An air fryer may not heat because the basket is not fully seated, cooking has not started or resumed, or the temperature and time are too low for the food. Check those settings first; if the air fryer runs but food stays undercooked, also check the amount of food, airflow and cooking tray.
Choose the model below for the correct controls and parts. If you are unsure which air fryer you have, use Find my model.
What checks apply to every air fryer below?
Before taking out parts for inspection or cleaning, turn cooking off, unplug the air fryer and let it cool completely. Use the handle and insulated oven gloves to handle hot cooking parts; keep your hands and face away from escaping steam, and never touch the heating element to test its temperature.
Is the cooking basket, drawer or Fry Pot too full?
- Remove enough food to leave at least 50 mm of space between the food and the top of the cooking container. Keep food inside the container and away from the heating element.
- Divide a large load into smaller portions instead of pushing food down to fit more in.
- Refit the cooking container, then use your model's start or resume steps below. If the food still cooks poorly, check its time and temperature rather than adding more food.
Is food residue left on the cooking container or tray?
- Once everything is cool and unplugged, remove the Cooking Basket, Cooking Drawer or Fry Pot by its handle. Lift out the removable tray. On this air fryer, use the Crisping Tray's centre handle and take care around its sharp edges.
- Remove food scraps and wash the detached cooking container and tray with soapy water. Wipe the base with a damp cloth. Do not put the base in the dishwasher.
- Dry the cleaned parts fully. Refit the tray securely and level at the bottom, then reinstall the cooking container as described for your model. If residue remains, finish cleaning before cooking again.
Is a removable part cracked, distorted or coming apart?
- Inspect the cool cooking container, its handle and tray before refitting them. A loose front, cracked viewing window or damaged tray is a reason to stop using that part.
- Replace the damaged part with the correct genuine replacement for your model; check replacement cooking parts. Do not force a damaged container into the base or continue cooking with it.
Could there be a fault inside the base?
If liquid has entered the base, the base, cord or plug is damaged, or the air fryer stays cold after the model checks below, stop using it, unplug it only if it is safe to do so, and take your claim, with your receipt, to the place of purchase (the manufacturer warranty is 12 months from the date of purchase). Do not open the base or attempt to repair the heater, wiring or controls; include the full model name, displayed settings and any error message in your request.
What if the problem continues after these checks?
If the base is damaged or liquid has entered it, leave the appliance out of use while you get help.
NutriBullet CrispLite Air Fryer 6L
The NutriBullet CrispLite Air Fryer 6L can stay cold if the Cooking Basket is not fully seated, power is disconnected or the cooking programme has not started.
Is the Cooking Basket fully seated?
- With the air fryer cool and unplugged, remove the Cooking Basket by its handle and check that the 3-in-1 Reversible Grill, Pizza & Crisping Tray is seated securely and level at the bottom.
- Slide the Cooking Basket fully into the Base. The NutriBullet CrispLite Air Fryer 6L will not operate with the Cooking Basket incorrectly installed. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
- If the Cooking Basket will not sit fully inside, check for excess food or a misplaced tray; do not force it closed.
Has cooking actually started, or has the air fryer switched off while idle?
- Plug in the assembled air fryer and press Power. It switches off after five minutes of inactivity with the basket in, or ten minutes with the basket out or cooking paused.
- Press Menu until the desired program flashes, then press Start/Stop to begin. Selecting a program alone does not start cooking.
- After pausing to turn food, put the Cooking Basket securely back in the Base and press Start/Stop again. At the end of a completed cycle, three beeps mean cooking has finished; set a new cooking time if more cooking is needed.
Are the temperature and cooking time suitable for the food?
- Press Temp/Time and use + or − to adjust the temperature. Press Temp/Time again and adjust the time.
- Press Start/Stop to confirm and begin cooking. Check that the displayed settings match what you selected; the controls change time in one-minute steps and temperature in 5°C steps.
- If food is still undercooked, reduce an oversized load and adjust the settings for the recipe. If the air fryer remains completely cold despite an active cooking cycle, follow the base-fault advice above.
Is airflow restricted around the air fryer or by food on the heating element?
- Position the air fryer on a clean, dry, level surface with at least 200 mm clearance for ventilation; keep the rear air outlet uncovered.
- If food particles are on the heating element, first turn off, unplug and cool fully, then remove them with a soft-to-medium bristle brush. Do not use oven cleaner, metal tools or abrasives on the Cooking Basket or tray.
- After cleaning and drying, refit the parts and run the selected cooking program. Use smaller portions if the food obstructs circulation. When the recipe requires turning, pause with Start/Stop, withdraw the basket by its handle, turn the food with a utensil, refit the basket and resume.
NutriBullet XXL Digital Air Fryer 7L
The NutriBullet XXL Digital Air Fryer 7L can stay cold if the Cooking Basket is not flush with the Base or a cooking programme is not running.
Is the Cooking Basket installed correctly?
- Remove the cool Cooking Basket and check that the Crisping Tray sits securely and level in its bottom.
- Return the Cooking Basket to the Base using the handle and push it fully home until its front is flush with the Base. An incorrectly fitted Cooking Basket prevents operation. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
- If it will not seat, remove excess food or refit the tray before trying again; use the damaged-part advice above if the basket is cracked or distorted.
Is the air fryer in standby, paused or at the end of its cycle?
- Check that the plug is connected. After ten idle minutes, press Power to wake the air fryer; the full control panel should appear.
- Press Menu until the program you want flashes, then press Start/Stop. Check the panel's heating and fan indicators rather than assuming a lit display means cooking has begun.
- If you paused to turn food, replace the Cooking Basket securely and press Start/Stop to resume. Extra time may appear while the air fryer compensates for heat lost during the opening.
- Five beeps signal the end of the cooking time. Choose further time if the food needs it; if you cancelled by holding Power, wait for the Power button to reappear after about 30 seconds before selecting a new cycle.
Is the selected temperature too low, or the time too short?
- If cooking is active, press Start/Stop to pause before changing its settings.
- Press Temperature/Time until the temperature reading flashes, then use + to raise a setting that is too low for the recipe. Select the time reading and adjust it with the same buttons.
- Press Start/Stop to resume. Check the displayed values: Dried Fruit defaults to 30°C, so it is not the same setting as a hot frying program.
- If the display and cycle respond but food stays undercooked, check load size and turn the food as the recipe requires.
Is there enough space for hot air to circulate?
- Keep at least 200 mm of ventilation space around the air fryer and leave the rear outlet clear.
- For food that needs turning, press Start/Stop, wait for cooking to pause, withdraw the basket by the handle, turn the food with a utensil, and refit the basket.
- Resume with Start/Stop. If only some pieces remain undercooked, check the food arrangement and portion size rather than repeatedly opening the basket.
NutriBullet Twin Drawer Air Fryer
A drawer of the NutriBullet Twin Drawer Air Fryer may not heat if it is not fitted correctly, the other drawer was selected or its cooking programme has not started.
Are both Cooking Drawers and Crisping Trays fitted properly?
- Remove the cool Cooking Drawers and place each Crisping Tray securely and level in the bottom of its drawer.
- Use the handles to slide the Cooking Drawers fully into the Base. The NutriBullet Twin Drawer Air Fryer will not operate unless the Cooking Drawers are installed correctly. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
- If a drawer is sitting out, check its tray position and food load; do not push against a damaged handle or front.
Have you started the correct drawer?
- Check the power connection. If the controls are asleep after five minutes with no selection, press and hold L, R or SYNC to wake them.
- Press L for the left Cooking Drawer or R for the right one, then press Menu until the desired cooking mode is illuminated. Set each drawer separately if it needs different settings.
- For the same mode in both drawers, press SYNC, then select the mode with Menu. Press Start/Stop to begin; the cooking indicator for the selected drawer should illuminate.
- If only one drawer was programmed, select and start the other drawer using the same sequence.
Did removing a drawer, pausing or finishing the timer stop cooking?
- Removing a Cooking Drawer pauses cooking until that drawer is reinserted. Slide it fully back in.
- If you used Start/Stop to pause before turning food, press it again after replacing the drawer. Holding Start/Stop for three seconds cancels cooking rather than briefly pausing it.
- After the five completion beeps, program another cycle if needed. A cancelled or finished drawer needs a new selection and start command.
Are you adjusting the time and temperature for the right side?
- Select L, R or SYNC first. Press the Time/Temperature Select buttons, then adjust with + or −.
- Check the display for that drawer. Dried Fruit defaults to 50°C and shows time in hours and minutes; other modes show minutes.
- Start cooking if it has not begun. If food is undercooked, use appropriate recipe settings and smaller portions; if the selected drawer does not heat at all, use the shared fault advice.
Are the vents clear, and does the food need turning?
- Allow at least 200 mm of air space for ventilation and keep the air outlets uncovered.
- When turning is needed, pause with Start/Stop, wait for cooking to stop, pull the drawer out by its handle and turn the food with a utensil.
- Refit the drawer securely and resume. Check the recipe's next turning point if large or closely packed pieces are heating unevenly.
NutriBullet CrispLite Vision Air Fryer 8L
The NutriBullet CrispLite Vision Air Fryer 8L can stay cold if its Cooking Basket is not fully seated or cooking has not started; the viewing light switching off after one minute does not itself mean heating has stopped.
Is the Cooking Basket fully home with the tray level?
- Remove the cooled Cooking Basket and check the 3-in-1 Reversible Grill, Pizza & Crisping Tray is securely seated and level at the bottom.
- Slide the Cooking Basket completely into the Base. Incorrect installation prevents the NutriBullet CrispLite Vision Air Fryer 8L from operating. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
- If the basket sits out, check that its tray and food are not obstructing it; replace a damaged part instead of forcing the basket.
Has the program started or resumed after a pause?
- Connect the plug and press Power. The air fryer switches off after five idle minutes with the basket in, or ten minutes with it out or paused.
- Press Menu until your chosen program flashes, then press Start/Stop to cook. If you paused before taking food out, refit the Cooking Basket and press the same button to resume.
- Three beeps mean the set time is complete. If you only need to see the food, press the Light icon; the light is separate from the cooking settings.
Have you selected a low-temperature program or too little cooking time?
- Check the temperature and time displayed. The Dehydrate program starts at 50°C for five hours and will not cook like the Fries program.
- Use Temperature Increase/Decrease to set the recipe's temperature and Time Increase/Decrease to set its cooking time. Changes use 5°C and one-minute increments.
- Start or resume cooking as needed. If a correctly started program leaves the air fryer cold, stop at the shared base-fault advice rather than using a higher setting indefinitely.
Are the air outlet and heating element clear of obstructions?
- Leave at least 200 mm ventilation clearance and keep the rear air outlet uncovered.
- For particles on the heating element, disconnect and cool the air fryer completely, then brush the particles away with a soft-to-medium bristle brush.
- Do not clean the Cooking Basket or tray with abrasive or metal tools or oven cleaner. Reassemble only when the parts are clean and dry; split a large load if heat still cannot circulate around the food. To turn food, pause with Start/Stop, pull out the basket by its handle, use a utensil to turn the pieces, then replace the basket and resume.
NutriBullet CrispLite Dual Stack / Stacked Air Fryer 9L
A waiting basket on the NutriBullet CrispLite Dual Stack / Stacked Air Fryer 9L can be normal when SYNC Finish is selected: the shorter cooking cycle starts later so both baskets finish together.
Are the Cooking Baskets, Crisping Trays and optional Wire Racks correctly fitted?
- With the air fryer cool, remove each Cooking Basket. Seat the Crisping Tray securely and level at the bottom.
- If you use a Wire Rack, insert it after the Crisping Tray, with its handles facing up.
- Slide the Cooking Baskets fully back into the Base. Cooking pauses if a basket is removed; an incorrectly installed basket prevents operation. If a basket will not seat, correct the tray, rack or food position before continuing. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
Have you selected and started the basket you want to cook in?
- Plug the air fryer directly into a suitable wall outlet, without an extension lead, power board or double adaptor. The display lights briefly and enters standby; press Power to switch on.
- Select Upper Basket or Lower Basket; the selected indicator flashes. Choose the cooking program, adjust time and temperature, and press Start/Pause.
- The chosen program stops flashing and remains illuminated once cooking begins. For independent cooking, set each basket separately; for the same settings together, choose Dual Basket, set the parameters, then start.
- If the air fryer has been idle for ten minutes, wake it with Power and make the required selections again.
Is SYNC Finish intentionally delaying one basket?
- Compare the two set cooking times and check whether SYNC is selected.
- When SYNC Finish is in use, allow the shorter-time basket to wait until its scheduled start. That delay is part of the selected function.
- If you want both baskets to start together with identical settings, use Dual Basket mode for the next cycle. If a basket still stays cold when its cooking should be active, use the shared fault advice.
Was cooking paused, completed, or mistaken for the interior light?
- If a basket was pulled out, reinsert it fully. If you pressed Start/Pause to pause, press it again to resume after replacing the basket.
- The interior light turns off after 15 seconds; press the Light icon if you want to view the food again. A shake-reminder beep and flashing indicator do not themselves stop cooking.
- Three beeps at the end of the set time mean the cycle has finished. Choose further cooking time if required.
Are the temperature, time and airflow suitable for the load?
- Select the relevant basket, then use Temp +/− and Time +/− to set the recipe's values. Dehydrate starts at 50°C; check that you have chosen a cooking mode suitable for your food.
- Snap the Cord Wrap/Wall Spacer into place at the back and provide at least 200 mm clearance behind the air fryer, keeping the outlets clear.
- If particles are stuck to the heating element, switch off, unplug and cool fully before removing them with a soft-to-medium bristle brush. Wash the detached Wire Rack along with the tray when residue is present, then dry and refit it handles-up.
- Restart the chosen cycle with Start/Pause. If food cooks unevenly, pause and turn it with a utensil as required, then replace the basket and resume.
Magic Bullet Air Fryer 2.5L
The Magic Bullet Air Fryer 2.5L may not heat if the Fry Pot is not fully seated, the Temperature Dial is unset or the Timer is not running.
Is the power connected and the Fry Pot clicked into place?
- Set both dials to 0, unplug and cool the air fryer before removing the Fry Pot. Check that its Crisping Tray is level and securely seated.
- Return the Fry Pot by its handle until it clicks into place. Its outside must be flush with the Base, not sticking out. NEVER submerge the main unit in water.
- Plug into a wall outlet without an extension cord. If the Fry Pot will not click into position, check the tray and food load; do not force a damaged part.
Have you set the timer correctly, including a short cooking time?
- Turn the Temperature Dial to the setting for the recipe, then turn the Timer clockwise to its cooking time.
- For a time shorter than ten minutes, first turn the Timer clockwise past 10, then turn it back anticlockwise to the required time.
- The right-hand orange light indicates the timer is set and the air fryer is running. When the Timer reaches 0, cooking shuts off automatically; set more time if the food needs further cooking.
Is the green heating light switching off because the temperature has been reached?
- Look at both indicator lights. The left-hand green light shows heating toward the set temperature and turns off when that temperature is reached.
- Check the orange running light and remaining time before treating the green light going out as a fault. If the air fryer stays cold with the dials correctly set, follow the base-fault advice on this page.
Was the air fryer preheated and given enough cooking time?
- Before the next batch, preheat for three minutes at the highest temperature. For this short time, turn the Timer clockwise past 10, then back anticlockwise to 3. Do not run the empty Fry Pot for long periods.
- After preheating, remove the Fry Pot by its handle. Fit the Crisping Tray securely and level, add the food, then return the Fry Pot until it clicks into place and sits flush with the Base.
- Set the Temperature Dial to the recipe's temperature, then set the Timer to the cooking time. Cooking begins when the timer is set.
- If the food remains undercooked, increase a temperature that is too low or allow more cooking time. Larger pieces may need longer than smaller ones.
Is restricted airflow or food left unturned causing cold or unevenly cooked areas?
- Keep at least 250 mm between the air fryer and the wall, with the rear outlet uncovered. Do not force oversized pieces into the Fry Pot; cut them small enough to fit easily.
- For foods such as fries, turn the food halfway through the cooking time. First turn the Timer to 0 and wait for cooking to stop, then remove the Fry Pot by its handle and turn the food with a utensil.
- Click the Fry Pot back into position and set the remaining cooking time. If uneven cooking continues, check for residue on the Fry Pot and Crisping Tray and use the cleaning steps above.
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The full steps for this model are in its user guide: NutriBullet CrispLite Air Fryer 6L user guide (PDF)
The full steps for this model are in its user guide: NutriBullet XXL Digital Air Fryer 7L user guide (PDF)
The full steps for this model are in its user guide: NutriBullet Twin Drawer Air Fryer user guide (PDF)
The full steps for this model are in its user guide: NutriBullet CrispLite Vision Air Fryer 8L user guide (PDF)
The full steps for this model are in its user guide: NutriBullet CrispLite Dual Stack / Stacked Air Fryer 9L user guide (PDF)
The full steps for this model are in its user guide: Magic Bullet Air Fryer 2.5L user guide (PDF)