A faulty kitchen appliance can frustrate you in the middle of your cooking process. Imagine you threw a party, and when your guests are waiting for dinner, you are stuck with your Cuisinart food processor not turning on!
Huh, what should I do now? Your panicked mood will automatically switch on.
Just relax! You shouldn’t be worried since it might be for some simple reason that your machine is not working.
The brand Cuisinart is well-known for the top-quality products it produces. And their food processor is highly durable, and you can expect them to last quite a few years. So, when you are panicking over “why won’t my Cuisinart food processor turn on,” it’s because of an issue that can be fixed immediately by following simple guidelines.
So, today’s writing aims to guide you in identifying the possible reasons for not turning on and resolving it so that you can use your food processor again.
Why Is Your Cuisinart Food Processor Not Turning On? 16 Reasons!
There can be several reasons why your Cuisinart food processor is not turning on. Some of these problems can prevent your food processor from turning on at all from the beginning, while others might make it stop functioning in the middle of a process.
Now, let’s explore each reason without skipping one cause you never know what is causing problems for yours.
1. Power Cord Isn’t Plugged in Properly
One of the simple reasons your food processor isn’t working is that you didn’t plug in the power cord properly. This sounds silly, but we all experience such things that we think it’s plugged when it’s not. So, make sure it’s plugged in all the way and not loose.
2. Didn’t Turn The Switch On
When you rush to finish making dinner, it is highly possible that you didn’t even turn on the switch and panicked over a silly mistake.
It’s like the scenario where you plugged in your phone to charge but didn’t turn the switch on! Well, I believe everyone is familiar with such a thing, and when we find out, the feeling is indescribable. Huh!
So, the scene is like this; you just keep pressing the button on your machine and bubbling, “why won’t my new Cuisinart food processor turn on,” “I just bought it,” “how come it’s broken already” when it’s the switch of your power outlet that you forgot to press. Hence, make sure you turn the power outlet switch on.
3. Broken Outlet
After you make sure your device is plugged in, and the switch is on but still not working, it may be that your outlet is broken.
Plug your device into another power socket to check if it is operating properly. You might also try connecting a different gadget to this outlet to see if it powers on or not.
Electrical issues are all quite common and likely to happen occasionally. It’s important to fix any external issues before you start looking for what’s wrong with your appliance. So, check the electrical socket, switch, fuse, multiplug adapter, or any power medium.
4. Maybe The Power Cord of Your Food Processor Is Faulty
If everything seems fine till now, and yet your device isn’t working, have a look at the cord of your food processor before plugging it in. Look whether there are any exposed cables visible.
A faulty or broken cord can be the reason why your device isn’t working. And it’s a serious problem that you should find out before even plugging it in, as it could result in electrocution.
Check your power cord as cautiously as possible. First, unplug it from the socket if it’s on. Then, run your fingers over the cord length so you can sense any exposed area of the wire.
The best idea is to check the cord every few days. The internal wires of the power cord could be exposed and cause an issue if a sharp object hooks on it.
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to check it every few days. The internal wires of the power cord could be exposed and cause an issue if a sharp object snags on it.
5. Something Is Stuck
There is a possibility that something is stuck underneath the button of your food processor. So, try pressing it down while turning on the device. If something is stuck, you need to remove it so that the button can pop back up.
This scenario often occurs when you pour food inside without removing any large seeds or pits.
Here is what you need to do. Shake the appliance gently from side to side by holding it upside down. Remove any attachments, and then try again. This button often requires some force to engage, and the Cuisinart food processor won’t turn on at all or properly if food scraps are lodged between the button and the case.
Once, I even had to take off the bottom plate to unstuck something.
6. The Button Could Be Damaged
Another reason your Cuisinart food processor doesn’t turn on is that the device’s button is damaged. Hence, you have to repair it if possible or buy a new one.
You may look for replacements in various online retailers. Sometimes they are sold with larger power cord kits.
7. The Food Processor Isn’t Assembled Correctly
If you assemble your food processor parts incorrectly, it probably won’t turn on at all, even when plugged in. Not only Cuisinart but most other brands act like this when their parts are wrongly assembled.
Food processors have a safety feature that stops them from turning on when any of the parts are not assembled correctly. This mechanism is built to prevent any type of mishap from happening.
Therefore, if your device isn’t turning on, ensure each element is perfectly aligned from the working bowl, blades, lid, to plunger. You may disassemble the parts, assemble them again, then put the plug in the socket and switch it on.
By the way, do you even know how to assemble each part properly? If not, here is how to do it.
Step 1
Hold the bowl by its handle and put it onto the motor base by inserting the center post through the bowl’s bottom hole. To lock the bowl into the base, turn it clockwise. When it’s correctly locked, you will hear a clicking sound, and you won’t be able to turn the bowl.
Step 2
Place the blade into the bowl and ensure the blade slides all the way into the place.
Step 3
After that, put the lid on top of the bowl. It might have a handle, arrows, or other indications that allow you to align it with the bowl and put it into position.
Step 4
Last but not least, check whether the guard is installed correctly. Even if everything else is put in properly, the food processor won’t switch on without the guard, making it the most important component for your security.
8. The Motor Isn’t Operating
When you switch on the food processor, the motor isn’t even running! It’s also a common issue.
The motor may not be running for several reasons. Here are some suggestions to take your food processor back on track to run again.
- Make sure the bowl is properly locked in place
- Check whether the blades are tightly attached and accurately assembled
- Ensure that the feed tube is fully inserted into the lid
- Clean the feed tube by running water through it
After trying all of the above tips, if the motor still doesn’t work, then the next reason could be the issue.
9. Damaged Motor
After turning on the motor, if you hear a whirring sound, it is probably damaged. In such a scenario, you first need to unplug the processor from power and then inspect the motor.
One of the best things about the Cuisinart food processor that I like is that it comes with an instruction manual that will guide you in identifying a damaged motor. So you won’t face any difficulties with the inspection process.
In most cases, the problem is with the motor’s switch. If so, it simply requires a replacement. But, the worst scenario can be if the motor burns out.
The motors have sensitive coils that provide power to the center rotor. And if the switches burn, you have to replace the entire motor.
However, if your appliance is still covered by warranty, I advise returning it for an inspection or replacement.
10. There Maybe Rust in The Food Processor
If your motor is finely working, but the blades are not functioning, then there may be rust buildup on the motor base.
Both blades and motors are made of metal components. They can easily build rust if you don’t clean your food processor properly from time to time.
Usually, two reasons cause rust on the motor: you stored it in a place with a lot of moisture, or the bowl was cracked. On the other hand, the blades easily become rusty over time.
To prevent rusting, you must thoroughly clean your food processor by detaching each part. If rust has formed in the blade, you may soak it in white vinegar to remove them.
Steel wool can also be used to scrape it away. After that, wash it with dish soap, rinse water, and let it dry completely.
You may also wipe down the motor occasionally to prevent rust from forming. But don’t soak the motor in water. Carefully clean it with a damp towel and dish soap, then dry it thoroughly.
Remember that food particles could be stuck underneath the bowl, the blade, the pusher, or the bowl’s lid, particularly if there is a leak. So, it’s best to clean each part rather than just the blade and motor.
11. Old Motor
After cleaning the food processor, as I said in the previous segment, if it still doesn’t work, then it could be because your motor has become old. And, of course, it can only happen if you have been using your food processor for a long time.
No kitchen appliance will last forever, so it’s acceptable. The only solution to this is to replace the motor.
However, if the motor is old, every other component in the device is likely to be as well. So, even if you didn’t replace the other, you will eventually need to replace them one by one.
But, I suggest buying a new food processor instead because replacing several old parts isn’t cost-effective.
12. Jammed/ Damaged Blades
If the blade doesn’t move from the beginning or stops working in the middle of processing, it can be because it is jammed. This can happen if a huge piece of food gets stuck inside the blade.
You have to remove the food particle from the inside for it to keep functioning again. Also, the blade might become loose and eventually detach from the casing, which is another reason your appliance stops working midway.
First, remove the blade, clean it, attach it again, and see if it’s working. If not, your blade is damaged, and you must replace it.
13. Faulty Drive Shaft
If you can’t spin the drive shaft easily by hand, it can be broken and needs to be replaced.
14. Cracked Working Bowl
You may be wondering how a cracked bowl can be the reason for your Cuisinart food processor not turning on, right?
When you use a broken bowl, the liquid spills from the bottom reaches the motor and damages it. That’s how a cracked bowl can cause huge damage to the motor, resulting in the processor suddenly stopping working.
The bowl is made of plastic, so it can easily crack during washing. Also, if you store it with other heavy appliances, it may come in contact with them from movement and develop a crack.
So, when you notice a crack, you should replace it immediately. If not, it will cause damage to the motor, and you will have to buy a motor base or a whole new food processor. Not cost-effective at all!
15. The Motor Is Overheated
A reason why your Cuisinart food processor stopped working midway is because of motor overheating. If this happens, not only will the blades stop spinning, but the motor will also turn off.
This is a safety feature of the food processor to prevent the device from catching fire. So, if you suspect that the device is overheated, turn it off and let the motor cool down. Unplug it and wait at least 1 hour before using it again.
However, I recommend you always turn off your machine every 5 to 10 minutes and let the motor cool. Also, try to process food in small quantities for a limited time. This is how you can avoid overheating the motor.
16. The Safety Switch Is Faulty
Now, if every component is in place and nothing is wrong with any parts, the safety switch of the Cuisinart food processor could be stuck. This function stops the blades from spinning if the components are not attached entirely or correctly.
If you want to learn how to reach and replace the safety switch, you may check this guideline.
Well, that’s all the possible reasons for your food processor not turning on or stopping midway. Now, the next guide will help you learn what to do and how to turn on Cuisinart food processor when it stops working.
What to Do When The Food Processor Suddenly Stops Working?
You need to review your work pattern as soon as the processor stops running.
Were the vegetable pieces you were chopping thick? Has the machine been overworked? Was there a power outage? If you find the answer to these questions, you can quickly fix the problem.
But, if you are unable to repair the processor, you may troubleshoot your device. There are a few things to follow when troubleshooting. And to help you, I have defined the steps below.
- Unplug The Power Cord
Make sure your appliance is unplugged from power before starting any troubleshooting. It is risky to do anything with the processor while the cord is still on. You can also try to unplug the device and replug it to see if that solves the problem.
- Make Sure The Bowl And Lid Are Locked
The processor won’t function if these two parts are not locked into position. And while inspecting them, you will also have to make sure the buttons aren’t stuck down. If you find them stuck, try to get them back in their position.
- Check Out The Power Outlet
As you know, the power outlet may become an issue. So, put your processor in a different outlet. If the appliance still doesn’t turn on, check the circuit breaker box to make sure the breaker is in the correct position.
- Examine Whether The Food Processor Is Overheated
Allow the appliance to cool down for a few minutes if it overheats. You can determine whether your processor is overheating by observing the processor lights.
When the light speed stops and a ray of light flashes, it indicates that the processor is overheating.
- Reset Your Food Processor
If all the above methods fail, the last thing you can do to fix your food processor is by resetting it. Resetting the machine will likely solve the problem if the motor is undamaged and there are no other mechanical issues.
There is a reset button in most Cuisinart food processors. Just press it down. The below video has a step by step demonstration of how to reset the Cuisinart food processor. Check it out.
Now, if the reset doesn’t resolve the issue, you can use the device’s user manual for troubleshooting problems. If this also fails, Cuisinart will check whether your machine is still covered by warranty. If so, they may give you a replacement appliance.
On the other hand, if your food processor is not covered by a warranty, Cuisinart will send a specialist to fix your device at a reasonable cost.
Alright, it’s time to move on to our next segment.
Guidelines for Preventing the Breakdown of Your Cuisinart Food Processor
You may be familiar with the quote that goes, “Prevention is better than cure.”
So, here are some tips that can prevent your food processor from breaking down any time soon.
1. Always chop food before putting it in the food processor.
2. It will be easier to chop chicken or seafood if it is at the freezing point. The stems should be processed in one-inch chunks with short pulses, one pound at a time. In a food processor, ingredients are often processed continuously, but you must always pulse the ingredients when producing pie crust dough.
3. Measure the right amount of liquid and short pulses when making a puree. This also applies to making nut butter.
4. After each usage, always disassemble your appliance and clean the parts thoroughly.
5. Be sure to remove large seeds from vegetables and fruits before dicing or chopping them so that they don’t get stuck in the machine.
Final Words
Through this guide, I tried to discuss all the reasons that could cause your Cuisinart food processor not turning on. Hopefully, you will be able to find what the issue is with your one and fix it quickly.
Also, the answer to a question like how do I turn on my Cuisinart food processor if it stops running midway is also given. But, if any parts of the machine are damaged, there is no way you can fix them. Replacing will be the only option.
Lastly, I hope you overcome the issue and return to your kitchen for your next meal preparation as soon as possible. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Question
How long does a Cuisinart food processor last?
The service life of any food processor depends on how you use it. If you can maintain your device properly, it will easily last 8 to 10 years. But, the equipment may also require replacing different parts between 5 and 6 years.
In short, the lifespan depends on different variables like how often you use it, the strength of the motor, whether you clean it regularly, is the device often overheated, and so on.
