I hope you love the products I've recommended below, just a heads up that as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn commissions on products bought via links on this page.
When it comes to chainsaws there are a number of things that can go wrong with them no matter what the brand and is why I wanted to find out just what the Ryobi electric chainsaw problems really are. Not only is my goal to find out what these issues are but also to find out some of the fixes for them.
The one thing I noticed when I was putting this together was that there isn’t a lot of differences between brands when it comes to the problems with electric saws. Whether it was a Ryobi or a Stihl there were problems for all the different chainsaws which lead me to an interesting conclusion.
That is most of the issues and fixes were the same for most chainsaws and the only difference really being where the parts were located. So you will be able to use this page as a bit of a guide for all-electric chainsaws on the market!
Ryobi Electric Chainsaw Problems
One of the biggest advantages an electric chainsaw has over a gas chainsaw is that there are fewer parts so there are fewer things that can go wrong. This doesn’t mean that things won’t go wrong at times and working out what the problem is something that every chainsaw owner should learn.
While I don’t normally advocate for people to work on an electric chainsaw since people study for years learning electrical engineering, there are still a few things you can do to diagnose the issue. If the issue does turn out to be more internal and something that isn’t easily fixed I’d recommend contacting the manufacturer.
Something that I feel like should go without saying but I will mention it since a lot of people will ask the question. This will help with any electric chainsaw and not just Ryobi since a lot of electric chainsaws tend to get the same issues with very similar fixes.
The First Thing To Consider
A lot of people have a tendency to overthink things when it comes to chainsaws and will overlook some of the simplest things and cause themselves a much larger headache. So one of the first things I recommend to do is to check not only the extension lead you’re using but also the power outlet.
The amount of times I’ve had someone say there is something wrong with their electric chainsaw just to change the lead or outlet and it starts working is higher then you think. I highly recommend you check this first before doing any work on your chainsaw since it can save you in the long run.
What To Check Next?
Once you have ruled out the lead and the power outlet the next thing you should check if your electric chainsaw isn’t starting is the fuse. This can be an issue for some models of chainsaws and finding a replacement and trying that is an easy step that anyone can do.
Hopefully, this will get your chainsaw started and solve your problem before you have to spend more money. A lot of the time this will fix the problem and you will be good to go but if it’s not there is still another thing you can try.
Another Option
Depending on your confidence and skill level you do have the option to check the starter switch and see if that is causing all the issues. You will need to check all the connections to the starter switch and if anything does seem a bit lose I would recommend tightening them.
If this doesn’t work you could try ordering a replacement part from the manufacturer and replace the part entirely. If you’re confident in your skills this is something I would recommend trying as it could be the cause of the issues.
Nothing Has Worked So Far?
If that is what you’re saying right now then in my opinion, you’re only left with one more option and that is to get a professionals help. By going to a local chainsaw store who has mechanics and paying them to go over your chainsaw and see if they can diagnose the problem for you.
One thing about this option is that it can get expensive which isn’t always an option for a lot of people. Depending on how old your chainsaw is you could contact the company and see if you’re still covered by a warranty or see what options they offer. Sadly this is the last option you really have and if this doesn’t work it could be time for a new chainsaw.
My Chainsaw Starts But There Is Still A Problem
This can be a very vague question since it could mean a lot of different things which makes it very difficult to answer. There could be a number of things from the chain not cutting to it’s not getting enough lubrication which could be causing you some issues when using your saw.
So working out what issue you’re having first is essential and working out just what is causing your chainsaw to not work. So I will go over a number of issues that could be causing your chainsaw to not be working properly.
Something To Check
There is something that could be causing your chainsaw chain to dull which isn’t the actually cutting of wood. That is the sprocket could be damaged which is wearing down the chain so replacing it could solve your issues but can be a bit tricky for a beginner.
This could help prevent you from having to do some of the other steps on this page. So it’s worth going over and seeing if this is causing the issue of your chain going dull.
Going Over The Chainsaw Chain
If you’re not very advanced at using chainsaws then there is a good chance that there could be something wrong with the chain on your chainsaw. It could be dull or not lubricated enough which is causing it to no saw through things properly making you think there is something wrong with your chainsaw.
You have some options when it comes to the chain with the easiest but it does have some expenses which are to just replace the chain entirely. This will help if the biggest issue you were having was that your chainsaw wasn’t cutting very well.
A hot topic in the chainsaw forums is if you should soak your chain in oil before using it. Many say it’s a waste of time and others say it’s a must to keep the chain in good shape. I personally will soak a chain just to try and get as much life out of it as possible.
If you don’t like the idea of just replacing the chain I can understand that and you do have some options still open to you. A time-consuming option is to resharpen the chain yourself which is a skill I think everyone who owns a chainsaw should learn. It can take you time but it will save you money in the long run.
Keep Your Chainsaw Well Oiled
It really should go without saying but your chainsaw needs to be oiled and not doing so can cause some serious damage to your chainsaw. So make sure your bar and chain are properly lubricated to help protect it from unnecessary damage.
If your chainsaw is louder then normal or in a worst-case scenario it’s smoking then you need to check the oil. Once you get some experience at using chainsaws you will eventually get a feel for your saw and when you need to oil it but until then you need to be on alert for this.
Tips On Preventing Your Chainsaw From Having Problems
Nothing can prevent bad luck which is sadly something that is a constant when it comes to chainsaws so at times there is very little you’re able to do to prevent an issue. But that doesn’t mean you should stop yourself from trying in my opinion, since it might just prevent an issue from happening.
Make Sure You Do Maintenance!
Without a doubt, the most common issue that comes up is that people don’t maintain their chainsaw properly. Electric chainsaws don’t require as much maintenance as a gas saw, they still do require it and it’s something you should always do when your saw needs it.
My Final Thoughts On Problems For Ryobi Electric Chainsaws
While working out a lot of the issues of Ryobi electric chainsaws I came to the conclusion that most chainsaws will have an issue eventually, no matter the brand. The thing to remember is to keep doing proper maintenance.
Looking after your chainsaw is the best way to keep it from having a problem. Again it won’t always prevent an issue from happening but it’s a step in preventing an issue which is something I consider to be important.