400 guides
Tools & outdoor
Drills, saws, mowers, trimmers, generators and more.
Drills & drivers 50
- Cordless drill won't turn on
- Drill chuck won't grip the bit tightly
- Drill bit slips or skates on the surface instead of biting in
- Cordless drill battery won't charge
- Drill battery drains fast or doesn't last through a job
- Drill clutch not stopping at the right torque
- Impact driver isn't hammering/impacting under load
- Drill motor smoking or smells burnt
- Drill loses power or shuts off when it gets hot
- Drill won't reverse or reverse switch doesn't work
- Drill bit stuck in the chuck and won't come out
- Drill vibrates or shakes excessively during use
- Drill makes a grinding or clicking noise
- Battery won't lock into the drill or fit properly
- Battery stuck in the drill and won't release
- Screws come out crooked or drill doesn't drive straight
- Drill trigger sticks or won't return after release
- Two-speed gear selector switch won't shift or is stuck
- Trigger doesn't control speed, drill only runs full speed
- Impact driver strips screw heads or drives too aggressively
- Drill battery charger light blinks or shows an error color
- Drill battery pack is swollen or bulgingSafety
- Cordless drill feels weak even with a full battery
- Drill battery loses charge just sitting unused
- Drill belt clip is loose, broken, or missing
- Drill's built-in LED work light won't turn on
- Keyless chuck spins freely and won't tighten or loosen
- Hammer drill mode isn't hammering into masonry
- Drill leaking oil or grease from the gearbox
- Drill battery seems dead in cold weather but fine indoors
- Hex shank bit slips or spins in the impact driver's quick-change chuck
- Drill dropped and now behaves oddly
- Corded drill loses power or sparks over time (worn brushes)
- Drill keeps spinning after the trigger is releasedSafety
- Clutch collar stuck and won't turn to change settings
- Wood splits when driving screws even with a drill/driver
- Battery charger gets very hot during charging
- Drill won't cut through metal effectively
- Drill battery contacts are corroded or dirty
- Standard drill is too long or bulky to reach a tight spot
- Brand-new drill battery won't hold a charge
- Drill spins screw or anchor without it going in properly (drywall/plaster)
- Charger shows full/green but tool still dies quickly
- Holes come out off-center or larger than the bit
- Battery terminal or connector pins are bent or broken
- Not sure which drill/driver setting or tool to use for a job
- Battery charge indicator seems inaccurate
- Impact driver's hex chuck won't hold a socket adapter securely
- Drill's storage case latch or hinge is broken
- Drill bit binds and the tool kicks back or twists in your hand
Saws 50
- Circular saw binds or pinches in the cut
- Circular saw is burning or scorching the wood
- Circular saw blade wobbles or cuts crooked
- Circular saw won't cut a straight line
- Circular saw kicks back during a cutSafety
- Circular saw won't turn on
- Circular saw blade guard won't retract or stays stuck open
- Circular saw motor is smoking or smells hotSafety
- Circular saw bogs down or loses power mid-cut
- Circular saw depth adjustment won't hold or slips during use
- Miter saw cuts are not accurate or square
- Miter saw blade is not square to the fence
- Miter saw won't lock at the set angle
- Miter saw laser guide is misaligned
- Miter saw won't power on
- Miter saw lower blade guard doesn't retract smoothly
- Miter saw bevel angle slips during cutting
- Miter saw leaves tearout or splintering on cuts
- Preventing table saw kickbackSafety
- Table saw blade is not parallel to the fence
- Table saw won't start
- Table saw blade height won't adjust
- Table saw is burning the wood during cuts
- Table saw riving knife is misaligned with the blade
- Table saw motor is overheating
- Table saw fence won't stay square to the blade
- Jigsaw blades keep breaking
- Jigsaw blade wanders off the cut line
- Jigsaw won't cut a straight line
- Not sure which jigsaw orbital setting to use
- Jigsaw blade won't stay in the clamp
- Reciprocating saw blades keep breaking
- Reciprocating saw vibrates excessively
- Reciprocating saw won't cut through metal
- Reciprocating saw blade won't lock in place
- Hand saw blade binds or sticks in the cut
- Hacksaw blade keeps breaking
- Coping saw blade twists or breaks during curved cuts
- Band saw blade drifts off the cut line
- Band saw blade keeps breaking
- Band saw blade won't track in the center of the wheels
- Band saw is burning the wood during cuts
- Scroll saw blades break frequently
- Scroll saw blade wanders off the pattern line
- Tile saw won't cut a straight line
- Tile saw is chipping the tile edges
- Wet tile saw water pump isn't flowing to the blade
- Track saw isn't cutting square to the track
- Cordless saw battery won't charge
- Saw blade dulls faster than it should
Lawn mowers 50
- Gas mower won't start at all
- Mower starts then immediately dies
- Riding mower engine cranks but won't start
- Mower engine is flooded and won't start
- Mower hard to start in cold weather
- Mower won't start after sitting all winter
- Lawn mower pull cord is stuck and won't pull
- Mower pull cord snapped or won't retract
- Mower pull cord is very hard to pull
- Mower is smoking white smoke
- Mower is smoking black smoke
- Mower is smoking blue smoke
- Mower cutting unevenly
- Mower scalping the lawn (cutting too low in spots)
- Mower leaving clumps of grass clippings
- Mower not cutting grass cleanly (dull blade)
- Mower vibrating or shaking excessively
- Mower making loud grinding or clanking noise
- Self-propel drive not working on push mower
- Self-propel mower drives too fast or lunges forward
- Mower loses power or bogs down in thick grass
- Mower stalls when blade or PTO is engaged
- Mower only runs with choke on, dies when choke is opened
- Riding mower won't crank at all
- Riding mower clicks but won't crank
- Riding mower won't start due to safety switch
- Riding mower blades won't engage
- Riding mower loses power or struggles on hills
- Riding mower drive or deck belt slipping
- Riding mower steering feels hard or loose
- Riding mower engine runs but won't move (drive not engaging)
- Zero-turn mower won't start
- Battery-powered mower won't turn on
- Battery mower battery won't charge
- Battery mower runtime is much shorter than usual
- Battery mower blade won't spin
- Robotic mower won't return to dock
- Robotic mower showing error codes or stopping mid-cycle
- Mower carburetor is clogged or gummed up
- Mower spark plug is fouled or worn out
- Mower air filter is dirty or clogged
- Mower has old or stale gasoline
- Mower oil is low or needs changing
- Mower is leaking oil
- Mower is leaking gasolineSafety
- Mower blade doesn't stop when handle is releasedSafety
- Mower deck clogged with rust or caked grass buildup
- Mower drive belt is broken or has come off
- Mower idles rough or surges at idle
- Mower primer bulb not working or cracked
Trimmers, blowers & chainsaws 50
- String trimmer won't start
- String trimmer starts then dies
- Trimmer line won't feed
- String trimmer bogs down under load
- Chainsaw won't start
- Chainsaw chain cutting slow or dull
- Chainsaw chain keeps coming loose
- Chainsaw bar oil not flowing
- Chainsaw overheating
- Leaf blower won't start
- Leaf blower losing power or weak airflow
- String trimmer smoking
- Hedge trimmer not cutting well
- String trimmer vibrates excessively
- Chainsaw won't idle or stalls at idle
- Cordless trimmer battery won't charge
- Pole saw chain won't move
- Trimmer head spins at idle or clutch won't engage
- Trimmer pull cord stuck or won't retract
- Electric hedge trimmer won't turn on
- Trimmer throttle stuck or stickingSafety
- Chainsaw kickback and how to prevent itSafety
- Trimmer head won't come off for line replacement
- Chainsaw leaking bar oil when stored
- Trimmer head wobbles or doesn't spin straight
- Leaf blower vacuum attachment not picking up leaves
- String trimmer leaking fuel
- Chainsaw chain brake not engaging or releasingSafety
- String trimmer running rich or lean
- Leaf blower making loud or unusual noise
- Chainsaw pull cord very hard to pull
- Trimmer air filter soaked in oil or fuel
- Chainsaw won't cut straight
- Cordless leaf blower battery drains fast
- Trimmer choke lever stuck or not working
- Chainsaw clutch drum and sprocket worn
- Trimmer engine floods repeatedly
- Hedge trimmer blades misaligned or gapped
- Trimmer engine seized or locked up
- Leaf blower tube clogged or blocked
- Trimmer spark plug keeps fouling
- Chainsaw air filter clogged with sawdust
- Brush cutter blade attachment vibrates or wobbles
- Leaf blower won't turn offSafety
- Trimmer gear head leaking grease
- Chainsaw guide bar wearing unevenly
- Trimmer feels weak cutting through grass
- Chainsaw vibrating excessively
- Trimmer line breaks too often
- Chainsaw running poorly after wrong fuel mix
Pressure washers & generators 50
- Pressure washer won't start
- Pressure washer has low pressure
- Pressure washer spray pulses or surges
- Pressure washer runs but won't build any pressure
- Pressure washer is leaking water
- Gas pressure washer is leaking oil
- Pressure washer engine starts then dies
- Pressure washer nozzle is clogged
- Pressure washer trigger gun is stuck or leaking
- Pressure washer hose is leaking or burst
- Pressure washer soap or detergent won't dispense
- Pressure washer unloader valve is stuck or misadjusted
- Pressure washer pump is making loud noise
- Pressure washer engine or pump is overheating
- Pressure washer won't turn off / keeps running
- Electric pressure washer trips the GFCI outlet
- Pressure washer vibrates excessively
- Pressure washer engine is smoking
- Pressure washer loses prime / has to be restarted repeatedly
- Pressure washer spray tips are confusing or wrong for the job
- Pressure washer pump is seized after winter storage
- Pressure washer detergent siphon hose is cracked or disconnected
- Pressure washer pressure is inconsistent between uses
- Pressure washer has no water coming out at all
- Electric pressure washer motor hums but won't run
- Generator won't start
- Generator starts then dies
- Generator runs but produces no power
- Generator surges or RPM fluctuates
- Generator breaker keeps tripping under load
- Generator won't run without the choke on
- Generator engine is smoking
- Generator carbon monoxide safetySafety
- Generator has fuel problems from old or stale gas
- Generator runs fine but stalls or bogs when load is added
- Generator shuts off due to low oil warning
- Generator with electric start has a dead battery
- Generator pull cord is stuck or broken
- Generator spark plug is fouled
- Generator carburetor is gummed up
- Generator output voltage is too low or too high
- Generator transfer switch problemsSafety
- Inverter generator shows an error code
- Generator is louder than normal
- Generator is leaking gasolineSafety
- Dual-fuel generator won't run on propane
- Generator outlets aren't working / GFCI keeps tripping
- Generator vibrates or shakes excessively
- Generator recoil starter mechanism problems
- Generator overheats and shuts off
Air compressors 50
- Air compressor won't build pressure
- Air compressor keeps tripping the breaker
- Air compressor leaking air from the tankSafety
- Nail gun keeps jamming
- Nail gun misfiring or double-firing
- Air compressor leaking oil
- Air compressor won't turn on
- Air compressor cycles on and off too often
- Air compressor overheats and shuts off
- Air compressor making loud knocking or grinding noise
- Air compressor tank filling with water
- Air compressor blows a fuse repeatedlySafety
- Air compressor safety (pop-off) valve leaking airSafety
- Air compressor pressure gauge reads wrong or stuck
- Pneumatic impact wrench losing power
- Air hose leaking at the fitting
- Compressor motor hums but won't start
- Pneumatic orbital sander not spinning or spinning weakly
- Compressed air smells or tastes like oil
- Air compressor won't shut offSafety
- Air compressor tank rusting from the insideSafety
- Framing nailer won't fire at all
- Air compressor intake filter clogged or dirty
- Air compressor belt slipping or squealing
- Spray gun sputters or spits when connected to compressor
- Pneumatic staple gun not sinking staples fully
- Compressor tank pressure drops fast even when not in use
- Pneumatic air ratchet won't spin or is very weak
- Air compressor drain valve stuck or won't open
- Pneumatic die grinder vibrating excessively
- Weak air flow at the compressor outlet even with good pressure
- Compressor lines freezing up in cold weather
- Nail gun shoots two nails at once
- Compressor vibrates badly or 'walks' across the floor
- Air compressor gives a mild shock when touchedSafety
- Compressor tank is dented or damagedSafety
- Brad nailer leaves nails sticking out or not flush
- Compressor pump runs constantly and gets very hot
- Air compressor regulator won't hold set pressure
- Compressor check valve hissing when motor stops
- Compressor motor runs but no air comes out at all
- Roofing nailer won't cycle or feed shingle caps
- Compressor stops well short of its rated max pressure
- Air hose kinks constantly during use
- Air compressor smells like it's burningSafety
- Compressor unloader valve not releasing pressure at shutoff
- Compressor wheel is flat, cracked, or broken
- Pneumatic tool trigger sticks or freezes in the on positionSafety
- Air compressor power cord frayed or damagedSafety
- Compressor pressure drops fast as soon as a tool is used
Hand tools & workshop 50
- Stripped screw head won't turn
- Stuck or rusted bolt won't loosen
- Broken bolt or screw snapped off inside a hole
- Rounded hex or Allen bolt head won't grip
- Chisel is dull and won't cut cleanly
- Chisel edge is chipped or nicked
- Hand saw binds or sticks in the wood
- Hand plane won't cut evenly or smoothly
- Hammer head is loose on the handle
- Screwdriver tip is worn or rounded
- Wire cutters or pliers not cutting cleanly
- Wrench keeps slipping off the bolt
- Tape measure blade won't retract
- Tape measure end hook is bent or loose
- Level reads inaccurately or bubble looks off
- Stud finder gives false or inconsistent readings
- Stud finder won't detect any studs at all
- Ladder wobbles on uneven ground
- Ladder feet slip out from under it
- Extension ladder won't extend or lock
- Step ladder hinge or spreader bar is loose
- Bench vise won't grip or jaws feel loose
- Bench grinder wheel wobbles or vibrates
- Bench grinder throws excessive sparks
- Bench grinder wheel feels dull and won't cut
- Orbital sander won't spin or turn on
- Sander leaves swirl marks on the wood
- Belt sander's sanding belt slips off
- Sandpaper clogs quickly and stops cutting
- Shop vac has lost suction
- Shop vac won't turn on
- Shop vac filter is clogged with dust
- Shop vac hose is clogged
- Clamp won't hold pressure or slips loose
- Workbench is wobbly or unstable
- Hand tools have rust that needs removing
- Wood glue joint isn't bonding or keeps failing
- File is clogging with metal shavings (chip loading)
- Utility knife blade is dull or keeps breaking
- Allen or hex key keeps rounding out in the bolt
- Torque wrench feels inaccurate or clicks at the wrong setting
- Staple gun keeps jamming
- Hot glue gun won't heat up
- Soldering iron won't heat up or tip won't tin
- Multimeter reads inaccurately or shows no reading
- Sawhorse is wobbly or sits unevenly
- Toolbox or tool chest drawer is stuck
- Pipe wrench won't grip the pipe or fitting
- Ratchet won't click or freewheels in both directions
- Drill bit wanders or won't start on the mark
Other outdoor power 50
- Snow blower won't start
- Snow blower runs but won't throw snow
- Rototiller won't start
- Tiller tines won't turn
- Lawn edger won't start
- Edger blade not spinning
- Hedge trimmer won't start
- Hedge trimmer blades not cutting well
- Log splitter engine won't start
- Log splitter runs but won't split wood
- Wood chipper won't start
- Wood chipper jammed or cloggedSafety
- Pressure washer has low pressure
- Pressure washer pressure pulsing or surging
- Generator runs but produces no power
- Generator won't startSafety
- Generator surging or running unevenly
- Electric start not working on outdoor power equipment
- Snow blower auger belt slipping
- Tiller vibrating excessively
- Cordless hedge trimmer battery not charging
- Gas pressure washer won't start
- Outdoor power tool attachment not engaging
- Outdoor power equipment engine overheating
- String trimmer line won't feed
- Outdoor power tool bogs down under load
- Gas leaking from outdoor power equipmentSafety
- Leaf blower won't start
- Leaf blower has weak airflow
- Chainsaw won't start
- Chainsaw chain loose or falling off
- Chainsaw bar oil not flowing
- Pull starter cord stuck or won't retract
- Small engine outdoor tool blowing black smoke
- Fuel line cracked or brittle on outdoor equipmentSafety
- Snow blower chute won't aim properly
- Tiller pulls or is hard to control
- Excessive vibration in outdoor power tool handles
- Small engine won't idle, stalls at low speed
- Cordless outdoor tool battery swollen or hotSafety
- Outdoor power tool engine won't shut off
- Small engine loses power suddenly, timing feels off
- How to tell if gas in the can has gone bad
- Throttle cable stuck or not responding
- Small engine starts then dies right away
- Grinding or whining noise from gearbox on outdoor tool
- Cutting blade or attachment won't stop when releasedSafety
- Engine oil leaking from outdoor power equipment
- Air filter soaked with oil
- Pull cord very hard to pull