Diagnosis
The stiffness and twisting at the swivel base of your BaBylissPRO flat iron is a classic sign of mechanical wear. Repeatedly rotating the iron while styling, combined with coiling the cord for storage, causes the internal copper wires and their insulation to fatigue and bind. Over time, the flexible rubber of the cord sheath hardens from heat exposure, and the internal strain relief grommet—a small plastic piece where the cord enters the handle—can crack, putting direct pressure on the wires.
How to Fix It
First, unplug the iron. Hold the handle and let the cord hang freely, allowing it to naturally untwist. Gently rotate the entire iron body in the direction opposite the cord's kinks until the cord is completely straight. Make this a routine maintenance step after each use: before storing, unplug it, straighten the cord, and loosely coil it in large loops, alternating the direction of each coil to prevent cumulative twisting.
If That Didn't Work
If the cord remains stiff and resistant after manual untwisting, the internal damage is likely more severe. The strain relief grommet has probably failed, pinching the wires. At this point, continuing to force movement can break the wires and create a shock hazard. The only safe fixes are to contact BaBylissPRO for warranty service or to have the unit professionally repaired by a small appliance technician who can replace the entire cord assembly and internal grommet. Do not attempt to use the iron with a compromised cord.
Heads Up
Always grasp the plug, not the cord, when unplugging the iron. Yanking the cord stresses this exact weak point. A broken cord here can expose live electrical wires, posing a serious risk of shock or fire. If you see any fraying, cracking, or exposed wire, discontinue use immediately.