Most scales presumed dead are working, and the fault is one of a short list of things. Working through them before buying a replacement is worth five minutes.
It Will Not Switch On
Batteries, in the overwhelming majority of cases. Check they are the right way round, that the contacts are clean, and that they are actually fresh rather than from the back of a drawer.
Corroded contacts from a leaked battery are the other common cause. Green or white crusty deposits can sometimes be cleaned with a cotton bud and a little vinegar, thoroughly dried, though severe corrosion generally ends the device.
Error Codes
Most scales use a small set of codes. An overload indication, often shown as EEE or O-Ld, means the capacity has been exceeded and the item should be removed immediately.
A low battery indication is usually Lo or a battery symbol. Other codes vary by manufacturer and the manual is the reference; ranges such as the Escali Scale lineup document these per model.
Readings Drift or Fluctuate
- Low batteries, which cause instability long before the display dies
- An uneven, soft or flexible surface underneath
- Vibration from an extractor fan, dishwasher or nearby appliance
- A draught, which affects precision scales noticeably
- Static, particularly with plastic containers and fine powders
- Leaning on the worktop while reading
Moving the scale to a solid, level surface away from appliances resolves most of these immediately.
It Will Not Zero
Something is on the platform, or something is stuck underneath it. Crumbs and dried spills wedged around the platform edge prevent it from moving freely.
Wipe around and under the platform edge, ensure nothing is resting against it, and try again with the scale switched off and back on.
It Reads a Different Weight Each Time
Place the same object on the platform several times. Consistent readings mean the scale is fine and the problem is placement; varying readings suggest a genuine fault or, more likely, low batteries.
Also check that the container is centred and not overhanging, which is the most common cause of inconsistency.
It Was Fine Until It Got Wet
Liquid reaching the electronics is the most common permanent failure. Remove the batteries immediately, do not switch it on, and leave it somewhere dry and warm for several days.
Sometimes this works. Frequently it does not, and switching on a wet scale to check guarantees it does not.
When Replacement Is the Answer
A scale that is inconsistent after fresh batteries and correct placement, that has been overloaded, or that shows persistent error codes has generally reached the end.
Given that an inaccurate scale produces failed bakes without any obvious cause, persevering with one that cannot be trusted is a false economy. The cost of a replacement is less than the ingredients in two ruined cakes.