Keeping your lawn looking tidy requires a well-maintained electric lawn mower. When your electric lawn mower suddenly won’t start or stops working, though, it can be a huge pain. The time, money, and aggravation you save by learning the causes and solutions to these problems will more than pay for themselves.
This blog will discuss the most common causes of an inoperable electric lawn mower and offer solutions for fixing it. You can keep your electric lawn mower running smoothly and efficiently by recognising potential problems and taking corrective action.
Let’s investigate why you might be asking, “Why isn’t my electric lawn mower working?” and offer some suggestions for getting your mower back in action.
Why Is Your Electric Mower Not Starting?
Is your electric lawnmower giving you trouble? Don’t feel isolated. It’s frustrating that this issue affects the vast majority of people who own these lawn care machines. Fortunately, this problem can be traced back to a number of different common causes, and the majority of them are ones that you can troubleshoot and fix on your own fairly easily. Insufficient power, a loose key, a disconnected plug, unlocked safety handles, and other factors can all prevent an electric mower from starting.
Your lawn mower may refuse to start for a number of reasons, including a buildup of debris inside the machine, obstructions to the blade’s rotation, broken parts, or blocked air vents. Mowers frequently experience starting problems, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of things to check the next time it won’t turn over.
The Push Mower Handle And Side Rails Are Not Properly Installed
Mowers have safety switches to prevent operation if the handle is not properly positioned. Securing the foldable handle in the open, operational position is imperative. Mower models that have adjustable side rails on the handle should have those rails extended all the way. Locking the clamps that keep the side rails here is essential.
The lawn mower may refuse to start if the side rails shift out of place. When this occurs, you should first unclamp the area and ensure the handle is fully extended before clamping it back down.
Inadequate Power Source
Your lawn mower will only start if you provide it with enough power.
Suppose you’ve already eliminated the most obvious causes (including lock/unlock switch engagement and bar-locking mechanisms) and are still having problems. In that case, it’s time to look at the power source for your lawn mower.
On a cordless mower, the first place you ought to start is with the battery connection, and after that, you ought to look at the battery and the charger.
The Battery Is Overheating
When the battery reaches an unsafe temperature, your lawn mower will turn off and refuse to start. Before turning the battery back on, you will need to give it some time to cool down.
The Power Supply Is Not Properly Connected Or Paired. (Corded Models)
Some mowers, particularly the push variety, require constant electricity access to function properly. If you have a quarter-acre lawn, you won’t be able to get it all done with just the cord length your lawn mower offers. Thus, a common problem stems from the fact that most owners use an extension cord with their mowers.
Connecting or pairing an electric lawnmower incorrectly can cause it to refuse to start. Making the link is a breeze. Make sure every plug, cord, and outlet is securely inserted into its receptacle. Also, check to see if the plug can handle the power requirements of this important appliance. If you’ve double-checked your connections and confirmed that the outlet can handle the load of your lawnmower, it’s time to move on to the extension cord.
In order to safely operate the typical corded push mower, an extension cord with a current capacity of 13 to 15 amps is required. If you are using an extension cord that can only supply between 6 and 10 amps, you may find that your lawn mower needs help turning or staying on. This could be due to the fact that the extension cord can only supply so much power. Overheating can occur in the mower and the extension cord if used improperly, increasing the risk of damage and fire. Because of this, check to see if the cord you intend to use is appropriate for your electric lawn mower.
Pinched Or Loose Wires
Your lawnmower is connected to a variety of electrical outlets by a web of wires. Some of these wires could become loose or pinched, causing a short. Move the wires around to see if there is a short. A multimeter is another useful tool for finding short circuits.
Pinched wires are a common problem with push mowers and can prevent the machine from starting. You might find a pinched wire if you fold the handle into the machine for storage. A wire nut can be used to fix any frayed or pinched wires. Take out the battery before you start fixing it.
Excess Grass And Debris On Mowers Using A Bagger
Lawnmowers are designed to do one thing, and do it well: cut grass. Even if your lawnmower does a good job of cutting, it can wear out quickly if you fill its cutting bag to the brim with yard waste.
As a matter of routine maintenance, you should regularly empty the cutting bag of your lawn mower. Your lawn mower may not be starting because you last emptied the grass bag a while ago.
When the cutting bag on your electric lawn mower is full, the machine won’t start because it can’t collect any more debris. To check if this isn’t the case, take the bag out of your lawn mower and look inside. If the bag is full, you should empty it, reattach it to your mower, and check to see if the problem still exists. If not, you will have to continue looking into the problem.
The Mower Key Or The Safety Button Isn’t Fully Engaged
To start, you’ll need to turn a safety key or press a button on most mowers. This safety feature requires you to take an extra step during the normal starting procedure to prevent the mower from starting without your permission.
If this happens, insert the key further or take it out and put it back in. If that doesn’t work, the switch might be faulty and not detect the safety feature.
Incorrect Beginning Procedure
If this happens, insert the key further or take it out and put it back in. If that doesn’t work, the switch might be faulty and not detect the safety feature. If your mower has a safety button or key, it’s designed to stop it from starting if a child presses it by accident. If you don’t do it exactly like that, your mower won’t start.
Most battery-operated lawn mowers have the following standard starting procedure:
- Insert the battery safely.
- Put the safety key in and hit the switch. (Unfortunately, the safety key isn’t standard on all models.).
- Keep your finger on the safety button and bring the safety bar to the handle. It’s time to start the lawn mower.
- Release the safety button.
- When the safety switch is released, the mower will turn off.
The Battery Is Not Properly Installed
Proper insertion of the battery is essential to ensure a solid connection between the battery and its holder. To ensure proper battery installation, please follow these steps:
- Before removing the battery cover, give the area a quick wipe-down to ensure no stray dirt particles will enter the battery compartment.
- Remove the battery.
- Make sure the battery contacts are clean, and the storage area is free of debris.
- Slide the batteries into place. The battery should click into place, and the release button should spring into action on most models.
- Put the cover back on the battery pack.
Battery Is Dead
Most modern mowers can operate without being plugged into an outlet, instead getting their power from a battery. So, it should come as no surprise that a dead battery will prevent your lawn mower from starting. The battery life of some mowers can be monitored via an indicator screen. If your lawnmower doesn’t have a screen, the battery charger may feature lights that tell you how full your batteries are.
If, after giving the battery a full charge, you notice that it does not maintain its charge for as long as it used to, your battery may be on its way out. A dying battery can no longer hold a charge for very long. An overheated battery is another symptom of a failing one. If your battery is losing its charge, charging slowly, or overheating, you should get a new one. Batteries lose their charge as they age, are subjected to high temperatures, or develop mechanical flaws.
Not All Plug-Ins Are Connected
Especially in the case of a large riding mower, the electrical wiring system that powers your lawnmower is complex. It’s not unusual for a loose plug or two to appear among all these connections.
The power to your lawnmower will be interrupted, rendering it inoperable. If you open up your lawnmower and inspect the battery area and any other plug-ins, you can rule out this possible cause. If your mower has a safety mode, you should perform this task while the mower is turned off and the safety mode engaged.
Damaged Components
If you’re having problems getting your lawn mower to start, you won’t have to resort to this potentially expensive measure. There comes a time when your lawnmower’s parts will wear out and need to be replaced, and while this is never ideal, it is unavoidable.
While it may be possible to replace the most difficult part of your lawnmower for less than the cost of the mower itself, some need to be replaced regularly and can be quite expensive. Therefore, you should inspect your lawnmower’s parts and decide if it’s worthwhile to repair them based on the extent of the damage.
The following are examples of electric lawn mower parts that frequently need replacement:
- Blades
- Batteries
- Power cords
- Plug-in
Most of these parts have already been discussed, along with why their malfunction or misalignment can protect your lawn mower from starting. However, a few parts are important to this discussion that we still need to go into detail about. These are the start switch and the motor.
If either of these components is broken and is most likely the reason your lawn mower won’t start, you should take it to a professional repair shop rather than trying to fix it yourself. In addition to the high cost involved, these parts should only be removed and replaced by those who have in-depth expertise in mechanical and electrical systems.
Debris Is Impeding Blade Rotation
Even if your mower doesn’t have a bag, it can still get jammed up with grass clippings and refuse to start. Grass and other debris that exceeds the mower’s capacity often become stuck in the deck. Check for accumulated grass clippings under the deck, close to the blades of your riding or push the mower to see if they need to be removed. If your lawnmower doesn’t start, it could be because of a buildup of grass in the deck that prevents the blade from turning.
If your lawnmower’s blades aren’t turning freely, the machine’s safety features will prevent it from starting. Because of this, motors will be protected. The deck of your lawn mower should be inspected and cleaned after each use. Sharpen the lawnmower blades regularly. Dull blades can exacerbate damage to the motor.
The Power Supply Was Tripped (Corded Models)
If you are using a corded mower, check to see if you have accidentally tripped a circuit breaker. Use a good-quality extension cord. One that can withstand the cutting force of the mower.
After you’ve verified the integrity of your extension cord, check your home’s circuit breakers for signs of damage or shut-off. Trying to plug in a simple appliance, like a lamp, might reveal whether or not your outlet is functional.
Electric Mower Best Practices
Like any other tool, mowers will inevitably need some maintenance or repair. There are, however, measures you can take to maintain your mower’s peak performance and, perhaps more importantly, forestall the emergence of serious problems that will require costly repairs.
After Use, Store Your Cord And Battery
Don’t risk damaging the cord by leaving it in the same place as the mower. Keep it in an accessible location away from potential dangers like moving parts or sharp blades.
Batteries should be taken out of use and charged, but not left on the charger permanently. Keep the battery from dying completely all the time, too. A battery’s lifespan can be shortened significantly by being used in both extremes.
Keep Your Lawnmower In A Dry Place
Plugging it in is another piece of advice that may seem obvious but is crucial when using an electric mower. Keep in mind that any electric mower, especially a battery-operated one, is extremely vulnerable to water damage.
Maintain The Cleanliness Of Your Lawnmower
Although it may seem obvious, a gentle reminder never hurts. Machines that have been properly cared for usually function optimally. It’s like a form of preventative upkeep if you will. Therefore, each time you wipe down the fan’s blades and air intake after use, you’re doing your part to prevent a future issue.
Before Using The Mower, Visually Inspect It
Again, this may seem like common sense, but it’s important to keep in mind, particularly if you last inspected the blades a while ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Clean Or Replace The Air Filter In My Electric Lawn Mower?
Standing water or spongy feel
It’s recommended to clean or replace the air filter of your electric lawn mower at least once per season or more frequently if you mow in dusty or dirty conditions. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidance on maintaining the air filter.
My Electric Lawn Mower Shuts Off After A Few Minutes Of Operation. What Could Be Causing This?
This could indicate an overheating issue. Check the ventilation system of the mower to ensure it is clear of debris or grass clippings. Avoid overworking the mower for long periods without breaks. If the problem persists, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance.
Can I Fix The Issues With My Electric Lawn Mower, Or Should I Hire A Professional?
Some minor issues, such as power supply problems or cleaning the air filter, can be resolved by following the troubleshooting steps. However, if you are unsure or the problem is more complex, consulting a professional is always recommended. They have the expertise and knowledge to diagnose and fix any underlying problems, ensuring your electric lawn mower’s safe and efficient operation.
How Can I Prevent Future Issues With My Electric Lawn Mower?
Regular maintenance is key to preventing problems with your electric lawn mower. Keep the mower clean and free from debris, sharpen the blade regularly, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance tasks such as oil changes and air filter cleaning. Additionally, store the mower in a dry and protected area when not in use to avoid exposure to the elements.
Can Wet Grass Or Rain Cause My Electric Lawn Mower To Malfunction?
Electric lawn mowers are designed to withstand some moisture, but excessive wetness can pose a risk. Avoid mowing wet grass or using the mower in heavy rain to prevent electrical hazards. If your mower gets wet, dry it thoroughly before attempting to use it again.
