Why Does my Circular Saw Keep Stopping? 9 Reasons and Fixes

If you are a circular saw user and looking for an answer to the question: why does my circular saw keep stopping, then you are in the right place.

Circular saws keep stopping due to a dull or damaged blade usually. However, problems like insufficient battery, or a damaged power cord can also cause a circular saw to keep stopping.

Just as I mentioned the problem could be due to many reasons. Therefore, there is no single answer to the above question i.e, “why does my circular saw keep stopping?”

Luckily I have done some research for you already. During my study, I found a few reasons that cause a circular saw to stop or behave oddly.

In this article, I have mentioned a few reasons behind a circular saw not working properly. I have also mentioned the proper solution to each problem cause so make sure you read this article to the end.

Why Does my Circular Saw Keep Stopping?

Reason 1: Blade Problem

Just as I mentioned earlier, the first and the most common problem due to which a circular saw keeps stopping is a damaged blade. You need to double-check before you want to use your saw each time.

Always make sure that you have a blade that is in good condition before cutting something with it. This way it will not put too much load on the machinery and will let the saw work flawlessly without forcing it too much.

Reason 2: Insufficient Power

If the saw that you are using does not have enough power to cut through an object, then it cannot cut and will keep stopping. Most of the circular saws that come with a 7-1/4 inch blade draw about 65 watts of power.

But some models require up to 80 watts. So make sure your saw has enough power to cut through the material you are trying to cut. The blade will keep stopping until it receives sufficient power.

Reason 3: Not Enough Weight

Similarly, if your saw is not heavy enough then it cannot provide enough torque for cutting the material and will keep stopping. In order to find out how much weight your circular saw should have, keep in mind whether you are cutting soft material (wood) or hard material (plastic).

When you need more weight for a circular saw, then go for a model that has a metal plate along with the blade. If you want to cut a large quantity of similar materials, then choose a heavy-duty circular saw.

Reason 4: Loose Power Cord

When the power cord is not connected properly, it will keep stopping. You need to ensure that you have a tight connection between the circular saw and the power outlet.

While cutting with your circular saw, do check whether the wires are still attached properly or not. If you find any loose wire or connection, then just stop the circular saw and re-arrange the wires so that there is a proper connection.

Reason 5: Damaged Power Cord

If your power cord gets damaged or burned during cutting, then it can also cause your circular saw to keep stopping. If you are using a concrete blade while working on concrete surfaces, then the power cord can get damaged very easily.

Further, the protective shield that comes with your saw is not made of soft material and it cannot handle high temperatures. So if you are working on a hot surface like concrete then the laser will be glowing red hot in no time due to which the power cord can also get damaged

Similar problems can also cause a circular saw to keep stopping. So make sure your power cord is not damaged or you have an extension cord that can handle the increased load of your job site and will let the saw work smoothly.

Reason 6: Motor Issues

The other reason behind a circular saw keeping halting is due to motor issues. If there is any issue with the motor, then it can cause your saw to stop or not perform correctly

The best way to know whether there is an issue with the motor of your circular saw is by checking the tension in the blade while cutting. If you feel that the blade is loose or not held properly to cut a straight line, then most probably there will be an issue with the motor.

To solve this problem, you can use a lubricant to clean the gears or there will be some small parts that might require replacement to make your saw work fine again.

Reason 7: Bad Connection

If there is a bad connection between the handle (where you have connected the battery) and the blade, then this can also cause your saw to keep stopping.

To ensure a tight connection, make sure that you have inserted the screws (that come with your saw) tightly and secure them using a screwdriver.

This will keep the battery in place so that it does not move out of its position during cutting and keep causing the circular saw to stop all of a sudden.

Reason 8: Motor Not Working Properly

The other reason why your circular saw keeps stopping is that the motor of your saw may not be working properly. If your corded circular saw has an issue with the motor, look to see how many times it stops while cutting wood.

If there are multiple halts while cutting a board, then most probably the motor is not working properly. In this case, you will need to repair or replace your circular saws’ motor.

Or if there are no halts at all then your power cord may be damaged and you can easily replace it with a heavy-duty one as mentioned above

Reason 9: Saw Dust

The last reason why your circular saw keeps stopping all of a sudden is due to dust build-up in its motor. If the motor gets clogged with sawdust and debris, then it will not allow enough air or cooling to reach the motor area. This will cause your motor to overheat and stop working out of no where.

How to Fix a Circular Saw that Keeps Stopping?

The following are some of the solution steps that can help you fix your circular saw problems. Not all of them may be applicable to your situation but if you try them then chances are your circular saw may start working flawlessly as a new one.

Solution 1: Changing the Blade 

The best way to keep your circular saw from malfunctioning and stopping is to use a good blade. If you have done all the necessary maintenance work on your saw then it is high time that you changed its blade with a new one

.Before buying a new blade, check the reviews and make sure that you are not buying a low-quality product. This can ruin your saw’s performance in no time and will require further repairs soon after you install it.

Solution 2: Changing the Power Cord

If your power cord is damaged or worn out then it can also cause your circular saw to stop while you are working. To keep it working properly, it is best that you replace the power cord with a new one

To tell whether your power cord is damaged or not, check out for any major injuries (like cuts or burns) on it. If there are no visible signs of damage then the next step would be to check the performance of your power cord. If it is working fine, then there should not be any problems with it and you can just replace it with a new one

Solution 3: Cleaning the Power Cord and Motor

If there are multiple issues that cause a circular saw to stop while cutting wood, then it also may be the case that there is a build-up of dust, debris or fine particles inside the motor.

To correct this issue you can take out the motor and then clean it with a lubricant to remove all the sawdust that had accumulated in it

No matter what causes your circular saw to stop while cutting wood, make sure that you always remember to use safety gear before you get to work. This will keep you and anyone working with you safe from any accidents or mishaps during a wood-cutting project.

Solution 4: Replace the Motor Brass 

If you have tried out all of the above solutions and your circular saw still keeps stopping while cutting wood, then it is probably due to a damaged motor brass screw.

The brass screw in your circular saw’s motor holds its parts together and if this is lost or damaged then it can cause your circular saw to stop suddenly while working. This problem can be fixed by replacing the motor brass screw with a new one.

In case you are not sure about how to replace the motor brass screw then take it to an expert who will definitely fix this issue for you at an affordable price.

It is always easier to look into circular saw problems and resolve them before they cause more trouble than the work already done.

Solution 5: Tighten the Motor V-Belt

If there are no visible signs of damaged parts or broken wires, then your circular saw’s motor is probably slipping out of place due to a loose v-belt. This can be easily fixed by tightening the motor v-belt so that it does not move around while the machine is running.

Solution 6: Check Your Saw’s Power Cord and Wires

If there are visible signs of damage on your circular saw’s power cord or wires, then you need to immediately change them as they can cause further destruction inside your circular saw

In many cases, if these parts get broken then they will cut or burn the motor of your circular saw, which will cause major damage to it

Solution 7: Check Your Circular Saw’s Motor and Other Parts For Damages-Clean

If you have checked the power cord and found no evidence of any problems, then there may be a problem with your motor. To check this out, take off the cover of your power tool and then look for any loose parts inside it.

Unfortunately, the cost of repairing such a machine may not be feasible for common people but if you are planning to buy a new circular saw then try to replace this one with a better model. The replacement of old machines with new high-quality ones will definitely keep your woodwork experience enjoyable.

To get the right circular saw for your woodwork projects, you must now be able to differentiate between an ideal one and a low-quality one. You will need this basic knowledge when choosing which circular saw is perfect for you or your construction needs.

When looking for a good-quality circular saw, you can also read my reviews.

Solution 8: Lubricate the Machine properly 

If you have applied all of the above solutions and are still facing issues with a circular saw that keeps stopping while cutting wood, then it is most likely due to improper lubrication.

Dirty or over-used blades can cause your circular saw to stop abruptly while working but usually, this issue arises because the resourcefulness of your machine is not efficient enough to keep it working.

The best thing you can do is replace the blade or lubricate it properly with a good lubricant like WD-40 so that your circular saw continues running smoothly while cutting wood.

Final Words

There could be multiple reasons due to which your circular saw my keep stopping during the project. Usually, beginners get easily panic and they may start thinking why does my circular saw keep stopping over and over again.

After reading this article, I am sure you will have an idea about your problem. I am sure you will be able to fix it now and keep working as a professional woodworker in your workshop.