Whether you have had a little fight with your mower or your lawn mower is causing trouble starting after the long-dormant winter, it’s your turn to fix common lawn mower problems.
Like other machines, lawn mowers also show different behaviors depending on how well you maintain and treat them.
Some days, it can start in minutes while on other days your lawn mower may drive you crazy because of any hidden culprit. Whatever the case may be, this article will help you fix your mower and bring it back to normal with a little elbow grease on the lawn.
Since every lawn mower is different from others, make sure to refer to the user’s manual to locate parts on your mower and solve the issues accordingly.
Table of Contents
What Type Of Lawn Mower Do You Have?
Whether you have a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine, Toro lawn mower, craftsman riding mower, or John Deere push mower, we’ve found solutions for all different types of lawn mowers.
Before we start, spare a few minutes to read our guide on how different types of lawn mowers work to understand everything easily.
When To Replace A Lawn Mower?
Lawn mowers are efficient grass-cutting machines that can most likely last up to 7-10 years, depending on how well you keep and use them. Experts suggest an ideal time to replace a residential mower is at least after 7 years or more based on your mower’s condition.
If not, you can also work on your mower for a few hours to keep it in good condition for upcoming years. If your lawn mower starts then stop, be sure to check the belts, air filter, or spark plug of your mower.
Fix Common Lawn Mower Problems Without Breaking A bank!
| No. | Problem | Solution |
| 1 | Stuck Starting rope | Clean the Lawnmower blade. |
| 2 | Lawnmower losing power | Clean the dirty filter. Raise the cutting height. Replace the spark plug. |
| 3 | Lawnmower blowing smoke | Fill the oil chamber. Treat the leaked chamber. |
| 4 | Lawnmower Won’t start after winter | Re-fuel the gas tank. Refill the oil tank. Replace the lawnmower battery. |
| 5 | Lawnmower losing speed | Tighten the drive belt Tap the carburetor Drain the old gas or oil. |
| 6 | Worn-out or dull blades | Sharpen the blades. |
| 7 | Clogged Deck plate | Clean the grass clippings. |
| 8 | Slow lawnmower engine speed | Use full speed to mow the lawn. |
| 9 | Unleveled or improperly installed tires | Flatten the tires properly. |
| 10 | Irregularly shaped grass cutting | Raise the cutting height. |
| 11 | Splutter Sound | Clean the dirty filter Adjust the cutting height Clean the lawnmower blade Check the spark plug Sharp the lawnmower blade. |
| 12 | Overheated lawnmower engine | Attach cooling fins to the lawnmower engine. |
| 13 | Corrosion of Carburetor | Cut off the fuel line and replace the carburetor. |
| 14 | A bumpy ride on a lawnmower | Fill the oil to the mark. |
| 15 | Bagging, discharging, and mulching of lawnmower | Mow at full throttle and use a deck size of 3/8 high. |
| 16 | Excessive vibration | Clean the grass clippings and yard before mowing. |
| 17 | Engine cranking | Charge the battery. Ensure proper connection to the battery. |
Whether you want to learn how to clean carbon build-up in the engine or want to know why a lawn mower doesn’t have power, this table has solutions for all your common lawn mower problems.
With a small share of homework, you can easily inspect, fix and run your lawn mower like before and prevent small engine repairs in the future.
11 Lawn Mower Problems and Their Easy Solutions
Problem 1: Stuck Starting Rope! What should I do?
Cause of Stuck Starting Rope
If you’re facing the problem of ”why a lawn mower won’t start”, it’s probably because of the stuck starting rope. If you don’t know, pulling the starter rope with force is an important requisite to start the mower. Due to many reasons, the rope may get stuck and cause trouble pulling.
Solution:
To fix the stuck starting rope, follow the steps mentioned.
- Try to pull the starter cord at least 4-5 times so it releases the tug.
- Once you feel the tug has been removed, give the rope a forceful pull and check if the flywheel brake works against the handlebar.
- If the problem is still there, check the lawn mower blade and clean it from the bottom to ensure there are no clippings or dirt stuck with it.
- When you pull the starter rope, the engine flywheel brake also exerts pressure against the handle. As a result, the rope gets stuck and needs lawn mower troubleshooting.
Problem #2: Forced Blade On The Lawn Mower
However, another common lawn mower problem ”forced blade” can be the result of not cleaning the blades with the clippings. To fix the issue, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Take your lawnmower from the lawn to your warehouse or garage
- Turn the mower off, disengage the throttle and disconnect the spark plug
- Title the mower onto either side and start cleaning.
- Take a brush with hard bristles and clean the underside of the mower carefully.
- make sure to wear gloves while doing so and be safe from the blades.
- After cleaning, correct the lawn mower position and give it a quick yank to free the stuck starting rope.
Problem #3: Lawnmower Loses Power While Lawnmowing
The third lawn mower we have is ”lawn mower losing power” while mowing. From riding to Toro mowers, it’s common for mowers to lose power with time, giving a strange sputtering sound from the engine. If you want to fix lawn mowers, be sure to follow all the lawn mower repair DIY solutions for the issue ”why lawn mower loses power”.
Causes and Solutions
- Dirty Filter: To clean a dirty filter, locate the filter on your mower, remove it, clean it, and put it back in place.
- Wrong Cutting Height Of The Blade: Set your mower to the right cutting height and avoid mowing the lawn less than 2 ½ cutting height, to prevent the blades from striking each other.
- Damaged Spark Plug: Be it a dirty, damaged, or dead spark plug, it’s best to replace the spark plug every once in a while to get rid of the problem ”why a lawn mower keeps losing power”.
Problem #4: Lawnmower Blowing White Smoke
Lawn mower blowing smoke can turn into an extremely serious problem if not treated at the right time.
Usually, lawn mowers blow smoke when the engine fails to supply enough power to drive the lawn mower blades to cut the grass. As a result of this, the engine blows white smoke and might need a lawn mower engine repair to fix this problem.
Some common signs of Lawn Mower Blowing Smoke include:
- Oil leakage
- Low pressure
- Lawn Mower Smoke
Cause
Another reason for lawn mower blowing smoke can be the underfilled or overfilled oil chamber. Oftentimes, a leaked lawn mower engine can also cause the oil to flow into the exhaust muffler, blowing smoke out of the lawnmower.
Solution:
- Take a thorough check on your lawnmower chamber and make sure it’s filled till the mark (not above or below). It’s good practice to fill the oil in a lawnmower oil tank when it’s half full.
- For leakage problems, inspect the oil chamber carefully and check if it’s well sealed and not leaking from any place. In case of any doubt, replace the chamber with a new one and check if the problem persists.
Problem #5: Lawnmower Won’t Start After Winter
If you don’t know, winter is a not-so-favorable month for mowing as the low or zero-degree temperature may create a layer of frost on the grass. Because of the less mowing sessions in winter, there’s a good chance that your mower may go through problems and cause trouble for you.
Here are a few possibilities for common lawn mower problems because your lawn mower won’t start after winter.
- Empty Gas/Oil Tank: Obviously, an empty or half-filled gas tank can also cause problems with your mower. That being the case, turn the mower off, let the engine cool and drain out the leftover gas with the help of a siphon. As a best practice, pour fresh oil into the tank, run the mower for a few minutes and empty the remaining oil once you’re done mowing.
- Issue with Battery: When using a battery-powered lawnmower, check the battery thoroughly and clean the rust and corrosion every month. With time, the battery loses its efficiency and drains quicker which requires battery replacement every once in a blue moon.
Problem #6: Why Lawnmower Loses Speed Constantly?
Nothing can be more frustrating than leaving mowing midway when the mower keeps losing speed continuously. Since different lawn mowers run at different speeds, the rate at which they lose speed may differ respectively.
In such cases, try to fix the damaged or broken drive belt which keeps your lawnmower dying, and you might need help starting the lawnmower again.
Solutions
- Loosened Drive Belt: The drive belt is mostly located in the motor casing of push and riding lawnmowers. Locate the belt and tighten it with any tool immediately. For a damaged drive belt, remove it and replace it with a new drive belt to fix this lawn mower problem.
- Old Gas: Old gas in your mower can cause issues in the engine, proving to be a serious reason why the lawn mower doesn’t start. To fix that, drain out your fuel tank with the old fuel and fill it up with new and fresh gas.
- Dirty Carburetor: If the mower still doesn’t maintain a constant speed, then your dirty carburetor can be the problem. Tap it off a few times so that the air easily reaches the engine and moves unfiltered around.
Problem #7: Petrol Lawn Mower Troubleshooting
If you’re facing problems with your petrol lawn mower, it’s probably because of the lawn mower troubleshooting tips to start the engine, resulting in the lawn mower keeps dying.
Solution:
To fix this problem, drain the old petrol out and fill the tank with new and fresh fuel and give it a forceful start to run the mower for a few minutes.
Dirty Spark Plug
Most likely, a dirty spark plug can cause multiple problems, requiring lawn mower engine troubleshooting from time to time.
Solution
First, clean the dirty spark plug with WD-40 as it’s very effective in removing carbon residue and cleaning moisture, dust, and debris from the spark plug. To solve that issue, replace the damaged spark plug with a new one to resolve the problem.
Problem #8: Clogged Carburetor
A clogged carburetor can give birth to several lawn mower problems from lawn mowers losing power to lawn mower troubleshooting. If you also experience a clogged air filter, it’s best to treat that right away before the situation worsens.
Due to this, the fuel may not reach properly to the engine, resulting in lawn mower keeps dying.
Solution
To fix their problem, first drain the old fuel, gasoline, or diesel from your lawn mower in a bowl. Next, clean the dirty carburetor but make sure to turn the power off before doing this. Once done, inspect your lawn mower engine for leakages, and at last, start the mower to check if everything’s up to the mark.
Problem #9: Electric Lawn Mower Won’t Start
1. Check Power Supply
As obvious as it sounds, an electric mower encloses a high-powered battery that directly supplies power to the engine. Hence, starting an electric lawn mower shouldn’t be a problem if you have an uninterrupted power supply connected to your mower.
If your mower doesn’t receive its usual power, inspect the battery and check the air filter to ensure it properly filters the air going to the engine.
2. Blown Fuses or Tripped Breakers
A blown fuse could be the reason why your lawn mower won’t start and needs serious lawn mower troubleshooting. However, it’s common for fuses to blow or break down due to any lawn mower injury.
If the issue doesn’t resolve here, try replacing or resetting these parts.
3. Defective Petrol Cap
As the name suggests, a defective petrol cap can be the worst nightmare and cause a number of lawn mower problems. If you’ve got the best petrol lawn mower, you probably know when the petrol cap is damaged or has small vents. That being the case, the vents in the cap let the air into the tank, losing the freshness of the petrol.
Some Other Possibilities That May Be Causing Common Lawn Mower Problems
Reasons Why Common Lawn Mower Problems Occur
- Running Out Of Gas?
As obvious as it sounds, lawn mowers running out of gas can often make your lawn mower trouble to start. To fix this issue, a good thing to do is to make a lawn mower troubleshoot your favorite pastime to resume and improve the speed of your mower. As per experts, fill at least 2-4 gallons of fuel in your mower almost every 50-600 hours of run-time.
2. Dirty Fuel Lines:
Dirty Fuel Lines in a lawn mower are a serious threat and might make your lawn mower won’t start. From when your mower has run out of fuel to the dirt it has captured, a bevy of reasons can cause dirty fuel lines in your mower.
In any case, you might face the problem of lawn mowing losing power. To avoid that, properly clean the fuel lines, start your lawn mower peacefully and inspect the fuel line for any leakage.
Problem #10: Dirty Lawn Mower Blades
No one would like to cut with messy and uncleaned blades that make cutting a never-ending chore to complete. When you cut clippings with uncleaned blades, chances are that it will clog the blades and cause lawn mower engine problems.
Therefore, the best rule of thumb is to regularly clean, maintain, and fix the lawn mower blades with a solid blade sharpener.
Once you’re done cleaning the underside of the mower, adjust the cutting height of the blades to at least 3 1/2 inches for fine cuttings any time of the year.
Problem #11: Lawn Mower Compression
Lawn mower compression is when the mower heats up, which changes the size of the valve and causes minor disturbances in the lawn mower engine. The higher the compression engine will be, the better the engine will perform, and more power will drive the blades of the mower.
Solution
To check whether lawn mower compression is there, inspect the engine, adjust the size of the valve and check other symptoms, so your mower works best in every case.
6 Lawnmower Troubleshooting Tips
Some Lawnmower troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth running of your lawnmower:
- Prepare a good lawnmowing maintenance schedule and replace the worn-out lawnmower replacement parts from time to time.
- Be sure to clean the blade every time after mowing from grass clippings.
- To prevent rust and corrosion, regularly oil the metallic lawnmower replacement parts.
- For battery-powered mowers, frequently recharge the batteries to make sure they’re appropriately connected to the correct voltage.
- Always disconnect the spark plug when turning the mower off or cleaning any of its parts.
- Clean the jet of the mower separately by removing it from the lawnmower.
Is Grass Raking Or Lawn Scarifying Good For My Lawn?
Though both raking and scarifying share the same purpose, the difference lies in the results, use of equipment and frequency.
In raking, we use leaf rakers to pick massive clumps of grass or leaves present on the lawn, using manual effort.
In contrast, scarifying removes more than grass which means removing organic matter, extra grass growth, plants, tides and other unnecessary mess to allow direct contact with sunlight.
How To Identify And Treat Red Thread On Your Lawn?
Red thread is a serious lawn care problem, a broader name for lawn fungicides and pests. You can identify these pests by colour or antler-like threads present on the lawn.
To get rid of red thread on the lawn, fertilize and water the lawn well and ensure a balanced quantity of nitrogen in the soil.
Are Squirrels Bad For My Lawn?
Yes, squirrels have always been a threat to lawn and yard care and unquestionably bad for your lawn.
Upon entering the lawn, squirrels start digging the hole in the lawn and damage the lawn which can be an underlying problem for your lawn’s health.
Hence, squirrels can be extremely bad or even deadly to your lawn, if not taken well care of.
The holes squirrels make are called squirrel holes and should be treated right away in your lawn before the squirrels store food in them.
How Spiking The Lawn Helps?
Spiking the lawn is undoubtedly an efficient technique to create holes in the lawn and allow water to penetrate deep down the roots.
There are a variety of lawn spikers available for lawn owners that help them boost water, nutrients, and oxygen.
In short, lawn spiking helps in preventing surfaces from running off to allow maximum penetration of nutrients in the soil.
What Is Moles’ Lawn Damage?
As the name suggests, mole lawn damage is basically the damage holes, occur because of the capture of different types of pests and other ground-dwelling carnivores on your lawn.
They make underground soil tunnels in the lawn and make passageways for rodents to harm your grass. Therefore, the best way to prevent them is to clean the lawn and always be free from these tunnels.
Why Is Mowing Wet Grass Bad?
Mowing wet grass is the most common mistake that homeowners make when mowing their lawn. The contact of mower blades on wet grass can be a problem and may cause problems like rust and corrosion on the surface.
Cutting wet grass at first might look good as it cuts cleanly but is not effective in the long term. Wet grass clumps and may block the mower’s deck, which is essential for lawnmower safety.
Is Mowing In Shade Any Good?
Mowing shady areas is definitely not a good option unless they are less than 3 inches in height.
Plants need photosynthesis to produce their own food which is why it’s important to mow at a place where the photosynthetic rate is good enough to allow plants to make their own food.
Lawns with longer grass height get in direct contact with sunlight which grows strong, healthy, and beautiful.
When you mow long grass, it causes less stress on the roots and increases their need for water as compared to short-length grass that can be mowed easily.
How Long Should I Cut My Grass?
Knowing the right cutting height comes under the most important things a user has to take care of while moving. Depending on your lawn length, climate, and lawn needs, you should decide on the right mowing height on your mower.
As per 10bestlawnmower experts, a good rule of thumb is to cut the grass when it’s at least as long as 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches. Following this cutting height can give better, long-lasting, and amazing cutting results on your lawn.
How Sharpened Blades Protect The Lawn?
Sharpening the blades by using a lawnmower blade sharpener cuts the grass from the roots while the opposite is true for dull blades.
When you cut grass from a dull blade, it tears or opens the grass blades, making it easy for pests, germs, and other bacteria to enter the roots and damage the grass.
How To Drain A Waterlogged Lawn?
Fixing a waterlogged lawn is very important if you need to get rid of the standing water in your lawn which may dampen the grass, disturbing your lawn care.
Luckily, there are a handful of ways through which you can drain a water-logged lawn and transform it into a healthy lawn. Some of these are aeration, applying fertilizer, planting bog garden, overseeing, collecting rainwater manually, etc.
How Often Should I Water My Lawn?
The best answer to when you should water your lawn is determined by the type of your lawn and its respective needs.
Experts recommend doing weekly watering for common types of lawn, while more often for Bermuda grass and other types.
Since different types of lawns have different water requirements, you should know about your lawn and water it regularly for its healthy growth.
Conclusion
This was our detailed guide on how to fix common lawn mower problems, increase your mower’s age, and avoid common mower problems. If you don’t have time to read the complete article, check the table above on common lawn mower problems and their solutions.
Long story short, you never know when you come across lawn mower problems and are left with an overgrown lawn in the middle of the hot scorching summer.
If you’ve convinced yourself to buy one, you’re in luck for sure as our experts have all the best-selling mowers on the market.
