Why won't my toaster stay down?

The carriage is held down by an electromagnet, so if it will not latch, the magnet is not getting or holding power. Common causes are a dirty contact, a failed solenoid coil, or mechanical misalignment of the latch — and this is also why a toaster always releases in a power cut.

Why it happens

Pushing the lever down does two things: it compresses a spring and it brings a steel keeper against an electromagnet. Current through the coil holds the keeper, and therefore the toast, in place. Cutting the current — by the timer, by the cancel button, or by the power going out — drops the latch and the spring pops the carriage.

That design is deliberately fail-safe. It also means the fault is almost always electrical rather than a broken spring, which is what most people assume.

Crumb build-up is a frequent contributor. Debris on the contacts or in the latch path prevents either the electrical connection or the mechanical engagement from completing.

What to do about it

1. 1Unplug the toaster, empty the crumb tray, and turn it upside down over a bin to clear what the tray does not catch.
2. 2Check that the carriage travels fully to the bottom of its slot without catching. A bent lever or a warped rack will stop it reaching the magnet.
3. 3If it still will not latch, the solenoid or its contacts have failed. Most toasters are riveted or use security screws, so this is usually where repair stops being practical.