Thermomix® error codes: meaning and fix
A message on the display doesn’t mean your machine is broken. Here is what each code means according to Vorwerk and what you can do yourself.
In short
The same number often means something different on the TM5 and the TM6. Many messages disappear once you clean the contact pins on the bowl, let the machine cool down or restart it. A repair is usually only needed if the message keeps coming back.
What to do with any message
- Read the display. The TM6 and TM5 usually show a text with the next step next to the number. Follow it first.
- Restart. Switch the machine off, wait a minute and switch it on again. That clears many messages.
- Check the bowl. Take the bowl out, clean and thoroughly dry the contact pins underneath and refit it until it clicks into place. Wet or dirty contacts are the most common cause.
- Let it cool down. Messages about the motor, Turbo or Dough mode are often caused by heat. Let the machine and the contents cool and keep the vents clear.
- If it keeps coming back, make a note. Take a photo of the display and note when it appears (recipe, temperature, speed, quantity). That helps with the repair.
Unplug immediately if there is liquid under the bowl or inside the machine, or if it smells burnt or smokes. Don’t switch it on again, don’t tip it over and don’t hold it under water.
Look up every code
Enter the number with or without the “C”, for example 140. Choose your model so you only see the meaning that applies. The model is on the rating plate on the underside of the machine.
This code isn’t on our list. If the display shows an instruction, follow it and restart the machine. If the message stays, our fixed-price repair can help. Get a fixed price →
- Not a fault
- Fix it yourself
- Repair only if it recurs
- Repair needed
Thermomix® TM6
Machine, bowl and lid
Machine switches off
Confirm the message, switch off and restart.
“Thermomix® is recovering”
Wait for the machine to recover. With C60 this can take up to a day.
Bowl contact pins
Clean and thoroughly dry the contact pins under the bowl, then refit the bowl.
Motor overload
Check whether ingredients are blocking the knife, clear them and reduce the quantity.
Motor too hot
Let the machine cool down. Keep the vents underneath and at the back clear and clean the protective grilles.
Scale deactivated
Restart the machine.
Hardware
Confirm the message; the machine switches off. It needs repairing.
Bowl not in position
Switch off, clean and dry the contact pins under the bowl, fit the bowl properly and restart.
Lid won’t lock or unlock
Fit the bowl and lid properly, clear food residue from the locking arms and lid, and reset the machine to factory settings. Test with another bowl: if the message doesn’t appear, the bowl is the problem.
Lid sensor blocked
Fit the lid properly.
Unexpected shutdown
The machine lost power. Always switch it off with the selector. If the message comes back straight away, it needs checking.
“Thermomix® is recovering”
Reset the machine to factory settings (Menu, Settings, Factory settings).
Lid only opens below 95 °C
Wait until the contents have cooled. If the lid stays shut with a cold bowl, the machine needs checking.
Transport mode
Restart the machine.
Slow locking
Let the lock open or close. If it regularly takes longer than 10 seconds, it needs repairing.
Bowl above 60 °C
The selected mode is only available once the bowl has cooled below 60 °C.
Software
Install the latest software update. If the message lasts more than a day, the machine needs checking.
Ingredients too hard for Turbo
Take some out and cut the ingredients smaller.
“Thermomix® is recovering” or hardware error
Reset the machine to factory settings.
Wrong bowl
Only use a TM6 bowl rated for 230 V (shown underneath). The TM5 bowl doesn’t fit.
Not enough power at the socket
Switch off other large appliances on the same circuit or use a different socket.
Wi-Fi and Cookidoo®
Cookidoo® login
Check the password, test logging in to Cookidoo® in a browser and reset the password if needed.
Linked to another Cookidoo® account
The machine is still linked to another account. With a used machine, the previous owner must unlink it; otherwise Vorwerk customer service can help.
Wi-Fi connection
Restart the router, turn the TM6’s Wi-Fi off and on and reconnect. Phone hotspots and restricted networks often cause problems. Otherwise reset to factory settings.
Wrong Wi-Fi password
Check the password (some special characters aren’t supported) and reconnect.
Wi-Fi
Turn off the TM6’s Wi-Fi, restart the router and the machine, reconnect and check with “Show password”. Hotel and company networks aren’t suitable.
Connection
Try again later; this can take a few hours. Then update the software.
WPS failed
Select the network manually from the list and enter the password.
Thermomix® TM5
Machine, bowl and lid
Power supply
Plug directly into a different socket, without an extension lead or multi-socket adapter.
Bowl and heating
Clean and thoroughly dry the contact pins under the bowl, then refit the bowl. If that doesn’t help, the bowl needs repairing or replacing.
Bowl and heating
Often caused by very cold or frozen ingredients or a bowl from the fridge: empty it, rinse the bowl with warm water, put the ingredients back and carry on quickly. Otherwise clean and dry the contact pins.
Motor overload
Follow the instructions on the display: let the machine cool down, clear anything blocking the knife, use less or add more liquid. Often happens after kneading heavy dough for a long time.
Hardware
Switch the machine off, wait a moment and restart it.
Scale
Follow the instructions on the display and restart the machine. It must stand freely on a flat, firm surface.
Heating
Restart the machine.
Hardware
Stop using the machine and have it repaired.
Bowl not recognised
Fit the bowl properly until it clicks into place. Clean and dry the contact pins under the bowl.
Locking
Fit the bowl and lid properly and clear food residue from the locking arms and the lid rim.
Lid sensor
Fit the lid properly and check nothing is blocking the sensor.
Power interruption
The machine lost power while running, for example because it was unplugged. Follow the instructions on the display and always switch the machine off with its switch.
Motor and motor control
Switch the machine off, wait a moment and restart it.
Locking
Restart the machine and check the bowl and lid. If the message keeps coming back, the locking mechanism needs repairing.
Software
Restart the machine.
Bowl too warm for Dough mode
Dough mode is only available once the bowl has cooled below 60 °C.
Bowl too warm for Turbo
Above 60 °C, Turbo is locked so hot food can’t splash out. Never increase the speed abruptly with hot contents.
Recipe chip and Cook-Key
Recipe chip
Remove and reattach the chip, switch the machine off and on again, and try a different recipe chip. If the message persists, the chip is probably damaged.
Recipe chip or Cook-Key
Remove and reattach the chip or Cook-Key, restart the machine and try a different recipe chip. For the Cook-Key, then reset it to factory settings. If a recipe chip works but the Cook-Key doesn’t, the Cook-Key is faulty.
Language
Follow the instructions on the display. With C523, the recipe chip’s language doesn’t match the machine’s language.
Internal memory or display
Follow the instructions on the display and restart the machine.
Recipe chip or Cook-Key
Switch the machine off, clean the contacts on the chip or Cook-Key and on the connector, then reattach. Otherwise reset the Cook-Key to factory settings.
Unsupported accessory
An incompatible accessory is attached. Try a different recipe chip; otherwise the chip is faulty.
Recipe chip or Cook-Key
Remove, reattach and restart the machine. Otherwise reset the machine to factory settings.
Cook-Key
Reattach the Cook-Key or reset it to factory settings without removing it during the reset. If the message persists, the Cook-Key must be replaced.
Cook-Key removed without ejecting
Always remove the Cook-Key using “Eject Cook-Key” in the settings or by long-pressing the sync icon, otherwise it can be damaged.
Wi-Fi and Cookidoo®
Connection to server
Try syncing again later and restart the machine.
Syncing
Sync again. If the message persists, reset the Cook-Key to factory settings.
Internet connection
Check the internet connection at the router and sync again.
Cook-Key not activated
Activate the Cook-Key in your Cookidoo® account, then sync.
Data access
Restart the machine. Check that your Cookidoo® subscription is active and the right country is set.
Connection to server
Remove and reattach the Cook-Key, restart the machine and install any available updates.
Wi-Fi
Try again, otherwise set up the Wi-Fi connection again and check the password.
Wi-Fi with a login page
Networks with a login page (hotel, company, public Wi-Fi) aren’t supported. Choose a different network.
Why the same number means different things
Vorwerk assigns codes per model. On the TM5, C52 points to a heating problem in the bowl, often after very cold ingredients; on the TM6 the same code asks you to clean the bowl’s contact pins. C32 is a hardware message on the TM5, while the TM6 shows “Thermomix® is recovering”. So always check the right model.
What about the TM7?
The TM7 has its own messages and is usually still under the manufacturer’s warranty. If you have a problem, contact Vorwerk customer service directly.
Mixklinik is an independent workshop and is not affiliated with Vorwerk. Thermomix®, Cookidoo®, Varoma® and Cook-Key® are trademarks of the Vorwerk Group. Information given in good faith; your machine’s user manual takes precedence.