Short answer: Start with the obvious: is there fuel in it, and are you using the correct starting procedure for a cold or a hot saw? If the saw sat all winter with old gas in it, it may need a trip to the shop. In most cases, fresh gas and the right starting procedure get it going.
Watch this answer on YouTube (0:17) · Full episode · Subscribe
What Phil says
"For one, ain't got no gas in it. First check if there's fuel in it. Are you starting it with the correct starting procedure? If it's been sitting all winter and you've left gas in it, that might have been a poor way to store it, and it now might need to go to the shop. If you're trying to hot start the saw, but it's cold, that's not going to work either. So follow the correct starting procedure, and you shouldn't have a problem. With a bit of fresh gas, you'll be right."
The checklist
- Fuel. Check there's actually fuel in the tank.
- Starting procedure. Follow your saw's starting procedure from the manual, step by step.
- Cold or hot. A cold saw needs the cold-start procedure. Trying a hot start on a cold saw won't work.
- Old gas. If the saw sat all winter with gas left in it, that fuel has been stored badly. Start with fresh gas.
- Still nothing? A saw that was stored with old fuel may need to go to the shop.
When to take it to the shop
If you've got fresh fuel in it, you're following the right starting procedure and it still won't start, especially after sitting all winter with gas in the tank, take it to your local saw shop or dealer.
How do you start a chainsaw that’s been sitting?
Start with fresh fuel and follow your saw’s starting procedure. If it sat all winter with old fuel left in it, Phil’s advice is that it may need to go to the shop.
Free one-page checklist
Phil’s chainsaw troubleshooting checklist
Seven common problems, the checks a working arborist runs first, and when it’s a job for the saw shop. Print it and keep it with your saw.
Related questions
- Why does my chainsaw bog down when I give it gas?
- Why is my chainsaw smoking?
- What fuel mix should a chainsaw run, and is premix worth it?
- All 16 chainsaw questions, answered
From Clogger Answers, episode 1. These are Phil's opinions, based on his professional experience. Always follow your saw's manual and wear the right protective gear.
Phil is a professional arborist based in Invercargill, New Zealand, who runs saws every day with his crew. Clogger makes chainsaw pants and chainsaw chaps.