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

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

If your bread machine won’t work, try the following:

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 the bread machine for 30 mins.
7. Repair the timing belt.
8. Apply oil to the shaft.
9. Call a professional.

There are several things you can do to fix your bread machine. Are you ready to get started on yours? Let’s go!

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. Determining why your bread machine isn’t working is not as simple as you thought. So, look at the following 9 steps that will help you fix your bread machine today.

#1 Ensure the Mains Power Is Working

In my experience, the mains power is the first thing you’ll want to look at when your bread machine is not working. Ruling out or confirming any issues in the power supply chain is critical to proper troubleshooting.

To test whether your favorite wall outlet is to blame for your bread maker not heating up:

1. Unplug the bread machine from the mains outlet.
2. Plug the bread machine into a power outlet in a different circuit.
3. Try to turn the bread machine on. If the bread machine turns on, there’s likely a problem with your power outlet. You’ll need to call an electrician to fix the issue.

If the bread machine doesn’t turn on, move on to the next step in this article.

#2 Check Your Circuit Breaker

If the mains power isn’t to blame, and your bread machine is still not working, the next thing I recommend you check is your circuit breaker. When there’s an electrical overload, the switches on your breaker can often trip, which could explain why your bread maker is not heating up.

Here are a couple of suggestions to address the issue:

• Plug the bread machine into a different power outlet. Avoid placing the machine 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 must contact your manufacturer to fix it.

#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. A mini restart should force your bread machine to “wake up” if its memory is full and it is struggling to turn on.

Here’s what you’ll need to do to perform a mini restart:

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 not, move on to the next step in this article.

Note: Not all bread machines are created equal. Chances are the steps to restart your bread maker are slightly different than what I described above. Refer to your User Manual for specific instructions for your case.

#4 Cancel the Timer

Most bread machines have a timer that works to set the baking process to start at a time chosen by you. Having a timer on your bread machine can be very helpful, as it:

• Helps you make freshly baked bread in the morning. Add the ingredients, then set the timer to start the bread before you wake up.
• Helps you make fresh bread ready for dinner. If you won’t be home for a while, set the timer to kickstart the bread-making process so it’s ready when you return.

From what I’ve seen, 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’ll need to cancel the settings so that the machine will begin to bake as soon as you press “start”.

There are 3 different ways to cancel the delayed timer feature on your bread machine:

• 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 from the mains and leave it unplugged for 30 minutes.

#5 Regulate the Internal Temperature

If your bread machine is displaying an error message or beeping continuously, chances are it’s having trouble regulating its internal temperature.

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.

Here are my 3 favorite tips for when you suspect your bread maker is not heating up due to a temperature issue:

• 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’ve just finished baking bread, give the machine time to cool. Open its lid and remove the bread pan. Keep the lid open. Allow the bread machine to cool for 20 minutes before attempting to bake more bread.

#6 Unplug the Bread Machine for 30 Minutes

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

To get your bread machine back to normal, you might need to erase its 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 the bread machine unplugged for 30 minutes.
3. Plug the bread machine back in and try to turn it on.

#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 bread maker’s timing belt. The timing belt wears out over time and might need replacing at some point.

Every bread maker is slightly different; however, there are general instructions that will help you 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.

I find that some things are better seen than explained. Please look at the following tutorial video if you like visual references.

#8 Apply Oil to the Shaft

If your bread machine isn’t working and it’s making strange noises, it might be time to apply oil to the shaft. The shaft should be oiled every 6 months to keep the bread machine in good working order.

However, if you use your bread machine more than once a week, you might find it better to oil the shaft even more often.

Some of the lubricants I recommend using to oil the shaft are:

• 3-in-1 oil.
• Sewing machine oil.

Here’s how to oil your bread machine’s shaft:

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 more oil drops between the shaft and the retaining ring.
5. Return the bread pan to the bread maker and use it normally.

#9 Call a Professional

If your bread machine is still not working after trying all the steps above, Your best bet at this point is to call a professional for assistance.

• Claim your warranty. If still valid, you should get a repair or replacement free of charge.
• Call a professional. You’ll have to call a specialist if the unit is no longer under warranty.

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 it will continue baking from where it left off if there is a power outage. To reset the bread machine, you’ll have to leave it unplugged for about 30 minutes.

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

Fixing a Bread Machine That’s Not Working

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

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Have a great day!

I've been helping homeowners with appliance repair since 2016. Starting out as an enthusiastic amateur, I've since worked with many Appliance, HVAC, and DIY experts over the last 7+ years. My mission is to help fix your appliances and prevent future issues - saving you stress, time, and money. Visit my author page to learn more! Read more

Hi there! My name’s Craig, and I started Appliance Analysts back in 2017. My mission is to help our readers solve appliance-related issues without paying through the nose for contractors or a whole new model. I'm joining up with experts from across the HVAC, Appliance Repair, & DIY industries to share free expert advice that will save you time, stress, and money. Learn more about us here.