How to Fix a broken Electric / Heated Blanket

We all know how vital heated blankets are to surviving winter. So, what do we do when they stop working? Replace them? That can be expensive. Instead, we should take the time to see what the problem really is. For example, it could be as simple as a blown fuse. In that case, we’d be spending a hundred dollars on a new blanket only to find out that it could have been fixed with the flip of a switch. Here are some other quick fixes we can try.

Often times it’s the outlet that’s faulty and not the blanket’s cord

First, check the plug / outlet. Often times it’s the outlet that’s faulty and not the blanket’s cord. Checking the plug on another outlet will tell us if the problem lies with the blanket or the outlet itself. If it is the outlet that is the problem, we can check for a blown fuse. If the blanket still doesn’t work in another plug, we can check to see whether or not the cord is shorting or defective using a multi-meter. To do this, we place one multi-meter pin onto the plug and the other pin on the opposite end of the cord at the connection point. If the multi-meter reads zero, then the cord is fine. If the reading is high, the cord needs to be replaced.

Next, we check the wires in the cord. If there are pets in the house, there’s a good chance that the cord has been used as a chew toy. In this case, first we’d call a pet trainer to take care of our ferocious Chihuahua’s chewing problem, then we’d try securing any torn or frayed wires with electrical tape. If that doesn’t work, the cord needs to be replaced. If the cord turns out to be the problem, we can check the warranty to see if a damaged cord is covered.

Lastly, it could be the controller. In order to check if this is the case, open the controller with a screwdriver and look for any loose parts. Sound intimidating? It’s really not. If the blanket works on some settings but not others, the thermostat is broken. We can then tighten any loose connections within the thermostat. If this doesn’t work, we could always just buy a new controller. Most people don’t realize that they can replace the controller on a heated blanket and that the controller is often the reason why the blankets stop working. New controllers are easy to find online and we can replace it ourselves.

Heated blankets are essential to surviving in colder climates without frostbitten toes and when they stop working, they can be a pain to replace. Before spending over a hundred dollars on a replacement, check these quick fixes first: check the plug / outlet, check the wires, check the warranty, and buy a new controller.