FAQ - Service, Returns & Troubleshooting

Please refer to our Return Policy for instructions on how to return your Vitamix product. If your purchase was made through one of our retail partners, please refer to that store's return policy. 

Although all motors are tested at the Vitamix factory, heavy use will cause further curing of the motor windings in new machines.  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 with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating.  If the motor should overheat, it may emit a burning smell.  

If this occurs, turn the power off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.  Reset time will be extended if high room temperarutes exist.  To reduce the reset time, remove the container, unplug the machine, and use a hair dryer on the cool setting to  blow air into the center section of the bottom of the motor base.

The grinding sound may indicate that the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down.  Please contact customer service to troubleshoot this problem.

The high-pitched sound may indicate that the blade bearing assembly is starting to break down.  Please contact customer service to troubleshoot this problem.

The Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating.  If the motor overheats:

Turn the power off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.  Reset time will be extended if high room temperarutes exist.  To reduce the reset time, remove the container, unplug the machine, and use a hair dryer on the cool setting to  blow air into the center section of the bottom of the motor base.

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

The Vitamix motor is designed with Automatic Overload Protection to protect itself from overheating.  If the motor overheats:

Turn the power off for up to 45 minutes, allowing the machine to cool down or reset.  Reset time will be extended if high room temperarutes exist.  To reduce the reset time, remove the container, unplug the machine, and use a hair dryer on the cool setting to   blow air into the center section of the bottom of the motor base.    

If you are still unable to start your machine, please contact customer service.

Check Your Speed
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
When following Vitamix recipes, be sure to place ingredients into the container in the order listed.  If using your own recipe, follow this order for full-size containers: liquid ingredients first (water, juice, yogurt), followed by softer ingredients (tofu), then juicier fruits and vegetables (grapes, cucumbers), firmer fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots), frozen ingredients (frozen berries), and finally ice.  Dry ingredients like protein powders 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).  The drive socket should be well-attached, but able to spin freely.  If the drive socket is cracked, solidly attached and unable to move, or easily removed, contact customer service.

The container will slightly move on the motor 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.  Please contact customer service.

Grease on or around the machine may indicate an overfilled bearing, or that the blade bearing assembly seal is starting to break down.  If the problem persists, please contact customer service.

The blades in Vitamix containers never need to be sharpened. They are hammermill blades designed to pulverize, not slice. If you feel your blend quality has changed, there could be a different problem with your machine. Please contact customer service.