House Rules for all appliance bookings
Please see our House Rules page here
Electrical and computer repairs.
Below is a list of items we regularly see. Please check to see if there is an easy fix you can do yourself to save having to bring it in.
Please note microwaves, printers and TVs are more challenging for us to fix – have a look at the list below for what we might be able to do before booking them in.
We cannot fix mobile phones (including cracked and broken screens).
We are, however, always happy to look at items or provide advice on these items, but please bear in mind that we are unlikely to fix them.
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Laptops/Computers
If you have a laptop or computer that you would like to have repaired, please book a time slot:
When bringing items in for repair please make sure they are clean and ready to be looked at.
We are now booking 30-minute appointment times in the mornings for repairs so that you can be seen on time and that we can see a larger number of people for repairs. If we are unable to fix something within the time booked, the volunteer may agree to take it home to fix it, or if more extensive work is required that needs payment, they can discuss that with you. This is most likely to happen with the computer repairs.
We will be offering a few time slots in the afternoon for drop-ins, but it will be on a first come, first served basis and you may not get seen.
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What can and can’t be fixed?
| Item | What does it not do? | Most probable causes | Chances of a successful repair |
| Appliances powered with rechargeable batteries | Does not run for very long, if at all | Batteries unable to hold their charge | HIGH with replacement batteries (but consider their cost) |
| CD/DVD Player | Doesn’t detect a disc | Dirty lens
Failed laser |
HIGH if the lens can be cleaned
NONE if the laser has failed |
| Christmas lights | Some don’t light up | Broken lamps
Broken wires |
HIGH with replacement lamps – but very time consuming to find the offending lamps
HIGH with broken wires |
| Food mixer | Won’t run | Broken plastic interlock | HIGH with a replacement part |
| Hairdryer | Works intermittently | Broken mains cable | HIGH most cables can be repaired or replaced |
| Lawnmower | Works intermittently | Broken mains cable | HIGH most cables can be repaired or replaced |
| Microwaves | The chances of repairing microwaves are very slim. These usually exhibit electronic component failures. We do not carry a range of components or the more sophisticated tools required to make an accurate diagnosis. But we’re happy to provide advice – please put as much information as possible on the booking form and we can advise whether or not we think it’s worth bringing in. |
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| Mobile devices | Don’t charge | Broken cable or broken charger | HIGH with replacement cable or charger |
| Mobile devices | Cracked/broken screens | We are unable to repair/replace mobile phone screens at the Repair Cafe. We do not have replacement screens as there are so many phones and screen types. There are plenty of High Street shops who can do this. | |
| Paper shredder | Fails to run | Cutters jammed with paper | HIGH when jammed paper is removed |
| Printer | The chances of repairing printers are very slim. These usually exhibit electronic component failures. We do not carry a range of components or the more sophisticated tools required to make an accurate diagnosis. There are a couple of exceptions as outlined below. If in doubt, complete the booking form with as much information as possible and we can get back to you with whether we think it’s worth bringing in |
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| Printer | Nothing printed | Dried up print head | HIGH with replacement cartridge
LOW with replacement ink tank |
| Printer | Powers up, but just shows an error code. Nothing printed. | Mechanism jammed
Waste ink tank full |
HIGH if the mechanism can be unjammed
LOW if the waste ink tank is full. |
| Table lamp | No light | Broken switch
Broken cable Broken lampholder |
HIGH with replacement parts |
| Toaster | Won’t stay down | Dirty electrical contacts, broken element | HIGH if dirty contacts
NONE if broken element |
| TVs | The chances of repairing TVs are very slim. These usually exhibit electronic component failures. We do not carry a range of components or the more sophisticated tools required to make an accurate diagnosis. But we’re happy to provide advice – please put as much information as possible on the booking form and we can advise whether or not we think it’s worth bringing in. |
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| Vacuum cleaner | Doesn’t suck very well | Blocked filters | HIGH with replacement filters |
| Vacuum cleaner | Won’t run after producing a burning smell | Motor has failed | NONE motor is 90% of the cost of a new cleaner |
| Vacuum cleaner | Works intermittently | Broken mains cable | HIGH most cables can be repaired or replaced |