Toaster browning bread unevenly or burning one side only (Morphy Richards & Russell Hobbs)

Toast coming out browned unevenly, or noticeably darker on one side, is usually about the heating elements themselves rather than a timer or setting problem — one element working less effectively than its opposite number.

What to check first

1. With the toaster unplugged and cool, look down into each slot and visually compare the heating elements (the thin wires) on both sides — check for any that look visibly broken, discoloured, or missing sections compared to the others.
2. Check the bread itself isn’t positioned off-centre in the slot, which can cause uneven browning even with fully working elements.
3. Clean out crumb build-up (see our separate lever-stuck guide) — a heavy build-up on one side specifically can slightly insulate that element from the bread.
4. Try rotating the bread 180° partway through a cycle as a workaround while you investigate — if this fixes the unevenness, it strongly points to one specific element underperforming.

When to call an engineer or replace it

If one element looks visibly damaged or the unevenness persists regardless of bread position, that element has likely failed. Toaster heating elements aren’t a practical DIY replacement for most people, and given typical toaster prices, replacement is usually the more sensible route over a repair call-out.