🔍Why won't it start?
Pick your equipment and answer a couple of questions. We'll point you to the most likely cause, what you can try yourself, and what a shop repair typically costs.
First check (Lawn Mower): Hold the operator-presence bar (bail) — many mowers won’t start without it. Low oil can also trip a safety sensor on some models.
What happens when you try to start it?
Small engine won't start — common questions
Why won’t my lawn mower / small engine start?
The most common cause by far is stale fuel that has gummed up the carburetor — gasoline breaks down within a few months and varnishes the carb. Other frequent causes are a fouled spark plug, a dirty air filter, a tripped safety switch (operator-presence bar on mowers, low-oil shutoff on generators), or a dead battery on electric-start units.
Can I fix a no-start myself?
Often yes. Draining old fuel, replacing the spark plug, cleaning the air filter, and charging the battery are easy DIY fixes. Carburetor cleaning is doable for the handy. Ignition faults and seized engines are best handled by a shop. The tool above tells you which category your symptom falls into.
How much does a no-start repair cost?
A carburetor clean or rebuild — the most common no-start fix — runs about $40–$160 at an independent shop. Spark plugs are $5–$15. Ignition or starter repairs run $60–$180. Use our cost estimator for your specific equipment and problem.