse is an easy fix. 

Even though replacing a blown fuse is an easy fix, it is one that we wouldn’t recommend doing unless you are an electrician.

If you take your air fryer to a certified technician, then they should be able to replace the fuse and get your air fryer working like normal once more. 

6. There Is A Manufacturer Defect

Finally, the reason why your air fryer might not be switching on could be due to a manufacturer defect.

Manufacturer defects are common across a range of different appliances, and air fryers are no different. 

Most of the time, if there is a manufacturer defect, this will be picked up early on, and you will be made aware.

However, there are occasions where you might miss the memo regarding issues with your air fryer.

If you have switched email addresses, or moved house, then the notification of the defect by the manufacturer might not arrive at your door.

Manufacturer defects are a real pain because you can’t easily fix the issue yourself. However, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to fix these defects.

So, if your air fryer isn’t switching on due to a manufacturer defect, get in touch with the manufacturer and they should be able to offer you a replacement. 

Why Does My Air Fryer Keep Shutting Off?

The reasons and fixes that we have looked at so far in this guide refer to issues when your air fryer will not switch on at all.

However, if your air fryer is switching on and then shutting back off, you might be wondering what is causing this. So, let’s take a look at some reasons why your air fryer keeps shutting off. 

One reason why your air fryer might shut itself off is that it has a time-out feature.

This type of feature will cause your air fryer to automatically shut down after a set period of time if it hasn’t been used.

So, if you switch your air fryer on, and then spend a few moments without touching it, your air fryer might switch itself off. 

Your air fryer may also switch itself off if it is overheating. Many air fryers come with safety features that include automatic shut down if the air fryer could be a risk to your health.

So, if the air fryer is overheating, it could shut itself off to cool down. 

Finally, your air fryer might switch itself off if the basket has become displaced.

The basket being in the incorrect place is often perceived as a danger, so the air fryer might switch itself off until the basket has been put in the correct place.

Summary

In short, there are lots of reasons why your air fryer may not be switching on.

In this guide, we’ve taken a look at 6 potential different reasons, and how to fix them. Including why your air fryer may be switching on then shutting off. 

Thank you for reading!