Chainsaw Chain Won’t Spin Freely- 6 Reasons with Solutions

Chainsaw is one of the most obvious machines for cutting down branches and trees. Yet woodcutters face a common issue of the chain not spinning properly. Their chain sometimes gets stuck on the machine while cutting trees.

So, why chainsaw chain won’t spin freely?

Sometimes the chain brake gets stuck, locked, or broken. Damaged clutch also causes rotating issues. In some cases, the engine tries to control the damaged clutches’ engaging power. This also harms the chain’s fluent movement. Moreover, there can be valid problems in your guide bar or the chain itself.

Here, we’ll discuss every 6 reasons briefly and will direct you towards the solution. 

So, without any further due, let’s jump into the wagon-

6 Reasons Why Chainsaw Chain Won’t Spin

If you’re a regular user of a chainsaw, you may face various issues. One of the most common issues is chain rotation. These issues can be technical or mechanical. But if you follow a few guidelines, you can resolve most of the issues.

Here, we will discuss 6 individual reasons behind the chain’s uneven spinning. Read through us and identify your issue. Finally, resolve the problem followingly.

So, let’s get started-

Reason 1: Problems with Chain Brake Set

The chain brake system is a safety mechanism to stop the chain rotation near any bars. You can engage the brake by hand. 

Just pushing the brake handle in a forward direction will engage the chain. When the engine is active but your chain brake is set, the chainsaw chain won’t move. 

Solution

To resolve the issue, pull back the chain brake handle so the chain is released. After a while, the engine will be revved and the chain will start rotating itself.

But even after doing this, the brake handle might not shift. Or the chain brake might still be stuck. In this case, call your nearby technician to repair the chain brake.

Reason 2: Broken Chain Brake Mechanism

There can be another issue related to the chain brake. Sometimes, after disengaging the chain brake, the chain doesn’t rotate. It is because the chain brake mechanism is locked or broken.

Your chain brake can lock if you remove the clutch cover. It happens while the brake is engaged.

Solution

This is an issue that can be solved easily. So, keep the brake handle in the engaged position first. Now, reinstall the clutch cover. It will require some muscle work!

Once the replacement is done, pull back the chain handle and release it. You will hear some audible cracking sound from the mechanism disengaging. Finally, restart the chainsaw and the chain movement will be resolved.

Reason 3: Faulty Clutch

There is also a chance that the clutch has an issue. In that case, the engine will run properly yet the chain won’t spin. The clutch helps the chain to start spinning once a certain rotational speed is reached.

So, when the engine is already revved up, the clutch takes over the power. It engages the sprocket and forces the chain to rotate.

If the clutch is damaged or its springs aren’t properly tensioned, it cannot engage at all. As a result, you suffer due to improper spinning of your saw.

Solution

How to solve this issue? 

Well, it’s simple. You have to replace the clutch. To do that, firstly, remove the side cover, then remove the spark plug.

While discarding the plug, insert a piece of scrap inside the combustion chamber. It’ll prevent the piston from moving after the clutch is removed. 

However, we highly suggest following the manual while replacing the clutch.

Reason 4: Problems with the Engine

We will start the discussion with engine issues now. Sometimes you might see the chain won’t stop rotating while the throttle gets released. It occurs due to too fast speed that settles to the engine.

The clutch uses centrifugal force to rotate the chain. It engages and forces the chain to rotate smoothly.

When the throttle isn’t engaged, the engine controls itself at a slow pace. As a result, the clutch doesn’t engage and starts driving the chain absurdly.

Solution

If you’re facing this problem, adjust the carburetor. Controlling the carburetor will slow down the idle speed of the engine. However, before doing any of this, try to read out the manual. Then adjust the speed accordingly.

Reason 5: Faulty Chain

In some cases, your chain can be the culprit as well. When you leave the chainsaw for a long time the tension of it gets tighter. Usually, the chain remains snuggly and you can raise it about ¼-½ an inch of the bar.

But when it’s already too tight, the blade won’t spin properly when you release the throttle. This situation is quite harmful to the chainsaw. It may damage the clutch or other parts at any time. 

Solution

There’s no immediate solution that you can try yourself. But you can take your chainsaw to a professional to inspect the issue and fix it.

After getting it fixed, follow some maintenance rules. Read along!

As you run the saw, it’ll generate heat and the tension will change accordingly. So, when you start using the saw, the chain will gradually loosen itself. 

But we suggest stopping every 20-30 mins to give a break to the chain and the machine. This will help the chain to adjust itself after a long time of use.

Reason 6: Damaged Guide Bar

The last reason is the guide bar. A guide bar on your chainsaw holds the chain in place while rotating. The guide bar’s main task is to prevent the chain from wobbling back and forth. It helps the chain to rotate straight.

But when the guide bar is damaged or broken, there remains none to clutch the wobbling. Thus, it’ll affect the efficiency of the chainsaw. The saw won’t be able to perform consistently as before.

Solution

We suggest going through the manual for information. There you will find how to resolve the guide bar issue. If that doesn’t work, the damaged bar requires replacement.

That’s all the solutions we can provide according to the different reasons. 

FAQs

EndNote

Let’s end our discussions here. We tried to point out the reasons why your chainsaw chain won’t spin freely. Hopefully, you got all the answers you needed.

Try to solve the issue accordingly. But if it’s too much of a hassle, don’t hesitate to call a technician.

Good day!