Lawn Mower Help
Choose the best option below to describe the issue you are having with your lawn mower.
Thank you for using the Argos Troubleshooter.
If there is anything else you would like help with today, simply click Finish to return to the home page of the diagnostics support tool.
For more support check out the product support page on https://argos-support.co.uk for manuals, interactive guides, live chat, FAQs and more.
Or watch our helpful how-to videos on the Argos Support YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/ArgosSupport
Sorry we haven't been able to fix this issue with the Troubleshooter today.
For further assistance, please close this window and call Technical Support using the number provided on the product support page or inside the user manual.
For more support check out the product support page on https://argos-support.co.uk
Here you can find manuals, interactive guides, live chat, FAQs and much more.
Or watch our helpful how-to videos on the Argos Support YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ArgosSupport
When your lawn mower is low on fuel it will start to mis-fire and eventually come to a stop.
Check if the fuel level is low.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the lawn mower low on fuel?
Refill the lawn mower with fuel.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the incorrect fuel has been used, this can cause the lawn mower to idle poorly or even stop.
Check your lawn mower manual for guidance on the correct fuel to use.
Was the correct fuel in the lawn mower?
If the spark plug cap has come loose, the lawn mower will idle poorly and can come to a stop.
Check that the spark plug cap is correctly fitted.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Has the idle running improved?
A build-up of dirt on the spark plug can cause the lawn mower to idle poorly and even stop.
Remove, then inspect the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is there a build up of dirt?
Clean the spark plug, then check the gap spacing.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the correct gap setting.
Replace the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If your lawn mower will not start, or idles poorly, this could be a sign of a worn out spark plug.
Remove the spark plug, then replace with a new one.
Ensure the gap on the new spark plug is correct.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Has the idle running improved?
The air filter over time will get blocked or contaminated with dust and grass.
Remove and check the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the air filter blocked or contaminated?
Depending on the make and model of your lawn mower, clean or replace the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
A cold petrol lawn mower engine needs priming, as this fills the carburetor with fuel to create a combustible mixture of fuel and air.
Is the engine is cold?
Please check your lawn mower for this procedure.
Prime the engine.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
Check that there is fuel in the fuel tank.
Check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is there enough fuel in the tank?
Using the recommended fuel, fill the fuel tank to the Max level.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the fuel has been in the tank for a long period of time it can go stale.
Has the fuel been in the tank for a long period of time?
Drain the old fuel, then replace with new fuel.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
A build-up of dirt on the spark plug can cause the lawn mower to idle poorly, which can make the lawn mower hard to push and even stop.
Remove, then inspect the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is there a build up of dirt?
Clean the spark plug, then check the gap spacing.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the correct gap setting.
Replace the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If your lawn mower will not start, or idles poorly, this could be a sign of a worn out spark plug.
Remove the spark plug, then replace with a new one.
Ensure the gap on the new spark plug is correct.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
If you can smell fuel after you have been trying to start your mower, there is a chance the engine is flooded.
Place the mower on level ground, then wait about 15 minutes. If your lawn mower has a choke, turn it off. Try starting the lawn mower.
Do you have power?
The air filter over time will get blocked or contaminated with dust and grass.
Remove and check the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the air filter blocked or contaminated?
Depending on the make and model of your lawn mower, clean or replace the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
Most electric lawn mowers have a safety button you press before applying the power button/lever.
Press and hold the safety button in before applying the power button/lever.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
Check that the lawn mower is plugged in and turned on at the mains.
Do you have power?
To cross test the power supply try another electrical appliance on the same mains socket.
Does the other appliance power on?
Try changing the fuse on the plug. Always use a new fuse with the same Amp rating as the fuse being removed.
Do you have power?
Check to see if any RCD breakers have been tripped inside your Fusebox.
Have any switches been tripped?
Switch the tripped fuse back on.
Does it stay in the ON position?
If the cutting blade is blocked or full of debris, this can cause prevent the lawn mower from starting.
Unplug the lawn mower from the mains power, then inspect the cutting blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the maintenance procedure.
Is the cutting blade blocked or full of debris?
Unplug the lawn mower from the mains, remove the cutting blade and remove the blockage or debris.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the grass is long and the cutting blade height is set too low, this can stop the lawn mower from starting.
Check the height of the cutting blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the cutting blade setting too low?
Adjust the height of the cutting blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
Most battery lawn mowers have a safety button you press before applying the power button/lever.
Press and hold the safety button in before applying the power button/lever.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
Most models of cordless lawn mower have a battery level indicator display.
Ensure the battery is fully charged and fitted correctly.
If the model of your lawn mower has an isolator key ensure that this is inserted into place.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
If the battery gets too hot or cold, the lawn mower will not operate.
Allow the battery to cool down or warm up.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the recommended operating temperature for the battery.
Do you have power?
If the cutting blade is blocked or full of debris, this can cause the lawn mower engine to overwork and can stop the lawn mower from starting.
Remove the battery, then inspect the cutting blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the maintenance procedure.
Is the cutting blade blocked or full of debris?
Remove the battery.
Remove the cutting blade, then clear the blockage or debris.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
Mowing grass when it's wet can cause grass clippings and debris to build up underneath the mower around the cutting area. This can stop the cutting blade, then cause the lawn mower engine to overwork and stop.
Is there a build up of grass clippings and debris underneath the mower?
Remove the build up of grass clippings and debris, then cut the grass when its dry.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the maintenance procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the grass is long and the cutting blade height is set too low, this can stop the lawn mower from starting.
Check the height of the cutting blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the cutting blade setting too low?
Increase the height of the blade.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
When your lawn mower is low on fuel it will start to mis-fire and evetnually come to stop.
Check if the fuel level is low.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
is the lawn mower low on fuel?
Refill the lawn mower with fuel.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the spark plug cap has come loose, the lawn mower will stop.
Check that the spark plug cap is correctly fitted.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
A build-up of dirt on the spark plug can cause the lawn mower to idle poorly and even stop.
Remove, then inspect the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is there a build up of dirt?
Clean the spark plug, then check the gap spacing.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for the correct gap setting.
Replace the spark plug.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If your lawn mower will not start, or idles poorly, this could be a sign of a worn-out spark plug.
Remove the spark plug, then replace with a new one. Ensure the gap on the new spark plug is correct.
The gap spacing is the distance between the ground and centre electrode. This needs to be set correctly using a feeler gauge. If the gap is too large, this produce a large spark and can cause poor engine performance. If the gap is too small, this will produce a small spark causing the engine to misfire.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Do you have power?
The air filter over time will get blocked or contaminated with dust and grass.
Remove and check the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the air filter blocked or contaminated?
Depending on the make and model of your lawn mower, clean or replace the air filter.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
Most fuel caps have a small vent hole to allow air into the tank. This is to provide atmospheric pressure in the tank. If the vent is blocked, this would create a vacuum as fuel is used and prevent flow of fuel to the engine.
Remove, then using a torch inspect the fuel cap for blockage.
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Is the fuel cap blocked?
Using a toothpick or something similar remove the blockage, then with a clean dry cloth wipe the vent hole removing any built up dirt or debris.
When the vent hole is clear, replace the fuel cap.
If this does not solve the problem, please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
The lawn mower will stop if the mains power lead has come out of the socket or has been accidentally turned off.
Check that the mains power lead has not been turned off or come out of the mains socket.
Do you have power?
Check the battery is correctly fitted, also check the charge level indicator. The battery may be in need of charging
Please check your lawn mower manual for this procedure.
Does the lawn mower power on?
Using a battery lawnmower for a long period of time can cause the battery to get hot or overheat.
Is the battery hot?
Allow the battery time to cool down, then try the lawn mower again.
Try to avoid using the lawn mower for a long period of time, or in hot weather.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.
If the battery is damaged, the lawn mower can stop working.
Check the battery for signs of wear, such as leaks or cracks.
Is the battery showing signs of wear, cracked or leaking?
Replace the damaged battery with a new battery, ensure the new battery is compatible with your lawn mower.
If the lawn mower is still in warranty, please call Technical Support using the number provided on the product support page or inside the user manual.
If this does not solve the problem please try the troubleshooter again for further help.