Ryobi 18V String Trimmer Troubleshooting (Why And How to Repair)

Ryobi18-volt string trimmer delivers praiseworthy power. The brushless motor in this trimmer provides the most power and longevity. This trimmer has a REEL-EASY with Speed Winder Bump Feed Head for quick and easy reloads, and it can be reloaded in 60 seconds or less.

Apart from the good features, the Ryobi 18V String Trimmer has some problems. Such as the trimmer won’t start, starts then stalls, runs rough, the head won’t stop spinning and more.

In this article, I will discuss the Ryobi 18V String Trimmer problems and how you will fix them.    

Common Ryobi 18v String Trimmer Problems and Solutions

Problems	Solutions
Trimmer won’t start	Tighten the connection between the upper and lower half.
Broken Line	Re-spool the line.
Trimmer head jammed	Replace or repair the string trimmer clutch.
The battery won’t come off	Use lubricant to ease the battery and its compartment.
The battery died, doesn’t hold any charge	Get it replaced with a warranty or buy aftermarket solutions.

1. Trimmer Won’t Start

Ryobi’s design on the 18V trimmers is mediocre at best. They tried to go with a foldable option but failed miserably and the result is that it creates issues with the final product.

The trimmer doesn’t start if the connection between the lower and upper half is even slightly loose.

The Fix

Ryobi trimmers unscrew halfway down the shaft so it fits in the box. The trimmer stops working if this gets loose.

Tighten the connection properly and it should get rid of the issue. If it persists, contact them and get it replaced with a warranty.

2. Broken Line

Ryobi trimmers fare differently when different types of lines are used.

Some specific spool of lines start to bend and start to break inside the head which clogs up the head and it doesn’t spin at all. So the users lose all functionality and can’t do their work properly

The Fix

In this case, use the Ryobi ‘Reel-Easy’ spool do not have to face line breaking or line feeding issues. Ryobi themselves suggest that users use the spool that they recommend.

If you have a broken line inside the inside take it out and re-spool it. You can get the ‘Reel-Easy’ spool here.

You can follow this video on how to change the trimmer line on a Ryobi 18V trimmer.

3. Trimmer Head Jammed

If the motor is running but the head doesn’t spin it’s because the head is jammed.

If the line wasn’t inserted or spooled properly it tends to break off and chunks can start to clog up inside the head which can cause this issue.

The Fix

Take apart the head and clean it properly. Then proceed to replace the line and make sure to have an even line from both ends of the head. This should mostly resolve the issue.

If the problem persists then it is a faulty line head. They used an old-school line head for this trimmer and getting it replaced with an aftermarket one should get rid of the problem permanently.

You can find replacement heads here and this video will guide you through the replacement process.

4. The Battery won’t come Off

The battery compartment in all the Ryobi cordless tools is horrendous. They get stuck and it feels like they will never come off no matter how much force is applied.

This is another prime example of Ryobi’s poor design and engineering.

The Fix

First off, for 18V batteries, there are two latches, one on each side of the battery.  Press and hold both of those and try to remove the battery.

If it doesn’t budge, use some kind of lubricant and pour a generous amount inside the battery compartment. It should ease up a bit. Push both the latches again and the battery should come off.

5. The Battery Died, Doesn’t Hold any Charge

Ryobi products tend to come shipped with either a faulty or dead battery or a faulty charger. Even the batteries that are good are worth much either and should be replaced with aftermarket ones.

These faulty batteries create issues like stalling and low power output. Charging a good battery with a bad charger may end up killing the battery as well.

The Fix

First of all, try charging the battery with a different charger to find out which one needs replacing the battery or the charger.

Once you find out the culprit simply get it replaced with a warranty. If you have already crossed the warranty time then get an aftermarket solution.

Ryobi has a dual chemistry charger that they sell separately which is very reliable. You can buy it from here.

They also sell a battery charger combo if you want a spare battery to have in case of an emergency which you can find on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

I have described doing Ryobi 18V string trimmer troubleshooting and some common issues that users may face.

The fixes described will help a user in the long run and protect the longevity of the trimmer.

For units that are faulty from the get-go, I’d recommend getting replaced with a warranty. 

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