Black and Decker TR1278B Troubleshooting

When I try to set my bread to toast, the latch keeps popping up.

Crumbs may be blocking the latch or heating coils which may cause the toaster not to function. To check the latch, first unplug the toaster. Then disassemble the toaster by following this guide. Blow any crumbs from the latch assembly. If the latch still sticks, then apply lubricant. Check the heating coils and blow out any crumbs. Replace the cover.

My toast comes out under cooked or overdone because it does not pop up at the right time.

This may result in under cooked or overdone toast. To fix this, unplug the toaster then disassemble the toaster by following this guide. Locate the knob inside the toaster behind the browning dial by following this guide and turn it towards the lighter side if the bread is overdone or turn it towards the darker side if the bread is under cooked. Replace the cover. Try toasting again. Repeat the process until your bread is correctly toasted.

If your toaster emits a burning smell, then that indicates a crumb buildup and your toaster may need to be cleaned.

To clean the crumb tray, you may need: a small cleaning toothbrush, dish soap, a sponge, and cloth. Unplug the toaster. Wait until it cools down to clean it. Remove the crumb tray carefully and brush it off into the sink or garbage. Soak it with dish liquid if it is greasy. Wipe the crumb tray and replace.

If there is still a burning smell after you have cleaned the crumb tray, then clean the coil. To do this, remove the crumb tray. Turn the toaster upside down. Gently shake the toaster over the sink or garbage to free up some of the crumbs or burnt pieces of toast. Dampen your cleaning toothbrush with water and use it to brush out any particles on the sides trapped in the coils. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom. Keep a paper towel under the toaster while doing this to avoid getting crumbs everywhere. When that’s done, clean the exterior with your sponge and soapy water. Replace crumb tray.

My toaster will not stay powered long enough to toast.

Plug working devices into the same outlet. If those devices do not stay on, then your outlet may be malfunctioning.

If your outlet is not malfunctioning, then the toaster’s dial may be too low to activate the heating coil. Try adjusting the browning dial. To do this, unplug the toaster then disassemble the toaster by following this guide. Adjust your browning dial by following this guide. Turn the knob slightly towards the darker side. Reassemble and try toasting again. Repeat this process until you feel the bread is correctly toasted.

Inspect the wire carefully to make sure that there are no cuts or damaged parts on the cord. If the cord fails the inspection, then the power cord may need to be replaced.

Portions of the bread come out toasted and some parts are not.

Preheat the elements before toasting the bread. To do this, turn the dial to the desired setting and allow the elements to heat up for around 2 minutes, then put the bread in to be toasted. This will allow the end castings sufficient time to heat up.

If preheating the elements does not solve the problem, then the heating elements may need to be replaced. Heating elements can break and burnout, sag, and become misshapen. Most elements cannot be repaired, but they can usually be replaced.

The browning dial on the toaster is stuck on the same setting, or not functioning the way it should.

Check for debris behind the browning dial. Remove any debris. Shaking the toaster may remove debris.

If there is no debris or the toaster is still not operating, then try adjusting the browning dial. To do this, unplug the toaster then disassemble the toaster by following this guide. Adjust the browning dial by following this guide. Reassemble and try toasting again. Repeat this process until you feel the bread is correctly toasted.