Got a problem with your air fryer? I'm here to help! In this post I've gathered the most common problems that arise with air fryers, and suggestions for how you can solve them.
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Why does my air fryer not turn on?
If your air fryer doesn't turn on, try these steps:
- Make sure the air fryer or the cord is not damaged
- If it has been damaged, please contact the manufacturer for help
- Make sure the air fryer is plugged in to a working socket. Try another socket, just to be sure!
- Make sure the basket is properly inserted, and the door is completely closed
If none of the above helps, please contact the manufacturer for assistance. Soemtimes there is damage to the air fryer or cord, without it being visible.
Why is my air fryer not heating up?
If your air fryer is not heating up, you can try the following steps:
- Make sure you have the right voltages - if you've bought your air fryer in another country, sometimes it will not work correctly with your sockets at home
- If the voltage is wrong, you can sometimes get a transformer to ensure the right voltage, but the best thing to do is make sure to get appliances with the correct voltage
- Make sure the air fryer or the cord is not damaged
- If it has been damaged, please contact the manufacturer for help
- Make sure the air fryer is plugged in to a working socket. Try another socket, just to be sure!
- Make sure the basket is properly inserted, and the door is completely closed
If none of the above helps, please contact the manufacturer for assistance. Soemtimes there is damage to the air fryer or cord, without it being visible.
Why does my air fryer smell like plastic?
Many air fryers have a distinct plastic smell when they're new, but this usually goes away after a few uses.
You can also try these steps to eliminate the plastic smell:
- Check if there is any plastic left on the outside of the air fryer, or inside it, that you might have missed while unpacking
- Clean the air fryer - both the basket and the inside including the heating elements
- Run it empty for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C) and see if it goes away. Repeat if necessary.
If the smell still doesn't go away, it's most likely nothing bad, but a smell that will go away with use. If you're concerned, or if the smell is very strong, please contact the manufacturer, otherwise you can use it anyway.
Why does my air fryer smell like it's burning?
If your air fryer smells like it's burning, try these steps to fix it:
- Make sure the air fryer or the cord is not damaged
- If it has been damaged, please contact the manufacturer for help
- Check if there is any plastic left on the outside of the air fryer, or inside it, that you might have missed while unpacking
- Add a bit of water to the air fryer basket - this will help if the reason for the burning smell is that fat or sauce is actually dripping from the food and burning at the bottom
- Clean the air fryer, both the basket and the heating elements inside - if there's food stuck to either this can cause the smell of burning food
- Check if the food looks burnt - if so, you need to lower the temperature
If neither of these steps work, please contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Why is my air fryer smoking?
Most air fryer produce no or very little smoke when used correctly. Sometimes, though, you might still experience excessive smoke coming from the air fryer.
To be safe, always start by unplugging it and then investigate why there is smoke. You can then try these steps to fix it:
- Make sure the air fryer or the cord is not damaged
- If it has been damaged, please contact the manufacturer for help
- Add a bit of water to the air fryer basket - this will help if the reason for the smoking is that fat or sauce is actually dripping from the food and burning at the bottom
- Clean the air fryer, both the basket and the heating elements inside - if there's food stuck to either this can cause the smell of burning food
- Check if the food looks burnt - if so, you need to lower the temperature
If neither of these steps work, please contact the manufacturer for assistance.
More Air Fryer Guides
Looking for more help with your air fryer, or wondering which air fryer is right for you? Find all this in my Air Fryer Resource Library or have a look at these posts:
- Air Fryer FAQ - Everything you ever wondered about air frying!
- How to Use an Air Fryer: Air Fryer Get Started Guide for Beginners
- How To Choose The Right Air Fryer For You - 5 Important Factors to Consider!
If you have any other problems with your air fryer - please comment below and I will try my best to figure out how to solve it!
Anita Domro
My KitCook air fryer caught fire and I'm looking are the customer service number to call.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Oh no! I'm not familiar with that brand, but if you can't find their customer service I would call the place where you bought it and see what they say. Hope it works out! /Emmeline
Tara
I have the Ninja 15 in one and keeps coming up with probe error, probe is plugged in but it isnt acknowledging it!?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Tara! That sounds like something is wrong with your specific unit, I'd reach out to the Ninja customer support or wherever you got it from. I haven't used that specific model myself, so unfortunately don't have any more specific suggestions. /Emmeline
Lynn
Got a new Daewoo airfryer. Cannot get drawer to close?! Aaaargghhhh! Any help greatly appreciated.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Lynn! If you've made sure there is nothing in the way (sometimes they pack in a whole lot of plastic and cardboard and stuff in the air fryer and the basket), then I'd go abck to where you bought it and ask them what's wrong. My sister had a similar problem with a different brand and she had to just have it replaced. /Emmeline
Ahmed Maher
My tefal air fryer screen doesn’t turn on although fryer is functioning
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Ahmed, that sounds like a problem specific to your air fryer, likely something is wrong with the screen. My recommendation is to contact the manufacturer or the store where you bought it and hopefully you can get it replaced! /Emmeline
Regina Bright
I have a drew Barrymore double air fryer and the rubber strip that is in between the coils has come unattached at the front. I can't get it to connect and my drawer will not close.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Regina,
I'd recommend you to contact the store where you bought it or the manufacturer. That sounds like something they would need to fix or replace.
/Emmeline
Robert Foster
Hi my timer won't set when I push timer to cook out of synchronize
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Robert! Could you give me some more information, so I can help you troubleshoot? What brand and model do you have? And what do you mean "to cook out of syncronize"? /Emmeline
Julie
Hi my air fryer it stop blowing an air. No more sounds of air fryer that supposed to be. And the meat it doesn’t cook properly but still can heat any food though. Any help please. Much appreciated, thank you 😊
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Julie! Could something have gotten stuck on the heating element? If not, I’d recommend you contact the place you got it and see if they can fix it or if you need to make a return. /Emmeline
Beverley hughes
Why is my air fryer beeping when I try to cook I have a rbaysale doesn't happen on grill
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Beverley! My best guess is that something is not placed properly in the air fryer. For example, the air fryer basket might not be correctly placed, or not fully in place. I'd refer to the user handbook to make sure everything is in its right place. Maybe it even mentiones something about the beeping and what it means? /Emmeline
Jacqueline Bird
Hi my air fryer just stopped working, one minute later came back on. But it just keeps doing this, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance Jackie
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Jackie! Sounds like something is wrong with the electrical circuit. Check that the electrical outlet works as it should (using another appliance) first, and if that works fine I would recommend you contact the store where you got it and see what they say. This is not a problem I've encountered myself, and if it is the electrical circuit not working you don't want to mess with it yourself! /Emmeline