How to Troubleshoot the Reset Button on a LitterMaid

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LitterMaid automatic cat litter boxes take the mess out of cleaning up after your cat. An automatic rake moves across the litter box 10 minutes after the cat is detected leaving, sweeping away any droppings into a receptacle.

Automatic cat litter boxes can be very convenient.
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LitterMaid litter boxes have a hidden reset button inside the mechanism. This helps restart the motor if it stops working. There are several troubleshooting steps you can try if you have followed the reset procedure using the reset button, but the tray still isn't working.

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LitterMaid automatic litter box rake is stuck

Step 1: Reset the power

The easiest way to reset your box if the LitterMaid automatic litter box rake is stuck is to turn the power button off for about five seconds and then on again. This will prompt the unit to start a cleaning cycle and will reset the unit if a previous cleaning cycle was interrupted by a power outage.

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Step 2: Locate the reset switches

After resetting the power, if the box won't run a cycle or stops in the middle of a cycle, unplug the unit. Locate the reset buttons at the end of the track near the waste receptacle. Some models have one button on one side, while others have one on each side. The buttons are small and white. You should hear a clicking sound when you press them. For some models, you may need to remove the top section of the unit to see these buttons.

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Step 3: Toggle the reset switches

Push the reset button or buttons 10 times. The white reset buttons within the waste receptacle need to be pressed several times before they completely clear any technical problems within the motor. Pressing the buttons will also loosen any debris that may have stopped them from functioning.

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Step 4: Find and toggle additional switches

Plug in the unit. If it still won't work, locate an additional set of reset buttons at the other end of the tracks. Some models will only have one on one side. Unplug the unit and press these buttons 10 times. Plug the unit back in and see if the unit cycles properly.

No power to LitterMaid

You'll need electricity for a LitterMaid.
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Step 1: Ensure the unit has power

After resetting the unit, check that the unit is plugged into a working outlet. Ensure the power cord is fully connected to the LitterMaid box after you finish the reset procedure. A loose connection could be stopping the unit from starting up.

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Step 2: Turn on the power switch

Make sure the power switch near the power cord that connects to the litter tray is switched on. You might have turned the tray off at the switch while you were performing a reset and forgot to switch it on. Replace the batteries if you are not using the AC power supply.

Step 3: Change the batteries

Sometimes, low batteries can cause the box to stop working. Replace them with fresh batteries.

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Additional troubleshooting options

Step 1: Clean the litter box sensors

Wipe the sensors on either side of the tray with a clean, dry cloth. Dirt on the lens could be giving the computer motor a false reading. The rake doesn't move while the sensor is covered in case a cat is still using the tray. The tray won't work after resetting if the sensor is blocked or dirty.

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Step 2: Remove excess litter

If the box is filled with litter above the capacity lines on the sides of the box, then the box may not be able to cycle because there is too much litter. Remove some of the litter and reset the power button to see if the unit cycles through correctly. Remember, use only clumping litter.

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Step 3: Clear away any potential blockages

Large clumps can be too much for an automatic cat litter box.
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When using a self-cleaning litter box, multiple cats may use the box one after another, leading to large clumps that the box isn't powerful enough to move and that may block the safety bar of the rake. Remove any large clumps of litter that could be preventing the rake from functioning.

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