Ryobi 40V Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning – [Here’s What To Do!]

Electric mowers like the Ryobi 40V are a great addition to our lawn maintenance routine. The blade on your Ryobi 40V lawn mower can stop spinning if the safety features are engaged, or the battery isn’t properly charged. The blade motor may also have loose electrical connections. In some cases, the blade can bent or damaged, or debris can block the blade

To solve the problem, you need to:

1. Ensure the safety features are turned off
2. Recharge the battery until it has enough charge
3. Tighten the electrical connections of the motor and battery
4. Check the blade condition and fix or replace a bent or damaged blade
5. Clear debris from the blade assembly

Let me tell you more about the detailed reasons behind the problem. You will also learn step-by-step troubleshooting methods with expert tips to make the mower blade spin again.

here are 5 quick troubleshooting guide for Ryobi 40V Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning

You will find the quick fixes to the above reasons in the following chart. Use these fixes to solve the problem promptly.

Reasons	Here’s What To Do!
The safety features are engaged	Insert the safety key and engage the handlebar lever.
The battery isn’t properly charged	Check the battery voltage and recharge it properly.
The blade motor has loose electrical connections	Check the wiring to the blade motor.
The blade is bent or damaged	Inspect the blade condition and fix or replace the blade.
Debris has blocked the blade	Clear the debris to make the blade spin freely.

Before you get confused about what to do with a stuck blade in your Ryobi 40V lawn mower, go through this guide. Check the reasons and detailed solutions to troubleshoot your lawn mower.

1. The Safety Features Are Engaged

Ryobi 40V lawn mower comes with two notable safety features. These are the safety key and the handlebar engagement. Let me explain how they prevent the blade from spinning.

1. Safety Key: Users need to insert a small key into the key slot on the handlebar to start the mower. Unless the key is inserted properly, the mower won’t start, and the blades won’t spin. It has been done to prevent accidental starts.
2. Handlebar Engagement: Your hands should always be on the handlebar when you are using the mower. There is a safety lever on the handlebar that you need to push to engage. It ensures the mower is under your control. If you don’t engage the handlebar safety lever, the mower blade won’t spin.

how to fix?

• First of all, you need to insert the safety key into the key slot.
• Then, push the handlebar safety lever to engage it. The mower should start, and the blade should spin now.

Pro Tip: When the mower isn’t in use, keep the safety key stored in a safe place that children can’t reach.

2. The Battery Isn’t Properly Charged

Ryobi 40V is a cordless lawn mower that runs on the battery. So, the battery charge level must be high for smooth performance. The blade may not spin if the battery has the following conditions.

1. Low Battery Voltage: The Ryobi 40V lawn mower uses a 40-volt Li-ion battery. If the battery is fully charged, the voltage level should be about 36-40 volts. Depending on the temperature conditions, the voltage can drop faster than usual. As a result, the mower blade won’t spin.
2. Poor Battery Health: After a full charge, the mower battery can run for about 60 minutes. If you deplete the battery completely every time, the charging capacity of the battery will drop. In that case, the battery won’t hold charge for longer, and the mower blade will stop spinning.

how to fix?

• You need to check the battery voltage. Use a multimeter to check the output voltage of the battery. If the voltage is below 36V, you should recharge the battery.
• Check the operating time of the battery. If the charge drops too quickly and the mower doesn’t run for more than 30 minutes, you should change the battery.
• Before charging the battery from an outlet, check the output voltage of the outlet. It should be 40V. Make sure the outlet is working properly so that the battery gets fully charged.

Advice: Always charge the mower battery when 20-30% of battery life is remaining. It will keep the battery health in good condition for a longer period.

READ: Why Is My Ryobi Lawn Mower Self-Propelled Not Working?

3. The Blade Motor Has Loose Electrical Connections

As the mower may withstand a lot of vibration, electrical connections can become loose over time. If the wiring between the blade motor and the battery is loose or damaged, the motor won’t get power from the battery. So the blade won’t spin.

how to fix?

• Checking electrical connections can be a bit tricky. You need to remove the handlebar and mower casing to find the electrical connections.
• Read the owner’s manual of the mower to locate the exact connection points and wiring. Check the wiring for signs of faults or damage.
• If the wiring is loose, you should fix the connection by soldering the wires properly. The connectors and battery terminals should be attached tightly. If there is physical damage to the wires, you need to replace them.

Advice: Contacting a professional mechanic who has experience in this specific model is the best way to deal with the problem.

4. The Blade Is Bent or Damaged

The blade on the Ryobi 40V mower is quite thin to maintain the sharpness. While cutting grass, the blade can hit large debris and get bent. If the blade is bent too much, it will touch the blade assembly and stop spinning.

As a result, the bent blade will put too much strain on the motor, which may get damaged. So, you should fix this problem as soon as possible.

how to fix?

• After turning off the mower, you need to raise the mower deck.
• Check the blade assembly for signs of damage. If the blade is bent and touching the assembly, try to straighten the bent part with pliers. But if the blade is completely broken, you need to replace it.
• Use a socket wrench to unscrew the nut that holds the blade. Take the blade off and install a new blade of the same specifications. Tighten the nut properly. Then, turn the mower on and check if the blade spins correctly.

Note: Use hand gloves to replace blades because the blade can be very sharp, and you may hurt yourself.

5. Debris Has Blocked the Blade

While mowing your lawn, grass clippings accumulate around the blade. Other debris, such as leaves, twigs, etc., can also accumulate. If you don’t clean the blade assembly regularly, the stuck debris will block the blade.

In the beginning, the blade may rotate slower than usual. Gradually, the blade will stop spinning, and the motor may get damaged.

how to fix?

• You need to inspect the blade assembly for stuck debris. Use a flathead screwdriver to scrape off the debris.
• After removing the debris, clean the blade assembly with a damp cloth. Don’t use water directly because it can damage the blade motor.

Note: Keep the safety features on while cleaning the blade to prevent accidental spinning of the blade.

Expert Advice to Keep Ryobi 40V Lawn Mower Blade Spinning

Follow the advice to keep your Ryobi 40V lawn mower in perfect working condition.

1. Always use the charger approved by the manufacturer to prevent any internal damage to the system.
2. Engage the handlebar only when you are ready to use the mower. And disengage it when the mower is not in use to make it safer for children.
3. If the battery isn’t charged for a long time, it can lose the capacity to hold the charge. So, recharge the battery at a certain interval, even if you aren’t using the battery.
4. Always clean the mower blades after a mowing session and before storing the mower.
5. When working in cold temperature conditions, recharge the battery more frequently.

FAQ about Ryobi 40V Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning problems

I answered some frequently asked questions about Ryobi 40V lawn mower blade problems. Check the answers below.

Q: Should I use both hands to engage the handlebar lever if the blades don’t spin?

Yes, it is better to use both of your thumbs to push the safety lever toward the handlebar. It will turn the safety off and the blades will start spinning.

Q: Can the speed switch make the blade spin on Ryobi 40V?

No. The speed selector is only for increasing or decreasing the blade speed when it is running. It won’t make the blade spin.