Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working: Troubleshooting and Fixing
Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working? No problem! In this step-by-step tutorial, we will show you how to troubleshoot and fix any problems related to the Dewalt miter saw.
Not sure where to start troubleshooting issues after your saw isn’t working? I’ll walk through different common issues and how to respond in each case.
Let’s take a look at what causes these problems in the first place so that we can better understand why they happen and then how to solve them.
What causes the DeWalt Miter Saw to Stop Working?
There can be many causes of the Dewalt miter saw not working. Some breakdowns are easy to fix, while others require more advanced knowledge or a replacement part.
The following is an exhausting list of the most common problems:
Batteries Need Replacing
If you are using a cordless saw, it may be time for a new battery. Alternatively, if you are using an extension cord with your Dewalt miter saw, the cord could be loose, or there may not have been enough power coming from your outlet.
Batteries can also lose their charge through heavy use. If you know that you’ve used up most of the battery’s life and it seems to keep dying for no apparent reason, it is time to buy a new one!
Wires Have Shorted Out in the Cord
If you are using a corded saw, it is possible that the wires have shorted out in the cord. The easiest and most sensible solution would be to replace the entire cord with a new one (try wiring connections).
If you are not sure whether this is your problem or not, plug another tool into the outlet and see if it works — if nothing happens when you plug the other tool in, it is likely that there’s a problem with your power cord.
Excessive Sawdust Overloading Motor When Turning on the Saw
Another common issue is the sawdust that builds upon the motor and acts as a load when you turn it on.
Excessive sawdust can overload the motor which leads to malfunctioning of the miter saw.
You can easily get rid of this problem by following my detailed tutorial mentioned below.
Overheating of the Blade Due to Excessive Use
Blade overheating also leads to the DeWalt miter saw not working. It is also one of the common issues that most carpenters and even professional contractors face.
Due to excessive usage, the blade of your miter saw will start to overheat. This overheating can cause several issues and can damage your miter saw permanently.
Incompatible Blade With the Dewalt Miter Saw’s Taper Lock System
A blade that is not compatible with the Dewalt miter saw’s taper lock system can also cause your DeWalt miter saw to stop working.
The blade should be of a type that will easily fit on the Dewalt rafter and has similar dimensions as the original blades.
The Motor has Blown due to Excessive Use
Another major problem that leads to the Dewalt miter saw not working is the motor. We all know that the motor of the saw is its main part.
If it stops working your miter saw will be of no use and will never help you in making some miter cuts.
The Cord Got Cut/damaged
At times, the cord is all you need to get your Dewalt miter saw working again. In some cases, it might have been damaged or cut in an accident leading to its disconnection from the main power source.
This can happen due to a lot of reasons like improper storage and installation of blades which caused damage to the cord.
If you find this to be happening, make sure that your miter saw is receiving power and then replace the damaged or cut the cord with a new one of good quality.
We usually get these cords from hardware stores for about $15-$20 which isn’t much considering how well they work in getting your Dewalt back to working order.
How to Fix Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working?
After reading the above-mentioned causes of the miter saw not working, here is a complete guide on how to fix them all. Before you start reading the solutions let me tell you something very important.
Although I will try my best to help you get your miter saw back to its working condition. However, there are still some problems that can not be prevented.
Under such conditions, switching to a new power tool as soon as possible can be the right choice.
With that said, here is how to fix some common DeWalt miter saw problems.
Replacing the Batteries
This is the first thing I would recommend you to do if your Dewalt miter saw not working. The last time when my DeWalt Miter Saw stopped working, it was due to a weak battery.
I went on and replaced the batteries with new ones in order to take care of this issue right away. If that does not fix your problem then feel free to move down below for more solutions!
Replacing the Batteries on your Dewalt Miter saw is an easy task. Therefore, I will not be writing a boring guide on how to change batteries on a DeWalt miter saw.
Apart from that, if your saw is corded then you will not need to install new batteries. It is because corded saws don’t require batteries because they receive power directly from the outlet.
Fixing Shorted out Wires in the Cord
If you have a Dewalt miter saw that is corded then this problem might be due to the wires inside of the extension cord. Therefore, it will not take much time and effort in order for you to fix your DeWalt Miter Saw yourself.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to repair short out wires:
There are two steps required in order for us to get rid of this issue as soon as possible – First unscrew the terminal screws from their place under the handle housing cover and expose them (if they are hidden).
Now we need an insulated wire stripper which should come with any “do-it-yourself” tool kit sold at hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowes.
The insulation on the wire must be stripped back about an inch before you will be able to expose the bare copper wires.
With a Phillips screwdriver, loosen and remove screws from inside of cord’s plug casing (where it attaches with extension cord). Then take off the cover that is over-top.
With your insulated wire stripper, strip both ends of wires by removing insulation at least one inch away from each end so that we can see them clearly as well as touch them without getting injured or electrocuted.
Gently pull out any loose plastic strands in order for us not to get cut when we work on it later on. Now twist together these two exposed copper wires into a tight knot and then use electrical tape to wrap it tightly.
You should now be able to put the cover back on and can tighten it with a Phillips screwdriver. There shouldn’t be any loose strands in the cord’s casing as this could get caught when you plug it into an outlet or cause your Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working problem to come back again!
Cleaning the Sawdust to Prevent Motor Overload
Every time you use your Dewalt Mitre Saw there will be some sawdust flying around that needs to be cleaned up. This may seem like a lot of work but it’s actually important for your Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working problem not to come back!
You should never sweep the dust into piles and allow them to sit because these could easily get caught in the vents on either side of the blade housing, causing airflow problems that would make the motor overheat.
It is much better if you just vacuum all this debris with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner or broom as soon as possible after using it.
If you prefer to do things manually then I recommend wearing a face mask so that when sweeping any loose particles are discharged away from you in order to avoid inhalation.
Prevent Blade Overheating
One of the most common Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working problems is a blade that has become too hot and cannot rotate.
This may be caused by any number of factors including excessive dust, debris, or chips around the saw base; loose screws holding the clamps in place to keep the blade secure; not enough oil on blades with bearings; or blades being tightened down too tightly.
There are two ways you can diagnose this condition:
If there’s metal stuck along one side of your blade then it’s likely a problem related to heat buildup due to insufficient engine cooling (which could be solved by addressing airflow issues).
But if there appears as though something metallic is sticking out from underneath your blade at an angle then it would appear to be a problem with the blade itself.
Use a Blade That Is Compatible With the Saw Taper Lock System
The next method that can help you get your miter saw back to working condition is to use a compatible blade.
It’s important that your miter saw includes a blade compatible with its taper lock system (DWE7480X) because if it doesn’t then there will be an issue when trying to attach the new one.
The Dewalt DWS780 and Dewalt DW7800 are both designed for use with their own specific blades.
Fixing the Blown Motor/Replacing the Saw
If your Dewalt miter saw has a blown motor then you will need to replace it.
The easiest way is by ordering an OEM replacement from the manufacturer and following their instructions for installation. However, if the motor is completely blown then you will have to change the saw.
You can also send it to your local Dewalt franchise. They have professionals who can help you get rid of the issue and fix your miter saw.
Last Minute Thoughts
There are many troubleshooting steps and ways to fix Dewalt Miter Saw Not Working. I have covered the most common ones in this article.
The easiest one is ordering an OEM replacement from the manufacturer or your local Dewalt franchise if you have a warranty on it.
It might be worth looking into replacing the blade as well, just for peace of mind. If your Dewalt miter saw won’t start after troubleshooting and solving these problems, it may need professional repair.
