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Generator Troubleshooting
What is your generator doing? Pick the symptom that matches and go straight to the fix.
Most generator problems fall into one of four buckets — how it starts, how it runs, what comes out of the outlets, and basic upkeep. Find your symptom below. If nothing matches exactly, start with the Fix My Generator diagnostic.
It won’t start or won’t stay running
Generator Won’t Start: 9 Causes & How to Fix EachGenerator Starts Then Dies After a Few Seconds: The Carb FixGenerator Low-Oil Shutoff Keeps Tripping With Oil Full: The Sensor or the Slope
It runs but something’s off
Generator Surging? The Pilot Jet Fix (and the 60-Second Load Test)Generator Smoking Black, White, or Blue: What Each Color MeansGenerator Overheating and Shutting Off: The Cooling Airflow Fix
It runs but there’s no power
Generator Runs But No Power at the Outlets: The 4 Culprits and the Free FixGenerator Keeps Tripping the Breaker: Load, Short, or Bad Breaker?
Maintenance & choosing a generator
How to Clean a Generator Carburetor: Step-by-Step WalkthroughWhat Size Generator Do I Need? Wattage Sizing Guide
Safety first: never run a generator indoors or in a garage — carbon monoxide is deadly. Don’t backfeed power into your home without a proper transfer switch. When a problem points to the alternator windings, a transfer switch, or house wiring, stop and call a licensed electrician.