How to Start a Husqvarna Chainsaw: My Easy Routine

I still remember my first day with my new Husqvarna. It was a cold morning. I had a pile of oak logs to cut. I thought I could just pull the cord and go.

I was wrong.

Twenty minutes later, my arm hurt. The saw was silent. I had flooded the engine with too much gas.

I learned the hard way that these saws are picky. But they are also reliable if you know the trick. Here is exactly how to start a husqvarna chainsaw without the stress.

Safety First

Before I pull the cord, I always do two things.

First, I engage the chain brake. I push the front handguard forward. It clicks. This locks the chain. It stops the sharp parts from spinning when the engine starts.

Second, I put the saw on flat ground. I put my right boot through the rear handle. I hold the top bar with my left hand. This keeps the saw steady.

The Cold Start: For a Cold Engine

If my saw sat in the shed all night, the engine is cold. It needs help to wake up.

1. Press the Bulb: I find the soft, clear bubble. This is the air purge bulb. I press it about six times. I stop when I see fuel inside. It does not need to be full.

2. Set the Choke: I pull the blue or red choke lever all the way out. This closes the air intake. It gives the engine a rich mix of fuel.

3. Press the Valve: My saw has a decompression button on the side. I press it in. This lets some air out. It makes the cord much easier to pull.

4. The Pull: This is the key step. I pull the cord firmly. After two or three pulls, the engine will make a “pop” sound. It sounds like it tries to start, then dies.

Stop pulling now.

If you keep pulling, you will flood it.

5. Half-Choke and Start

I push the choke lever back down. This sets a “fast idle.” I pull the cord again. The saw usually starts on the first try.

6. Tap the Trigger

The engine will run loud and fast. I tap the throttle trigger with my finger. The engine slows down to a nice idle.

The Warm Start: After a Break

If I stop to move a log or drink water, the engine stays warm. I use a different trick.

I do not use the full choke. That puts too much gas in.

Instead, I pull the choke lever out, then push it right back in. This sets the “start mode” without blocking the air. I press the valve. I pull the cord. It starts right up.

Troubleshooting: Why Won’t It Start?

Sometimes things happen. Here is a quick table of issues I see most often.

What I Hear or See	The Likely Cause	My Quick Fix
Smell of gas	Flooded Engine	Turn choke OFF. Pull cord hard.
Cord is hard to pull	High Pressure	Press the button on the side.
Starts but dies	Cold Engine	Let it run on half-choke for 10 seconds.
Chain spins at idle	Idle too high	The idle screw may need a turn.

Fixing a Flooded Engine

If you smell gas, you likely missed the “pop” sound. You kept pulling on full choke.

To fix this, I turn the choke off. I hold the throttle wide open. Then I pull the cord hard. It might take ten pulls. It will smoke a lot when it starts. That is normal.

Starting a chainsaw is just a routine. Listen for the pop. Follow the steps. It turns a hard chore into a good day of work.

FAQs – How to Start a Husqvarna Chainsaw