Dealing with a lawnmower’s starting problems instead of mowing your lawn can be frustrating. These problems tend to arise with time and frequent usage of the machine. However, once you figure out the source of the issues, fixing them is often relatively simple.

Greenworks lawnmower starting problems:

A list of factors might be causing a Greenworks lawnmower not to start correctly. Electric corded lawnmowers include a damaged cord, loose connections, a blown fuse, or a tripped circuit breaker. At the same time, an overheated electric motor, corroded terminals, loose switches and wiring, depleted battery, and disengaged safety levers are just some of the reasons that can cause starting problems in a Greenworks battery-powered lawnmower.

If you’ve faced such problems before and are unsure how to proceed, continue reading this article in which I’ve mentioned step-by-step procedures for solving these problems in your Greenworks lawnmower.

Note: Greenworks doesn’t produce gasoline-powered products but only electric variants (both corded and cordless battery-powered). In this article, I will only address starting issues about electric lawnmowers (self-propelled and riding).

Troubleshooting a Greenworks Lawnmower: Where to Start From

In gas-powered lawnmowers, multiple factors ranging from ignition to fuel delivery system must be checked independently to locate the problem source. However, unlike these gas-powered lawnmowers, starting troubles in electric lawnmowers are usually related to the power source.

Here’s a complete step-by-step troubleshooting procedure that you can follow to identify the culprit behind a lawnmower not starting up.

1. Battery Connection Issues

This step is for users who own a cordless battery-powered lawnmower. With time and usage, the battery terminals in your lawnmower may get corroded or develop scales that can affect conductivity. This leads to difficulty in starting the lawnmower.

If the battery has become older (like more than five years), it reduces its capability to store charge and hence shortens the run time. Furthermore, when a battery is overheated frequently, it also affects its performance. An overheated battery might trigger a safety mechanism in some lawnmowers and shut down the mower.

First, ensure that your battery is completely charged before running the motor to solve this issue. If the battery has become overheated, let it cool for 10 to 15 min before you try to power up the mower again.

In addition, inspect the battery terminals for corrosion and scale deposition. You can clean them using some alcohol or carefully use a wire brush to remove the corrosion and dirt. If your battery underperforms despite being new and well-maintained, contact customer support for a repair/warranty claim.

2. Faulty On/Off Switch:

The start switch must be checked if the lawnmower doesn’t start or stops in the middle of the operation while the battery is still sufficiently charged. This step is common for both corded and cordless electric mowers. Check if the switch isn’t damaged mechanically by pressing it and seeing if it engages.

You can use a digital multimeter and set it to resistance mode for electrical connectivity. After turning the switch on and placing the voltmeter at the switch connections, you can confirm if it’s faulty or not. A defective switch gives an infinite resistance value. You can replace the switch and see if the problem goes away.

3. Tripped Circuit Breakers/Fuses

If you’re using a corded electric mower, a problem with a tripped circuit breaker or fuse is a fairly common problem. Circuit breakers are designed to prevent the lawnmower’s electrical system from going into overload.

Excessive current through the motor, or a problem with the cable or even something outside of the lawn mower, will trip the circuit breaker and immediately cut off all power.

Check your breaker box to see if a circuit breaker has tripped. For a quick check, you can put a lamp or another appliance in the wall socket and see if it works. Reset the breakers that have turned off.

Some houses might have fuses installed in place of circuit breakers. You can check for blown fuses in the fuse box and install new ones in their place. Start your lawnmower again and see if it starts now.

4. Motor:

After you’ve checked all the power sources and fixed all connections, the motor is the only potentially faulty component. The motor may have turned itself off due to overheating issues. This can happen if you use your GreenWorks lawn mower for an extended time or under difficult circumstances like mowing tall or thick grass.

Let the motor cool down for 10 to 15 minutes, and see if it turns on. You can prevent your motor from overloading by not mowing tall grass or thick bushes in one go. Take multiple passes to avoid over-exerting the machine.

Another possibility is that excessive overload or voltage fluctuations caused its winding to burn out. Or, the capacitors might have failed, causing them to deliver insufficient power.

If the motor is malfunctioning, it is best to inspect it by a service center professional.

Greenworks Riding Lawnmowers: Starting Problems

Here are some of the issues that these machines can experience.

1. Riding Lawnmower Does Not Start?

Most riding lawnmowers by Greenworks are battery-powered. Sometimes, the riding lawnmower may struggle to power up. Here are some of the reasons why:

– Safety switches:

Certain safety mechanisms can prevent the mower from starting. You’ll find these in the manual. Ensure they are engaged correctly, such as the brake or blade engagement lever.

– Battery Level:

Check the battery level and make sure the battery is fully charged. The red light usually indicates a low battery level. While the battery is being inspected, do check its terminals to confirm if it’s installed correctly.

Normally you will hear a click while installing the battery on the mower.

– Debris:

Excessive debris buildup between the blades jams the spindle and overloads the motor. The motor may fail to start as a result. Before every run, ensure no grass residues lie between the blades and their spindle.

2. Riding Lawnmower Starts but Then Dies?

The following reasons can cause a riding lawn mower to die just as soon as it starts. 

– Overheating

Overheating the electric motor or the battery will cause your mower to die as soon as it starts. Let the electric motor cool down before trying to start it again. Also, inspect the battery connections and ensure that they remain conducting.

– Drained Battery:

If the battery is drained or weak, it will fail to power the engine properly. Either recharge or replace the battery if it’s too old and weak.

– Faulty Switch:

Check the start switch for electrical continuity using a multimeter. Also, inspect the switch to see if it isn’t mechanically damaged.

5. Does the Riding Lawnmower Have a Dead Battery?

After extensive usage for years, your lawnmower will eventually need a new battery. Here’s how to identify if your battery is dead and needs a replacement.

1. Recharge:

The first thing to do should be to recharge the battery using a 12V DC adaptor if available. You can also try using a jumper cable and connect it to your car’s alternator for a few minutes to see if it delivers any current.

If the motor starts briefly, the battery has got some charge. However, do note that aging batteries have a lesser discharge time which may significantly reduce the time you can mow grass with your machine. Hence, you may need a new battery somewhere in the future.

2. Charging system:

If the battery is dead and doesn’t power up the motor, one of the reasons can be a defective charger. Check the charging port and see if the charging indicator light turns on. Try adjusting the charging plug or confirm if the socket works fine.

Alternatively, you can measure the voltage using a multimeter. It has some charge if the multimeter shows the battery voltage, or just above, like 12V. This way, it is difficult to determine the quality or how much charge the battery has.

3. Battery connections:

While charging it, inspect the battery terminals to ensure they are clean, secure, and corrosion-free. You can use the wire brush to clean the dirt and corrosion. You can clean stubborn scales with baking soda and water to remove dirt and corrosion.

Greenworks Self-Propelled Lawnmowers: Starting Problems

Self-propelled lawnmowers (mostly corded and cordless electric) are also prone to undergo starting issues. Here are some of the issues faced by most users:

1. Self-Propelled Lawnmower Doesn’t Start

Greenworks lawnmowers typically include a rechargeable battery. If the battery isn’t charged, the mower won’t start. In addition, the mower fails to start if the safety levers are not engaged and the battery has corroded terminals or faulty wiring.

Ensure the battery is fully charged before you start the lawnmower. Inspect all the safety levers and ensure the safety key is fully inserted in the keyhole and the brake lever is also engaged. Ensure the battery terminals are conducting and the connections are secure.

2. Why does a Self-Propelled Lawnmower Suddenly Shut Down?

Following reasons that can cause your lawnmower to shut down suddenly:

• Obstruction in the blades or wheels: Grass clippings or debris jamming the blades or the wheels can create resistance and may trigger the shutdown of the mower.
• Overheating: Overheated battery or electric motor can trigger a thermal shutdown. Check if these parts are hot. If so, let them cool down.

Greenworks Battery Powered Lawnmowers:

Cordless battery-powered lawnmowers by Greenworks have an edge over corded ones due to their portability and range. Here are some of the common problems that users generally face with these devices:

1. Battery Powered Lawnmower Doesn’t Start?

Consider the following troubleshooting procedure if your battery-powered lawn mower doesn’t start:

• Battery connections: Make sure the battery connections aren’t loose or corroded. Clean the terminals with a wire brush and tightly secure them. Also, please check that your battery is sufficiently charged and can hold sufficient charge.
• Start Switch: Using a multimeter, check the on/off switch for continuity. If the switch fails the continuity test, it needs to be replaced.

Apart from checking the battery and the switch, do check the mowing deck and the blades and ensure that no debris is lodged between the blades and the spindle bearing.

2. Battery Powered Lawnmower Shuts Down?

Overheating of the mower’s electrical components or low battery lever could cause the electric lawnmower to shut down during operation.

You should allow the lawnmower to cool down for 10-20 minutes if it has overheated. Also, recharge the battery and restart the motor again. If the motor still doesn’t start, the fault most certainly lies in the motor. In this scenario, getting your electric motor tested by a service center specialist is better.

If your battery is under warranty, avoid performing repairs, which may void the warranty.

Greenworks Electric Lawnmowers:

Despite having limited range due to the extension cord length, corded electric lawnmowers can operate for extended periods since they don’t need recharging. They are ideal for smaller lawns and can be used on larger areas using an extension cord. Here are some problems that most users tend to face while starting an electric mower.

1. Electric Lawnmower Doesn’t Start?

If your electric lawn mower fails to start, examine the following parts.

• Damaged Power Cord: Check the power cord for cuts or visible damage. You can fix up small cuts yourself; however, if the cord is damaged internally, I recommend replacing it with a new one.
• Loose Socket Connection: The plug connection at the socket might be loose. Ensure that the socket works fine and the plug fits correctly in the socket.
• Faulty extension cord: If you use an extension cord and the lawnmower doesn’t start, try plugging directly in the socket. A defective extension can be a culprit in most cases.

If the lawnmower doesn’t start after performing these steps, please consult a professional to inspect the electric motor thoroughly.

2. Electric Lawnmower Keeps Dying?

If your electric lawnmower keeps dying, you should examine the on/off switch and the power cord.

• Frayed Cord: If the cord in your electric lawnmower has been damaged due to cuts, frays, and wear, it may cause short-circuiting and sparks. You can use electrical tape to cover the exposed portion to see if that helps. If the cord is too damaged or bare, I recommend replacing it.
• Blown fuses: You should check for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers in your house. If the motor draws excessive current, the circuit might trip and cause a shutdown every time you run the motor.
• Loose Plug: In most cases, the plug connection at the socket becomes loose and causes the machine to shut down. Please ensure you use a correct-sized plug that fits perfectly into the socket. If unavailable, you should buy a converter plug to match the socket type.

Lawnmower Starting Problems

1. Gas-Powered Lawnmower Starting Problems

2. Corded Electric Lawnmower Starting Problems

3. Cordless Battery Powered Lawnmower Starting Problems

4. Robotic Lawnmower Starting Problems