Lawn Mower Won't Start? Here Are 9 Ways to Fix It

It can be frustrating to cross the bridge that your grass needs cutting, and then to boot, your lawn mower won't start. It is a problem that can crop up at any time from spring to fall, regardless of the type of mower you have (unless you use a reel mower to cut the grass).

The problem arises more frequently with gas-powered mowers than with electric mowers, so it might be worth investing in one if this happens frequently to your gas mower.

Read on for 10 reasons why your lawn mower might not be starting so easily and remedies for fixing it in no time.

The Lawn Mower Needs a Tune-Up

Your lawn mower has been sitting in the garage all winter. Maybe you didn't winterize your mower properly at the end of the fall mowing season. Now it's spring and you need to mow, but your mower won't start up.

It may need a tune-up, which consists of changing the oil, the spark plug, and the air filter (or cleaning it, at least).

The Fuel Cap Vent Needs to Be Cleared

You just tuned up your mower (or brought it into a repair shop for a professional tune-up), but it still won't start and remain running. It will run for a while, then conk out. This might mean you need to clear the fuel cap vent.

This feature releases pressure, allowing gas to flow smoothly from the gas tank to the carburetor. When it's not working properly, gas fumes start to build up. When the build-up becomes excessive, it keeps gas from flowing smoothly from the gas tank to the carburetor.

Fixing the problem is often easy enough: unscrew the fuel cap. This should take care of the vacuum and let you start your mower. But if it doesn't, you may need to buy a new fuel cap.

It Needs to Start on a Solid Surface

Another post-tune-up issue to consider is where you're trying to start the mower. If you've been trying to start it on grass, try moving it onto a smooth paved surface instead, such as your driveway.

Even though mowers are designed to cut grass, it can be difficult to start them up on grass because the grass impedes the rotation of the blade before it has a chance to get moving.

You're Not Gripping the Safety Bar

Everything seems to be in order. However, when you yank on the starter cord, nothing happens. This problem falls under the improper use of the mower.

Most modern mowers have two bars up top, where the operator's hands will be. One is the handlebar you hold to push the mower. But there's a thinner bar (a bit further away from you) called the "safety bar."

This safety feature is linked to the ignition coil. If you release the safety bar upon slipping, the unit shuts off, thereby keeping you safe. This is also necessary to start the engine: hold this bar up against the handlebar while pulling the cord that starts your engine.

There Could Be a Faulty Fuel Filter

You addressed the air filter during the tune-up, but your lawn mower has another filter: the fuel filter. This stops dirt from getting into your carburetor, where it would gunk up your fuel.

If you've eliminated other potential sources of the problem and suspect your fuel filter may need to be replaced, bring the mower into the repair shop.

Because different mowers have different styles of fuel filters (and this fix is more complicated than the rest), this is best left to professionals who will know right away which style you need and how to do the job correctly.

The Blade Is Obstructured

If your lawn mower stops right in the middle of mowing, it could be an obstruction on the blade. The blade could be dull and not slicing through the grass, or grass clippings may be caked so thickly on the cutting deck that they impede the spinning of the blade. Or, your grass could be too tall, causing jams.

In the first two cases, make sure the unit is off, let it cool down, and turn it on its side. If the blade seems to be dull, remove the mower's blade, and sharpen the blade. If clippings are heavily caked on the deck, clean the clippings off.

In the case of the grass being too tall, you have to change your cutting approach. Instead of keeping the mower level to the surface, raise the two front wheels off the surface by leaning down on the handlebar. This keeps the blade from having to cut too much grass all at once.

You Ran Over Something, and It's Stuck

You're going along just fine when, suddenly, you hear a metallic noise and your mower conks out. You may have run over a piece of wire that has coiled itself around your blade, preventing it from turning.

Make sure the mower isn't running, let it cool down, turn it on its side, inspect under the cutting deck for a foreign object, and remove it if you find one.

Your Tank Doesn't Have Enough Gasoline

Let's say you know that your gas-powered mower is in prime condition and that you are operating it properly. Don't overlook the obvious: It could be a question of the power source.

Check that the fuel tank has gas in it. And even if it does have gas in it, try to recall when you poured that gas into it. If it's old gas, drain it out, and replace it with fresh gasoline.

Your Electric Mower Isn't Charged

Let's say that your electric mower is brand new or that you know it's in top shape and you are operating it properly. On a corded model, make sure that it's properly plugged in, the cord hasn't been damaged, there's nothing wrong with the outlet, and that your area hasn't lost its power

In the case of mowers that run on batteries, be aware that it doesn't take that long for the battery to need recharging.

If You Tried Everything, But Lawn Mower Still Won't Start

If you have tried all the tricks listed above but your lawn mower still won't start, it is time to consider buying a new lawn mower.

In fact, if you have concluded that the extra power of gas-powered mowers isn't worth the start-up troubles they have, consider buying an electric lawn mower.

Read the original article on The Spruce.