Common Problems & Simple Fixes
Last verified: September 2026
Everything you actually need to know, in plain English - no jargon, no rabbit holes. If you'd rather skip the reading and just have someone help, my number is (330) 200-8042.
Common Problems & Simple Fixes
Even the best inverter generator can act up now and then, and almost every problem comes down to a short list of simple causes — stale fuel, low oil, a switch in the wrong spot, or asking it to run more than it can. This guide walks you calmly through the common hiccups and their easy fixes, and shows you the one time to stop and call for help. Here's the plain-English version, with a printable, 29-page guide up top if you'd like the full walk-through.
Common Questions
1 My inverter generator won't start. Where do I begin?
Start with the easy things, in order, and outside only. Is there fresh gas in the tank, and is the fuel valve open? Is the choke set for a cold start and the engine switch on? If it still won't fire, the three usual culprits are stale fuel (by far the most common), a low-oil shutoff that won't let it start until you add oil, and a fouled spark plug. Nine times out of ten it's one of those, and all are simple to sort out.
2 Why won't it start even though there's gas in the tank?
Usually because the gas is old. Fuel goes stale in a few months and gums up the carburetor, so an engine that ran fine last year won't catch on last year's fuel. Drain it, add fresh gas, and use a fuel stabilizer so it keeps. Other things that mimic an empty tank are a closed fuel valve, a choke in the wrong position, or a low-oil sensor stopping the engine until you top up the oil on level ground.
3 The overload light came on and the outlets went dead. What do I do?
That light just means you asked for more watts than the generator has, and it is protecting itself. Shed some load — unplug the biggest power hogs first, like a space heater, kettle, or hair dryer — then reset the breaker. When you start something with a big motor, like a refrigerator or a pump, switch eco mode off for a moment so the full surge is available, then turn it back on once things are running.
4 It runs fine but no power comes out of the outlet.
When the engine runs but a device stays dead, the problem is almost always the outlet, not the engine. Many units have GFCI outlets with a little reset button that trips from moisture or a fault — press reset. A push-button outlet breaker may also have popped, so reset that too, and check that your extension cord is fully plugged in and undamaged. If a GFCI trips again the moment you reset it, stop and have the cord, the device, or the generator looked at.
5 It starts but runs rough or surges up and down.
A generator that hunts up and down, sputters, or nearly stalls is almost always starving for clean fuel. Stale gas and a gummed-up carburetor are the usual reasons. Drain the old fuel, refill with fresh, and let it run a few minutes. If the surging does not clear, the carburetor likely needs a proper cleaning, which is a quick service job. Prevent it next time with fresh, stabilized fuel and a short monthly run.
6 When should I stop and just call someone?
Stop right away for anything electrical — a burning smell, a melted cord or outlet, sparks, or shocks — and for any fuel leak or smell of gasoline, which is a fire risk. Stop, too, if it simply won't run right after the basic checks. And never troubleshoot a running generator in a garage or any enclosed space, because of carbon monoxide. When in doubt, give me a call at (330) 200-8042 and we'll sort it out safely.
Want a Hand With Yours?
Picking a generator, setting it up, and learning to run it safely is one of my most-requested visits. I bring the patience and the know-how - you keep your seat. We'll match a unit to your home, set it up right, walk through starting it and staying safe from carbon monoxide, and get your internet, TV, and devices happily back on. $99 flat, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free. (330) 200-8042.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).