If you want to know how to fix an electric blanket, let us guide you in three easy steps. It can be frustrating and even scary to notice your electric blanket underperforming. We still recommend getting it checked by someone knowledgeable, but you can potentially use these three steps to diagnose or solve the issue.
How electric blankets get damaged? Because electric blankets consume lower energy than heaters, we often overuse them thinking that it’s okay. You might have also accidentally damaged it during washing and other activities.
How To Fix An Electric Blanket At Home
You can fix an electric blanket at home by simply checking what caused the issue, testing the cable, or using another circuit. However, please always refer to your product’s manual as different blankets vary with recommended troubleshooting. If all else fails, contact the brand’s customer service.
1. Inspect the blanket
Before doing anything, inspect your blanket first because the issue might not be serious. The most common reason why it might not be heating up is a poor connection. Simple unplug your blanket and check all the cords and parts, especially on the control unit.
You can try and open the control unit to see if all the parts inside are intact. The thermostat may also have some loose connections that you can simply screw tightly. And additionally, be mindful if there are objects that are poking out or onto the blanket.
2. Test the cable
Once you have inspected the blanket itself, it’s time to check its cable. You can use a multimeter through the plug and cord to know if the cable has issues or the blanket has short-circuited. The meter must read zero; otherwise, the cord needs replacement if it reads high.
3. Use another circuit
The final potential reason why your blanket does not work is the blowing of the fuse from overheating or even hot spots. If you frequently experience power surges, it can lead to blowing, and you need to put back the fuse in the blanket’s control box. Remember that it’s connected to the blanket’s circuit, so you can solve the issue by putting the blanket on another circuit when you use another wall outlet.
The emphasis is necessary on the understanding that these tests, reasons, and solutions may not work on some electric blanket problems. Perhaps you’ll need to replace the product altogether and never attempt fixing it for your safety. You can also check if the blanket is still under warranty, so you can have it replaced immediately.
Can An Electric Blanket Be Repaired?
Understanding the causes we discussed and doing the suggested action for each one might fix your blanket. However, you must know that part of learning how to fix an electric blanket means you’re open to the possibility of some unrepairable issues. You have to detect the specific cause of why the blanket is broken before attempting to do anything that might further damage it or put you in a dangerous situation.
If you’re unable to repair the blanket according to the brand’s recommendation, it might save you more trouble and time to get a new one instead. But if the issue is from loose connections or damaged wires, here is how you can repair your blanket.
- Unplug the blanket and check for any cable that might be disconnected
- Repair the loose parts accordingly and try plugging the blanket back to see if it will work
- If you’re unsure how to handle the blanket parts or the repair failed, please consult a professional
How Do You Reset An Electric Blanket?
Besides immediate repairs, resetting the blanket is usually enough to have it working again. This practice can solve blinking lights or even blankets that fail to heat up. Different blankets might have a specific resetting procedure, but the general gist is doing this:
- Unplug the blanket from the wall outlet to reset the controller
- The cable between the blanket and controller might also need to be unplugged and plugged back in to get a more secure connection
- You may also need to turn the controller on and off to reset the automatic timer if your blanket has one
- Plug another device to the outlet to know if the circuit breaker for it still has power and didn’t tripped
If these practices didn’t reset your blanket, it’s best to get it repaired by the manufacturer or ask for a replacement.
How Long Should An Electric Blanket Last?
You can expect your electric blanket to last for up to 10 years. However, the blanket itself will mention its expected lifespan, so be sure to replace it once it has reached that number. You can ensure that it will be safe to use within this estimated period without worrying about unsatisfactory performance or electrical and fire hazard risk.
Conclusion
Do not panic if your electric blanket is not heating up or has blinking lights. In this article, we have discussed how to fix an electric blanket at home. Resetting and checking it’s parts and connections will generally solve the issue, but it’s best to adhere to the manual and contact the manufacturer before anything else.