The mixing blade freezes up, and makes an awful racket This has just started happening in the past week. It first happened while attempting mix up butter and sugar for cookies. If I give the blade a push, it will start up for awhile then freeze up again.

what sort of mixer is it? If it is a small hand help are the mixing blades fully inserted up to the little bumps on the side of the rods of the mixer blades where they attach to mixer. If a larger mixer like a kenwood, agin make sure the blade / s are properly inserted.

I had this happen on my Kitchen Aid mixer. There is probably a build up of dough/cake mix etc inside the hole where the beater fits into. Fill a mixing bowl or a jug deep enough to fit over beater with very hot or boiling water. Immerse the stuck beater in the water up to where it connects in to the mixer and hold for about minute. Once the hot water has melted the build up you should be able to remove the beater. Hopefully this may work on your brand of mixer.

The blade sounds like it's jammed somehow perhaps simply with some food matter.
Ensure the mixer is not plugged in then try removing the bowl, locking the mixer in the down position and pushing up hard on the blade to try and dislodge it. If it comes free and lifts up then try wiggling and rotating it normally off the mount.
Sometimes with use the attachments can become slightly warped requiring more force to lift them before rotating off the mount.
I once used my own Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook attachment to make a whole wheat bread dough. When I was done the hook was a bit bent from the hearty dough. There was also some flour in the mount causing it to jam. Removing the hook attachment proved difficult but not imposable.
Good luck.

The BUSH on the spindle is worn out. You will notice that liquid blending might make the liquid to flow out through this . If so it is confirmed. This is usual as the food particles gets caught on and wear off the bush in due time.
the blade unit has to be taken out and the bush must be changed after choosing the right bush for the steel spindle.
You can confirm rotating the spindle and see if this shakes.
Hope this tip confirms the fault.

The grease inside has liquefied instead of being a paste. This can happen by over heating the mixer, keeping near a heat source or a bad gasket. I suggest getting it repacked with grease and replacing the gasket before you start to ruin the gears.

Also the grease although not something you'd consider edible is food safe.

How old is the unit?. Sounds like the armature is poling, ie rubbing against the windings. This normally happens when the bearings are worn - hence the question about age.

If it is not in the motor section, it could be in the gearing that drives the spools.

I have been in touch with a local electrical store who is getting the parts required.
Thanks

Neil

You are correct, in the mixer head above the attachment hub is a gearbox, and there is a fiber gear meant to do just that should something similar happen, it can be replaced, I don't know price, but if you are careful, and fair mechanically, it is a straight forward replacement.