Why your leaf blower won’t start and how to fix it

Nothing’s more annoying than gearing up to clean your yard, only for your leaf blower—whether it’s gas, electric, or battery-powered—to give you the cold shoulder. Don’t sweat it—you’re not the only one, and chances are, you can sort it out yourself with a bit of tinkering.

Just a heads up: The tips here might not match your exact leaf blower model. This guide covers gas, electric, and battery-powered leaf blowers, but different models can have varied steps, error codes, and parts. We do our best to share useful advice for many DIY fixes, but different models can have varied steps, error codes, and parts. For the best info, check your manufacturer’s manual or hit us up if you’ve got questions.

1. Old or Contaminated Fuel (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

Fuel doesn’t last forever—especially gas mixed with ethanol can go bad and cause your gas-powered blower not to start.

How to fix it:

• Carefully empty out any old fuel from the tank.
• Check inside the tank for gunk or debris; clean it out if you find any.
• Fill up with fresh, good-quality gas, and don’t forget to mix in the right amount of oil if your engine needs it.
• You might want to add a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas fresh longer, especially if you don’t use your blower a lot.
• Try starting the leaf blower to see if that did the trick.

2. Dirty Air Filter (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

A clogged air filter can choke your engine, stopping your gas-powered leaf blower from firing up.

How to fix it:

• Pop off the air filter cover—it’s typically on the side.
• Take out the air filter and see if it’s dirty.
• If it’s a paper filter and it’s grimy, swap it out with a new one.
• If it’s a foam filter, you can wash it with some soapy water. Just make sure it dries out completely before you put it back.
• Put the clean (or new) filter back in its spot and secure the cover.

Pro tip: Clean or replace your air filter once a year or whenever it looks dirty to keep your blower running smoothly.

3. Defective Spark Plug (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

Having trouble getting your gas-powered leaf blower to ignite? It could be a bad spark plug. Carbon buildup or worn-out electrodes can keep the engine from starting.

How to fix it:

• Find the spark plug—if you’re not sure where it is, check your owner’s manual or our guide on finding your appliance’s model number.
• Pull off the spark plug wire and use a spark plug wrench to loosen and remove the plug.
• Look over the spark plug for any damage like cracks or a lot of soot.
• If it’s looking beat up, time for a new one—it’s a quick and cheap fix.
• Before popping in the new plug, check the gap with a gap tool to make sure it’s set right.
• Put in the new spark plug, tighten it up, and reconnect the spark plug wire.

Handy tip: Swap out the spark plug every year to keep your blower humming along.

4. Clogged Spark Arrestor (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

The spark arrestor—a tiny screen in your exhaust—keeps sparks from flying out, but it can get clogged up with soot.

How to fix it:

• Find the spark arrestor; it’s usually on the muffler.
• Carefully take off the spark arrestor screen.
• Use a wire brush to scrub off any carbon buildup.
• If it’s really gunked up or damaged, get a new screen.
• Put the spark arrestor back and tighten up any screws or clamps.

5. Clogged Fuel Filter (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

A blocked fuel filter stops fuel from reaching the engine, so your gas-powered blower won’t start.

How to fix it:

• Get to the fuel filter—it’s often inside the fuel tank attached to the fuel line.
• Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the fuel filter.
• Check it for clogs or any damage.
• If it’s clogged, it’s time for a new one.
• Reconnect the fuel line securely.

6. Cracked or Clogged Fuel Lines (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

Fuel lines can get old, crack, or get clogged, keeping fuel from getting to the carburetor in your gas-powered blower.

How to fix it:

• Look over the fuel lines for cracks, leaks, or blockages.
• If you spot problems, carefully take off the bad fuel lines—remember how they were hooked up!
• Grab new fuel lines that fit your blower.
• Install the new lines, making sure they’re firmly connected to the tank and carburetor.
• Check all the connections for leaks before you try starting it up.

Quick tip: Keep an eye on your fuel lines to avoid problems and help your blower last longer.

7. Restricted Carburetor (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

Stale fuel can gum up the carburetor, messing with the air and fuel mix your gas-powered engine needs to get going.

How to fix it:

• Empty out old fuel and get rid of it safely.
• Mix up fresh gas and oil according to your blower’s specs.
• Add some fuel stabilizer to keep things fresh and prevent buildup.
• Spray carburetor cleaner into the carb ports to clean out any gunk.
• If that doesn’t do it, you might need a new carburetor.

8. Defective Ignition Coil (Gas Leaf Blowers Only)

The ignition coil powers the spark plug. If it’s shot, your gas-powered engine won’t start since there’s no spark.

How to fix it:

• Unplug the spark plug wire so it doesn’t accidentally start.
• Set your multimeter to measure resistance (ohms).
• Check the resistance between the ignition coil terminals—compare it to what your manual says it should be.
• If the numbers are off, you’ll need a new ignition coil.
• Take off the engine cover to get to the ignition coil.
• Unplug the spark plug wire and remove any screws holding the coil.
• Install the new coil, making sure the gap between it and the flywheel is correct (about as thick as a business card).
• Put everything back together and try starting the engine.

Watch out: Be careful when working with the ignition system. Always turn off the blower and disconnect the spark plug wire first.

9. Broken Rewind Spring (Gas and Electric Leaf Blowers)

The rewind spring pulls back the starter rope after you pull it. If it’s busted, the rope won’t rewind, and you can’t start your blower.

How to fix it:

• Take off the cover over the rewind assembly.
• Look closely at the rewind spring for any breaks or damage.
• If it’s broken, you can buy a new spring or just replace the whole recoil starter assembly.
• Install the new part following the instructions.
• Put the cover back on and test the starter rope.

10. Malfunctioning Recoil Starter (Gas and Electric Leaf Blowers)

If the starter rope isn’t turning the engine over, there’s a chance the recoil starter is faulty.

How to fix it:

• Take off the recoil starter assembly.
• Check for worn or broken parts like the pulley or springs.
• If you find problems, it’s usually easiest to replace the whole assembly.
• Put in the new assembly, making sure everything lines up right.
• Reattach the housing and give the starter rope a pull to see if the engine engages.

11. Battery Issues (Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers)

Battery-powered blowers are convenient, but they come with their own set of challenges. If your blower isn’t starting, the battery may be at fault.

How to fix it:

• Check the battery charge: Ensure the battery is fully charged. Sometimes, a simple recharge is all it takes to get your blower running again.
• Inspect the battery for damage: Look for any signs of wear, damage, or corrosion on the battery terminals.
• Try a different battery: If you have access to a spare battery, swap it in to see if that solves the problem. This helps determine if the issue is with the battery or the blower itself.
• Test the charger: Make sure the charger is working properly by using it with another compatible device or battery. A faulty charger could be the reason your battery isn’t charging properly.
• Quick tip: Always store your battery correctly—in a cool, dry place—and avoid letting it sit at low charge for extended periods.

Wrapping up

We appreciate you stopping by! For help with other repairs, you can check out our large collection of troubleshooting guides and videos. Need parts? Just grab that model number and get on over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a tech, read our blog, and more. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram to see our latest tutorials!