Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Kyle Whitley
When was the last time you used your electric leaf blower? Did you put it up and forget about it since last fall? If you get it out this season and it isn’t working correctly. Let’s find out why did my electric leaf blower stop working?
Most homeowners will never notice any problems with their electric leaf blowers until something goes wrong. But before you call a repairman, check out these common causes of electric leaf blower breakdowns.
Table of Contents
- 1 Leaf Blower Operation Symptoms And Fixes
- 2 Electric Leaf Blower Won’t Start
- 3 Electric Leaf Blower Keeps Shutting Off
- 4 Troubleshooting for Electric Leaf Blowers
- 5 How to Prevent Issues in Your Electric Leaf Blower
- 6 Need To Replace Your Leaf Blower?
- 7 Summing it Up: Why did my electric leaf blower stop working?
Leaf Blower Operation Symptoms And Fixes
We’ll take a closer look at the two main types of leaf blowers—cord-operated and battery-operated
Electric leaf blower models are simpler to troubleshoot than our gas-fueled ones. Simply because they have fewer moving parts. There is no fuel or oil to worry about. No carburetor or air filter either.
There is generally just a motor, a throttle, a fan, and a battery if the model is battery-powered.
Electric Leaf Blower Won’t Start
If an electric leafblower doesn’t start, check whether the electrical system is working properly. Make sure the power source is working properly.
You can test whether an electrical outlet works by using a multimeter to measure the voltage at the outlet and then plugging another device into the outlet to see if it receives electricity.
Make sure the meter is set to DC mode for the battery pack. Always use proper protective equipment and safety procedures when working with electricity.
One of the most common causes of an electric leaf blower not working properly is a defective battery. If the battery is not dead yet, the next most likely cause is the on/off button or throttle.
If there is a problem with the throttle or on/off switch, you might need to consult your manufacturer to see if there is any further troubleshooting you might do.
Electric Leaf Blower Keeps Shutting Off
If an electric motor runs for just a few seconds and then suddenly shuts off, there are only two possibilities.
There is some wear and tear on the brushes. If the brushes on an electric motor get worn down, they may cause the motors to start up but not continue running. Usually, this means replacing the motor in an electric leaf blower.
There is a short circuit in the electrical system. Loose wires, terminals, or connections can cause electrical motors to stop unexpectedly.
Start by repairing the first part of the circuit, then check each wire along the way. Make sure always to check the power button. Power buttons tend to break often so it would be a good place to start your troubleshooting
You can check whether any parts of the system are working by using a multimeter set to resistance. If you remove the wires from a switch and connect them to the contacts, the meter should read zero volts when the switch is turned off. When activated, the resistance should almost immediately drop to zero. If it doesn’t show any signs of life when the switch is turned on, then it probably isn’t working properly.
Troubleshooting for Electric Leaf Blowers
Electric leaf blowers are pretty simple tools, and troubleshooting them isn’t going to take a long time. On the other hand, gas-powered leaf blowers have many parts specific to the motor that could be the issue.
Some of the issues you might run into are with the cord or plug-in corded models. You might run into issues with the on/off switch or throttle. Cordless models could have issues with the battery or throttle.
What to do if Your Electric Leaf Blower Won’t Turn On
Leaf blower electric models don’t need as much maintenance as their gasoline counterparts since they’re easier to use. They have fewer components, which makes them easier to maintain. Common issues include:
- Faulty power supply
- Defective plug and/or cable
- Defective terminals
- Motor is damaged
- Fan is jammed
Cord Issues
If your electric blower doesn’t start up, check if there is anything wrong with the plug or the cord. If there isn’t any electricity going into the device, then it’s not going to work. Check these items to ensure they’re not damaged, worn out, torn, bent, or anything else that might cause them to malfunction.
Throttle or Switch Issues
Usually, you will be able to see the problem immediately. If things go wrong, you might need to test the switch by running a circuit tester to make sure the electricity is getting to the trigger. If you’ve determined that there’s a problem with the throttle or the trigger, you can determine whether you can order the replacement parts yourself, or if it’d be cheaper to buy a new blower altogether.
Battery Issues
These are the same things that can be looked at when checking out cordless leaf blowers, including the battery itself. If replacing and charging the battery isn’t working, check the other issues listed above. You may be able to figure out the problem.
How to Prevent Issues in Your Electric Leaf Blower
It’s fairly easy to prevent electric blower malfunctions or repairs.
- Ensure you store the blower in an area, to protect it from moisture. Leaving electric equipment out in the rain and snow is a bad idea, even if they are rated to handle some moisture.
- Keep the blowers in a safe place so they don’t get damaged by dropping them or banging them against something else.
- Check your cords and other power supplies often to ensure they’re not worn out or worn down.
Need To Replace Your Leaf Blower?
If your leaf blowers aren’t functioning properly, replacing them might be a good idea. There are tons of great corded and cordless models to replace your existing blower with. It might just be easier to replace the blower than to try and fix it.
Blower technology is growing leaps and bounds each year, and battery capacity and power ratings seem to increment yearly. There are some great new blowers from EGO, Ryobi, Dewalt, GreenWorks, and Toro.
Summing it Up: Why did my electric leaf blower stop working?
In conclusion, it’s possible that your electric leaf blower stopped working because of several factors. For example, maybe you didn’t turn it on properly, or you forgot to charge it. Or perhaps you left it plugged in overnight and it overheated. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to check these things out trashing your blower or getting on a call with your manufactures customer service support staff.
