Is your crockpot not turning on or not working? A few days ago, I was making dinner, but I realized my crockpot was not working. I had already put all the ingredients in and turned it on. But after a few minutes, I was pretty clear it wouldn’t turn on.
A slow cooker won’t turn on can be a considerable inconvenience. Whether trying to make a quick and easy meal or trying to cook for a large group of people, a not working crock pot can ruin your plans.
Can you fix it? Yes, fortunately, I fixed it! There are some reasons which might be to blame. However, you can do a few things to troubleshoot a crock pot not working.
Let’s find out more regarding this issue!
Crock Pot Won’t Turning On: 5 Simple Ways To Fix
Has your crock pot stopped working? Don’t panic! It is a common problem, and the problem can be easily fixed. In most cases, the issue is with the heating element. You can have your crock pot working again with a few tools and a little time.
I understand the temptation to open the device and search for the issue. But hold off for the time being. When your crockpot or slow cooker stopped doing its job, it might be because of the following:
- Inadequate power source;
- A broken plug, a broken switch;
- A burnt out the circuit breaker;
- The heating element is broken;
- The circuit board has burned out;

1# Inadequate Power Source
When your crock pot isn’t working, it might be due to an inadequate power source. First, check to see if your crock pot is plugged into a surge protector. If it is, plug it directly into the wall outlet.
If this doesn’t work, check to see if the outlet is getting power by plugging in another appliance. Resetting the circuit breaker or replacing the fuse may be required if the plug-in device is not receiving electricity.
The same goes for if the cord is damaged. If you’re using an extension cord, make sure it’s one it’s rated for crock pots. If none of these is the problem, then it’s likely an issue with the crock pot itself, and you should contact the manufacturer.
2# A Broken Plug, or Switch
If the KitchenAid slow cooker won’t turn on, check the plug to see if it is loose or damaged. If the plug looks fine, check the switch to see if it is turned off or broken.
You should check the next step in the power supply chain after determining the wall outlet is not at fault. The cable supplies electricity to your device.
There should be no cause to doubt the durability of the cables used to plug in electronics and appliances in the house to the wall outlet. But alas, unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Careless treatment, such as keeping it twisted or pressed up against a wall, will ultimately harm your equipment, but I’m not implying the normal usage would do so.
Depending on the extent of the impairment, your appliance may not power on at all, or it may only operate sometimes. The second is significantly riskier since it might lead to a circuit short and damage your electronics.
In this case, if you have an extra wire sitting around, you may do some testing. First, ensure the replacement has the same power and amps as the faulty unit.
If you’re not quite fortunate and have to purchase a new one, don’t worry; you can get a new one at any online platform for around $20.
3# A Burnt Out Circuit Breaker
If your crock pot isn’t working, it might be because the circuit breaker is burnt out. To fix this, you’ll need to replace the circuit breaker. Here’s how to do it:
- Unplug the crock pot from the outlet.
- Remove the lid of the crock pot.
- Locate the circuit breaker on the side of the unit. It will likely be a small, black switch.
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the circuit breaker from its mounting.
- Pull out the old circuit breaker and insert a new one. You need to ensure it is tight and secure before continuing.
- Replace the lid on the crock pot and plug it back into the outlet.
4# The Heating Element Is Broken
The heating element heats the food in the crock pot, so it will only get hot if it works. You can do a few things to check if the heating element is broken.
- First, check to see if the heating element is getting power. If it’s not, you’ll need to replace the heating element.
- If the heating element is getting power but not heating up, it’s probably broken, and you’ll need to replace it.
- Finally, if electricity is being supplied and the heating element is beginning to heat up before turning off, the thermostat is likely faulty and has to be replaced as well.
There are two possible outcomes when your heating element stops working. First, a crock pot might either fail to produce heat or produce too much for its intended use.
The latter is considerably more of a problem, so if you ever see any signs of overheating on your appliance, turn it off immediately.
The solution is to disassemble the device described in step three and then look for the heating element. In addition, this element is often shaped like a significant metal spiral and may be found in most crock pots. Retest for continuity and replace if required.
5# The Circuit Board has Burned Out
A crock pot may not work if the circuit board has burned out. Moreover, this can happen if the crock pot is left on too long or is used too frequently. If the circuit board burns out, the crock pot will not be able to heat up properly and will not work correctly.
Therefore, if your crock pot is not working, check the circuit board for any signs of burning. In the worst case, a burnt circuit board might cause irreparable harm. The likelihood of a burned circuit board is last but not least.
As I’ve already explained, your crock pot has several safeguards to avoid this from occurring, so it doesn’t happen as often as you may expect. In addition, many other parts in your home, such as the thermostat and fuse box, protect this one.
However, there have been cases of sudden power so severe. Plus, the circuit board was fried even after the fuses blew. As at really high temperatures, the same logic applies.
If you’ve tried everything I listed above and your crock pot still won’t turn on or function, this is probably the problem.
Two solutions exist, depending on your current warranty coverage and status.
- If your appliance breaks down while your warranty is still active, you may contact the manufacturer and arrange to repair it. You should be able to have it fixed for free if the damage happened during regular use unless their policy specifies otherwise.
- However, if your warranty expires, you’ll have to consider the expense of repairs against the cost of a replacement. Cheaper models are not worth mending. Thus it’s advisable to replace them.
Common Crockpot or Slow Cookers Problems
Cooking using a crock pot might save time and effort in the kitchen, but there are a few issues often arise. Here are some of the most common crock pot problems and how to fix them.
One common issue is when the food needs to be cooked evenly. If you mix the ingredients from time to time, you may prevent the issue and make sure they are all equally distributed.
Another problem is if the food starts sticking to the sides or bottom of the pot. And it can be avoided by adding a bit of oil or butter to the crock pot before adding the ingredients.
Finally, one last problem that can sometimes happen is: the food can come out too dry. You can fix this problem by adding more liquid to the pot or reducing cooking time.
What to Do If Crock Pot Not Cooking Food Evenly
When your crock pot isn’t cooking food evenly, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
- First, check to see if the crock pot is level. If it’s not, then it could be why the food isn’t cooking evenly. Try adjusting it, so it is level and see if it is making a difference.
- Another thing you can try is to rotate the food inside the crock pot. Additionally, this will aid in cooking the food uniformly by exposing all sides to the flame.
- If neither of these solutions works, you may need a new crock pot. Sometimes, they don’t last forever and will need to be replaced eventually.
What To Do If A Crockpot Shuts Off Prematurely?
If your crockpot shuts off, don’t panic! It is usually caused by a build-up of heat and is easily fixed. Just turn off the crockpot or slow cooker and unplug it from the outlet. Then, let it cool down for about 10 minutes before plugging it back in and turning it on.
If your crock pot is shutting off prematurely, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue.
- First, check to see if the crock pot is level. If it’s not, then it could be why the food isn’t cooking evenly. Try adjusting it, so it is level and see if it is making a difference.
- Second, check the lid is fitting snugly on the pot. A loose cover can also cause premature shut-offs.
- Finally, ensure the power cord is plugged in securely. If none of these solutions work, you may need to replace your crock pot.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Well, here I am presenting you with a FAQ section. I could answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the crockpot won’t turn on or not working! Let’s dive deep into it!
Yes, but not recommended. However, it is important to ensure that the crock pot will not damage the car’s electrical system. Also, the crockpot must be placed in a well-ventilated area to prevent any fire hazards.
When your crock pot isn’t working correctly, you may need to reset it. To do this, unplug the crockpot and then plug it back in. You may also need to press the reset button, which is usually located on the bottom of the pot.
You may check to see whether yours is functional by testing it. First, fill the crock pot about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way with tap water is room temperature. Please keep it low for eight hours, then test it with a temperature probe. Ideally, the thermostat would show 185 degrees.
The thermal fuse should be checked to see if the heat source in the crock pot is working, but the cooker won’t heat up. And it is because when your appliance’s core temperature exceeds the thermally fused set point, the power is automatically cut off. Moreover, this is a crucial fire-prevention measure for the device.
Final Words
When your crockpot is not working or won’t turn on, it could be due to a few different reasons. These include a faulty heating element, too thick food, or a clogged vent. Luckily, most of these problems can be fixed relatively easily.
It can be very frustrating if your crock pot won’t turn on when you want to make your dinner; please don’t panic! Instead, troubleshoot the problem, and you’ll have dinner ready in no time.
You can follow the common problem and easy fix highlighted in this article; you’ll be having a blast with your crock pot in no time. So get out there and enjoy your crock pot cooking!