Magic Bullet NutriBullet Activator Replacement

Written By: Angela Wong
  • Comments: 63
Magic Bullet NutriBullet Activator Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

15

Time Required

10 minutes

Introduction

The top of the NutriBullet powerbase contains activator switches that are depressed when the blender jar is placed onto the base. When all of the switches are depressed the blender is activated. Depending on the specific model number there may be two (NB-101B) or three (NB-301) activator switches.

This replacement guide will provide instructions on how to replace these activators on a model with 3 switches, but the steps should be reasonably similar on different models.

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    • Unplug the device from the wall and turn the powerbase upside down.

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    • Use a #2 Phillips Head Screwdriver to unscrew the four 10 mm screws located on the bottom of the power base.

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    • Use slight tension to remove the plastic base from the NutriBullet once all of the screws are removed.

    • When reassembling, note the fan located in the center of the powerbase. Make sure the cord does not get caught or frayed by the fan.

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    • Lift the power cord to remove it from the side slot on the curved base.

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    • Use a #2 Phillips Head Screwdriver to remove the two 10 mm screws that secure the white bracket down.

    • The white safety bracket holds the cord down. After removing it, the cord will be loosened.

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    • Use a #2 Phillips Head Screwdriver to remove the three 10mm screws that keep the base in place.

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    • Use slight tension to remove the curved base by lifting it upward off of the outside casing.

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    • Wiggle the outside casing upward until it separates from the powerbase.

    • Hold the ring at the bottom of the powerbase to receive a better grip.

    I used my Nutribullet no more than 15 times, or maybe 20, and only for making smoothies, with almond milk, chunks of fruit, and some ground flax. I never ran the motor for more than 30-40 seconds at a time (even though the one-minute limit was nowhere to be found among the instructions. It just gave out on me. I realize now that it was made to give out after a couple of dozen uses. Now it goes to landfill. I will never again buy ANYTHING at Bed Bath & Beyond. They are in business to sell overpriced schlock.

    Judy Mellow -

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    • Place the NutriBullet powerbase on the table so that the three rubber screw covers are visible along the bottom of the well. Remove the covers using either tweezers or your fingers.

    And this is where the built in obsolescence can be found! If you have to dismantle the activators, be very careful to use a straight Phillips screwdriver vertically as any angled pressure is likely to break the plastic mouldings that the screws fit into and then you run into the usual problem of finding a glue, that welds plastic. - that will still hold when you tighten the screws against the spring. I’ve posted here as well as on stage 12 so you can be aware of the problem. Wish I’d waited to clean the spill until I got to this stage ….

    Linda Daker -

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    • Remove the three 15mm screws with the Philips Head 2 Screwdriver.

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    • Turn the NutriBullet powerbase upside down and remove the plastic casing by lifting it up. You may have to wiggle the casing in order to break away any hardened material.

    In that step on my case, because of leaks it sticked to the base. I had to use a bit more force and I rotated left right until it loosed a bit. I think some kind of alcohol can help as well.

    Bartosz Kolada -

    I had trouble separating the plastic and the motor assembly as they were stuck with spilt liquid.

    Some alcohol and some persistent gentle persuasion got them apart for me.

    Matthew Beaver -

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    • Determine which activator(s) fail to work by applying pressure to them. Then, remove the two 15mm screws that hold the activators in place by using the Philips Head 2 screwdriver.

    • Only two of the three activator tabs have green micro switches that actually turn on the motor. Use a circuit tester on the power chord and press the two micro switches simultaneously to see if they complete the circuit. If not, one or both need to be replaced.

    Where do I find the parts?

    Maria Elena Castillo -

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    • Using slight tension, pull the loose activator from the slot.

    • The white plastic activator should fall out and they can now be replaced.

    I'm missing one of the 3 activators. How can it be replaced? Called customer care and was told they do not sell the activator caps and I would have to buy the entire motor base for $50. I just need one little plastic activator! Any suggestions?

    reneemccown -

    That does not make me feel confident. One of my activators stopped working, so I can't even push the container on to activate it. not happy with maybe having to buy the whole machine again.

    the_journeyman333 -

    One activator stopped working and I can’t blend. This happened to mine and I didn’t use it that much. I won’t buy another one. Thanks.

    regina cross -

    Has anyone been able to buy an activator in the UK? if so where can I get one?

    iva -

    You may wish to take note of the way that some of the pieces are aligned during dis-assembly to make re-assembly easier. Two items in particular: the two plastic sleeves have to be replaced in such a way that the air vents are aligned and the base needs to be oriented in a way that allows for the securing of the power cable so that it is out of the fan’s way. Thanks!

    M Rethazi -

    A simple cleaning of the activators with hot water may fix the problem of activators blocked !

    Frederic Houlez -

    I was very optimistic when I found these detailed instructions to repair the activators. Very clear and easy to follow, but alas… See the three plastic nubs that the activator attaches to with the two screws? They seem to be very weak spots. One of mine snapped off, and once that happens, I’m not sure there is any solution. Any ideas? A potential waste of a good motor. I wonder if this is a “designed to fail” kind of thing.

    Gis -

    I have the same problem. Did you manage to fix it? It yes, how?

    roangel17 -

    To everyone who is looking a replacement activator (the small green part), I was able to REPAIR the activator itself. Once you take off the green component (after step #13), you can actually open up the green component. The small metal tab will fall out, so don’t lose it, you will put it back in later. The small black button may also fall out, so don’t lose that either. The problem in my case was that the switch was stuck. I used a small screwdriver to wiggle the little metal piece inside until it snapped back into place. When you depress the internal metal piece, it should make a “clicking” noise, and the metal tab should connect the circuit (red wire to black wire). Once that is working again you can reassemble it carefully and make sure you still hear the clicking noise.

    Not sure if this link will work or not but I took a photo https://photos.app.goo.gl/kj5Cdz13cE4yQC...

    If you read the label on the component you can find replacement, mine said “donghai kw4-3z-3a”. https://www.ebay.com/itm/392605448299

    Caleb Gruber -

    One of my green switches (micro-switch) had frozen stuck and wasn’t clicking (switching). I was about to pry it apart when I thought, why not try to just force it, see if it frees up? It did. I pressed down on the metal tab with my finger, levering down on that little black button. After trying that about 3 or 4 times it freed up and returned to its original state (where it clicks like its supposed to).

    Try this before either giving up or committing to prying it open.

    dbay -

    Necesito reemplazar la parte (no sé cómo se llama) que sostiene el motor con 3 tornillos y que también es la guía de los activadores, alguien que me allude con el nombre de la pieza y/o donde comprarla, gracias

    cargaeta -

    And this is where the built in obsolescence can be found! If you have to dismantle the activators, be very careful to use a straight Phillips screwdriver vertically as any angled pressure is likely to break the plastic mouldings that the screws fit into and then you run into the usual problem of finding a glue, that welds plastic. - that will still hold when you tighten the screws against the spring.

    Linda Daker -

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    • Open up the green switch. The metal tab and black button will fall out. Fiddle around with the metal switch on the inside to snap it back into place and then reassemble carefully. It should make a clicking noise.

    Great help thanks

    Michael Doheny -

    • Before reassembling, you should clean up any material that has accumulated on the various parts. Be sure to keep water away from the motor, switches and other electrical components.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Angela Wong

Member since: 22/01/15

1126 Reputation

45 comments

Seems to be almost complete info, however, where and how do I get the replacement parts?

Thank you!

Love&Peace!

Glow

Glow Wo -

Could you please let me know where I might be able to obtain replacement activators? Mind broke when cleaning the machine.

Ron -

Thank you. I would have went nuts looking for the screw under the rubber pieces. Would have probably destroyed the whole machine.

Joe Bailey -

Thanks for the demonstration!

D S Jones -

Perfect! Nice little machine that can still be serviced, unlike most of what is made today.

cward6681 -

Thank you for this guide! So happy to have fixed it myself and gave my bullet a nice cleaning in the process :)

hanna.parka -

Excellent guide - thanks. Our nutribullet was incredibly stiff and hard to operate... taking it apart allowed me to properly clean it and now it works perfectly.

NOTE: be careful when reassembling as there is a specific orientation of the outer casing. Refer back to the position of the plug housing in step 1. I assumed the housing could go on any way and had to take it apart again.

Matt McCourty -

Thank you! I was able to fix the activator, with was stuck on all of the filth inside. They really should improve these blenders, so the smoothies do not drip and collect in the motor and everything else. It works great now, but what a disgusting experience... I plugged the little draining hole up. Eew

tcaraujo6 -

An easier solution is to turn the bullet upside down in a shallow bowl of boiling water. This will release the gunk in the activators. Do this until the activators are unstuck.

This is likely a stopgap solution but I prefer it!

Karen -

Note that in most case actuator replacement is not required, they jam due to liquids dropping into them (a pretty poor design if you ask me). Upside down into shallow hot water, or even a small shot of WD 40 will do the job. Fix the actuators otherwise you will break the tabs on the recipients.

Robert Courteau -

Hi, in my case the base of the activator is the one that broke which as a consequence i will have to change the complete activator.

Does anyone knows where can I buy the activators?

Ed David -

One piece of advice: Take a sharpie pen and match-mark each piece to the one it mates with as you disassemble the unit so you can put the pieces back in the same orientation. Orientation matters for the power cord to end up in the right spot relative to the bracket that secures the wires. Also take a photo of the wires before taking the bracket apart so you can remind yourself of how they went. That is not shown too well in the photos included in the instructions above.

Douglas Adams -

I was nearly in tears after my intense workout then being unable to make my smoothie for breakfast this morning!! The hot water worked perfectly!!

Debi Jattan -

Excellent explanation, thanks. I had tried cleaning and lubricating the activators without luck. This process cleared the blockage and it now works.

de_bouchi -

A+! Thanks. Your directions and the comments were spot on. Where do I get a badge?

keltonj -

When I called Nutribullet they said they do not sell the actuator part.

Debra -

I am still struggling to find an activator in the UK -can someone help me with a supplier’s telephone no or address

iva -

Just for information: My Nutibullet only had two actuators - the third one was a dummy with no switch on it. The problem I had was that the plastic holder for one of the actuators had broken so the whole assembly was moving and therefore not switching. The assembly was reattached securely using a slightly thicker and longer self tapping screw sand washers plus a couple of strategically positioned tie wraps for additional support. Really badly designed actuator holders with a couple of weak points and screws that only just engage so don’t overtighten the screws or they will just pop out of the holes they screw into. Not sure how long the repair will last or how long it will be before the second actuator holder fails. Invaluable advice above to take photos of the inside whilst dismatling and the mark the pieces to help alignment when reassembling.

Tony Czapp -

I took the risk and gently tightened the activator switch housing screw so that it was now flush with the base it connects to and not moving, but I agree, it’s only a matter of time before I will have to be more “creative” to keep the activator switch in place

Alex Molina -

Can you make one with Nutri Bullet Select 10 Piece 1000W N9C-0907 ?

Olas cu -

Thank You,  I would like to know where can I get Activators to replace them ?

carlos Isaziga -

Were you be able to find activators?

sapna bajaj -

The explanation is very good… However I am unable to find a supplier for the actuator … Thus ultimately not useful to know how it CAN be done …disappointed.

Andrew Watts -

Thank you! I was able to bring our NutriBullet back from the dead with your repair guide! As it turned out, one of the gray plastic clips that hold the actuators and switches had cracked, allowing the white pin that activates the microswitch to drift to the side. I was able to repair the little cracked tube that the white pin rides up and down by cleaning the crack with alcohol and gluing with superglue. The NutriBullet works like new again, with no need to add additional pressure to keep it going. Hopefully it will last a while longer.

randy3833 -

To everyone who is looking a replacement activator (the small green part), I was able to REPAIR the activator itself. Once you take off the green component (after step #13), you can actually open up the green component. The small metal tab will fall out, so don’t lose it, you will put it back in later. The small black button may also fall out, so don’t lose that either. The problem in my case was that the switch was stuck. I used a small screwdriver to wiggle the little metal piece inside until it snapped back into place. When you depress the internal metal piece, it should make a “clicking” noise, and the metal tab should connect the circuit (red wire to black wire). Once that is working again you can reassemble it carefully and make sure you still hear the clicking noise.

Not sure if this link will work or not but I took a photo https://photos.app.goo.gl/kj5Cdz13cE4yQC...

If you read the label on the component you can find replacement, mine said “donghai kw4-3z-3a”. https://www.ebay.com/itm/392605448299

Caleb Gruber -

Great little guide! My bullet is back to it old self. Thank you for being there for me.

John Ternes -

this worked for me thx!

robertobruin -

I used this guide to re assemble after I took the nuribullet apart - I'm well pleased. In the past, after disassembling things, I’d normally end up with at least one screw left over and wondering where it was supposed to go. Thank you for the

victor spence -

I have the older Bullet but I followed these disassembly instructions and it was fairly similar. Mine was similarly full of smoothie gunk and once I cleaned it all out, it worked just fine!

Vicki Rudenick -

I want to thank you for supplying the disassembly pics and instructions. I posted a comment a new section to the trouble shooting guide. In my case my eldest son used our Nutribullet in a non-pulsed way and appeared to have burned out the motor. I used your diagrams to disassemble and then - having had some experience with these issues in the past, assumed that the heat sensor had failed. Was quite frustrated when replacing this component did not fix the unit. Perseverance and some electric motor DIY channel browsing - caused me to investigate the brushes and commutator - this was the problem and a relatively easy fix as the unit was still disassembled.

Bob Magee -

This is a great tutorial. One word of caution, pay close attention to how the red electric cables route past the fan protector when you are taking the machine apart. There are essentially 3 ways the machine can be reassembled, but only one of these results in the cables routing past this protector properly. But very helpful and worked a treat.

Donal O'Sullivan -

Thank you very much for your post , my beloved Nutri Bullet has a new lease of life. I followed your instructions and now my machine works perfectly. Simple effective solution and considering I was about to get rid off it.

I no longer have to apply all my strength to push down to activate.

Thank you.

hema vaghjiani -

I'm looking for the motor mounts, all 3 broke??? They are made of plastic inside???

Shabago Ben -

I'm looking for the 3 motor mounts all 3 broke, they have plastic nipples inside of the rubber brackets.

Shabago Ben -

Thank you so so so so much! This has saved our Nutribullet! Clear instructions , great illustataive photos! 100%

Hanna Szabó -

Thank you for these instructions! One of the white plastic activators was totally jammed. I thought a little of my smoothie got down in there when it leaked a few times and gunked it up. Sure enough, I took it apart, washed the white plastic pieces and it works great once again. I could not have done it without your awesome instructions.

Donna Britton -

I need this part motor

grijalvam -

On my Nutribullet I had a similar issue (mixing did not start)... root cause was a broken off plastic nose on the cup. So one of the three Switches was not actuated - so the safety mechanism worked and the Motor did not start. Just changed to one of the other cups now until my spare part cup will arrive ;-)

Rudolf Rittenbacher -

Green switch fix did the job

David Rowe -

Dozen people have asked where to get the %#*@ part, the actuator/activator. No replies!!!

Part no available for purchase????

Jean Pierre -

Part number for activator? Lot's of people are asking.

Patrick Barrett -

Fabulous guide. Unfortunately once open discovered the plastic casing for a screen had broken which I don’t think I can fix with superglue 🙁 But thanks for helping me take it a part to figure it out.

gnikora -

Someone needs to print the plastic parts on their 3d printer. Ive jumped one switch, and Im down to one lug to screw into. Next I will eliminate the internal switches and put a switch on the cord.

Vince T -

I had a broken plastic casing that houses one of my actuator springs. Not sure how to go about remedying that on my own. I already know that I can't buy replacement parts, but maybe a dollop of crazy glue to fill the small hole will solve my problem. Any ideas?

SeattlesFinest -