Blendtec Blender Error Message: Motor Control Error Detected
The display message "Error: Motor control error detected" means the blender reported a problem in its motor drive circuit. The manual says to press the cancel button, or unplug the blender and plug it back in; if the message stays, call your Blendtec service agent.
High: the blender stops and will not blend until the message is cleared.
What does Blendtec error: motor control error detected mean?
Blendtec blenders run a motor drive circuit that turns the control's speed and time settings into power for the motor. The control watches that circuit while a cycle runs, and when it reports a problem the blender stops the cycle and shows "Error: Motor control error detected". The manual lists this message among its Reset Errors for the Stealth 875/885 and Connoisseur 825. That means the control treats it as something a restart can sometimes clear, for example after a one-time electrical disturbance. The manual gives a short meaning, that the motor drive circuit reported a problem, and no list of individual causes. It does not say which part has failed or what a service agent should measure, so this page does not guess. Until the message is cleared, the blender will not start a new blend.
Affected models and control systems
The manual's Reset Errors list names the Stealth 875/885 (895 also appears in the contents) and the Connoisseur 825. The error-message section is printed in the commercial manual that also covers the Chef 775, EZ 600 and Chef 600.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- The display shows the motor control error text
- The blend cycle stops or will not begin
- Pressing a cycle button does nothing until the message is cleared
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error: motor control error detected on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A power interruption or brownout during a cycle that upset the drive circuit
- A jar or coupling that is jamming the motor, so the drive circuit reports a problem under load
- A motor drive board that has failed and trips again after each restart
Safe checks before calling for service
- Press the cancel button once and see whether the message clears.
- If it does not, unplug the blender, then plug it back in, which is the manual's second reset method.
- Run a short, empty cycle with the lid on. Stop at once if the message returns.
- Note whether the message came back during a load, at start-up or at random, and tell the service agent.
How a technician diagnoses error: motor control error detected
- Read the message and ask when it appears: at start, under load or after idle time.
- Check the outlet voltage and the power cord for damage or heat marks.
- Inspect the blade assembly, jar pad and coupling for anything dragging on the motor shaft.
- With power off and locked out, test the motor windings and the drive board connections against the maker's values.
- Replace the drive board or motor only after the test points to it, then run a loaded blend to confirm.
- The motor drive circuit works at line voltage inside the base, and the base should only be opened by someone trained to work on live equipment.
- A repeat of this message points at the drive board or motor, which need meter testing that an operator cannot do safely.
How error: motor control error detected differs from similar codes
The same reset instruction appears for the other Reset Errors in this section, including the touch controller messages, so the message text is what tells them apart.
Technical reference
- Document
- Commercial Series Owner's Manual and User Guide (Blendtec)
- Edition
- All Models, US ENG, CA FRE, MX SPA, Aug 2017 (copyright 2015 Blendtec, Inc.)
- Models / control
- Blendtec Stealth 875/885 (and 895 in contents), Connoisseur 825, Chef 775, EZ 600, Chef 600
- Section
- Section 6 Troubleshooting - 6.2 Error Messages on Display, printed pp. 47-49 (PDF pp. 49-51)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Blendtec blender error codes
Can I keep using the blender with this message?
No. The blender will not start a cycle while the message is showing, so clear it first with the cancel button or a power cycle.
Will it clear on its own?
The manual does not say it clears by itself. It lists the cancel button and unplugging as the ways to reset it.
What if it comes straight back after a reset?
The manual then says to contact your Blendtec service agent, since resetting did not remove whatever the circuit reported.
Need help with Blendtec error: motor control error detected?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.