My air fryer stopped heating up — what should I do?
Home Nura guide — category: Air Fryers
Diagnosis
An air fryer that stops heating usually has a power problem, a basket that isn't latched or a tripped thermal cutoff. If the fan runs but the air stays cold, the heating element or its thermal fuse is the most likely culprit.
Possible causes
- Basket not fully latched — a safety switch cuts the heat until the drawer is pushed all the way in.
- Faulty outlet or extension cord — the air fryer barely powers on, or not at all, on a worn or overloaded power strip.
- Thermal cutoff tripped — after overheating caused by grease buildup or blocked vents, the safety fuse shuts off the heat.
- Failed heating element or temperature sensor — the fan spins and the display lights up, but the air stays cool or only lukewarm.
What to do
- 1Unplug the air fryer, let it cool, then plug it straight into a wall outlet you've checked with another appliance, with no extension cord.
- 2Take the drawer out and slide it back in firmly until it clicks, making sure no crumbs are jamming the closing switch.
- 3Clean the bottom of the drawer, the crisper plate and the air vents, because built-up grease can trip the thermal protection.
- 4Leave the air fryer unplugged for an hour so any protection can reset, then run it empty at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
- 5If the fan runs but the air stays cold, stop there: don't open the housing, and contact the retailer or manufacturer about the warranty.
Repair or replace?
If the heating element or thermal fuse has failed and the air fryer is out of warranty, the repair often costs more than a new model. Replace it too if the cord is damaged, the housing gets abnormally hot or you notice a burning smell.
If you're replacing it
Air Fryers: the picks from our buying guide
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Best overall
Philips Airfryer Combi XXL Connected - 8.3L
8.8 qt (8.3 L), 22 cooking functions, a built-in temperature probe and the HomeID app, which sends recipe settings straight to the appliance.
Photo: © Philips
- View on Amazon →
Best value
Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L
An entry-level price point, the Xiaomi Home app with 100+ recipes, 24-hour delay start, a viewing window and Google Assistant support.
Photo: © Xiaomi
- View on Amazon →
Best for a family of four
Cosori Dual Blaze Smart Air Fryer - 6.4L
Dual heating elements for even cooking, 6.8 qt (6.4 L) for 4 to 6 people, the VeSync app and Alexa or Google voice control.
Photo: © Cosori
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Other common problems in this category
These issues affect the same type of appliance — each one comes with a diagnosis and the steps to take.
Frequently asked questions
Check the manufacturer's warranty first: how long it lasts and what it covers vary by brand and model, so read the terms for yours and keep your proof of purchase. If you bought it new in the EU, a two-year legal guarantee also applies (Directive (EU) 2019/771), covering defects present at delivery, whenever they first show up.
If you're still within the seller's return window, a return or exchange is usually the fastest fix. After that, go through the manufacturer's support team: it handles warranty claims and can often repair the unit even after the warranty has run out. Either way, keep your proof of purchase.
Our public methodology lowers the Nura Score /10 of any model in our Air Fryers guide whose recurring failures show up in owner reviews. A model that breaks down too often never makes it to the top, whatever the brand.
Generally, yes, if you stick to routine maintenance: cleaning, replacing a gasket, recalibrating. Irreversible changes to the hardware are what can cause problems, so read your warranty terms before you open anything up. Anything the manufacturer's manual walks you through is the safe zone.
Your proof of purchase, the exact model name and a record of the symptom: photos, a short video, the sound it makes and any error code. Note when the problem started and what you've already tried. With all that in hand, support can pin down the problem much faster.