Why does my toaster make the bread bounce but not toast properly?

If the lever moves and the bread pops up, but the toast still is not right, the setting, bread size or a weak cycle may be the issue. Stop using the toaster if the movement becomes erratic, the appliance overheats or you notice a burnt smell that does not clear after cooling.

1. Try a standard slice on a medium setting. Expected result: if the toast improves, the earlier bread or setting was the problem.
2. Check whether the slice is too small, too thin or cut unevenly. Expected result: correctly sized bread should stay centred and toast more consistently.
3. Clean the crumb tray and clear any loose debris from the slot while the toaster is unplugged and cold. Expected result: better heating and a more stable cycle.
4. Use the reheat or defrost function only when it matches the food, not as a general fix for fresh bread. Expected result: the correct function should give a more suitable result.
5. If the toaster still cycles oddly or fails to toast after these checks, stop using it and contact the retailer or store where it was purchased. Do not tap the toaster or force the lever down repeatedly.

This kind of symptom usually points to a mismatch between the bread, the setting and the appliance condition. The checks here are safe, generic troubleshooting for the supplied toaster range.