Why does my citrus juicer need more pressure than before?

If you now need to press much harder than usual, the cone may be dirty, the fruit may be too firm, or the drive path may be obstructed. Stop using the juicer if pressure makes the unit tilt, grind, smell hot, or seem to bind. This article uses generic troubleshooting for citrus juicers.

Diagnostic steps

1. Unplug the juicer and remove the fruit residue from the cone, filter and surrounding parts. Sticky pulp can prevent smooth rotation.
2. Try softer fruit or a fruit half at room temperature. Very cold or very hard fruit can require noticeably more pressure.
3. Check that the cone and filter are aligned correctly. If they sit unevenly, the motor may not transfer force properly.
4. Press down centrally and gently. If the unit starts only with extreme pressure, something may be binding.
5. If the resistance remains high after cleaning and correct assembly, stop using the appliance.

What you should see

The cone should start with light to moderate pressure, and fruit should juice without forcing the handle or top parts.

Stop using the product if

The juicer jams, the body moves across the worktop, or the mechanism feels gritty or hot. In that case, contact the retailer or store where it was purchased.