my vitamix explorian is making a horrible grinding noise and seems stuck. what do i do?

You've likely trapped an air bubble, or you're trying to blend something too thick without the right technique. Here's how to fix it.

First, stop the motor. Press the On/Off switch to turn it off. Wait for the blades to stop completely.

1. Remove the container from the base. Do not remove the lid while blades are rotating.
2. Check for an air bubble. Use a rubber spatula to press the air bubble away from the blades. Add a little more liquid if your recipe allows.
3. For thick mixtures, you need to use the tamper. Make sure the container is no more than two-thirds full when using the tamper. Insert the tamper through the lid plug opening (lid plug removed) and stir until the mixture 'burps'. Don't hold it straight down—point it towards the sides or corners of the container if needed.
4. Do not use the tamper for more than 30 consecutive seconds to avoid overheating.

If that didn't work, check for foreign objects. Never leave a spoon, fork, knife, or the lid plug inside the container while blending. This can damage the blades and cause the noise.

Heads up: Always start blending on Variable Speed 1, then slowly increase. Processing recipes at higher speeds than recommended can cause this.