FAQ - Troubleshooting

Yes, it is normal for this to happen as the coupling is aligning with the drive socket.  

The container will slightly move on the base when the machine is turned on. But if your motor base is wobbling on the countertop, there is an issue with your drive socket, or the rubber feet on the bottom of the machine, and we recommend that you contact Customer Service.

Although all motors are tested at the Vitamix® factory, heavy use will cause further curing of the motor windings. This curing gives off a burning smell and is typical for wound motors. This smell will quickly dissipate after a few heavy uses.

In addition, the Vitamix motor is designed to protect itself from overheating and can turn itself off to prevent burnout. If this occurs, turn the power switch off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down. After 45 minutes, press the Reset switch on the bottom of the motor base to reset the motor. Below are some tips to prevent the machine from overheating when processing thick mixtures:

Check Your Speed

When starting the machine, make sure the switch on the left is down and the Variable Speed Dial is turned to 1. Turn the machine on, turn the Variable Speed Dial from 1 to 10, and flip the switch to High within five seconds. The Vitamix® machine performs best on High speed to pulverize food and process thick mixtures.

Check Your Quantity

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice, or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients

Place ingredients into the container in the order listed in your Vitamix® recipe. If working with your own recipe, start with the most liquid ingredients first (water, juice), followed by softer ingredients (tofu, yogurt), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. If you use protein powders, they should follow the ice.

Use the Tamper

If ingredients are not freely circulating, the tamper can be used to improve the flow of food. While the machine is running and with the lid firmly in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and hold it in one of the corners of the container. As the food travels around the side of the container, the tamper directs it right into the blades. If there is an air pocket around the blade, the tamper will release the air pocket and create a continuous flow of food through the blades.

This may indicate an overfilled bearing or that the blade bearing assembly seal is starting to break down. If the problem persists or if grease is found on the counter, contact Customer Service.

The grinding sound may indicate the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down.  We suggest you contact Customer Service to troubleshoot this problem.

The high-pitched sound may be indicating that the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down.  We suggest you contact Customer Service to troubleshoot the problem you are experiencing.

Your Vitamix® motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to prevent it from overheating. If the motor shuts off, follow these instructions:

Turn off the power switch for up to 45 minutes to reset. Reset time will be extended if high room temperatures exist. To reduce the reset time, unplug the machine, remove the container, and blow air into the centre section of the bottom with a hair dryer on the cool setting.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact Customer Service. The Vitamix motor is designed to protect itself from overheating and can turn itself off to prevent burnout. If this occurs, turn the power switch off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down. After 45 minutes, press the Reset switch on the bottom of the motor base to reset the motor. Below are some tips to prevent the machine from overheating when processing thick mixtures:

Check Your Speed

When starting the machine, make sure the switch on the left is down and the Variable Speed Dial is turned to 1. Turn the machine on, turn the Variable Speed Dial from 1 to 10, and flip the switch to High within five seconds. The Vitamix® machine performs best on High speed to pulverize food and process thick mixtures.

Check Your Quantity

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice, or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients

Place ingredients into the container in the order listed in your Vitamix® recipe. If working with your own recipe, start with the most liquid ingredients first (water, juice), followed by softer ingredients (tofu, yogurt), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. If you use protein powders, they should follow the ice.

Use the Tamper

If ingredients are not freely circulating, the tamper can be used to improve the flow of food. While the machine is running and with the lid firmly in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and hold it in one of the corners of the container. As the food travels around the side of the container, the tamper directs it right into the blades. If there is an air pocket around the blade, the tamper will release the air pocket and create a continuous flow of food through the blades.

The Vitamix motor is designed to protect itself from overheating and can turn itself off to prevent burnout. If this occurs, turn the power switch off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down. After 45 minutes, press the Reset switch on the bottom of the motor base to reset the motor. Below are some tips to prevent the machine from overheating when processing thick mixtures. If these suggestions do not improve the performance of your machine, please contact Customer Service.

Check Your Speed

When starting the machine, make sure the switch on the left is down and the Variable Speed Dial is turned to 1. Turn the machine on, turn the Variable Speed Dial from 1 to 10, and flip the switch to High within five seconds. The Vitamix machine performs best on High speed to pulverize food and process thick mixtures.

Check Your Quantity

Processing cooked potatoes, cooked rice, or cooked beans creates a heavier than normal load on the machine. You may want to consider reducing the food quantity placed in the container by half (depending on how much food you started with) and possibly adding a bit of liquid.

Follow Order of Ingredients

Place ingredients into the container in the order listed in your Vitamix recipe. If working with your own recipe, start with the most liquid ingredients first (water, juice), followed by softer ingredients (tofu, yogurt), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice. If you use protein powders, they should follow the ice.

Use the Tamper

If ingredients are not freely circulating, the tamper can be used to improve the flow of food. While the machine is running and with the lid firmly in place, insert the tamper through the lid plug opening and hold it in one of the corners of the container. As the food travels around the side of the container, the tamper directs it right into the blades. If there is an air pocket around the blade, the tamper will release the air pocket and create a continuous flow of food through the blades.

If you notice your motor is no longer turning the blades, you should unplug the machine, remove the container from the motor base, and look at the drive socket (the plastic circle surrounding the metal coupling where the container meets the base). If the drive socket is cracked, solidly attached and unable to move, or easily removed, contact Customer Service.