There can be nothing more frustrating than a button or something not working on your most used appliance. I have, unfortunately, experienced this with a number of my appliances and most recently was the NuWave Air Fryer.
Fixing the start button on a NuWave air fryer involves a trial and error process to figure out why it’s not working. Once you’ve tried the obvious things, it’s best to return the air fryer to the manufacturer for repair or simply purchase a new one.
If you were all set to have tasty homemade sweet potato fries for supper and now you’re faced with an air fryer that won’t turn on, hopefully, this article will give you a few things to try to get those fries frying.
Why Doesn’t the Start Button on My NuWave Air Fryer Work?
Any kitchen appliance is great when it works as it should. But when it doesn’t, then what? Sometimes the problem can be user error, but there are times when the appliance really does have a technical issue.
We’ll guide you through some possible reasons why the start button has stopped working. Hopefully, you’ll find it’s a simple reason with a simple fix.
Is the Fryer Plugged In?
We know what you’re thinking: “I’m no dummy; I know if my fryer is plugged in or not.” No offense meant, of course. It’s just that sometimes the plug can look like it’s securely in the outlet when actually it’s not and, without power, your fryer is not going to work.
Is the Power Cable Damaged?
Examine the power cable that came with your air fryer to see if it’s been damaged or cut. Even a slight tear or cut in the cord could render it useless for sending power to the air fryer.
Is the Fryer Basket in Place?
The NuWave air fryer is designed so that the appliance won’t start if the food basket is not clicked into place. There is usually a small sensor on the opening where the basket slides in that detects the basket’s presence.
Is the Control Panel Bad?
With today’s newer model air fryers, the controls are typically digital, offering a clean, sleek touch panel to make the magic happen. What that means is underneath this control panel is a circuit board full of electronics—wires, diodes, computer chips—that run the show.
If any one of these parts becomes ineffective, it can cause the entire control panel to stop working. But why would one of these parts have a problem? Consider these reasons:
- Excessive heat from the fryer could scorch the electronic controls.
- A loose wire can cause a disconnect.
- The fryer base was immersed in water which damaged the electronics.
Is There a Mechanical Part Broken Under the Start Button?
Pushing on the start button presses down on a small spring that, in turn, tells the fryer to do its thing and get going. If this spring comes loose from the touch panel or its spot on the control board, your start button won’t work.
How to Fix the Start Button on a NuWave Air Fryer
Depending on why your air fryer won’t start, there may be a simple solution to get you up and running in no time. Let’s hope this is the case, but if it isn’t, there are a few other options to try as well.
Check the Power Source
There are several ways to check on the power source. You should try them all to eliminate each one as the problem.
- Be sure the power cord is securely plugged into the wall outlet and into the fryer itself.
- If you use a surge protector or power strip with your air fryer, make sure the On/Off toggle switch on the power strip is ON. These can easily get bumped or stepped on and turned off without you realizing it.
- Plug the fryer into a different outlet to determine if the problem is with the outlet or the fryer.
- Check your fuse box. Air fryers pull a lot of electricity and could trigger the switch controlling the outlet to shut off.
Repair or Replace the Power Cable
Small cuts or tears in the power cable can be wound tightly with electrical tape to seal off any exposed wires. Ideally, this is only a temporary fix to get the start button working again so you can get through the next meal. The best and safest solution is to replace the damaged cable with a new one.
The cable head could also be the problem. With just a little know-how and effort, you can replace the head with a new one that is a genuine NuWave-approved part.
Secure the Food Basket
Take the food basket out and re-seat it into the opening until you hear it click into place. If this is why your fryer start button hasn’t been working, repositioning the basket should allow the start button to work, giving you the green light to fry.
DIY Troubleshoot and Fix
If the problem isn’t the power or the food basket, there could be something wrong with the control panel itself. Finding this out for certain means taking apart the fryer to reach the electronics board.
Unless you’re extremely comfortable taking things apart and putting them back together, this option probably isn’t for you. Since a fryer relies on heat to work, you don’t want to create a safety hazard by improperly putting it back together.
However, if you know what you’re doing and are familiar with capacitors, diodes, and microchips, consider taking your fryer apart to test the control panel for problems. You might find you need to replace a small electronic part to be good as new.
Keep in mind that disassembling a NuWave air fryer yourself could void the warranty. Proceed with caution.
Manually Press the Start Button
What follows is a rough, temporary “fix” to a non-working start button on your NuWave air fryer. Take a pocket knife or utility knife and make a slit in the thin covering that says “Start.” You can then use a pen or pencil, even a paperclip, to press the white spring underneath to start your fryer.
This crude solution is not really a solution at all. It’s merely a workaround for the moment. If you’ve reached this point in your quest for a start button fix, you should probably jump to our next idea below.
Send It in for Repair
If all else fails, you should send your air fryer to the NuWave Service Department for repair. You will be responsible for paying for any service and parts that are not covered by the warranty.
To ship your fryer back to the manufacturer, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Prepay the shipping cost both to and from NuWave.
- Using the original container, if possible, box up the fryer with plenty of padding, so it’s not damaged in transit.
- Include your name, contact information, and a detailed description of the problem inside the package.
- Also include the RGA (Return Goods Authorization) number, which you can get by calling or emailing NuWave at 1-877-689-2838 or [email protected]. When you contact NuWave, be sure to know your unit’s model number and serial number, proof of purchase if it’s under warranty.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.