Stihl Chainsaw Not Spinning? 4 Proven Steps

It happened to me just last week.

It was a crisp Tuesday morning. I was out back, ready to clear some fallen limbs with my trusted Stihl MS 250. I primed it. I gave the cord a pull. The engine roared to life. It sounded perfect.

But when I squeezed the throttle? Nothing.

The engine revved, but the chain did not move an inch. It just sat there.

If you are reading this, you are likely in the same boat. It is frustrating. You have work to do, and your tool is not working. I have been there. The good news is that it is usually a simple fix.

Here is what I check when my Stihl chainsaw is not spinning. I ranked these from “oops” to “uh-oh.”

1. The Chain Brake

I have to start here. This was my issue last Tuesday. It is a little embarrassing, but we have all done it.

The chain brake is that black plastic paddle in front of the top handle. It is a safety part. When it is pushed forward, it clamps the clutch drum. This stops the chain instantly.

What I did: I looked at the handguard. Sure enough, it was pushed forward. I might have bumped it while carrying the saw.

The Fix: Pull the paddle back toward the handle. You should hear a loud click. That means the brake is off. I did this, revved the saw, and the chain spun perfectly. Problem solved.

2. Is the Chain Too Tight?

A few months ago, I made a mistake. I tightened the chain on my MS 170 way too much.

If the chain is super tight, the engine cannot pull it. It binds up.

How to check: Turn the engine OFF. Put on your work gloves. Grab the chain on the top of the bar. Try to pull it along the rails.

• Does it move freely? Your tension is fine.
• Is it stuck hard? It is too tight.

The Fix: Loosen the bar nuts. Turn the tension screw to the left. You want the chain to be snug. But you should still be able to pull it by hand.

3. Dirt and Debris

This one is messy.

Chainsaws make a lot of sawdust. They also use sticky bar oil. When those two mix, they form a thick paste. This gunk can pack into the groove of your guide bar.

I once spent an hour trying to fix a “broken” saw. It turned out the nose sprocket was just clogged. That is the little gear at the tip of the bar. It was stuck with dried sap.

My Routine:

1. I take the side cover off.
2. I take off the bar and chain.
3. I use a small pick to scrape out the bar groove.
4. I spin the nose sprocket with my finger. It must roll freely.

If that nose sprocket is frozen and won’t turn, you need a new guide bar.

4. The Drive System

If the chain moves by hand but won’t move under power, the issue is inside.

The engine connects to the chain through a drive sprocket and a clutch.

• The Sprocket: This is the star-shaped gear. It grabs the chain. If the teeth are worn down, the gear will spin. But it won’t grab the chain links.
• The Clutch: The saw might idle fine. But if the chain never moves, the clutch springs might be broken.

I check the sprocket every time I change a chain. If it looks worn out, I swap it. It is a cheap part.

My Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

I keep this list in my head when I go into the woods. It saves me from panic.

Symptom	What I Check First	The Fix
Engine revs, chain is locked	Chain Brake	Pull the handguard back until it clicks.
Chain won’t move by hand	Chain Tension	Loosen the tension screw slightly.
Chain feels gritty or stuck	Bar Groove	Clean out sawdust and oil gunk.
Engine spins, chain sits still	Drive Sprocket	Check for wear on the drive teeth.

Final Thoughts

A Stihl chainsaw not spinning is rarely a disaster. Most of the time, it is just the brake or a dirty bar.

Take a breath. Turn the saw off. Check the brake first.

Usually, you will be back to cutting wood in less than two minutes. Stay safe out there!

FAQs- Stihl Chainsaw Not Spinning