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String Trimmers · Troubleshooting

String Trimmer Line Not Feeding: 6 Causes and Fixes

Everything you need to know about string trimmer line not feeding: 6 causes and fixes, explained plainly.

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How to fix it

Work through these in order, the most common causes come first.

  1. Start With the Basics

    Check the wind direction and pattern: most feeding issues trace back to overlapping or crossed line wraps. Rewind following the arrow on the spool, keeping wraps flat and snug. Confirm line diameter: using line thicker than the head is rated for is a common but easily overlooked cause of jamming.

  2. Diagnosing Your Specific Problem

    Line breaks off short repeatedly: likely old, brittle line or a wind pattern that's putting too much tension on the line as it feeds. Replace with fresh line and rewind carefully. Line won't advance at all, even after bumping or pressing the feed button: check for tangled or overlapped wraps first, then inspect the feed mechanism itself for a stuck or worn component.

  3. See Also

    String Trimmer Not Starting String Trimmer Stalling in Thick Grass String Trimmers Buying Guide

Start With the Basics

Check the wind direction and pattern: most feeding issues trace back to overlapping or crossed line wraps.

Rewind following the arrow on the spool, keeping wraps flat and snug.

Confirm line diameter: using line thicker than the head is rated for is a common but easily overlooked cause of jamming.

Clear visible debris: grass and dirt packed into the housing block the feed path even when the line itself is wound correctly.

Diagnosing Your Specific Problem

Line breaks off short repeatedly: likely old, brittle line or a wind pattern that's putting too much tension on the line as it feeds.

Replace with fresh line and rewind carefully.

Line won't advance at all, even after bumping or pressing the feed button: check for tangled or overlapped wraps first, then inspect the feed mechanism itself for a stuck or worn component.

Line feeds unevenly, too much or too little at a time: usually a sign of inconsistent winding tension or a partially worn feed spring on bump-feed heads.

Line was feeding fine, then suddenly stopped: most likely new debris has packed into the housing, or the line has developed a kink or tangle during recent use.

See Also

String Trimmer Not Starting String Trimmer Stalling in Thick Grass String Trimmers Buying Guide

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Answers

Frequently asked questions

Why does my trimmer line keep breaking off short?

Usually the line is wound too tightly or has developed a memory kink from sitting unused, causing it to snap rather than feed smoothly. It can also happen if the line is the wrong diameter for the head, or if it's old and has become brittle from UV exposure or age. Rewinding fresh line properly, without overlapping wraps, generally resolves this.

Why won't my auto-feed head advance line at all?

Auto-feed heads rely on centrifugal force or a bump mechanism to release a small amount of line each cycle. If the line is tangled, cross-wound, or wound too tightly around the spool, it can bind and prevent feeding. A stripped or worn bump-feed spring is a less common but possible cause on bump-feed heads specifically.

How do I properly rewind trimmer line without it tangling?

Wind the line onto the spool in the direction indicated by the arrow molded into the spool, keeping each wrap snug against the previous one without overlapping. Overlapping wraps are the most common cause of a line jam, since the line crosses over itself and binds when the head tries to release it.

Is it better to replace the line or the whole spool assembly?

Replacing just the line is cheaper and sufficient in most cases. If the spool housing itself is cracked, the feed mechanism spring has failed, or the eyelets the line passes through are worn to a sharp edge that keeps cutting new line, replacing the full spool assembly is the more reliable fix.

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