It was a Tuesday morning in my garage. I was three hours into stripping old, flaky paint off a vintage door. My heat gun was humming along. Then, it just quit. No pop. No smoke. Just dead silence. I stood there in the dust, holding a cold tool.
If your Ace heat gun stopped working right in the middle of a job, I know that feeling. It is annoying. But before you get mad and throw it, take a breath. I have taken many tools apart. Often, the fix is fast and free.
In this guide, I will share what I found when I fixed mine. We will look at why these tools fail and how to get yours hot again.
Why Heat Guns Quit Mid-Project
Heat guns are simple but they work hard. They pull a lot of power. They get very hot. This mix can lead to a few common breaks. Most of the time, the tool is not dead. It is just protecting itself.
Common Failure Points for Ace Models
| Part of Tool | Why it Fails | What You See |
| Power Cord | Constant bending snaps the wires. | It works only if you wiggle the cord. |
| Thermal Cut-out | The tool got too hot to stay safe. | It shuts off and will not turn back on. |
| Fan Motor | Dust or hair jams the small blades. | You hear a hum but no air moves out. |
| Heating Coil | The wire inside breaks from a drop. | The fan blows air but the air is cold. |
Step 1: The Cooling Reset Trick
This is the most common reason an Ace heat gun stopped working. These tools have a safety switch. If the heat inside gets too high, the switch cuts the power. This keeps the plastic case from melting in your hand.
Give it Time to Rest
When mine quit, I was working in a small corner. There was no breeze. The tool sucked in its own hot air.
- Unplug the tool immediately.
- Set it on a metal tray or concrete floor.
- Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Do not try to flip the switch every five minutes. The metal inside needs to cool down to reset that tiny switch. While you wait, look at the back of the gun. Are the air vents clear? I found a clump of cat hair and sawdust in mine. That was the whole problem.
Step 2: Check the Power Path
If the tool is silent after cooling, the electricity is not getting to the motor. I usually check the wall first.
The GFCI Trap
Most garage and kitchen outlets have a “Reset” button. Heat guns pull about 12.5 amps. If you have a light or a radio on the same circuit, you might trip the breaker.
- Go to the outlet.
- Press the “Reset” button.
- Try a different plug in a different room.
Testing the Cord
I spend a lot of time writing about tool safety. A bad cord is a fire risk.
- Look at where the cord meets the handle.
- Look for cracks or holes in the rubber.
- If you have a multimeter, you can check for a break in the wire. I use my Fluke meter to test this. If the wire is broken inside, the tool gets zero power.
Step 3: Troubleshooting a Cold Fan
Sometimes the fan spins but the air is cold. This is a different issue. It means the “fire” part of the tool is broken.
Inside the Heating Element
The heat comes from a wire coil wrapped around a ceramic core. It looks like the wire inside a toaster.
- If you drop the heat gun while it is hot, that wire can snap.
- Once the wire breaks, the circuit is open.
- No electricity means no heat.
Diagnostic Chart for No-Heat Issues
| Check This | Success Sign | Failure Sign |
| Visual Check | Coil is one solid piece. | You see a gap in the wire. |
| Continuity Test | Meter beeps (closed circuit). | Meter stays at “OL” (open loop). |
| Switch Check | It clicks firmly. | It feels mushy or loose. |
Step 4: Dealing with a Stuck Fan
If you hear a low humming sound but no air comes out, stop! Unplug it fast. If the fan does not move, the heat will build up in seconds. This can burn out the tool for good.
Clearing the Jam
I once found a small piece of plastic film stuck in my fan.
- Use a flashlight to look into the back vents.
- Use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust.
- If the fan is still stuck, the motor might be dead. In many cheap heat guns, the motor is the first thing to go.
When to Repair vs. When to Replace
I love fixing things. I keep my soldering iron ready at all times. But you have to be smart about it.
Fixing is Good If:
- The air vents were just dirty.
- Your outlet was tripped.
- A wire came loose inside the handle. These are easy fixes with a bit of solder.
Replace the Tool If:
- The ceramic core is shattered.
- The plastic shell has melted or warped.
- The motor smells like burnt sugar or ozone.
An Ace heat gun is a great budget tool. It is perfect for home crafts or light DIY. But it is not a heavy-duty industrial tool. If you use it for six hours straight, it will fail.
Tips to Prevent Future Failures
To keep your heat gun running, follow these simple rules. I started doing these after my first one died.
Always Use the Cool-Down Setting
If your gun has a “cool” mode, use it. Run it for two minutes without heat before you turn it off. This blows the extra heat out of the nozzle. It saves the heating element from “soaking” in heat.
Stand it Upright
Most Ace guns have a flat back. Stand it up on the bench so the nozzle points at the ceiling. Heat rises. This lets the hot air escape naturally. Never lay a hot gun on its side on a wooden table.
Final Thoughts on the Ace Heat Gun
When your Ace heat gun stopped working, it felt like a bad day. But most of the time, it just needed a break or a clean vent. By checking the power, the fuse, and the element, you can save money.
I hope this guide helped you get back to your project. There is nothing like the feeling of fixing your own gear.
FAQs:
Why did my Ace heat gun stop working suddenly?
Most often, the tool got too hot and tripped its internal safety switch. Unplug the gun and let it sit on a cool, flat surface for thirty minutes to reset.
Can I fix a heat gun that blows air but will not get hot?
This usually means the heating element is broken or cracked inside the nozzle. You can check the coil with a meter, but a broken core often means it is time for a new tool.
Will a tripped breaker cause my power tools to stay dead?
Yes, heat guns draw a lot of power and can trip a GFCI outlet or a home breaker. Always check your wall plug and press the reset button before you take the tool apart.
How do I stop my heat gun from burning out again?
Keep the back vents clean so the motor gets plenty of fresh air. Always run the “cool” mode for two minutes before you turn the power off to protect the internal parts.
Is it safe to use a heat gun with a frayed power cord?
No, a damaged cord is a fire risk and can cause the tool to lose power. If the wire is cut, you must repair it with a new plug or replace the tool to stay safe.