It was a cold Tuesday morning in my small wood shop. I had a pile of oak trim ready for a big project. I pulled the trigger on my DeWalt miter saw to start my first cut. The motor gave a low, sad hum, but the blade did not move at all.
I know that feeling of instant stress when a tool fails. You have a goal for the day, and now your saw is just a heavy desk weight. Over the years, I have fixed many of these saws myself. I found that when a DeWalt miter saw blade is not spinning, the fix is often very quick.
In this guide, I will share my own steps to fix this. We will look at why your saw is stuck and how to get it back to work. I want to help you save time and money on your next repair job.
My First Rule: Check for Simple Jams
Before you go out and buy any new parts, look at the blade path. This is the most common reason for a blade to stop during a busy day. Even a small bit of wood can stop a powerful motor from turning.
The Hidden Wood Scrap
On that Tuesday, I found a tiny sliver of oak. It was stuck between the blade and the plastic throat plate on the table. It was so small that I almost did not see it at all.
I always unplug the saw before I touch the blade. Then, I lift the guard and look into the slot where the blade drops. If a piece of wood is wedged there, the motor cannot build the force to move it.
The Pivot Pin Trap
Sometimes, I forget to pull out the head lock-down pin. If that pin is still rubbing against the frame, the arm will not drop. This can cause the blade to bind against the guard before it even starts to turn.
I always give the pin a quick tug to make sure it is out. This ensures the saw arm can move up and down without any drag. It is a simple check that saves a lot of worry and time.
When the Motor Spins but the Blade Does Not
This is a very specific type of failure that sounds quite loud. You pull the trigger and hear a high-pitched whirring or zipping sound. The motor is clearly running fast, but the blade stays still. This points to the drive system.
The Broken Drive Belt
Most modern DeWalt saws use a small rubber belt to turn the blade. Over time, these belts dry out or get too hot and snap. I remember a summer day when my saw smelled like burnt rubber right before it stopped.
I opened the side cover and found the belt in pieces. Heat and fine dust are the main enemies of these rubber parts. If your motor screams but the blade is dead, the belt is the first thing to check.
The Stripped Gear
If you have an older saw, it might use metal gears instead of a belt. If you hear a grinding or clicking sound, a gear tooth might be broken. This usually happens if the blade gets pinched hard in a thick piece of wet wood.
Drive System Troubleshooting Table
| What I Hear | What I See | The Likely Fix |
| High-pitched whir | Blade is loose | Replace drive belt |
| Grinding or clicking | Blade jerks slightly | Replace arbor gears |
| Low hum or No spin | Blade is rock solid | Clear wood debris |
Dealing with a Dead Saw: The Electrical Side
What if you pull the trigger and hear nothing at all? There is no hum, no click, and no life. This usually means the electricity is not reaching the motor coils. It is often a simple part that has worn down.
Worn Out Carbon Brushes
I treat carbon brushes like the tires on my car. They are made to wear out as you use the saw. These two small blocks of carbon pass power to the spinning part of the motor.
One day, my saw started to spark, and then it just died. I unscrewed the two plastic caps on the motor and pulled out the springs. The brushes were very short and charred. I keep a spare set in my drawer for this exact reason.
The Trigger Switch and Dust
We work in a lot of dust, and that dust gets into everything. Sometimes, it gets inside the handle and coats the metal switch. This stops the flow of power when you pull the trigger.
If my saw only starts when I squeeze the trigger extra hard, I know the switch is dirty. I use my air hose to blow high-pressure air into the handle cracks. You would be shocked to see how much dust comes out of there.
Electrical Component Life Span
| Part | When to Replace | Difficulty Level |
| Carbon Brushes | Every year of use | Very Easy |
| Power Cord | If you see wire or cuts | Medium |
| Trigger Switch | If it feels soft or mushy | Medium |
Mechanical Friction and Seized Bearings
If you unplug the saw and try to spin the blade by hand, it should move easily. If it stops fast or feels like it is grinding, the problem is deep in the metal. This is often due to bad bearings.
The Arbor Bearing
The arbor is the shaft that holds the blade in place. It sits inside ball bearings that keep it smooth. If you cut a lot of wet wood, the moisture can rust these bearings over time.
I once had a saw that felt like it was spinning through thick mud. The grease inside the bearing had dried out and turned to grit. If you feel the blade wobble when you shake it, your bearings are bad and unsafe to use.
The Blade Bolt and Washer
It sounds funny, but I once spent a long time wondering why a blade would not spin. I found out the inner washer was on backward. This caused the blade to press against the guard.
Always make sure the cup of the washer faces the blade. If it is not flat, it will create a lot of friction. This can stop the blade from spinning even if the motor is perfectly fine.
How I Fix the Drive Belt Step-by-Step
Since a broken belt is the main reason a DeWalt miter saw blade is not spinning, I will show you how I fix it. This is a job you can do at home with just a few basic tools.
First, I always pull the plug out of the wall. Safety is the most important part of any tool repair. Never work on a saw that has power going to it, or you might get hurt.
Second, I remove the plastic cover on the side of the motor. It is held by a few small screws. I put them in a small tray so they do not get lost in the sawdust on the floor.
Third, I clean the metal wheels with an old brush. Then, I put the new belt on the small wheel first. I slowly walk the belt onto the big wheel until it snaps into place.
My Final Tips for Your Saw
I love my DeWalt tools, but they need a little care to stay in top shape. To keep my blade spinning, I follow a simple plan every few weeks. It keeps the saw safe and ready for any job.
I use air to blow out the motor vents and the handle. I check the carbon brushes at the start of every new season. I also make sure the guard moves fast and does not stick when I lift it up.
When your DeWalt miter saw blade is not spinning, do not think the motor is dead right away. Most of the time, it is just a small belt or a bit of wood. These saws are built to last for a long time.
By taking ten minutes to look for the problem, I save a lot of money. Plus, it feels good to fix your own tools. You can get back to your project and finish your work before the day is over.
FAQs: DeWalt Miter Saw Blade Stopped Spinning
Why is my DeWalt miter saw motor humming but the blade won’t turn?
A hum usually means your saw has power but the blade is jammed. Check the guard for small wood scraps or a half-set lock pin. Safety first, so unplug it before you look.
What does it mean if my miter saw motor spins but the blade does not?
This is almost always a broken drive belt. These rubber parts wear out or snap after long days in a hot garage. You can swap a new DeWalt belt in about ten minutes.
How do I know if my DeWalt carbon brushes need to be replaced?
If your saw sparks or won’t start at all, check the brushes. Pull them out to see if they are shorter than a pencil eraser. New brushes bring the motor back to life fast.
Can cold weather stop my miter saw blade from spinning?
Extreme cold can make the grease inside your arbor bearings very thick. This creates drag that makes the motor struggle. Let your saw warm up in a heated area to fix it.