Why Is My Chainsaw Not Cutting?

Written By James
Updated July 26, 2021 by James

Why Is My Chainsaw Not Cutting?

Why Won't My Chainsaw Cut?

Chainsaw troubleshooting may be required to determine why your chainsaw will not cut.

If the chainsaw will not start, then the engine may be flooded with fuel.

If the chainsaw will not cut if the chain is dull, broken or loose.

You can sharpen a dull chain on the side of the bar.

If you do not sharpen the chain often enough, it can get out of alignment and no longer cut optimally.

The most common fixes for a chainsaw that isn't cutting

Chainsaws are the most common type of power tool used in both on-road and off-road machinery. They are also the most dangerous.

Whether you're a part-time hunter, a weekend wood cutter or a tradesman, there's a good chance you own a chainsaw.

If you find that your chainsaw is not cutting properly, there are a number of things you can do to try and resolve this problem.

These include:

  • Hook the chain back on and tighten the chain with the chain tool.
  • Ensure that all parts are attached properly.
  • Ensure that you have enough fuel for the job.
  • Clean off the saw.
  • Change the chain if necessary.
  • Check if it is lubricated with oil

 You can also check the sharpness of the chain, if it's blunt you should sharpen the chain.

Finally, you should check the spark plug gap and if it's too far apart you should adjust it.

Why is My Chainsaw Not Cutting Straight?

Chainsaws have become a big part of the gardening industry.

There are a lot of different types and sizes to choose from, but one thing is for sure, they are just as useful as they are fun.

Choosing the right chainsaw is important - an incorrect chainsaw can be dangerous and expensive.

If the chainsaw does not cut straight, it could mean that the chain is not sharpened or the bar is slightly bent.

To fix this, sharpen the chain or replace it. A bent bar can be straightened by grinding it on a grinding wheel.

Not only will a dull common chainsaw not cut straight, it will use more fuel and require more effort to use.

The cause of this is that a dull chainsaw is more likely to bounce off the wood.

Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?

When you purchase a new chainsaw chain, you should examine the chain to make sure it's in good working condition.

Chain saw chains dull quickly because they're made of steel band.

A dull chain saw can break, causing a dangerous accident.

The chain's sprocket, the part that drives the chain, wears down chain teeth as you cut through wood.

Once you start using your chain on the job, you'll want to sharpen it periodically as well.

Chainsaw chains can dull quickly for a wide variety of reasons.

To keep your chainsaw life running efficiently, you should sharpen it often and replace the chain when necessary.

Stored in the best conditions, it will last for a few years before it needs re-sharpening.

But in just a few months of usage, the chain may need to be replaced or sharpened.

How to prevent an uneven chain?

Before you get your hands on a tool, it is important to know that an uneven chain will ruin your chainsaw.

The chain starts to wobble when one of its teeth is worn or damaged.

You can prevent this by inspecting your chainsaw teeth before every use to make sure it has not been damaged.

There are some remedies to prevent an uneven chain.

  1. You should keep your chain lubricated.
  2. Avoid using plain petroleum jelly since it can damage your chain and sprocket.
  3. Use a specialised chain lubricant.
  4. You should be tightening the chain by an amount equal to the thickness of the bar.  
  5. If you're using a spring-loaded bar clamp, make sure you're lining the bar up with the groove in the tightening mechanism.  
  6. You can also inspect the chain for damage such as a bent tooth or broken chain.

Improper Chain Tension

Chainsaw chain tension is when the chain is not tightened enough on the bar to make the chain cut properly and in turn leads to a bad chain.

Improper chainsaw chain tension can cause reduced cutting efficiency and increase the risk of kickback.

The most critical factor in selecting the proper tension is the pitch of the chain.

Everyone who has ever used a chainsaw or any other tool has probably noticed that the chain tension is not the same every time. 

The amount of tension that your chain needs will vary with each cut, and it will need to be adjusted every few cuts.

Guide bar issue

A guide bar is a ring of metal that connects the saw's bar to the fly bar with a pin that passes through the bar.

The guide bar nuts is part of the saw's chain that allows the saw to cut.

When the saw cuts a tree, the saw's bar turns over the cut wood and the fly bar returns to its original position.

When any bar is bent or misshapen, it will likely cause the chainsaw to vibrate and wobble, which can cause your saw to get stuck or pull the saw off course.

Too much guide link bar protrudes from the bar and lengths of guide bars is too loose in the saw.

Chainsaw maintenance kit

Nowadays, a chainsaw is an essential tool for any gardener.

Whether for cutting firewood or making a hedge, a chainsaw is always an instrument that you need.

There are several elements that you need to take into consideration when caring for your saw.

The first one is the chain. If it gets rusty, it will slow down the chain saw and the unit will break down.

So, you need to clean the chain regularly.

When you own a chainsaw you should consider a chainsaw maintenance kit that includes a number of items which are used for the general maintenance of a chainsaw.

The items which a chainsaw maintenance kit commonly includes are:

  1. a tool for chain tightening,
  2. a bar 
  3. chain oil
  4. air filter
  5. spark plug
  6. a chainsaw file
  7. swivel chain.

No matter how much you love this saw, you cannot neglect the maintenance.

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James

My father, and his father before him, and his father; for the past 3 generations, my family have always been into gardening. The green fingers is a gift passed down to me and I thoroughly enjoy it! I also have worked in the manufacturing department for Bosch and DeWalt so I like to think I know a thing or two about tools and such!
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