You head over to the kitchen, reach for your trusty toaster and realize that the lever won’t stay down. It can be a frustrating problem, but thankfully, it’s easy to fix. In this blog post, we’ll explain why the lever on your toaster won’t stay down and how to fix it!
If your toaster’s lever doesn’t stay down, make sure it’s plugged in, then clear any crumbs built-up affecting the latch release or the solenoid. You can do this by turning the toaster upside down and shaking it, or spraying it with a can of compressed air. If that doesn’t work, open up the unit to check on the wiring, the magnet, and the spring mechanism. Replace any faulty part.
So, which are the most common reasons why the toaster lever doesn’t stay down? We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes, starting with the most obvious.
The toaster is unplugged.
It seems like an obvious one, but it’s worth checking first. Ensure that your toaster is plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is working.
There are crumbs in the toaster.
If there are crumbs built up in your toaster, it can prevent the lever from staying down. To fix this, unplug your toaster and empty any accumulated crumbs.
Once you’ve done this, give your toaster a good shake to ensure no more crumbs are hiding inside.
The toaster is old.
Toasters wear out over time. According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, toasters typically last about eight years. But with proper care, many toasters can last much longer.
It’s probably time for a new toaster if:
- Yours is having problems with the lever
- It is more than six years old
Something is blocking the lever.
If something is preventing the lever from staying down, it can prevent the toaster to function properly. Check inside your toaster for any objects blocking the lever, and remove them.
The latch is broken.
The lever won’t stay in place if your toaster latch is broken. Thus, the lever will fail to function correctly. You’ll need to replace the latch.
The solenoid is broken.
The solenoid is responsible for holding the lever in place. If it’s broken, the lever won’t stay down. Thus, you’ll need to replace the solenoid.
How Does A Toaster Work?
Toasters have pretty straightforward designs, and they typically have a few parts that can go wrong. So, if your toaster lever won’t stay down, it’s likely one of the following problems:
The electric appliance draws power from an AC outlet to heat the wires. The bread is placed over two metal plates, and the lever completes the electrical circuit when pushed down.
This action also shuts off the current to prevent overheating. The heat from the wires warms up the air inside, causing the bread to turn brown and crispy.
The toaster lever provides a safety mechanism to stop the heating process when the bread is done. It also pops the bread out of the toaster so you can easily remove it.
When your toaster lever won’t stay down, it prevents the toaster from working properly. Luckily, the problem is usually an easy one to fix!
How Do You Fix the Lever on a Toaster That Won’t Stay Down?
If your toaster lever won’t stay down, don’t fret! There are a few easy fixes. With a little troubleshooting, you’ll have your toaster working in no time!
Supply the Unit With Power
Make sure that the unit is connected to a working outlet and that the wires don’t have any visible damage. Carefully inspect the wires all the way from the outlet to the toaster.
Shake, Whack and Spray the Unit To Remove Crumbs
Over time, crumbs falling off your toasted bread will start to accumulate at the bottom of the toaster. In larger amounts, the crumbs can prevent the toaster from working as intended, and they’re also a breeding ground for bacteria, so you’ll want to get rid of them.
Unplug the toaster, turn it upside down, shake it, whack it or spray it with a can of compressed air to make sure no crumbs are stuck inside the toaster. With all the crumbs removed, plug the device and try the lever again.
Check the Magnet Mechanism
When the toaster’s lever is pushed down, the circuit within the toaster is charged which makes it possible for the magnetized solenoid to lock, which keeps your toast in place. The solenoid is usually located on the circuit board.
Remove the screws located on the bottom side, the pushdown knob, and finally the cover. The parts that need to be removed can differ from one toaster to the next but, generally, it’s these three.
If something prevents the solenoid from being charged or magnetically locking, then there’s no way for the toaster to stay down. To check on the circuit board and solenoid operations, open up the toaster and make sure the solenoid is where it’s intended to be on the circuit board.
Then make sure that the magnet connectors and the surrounding components aren’t covered in residue, as that could prevent them from connecting and functioning properly.
Also, make sure that the copper tabs are aligned and make contact when the lever is pushed down to ensure that the solenoid can be energized. If the toaster’s copper tabs don’t make contact, align them and bend them back in position so they make contact once again.
Replace the Magnet
Over time, the magnet will take damage as the lever strikes it every time it’s pushed down. This, in combination with regular wear and tear, could cause the magnet to stop working. In that case, you will have to replace the magnet itself.
Locating the magnet within your toaster is easiest to do with the help of your manual. The manual should tell you exactly where the magnet is located, and in some cases how to replace it too.
When you have located the magnet, remove it and place the new magnet in its position. Make sure you place the new magnet exactly as the old one was placed.
Start your device and see if the lever stays down now that you’ve replaced the old magnet. If it doesn’t, try flipping the magnet, as you may have changed the polarity when doing the replacement.
Check If the Lever Is Blocked
Simply pushing the lever down will show you that the lever doesn’t stay down, but it won’t tell you if the issue is mechanical or not. This can be identified by pushing the lever in a direction while you’re pushing it down.
If the lever stays down when it’s being pushed towards the left or right in the bottom position, then there’s some type of mechanical issue on the side that doesn’t stick. Open up the unit by removing the screws, knob, and cover. Remember to unplug the device.
Inspect the locking mechanism to see if it has been damaged or is missing parts. The locking mechanism usually consists of two parts that go down when you push the lever, a black and a white part. The black part connects to the copper tabs and the white plastic part is part of the latch or locking mechanism.
Plug the device back in and try to push it down while the cover is removed to see what’s going on.
If the parts that should latch are misaligned, damaged, or blocked – then that’s what’s stopping your toaster from staying down.
Can You Buy Replacement Levers for Toasters?
You can buy replacement levers for toasters, but it’s most likely it won’t be necessary. A broken latch or solenoid could cause your lever not to stay down, but both parts are easy to replace.
You’ll know you need to replace your toaster’s lever if the entire mechanism is faulty or the toaster has become rusty from the interior. But a good cleaning may do the trick if the lever is just sticking and not completely broken.
When purchasing toaster parts, always double-check the model and brand of your toaster to avoid ending up with a replacement lever that doesn’t work.
Compatibility is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing toaster parts. Some parts may not be compatible, depending on the model and make of your toaster.
For example, you’ll need to purchase Cuisinart-compatible parts if you have a Cuisinart toaster. The same goes for other brands like Hamilton Beach, Oster, Black & Decker, and DeLonghi.
Some brands collaborate, so their replacement parts are similar to common brands. For example, Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex share the same replacement parts.
Try looking for a compatible part from another brand if you can’t find the exact model of your toaster. You might find what you’re looking for at a hardware store like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
If not, try searching for toaster replacement parts online.
When Should You Replace a Toaster?
As a rule of thumb, your toaster will likely last for about six-ten years. It depends on how often you use it and how well you take care of it.
You’ll know it’s time to replace your toaster when it starts showing signs of wear and tear, like rusting or burning the bread. It’s time for a new toaster if yours leaves behind burnt spots or if the bread doesn’t toast evenly.
If you have an old toaster that you’re attached to, you can try repairing it instead of replacing it. But it depends on the severity of the damage and how old the toaster is. It might be more cost-effective or safer to replace it.
If your toaster lever won’t stay down, it’s likely because of a broken latch or solenoid. These parts are easy to replace, so you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing the entire toaster.
Any electrical appliance that consumes way more power than it should or starts to smoke should not be used. It warrants immediate replacement.
Moreover, technology has come a long way since the invention of the classic pop-up toaster. So, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer model with more features.
In 2015, BBC News found that faulty toasters caused 4% of the 12,000 fires across Britain.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your toaster and look out for any danger signs. That way, you can avoid any accidents or fires caused by an old or damaged toaster.
How to Fix a Blown Heater Element in a Toaster
You can tell easily if your toaster’s heater element is blown if the toaster doesn’t heat up or only heats on one side.
There are a few ways to fix a blown heater element in a toaster. You can try cleaning the element with baking soda and water or replacing the entire element.
If you choose to replace the element, ensure you buy an element compatible with your model and brand of the toaster.
I would advise against doing it yourself. The best option is to hire an expert repair technician.
However, if you’re comfortable with electrical repairs and feel confident in replacing the element yourself, here are the steps to do so:
- Unplug your toaster and remove it from the countertop.
- Take off the bottom plate of the toaster by unscrewing the screws.
- Locate the blown heater element and disconnect it from the wires.
- Remove the old element, and replace it with the new one.
- Reconnect the wires to the new element.
- Put the bottom plate back on and screw it in place.
- Plugin your toaster and test it out.
If your toaster still isn’t working after replacing the heater element, there may be another issue. I would recommend taking it to a repair shop or buying a new one.