Why is my staple gun not working?
The reason why your staple gun is not working is caused by a jammed staple, a defective spring, or a blocked staple piston or hammer. Other reasons your stable gun may of stopped working is because there is an issue with the power supply, issues with the air compressor, or a damaged safety check button.
Jammed staples
One of the most frequent problems experienced by staple gun users is a stuck stapler. If a staple becomes lodged or twists inside the staple gun’s head, the stapler may become unusable.
A defective spring
If a staple gun’s spring breaks, you could experience the following issues: difficulty pulling back or releasing the staples, as well as difficulty loading staples before the discharge. You can still use a worn-out manual stapler without a spring, but it won’t function as it should. Your stapler should be repaired with a new spring that is produced and sold along with a new hammer or piston.
A blocked staple piston or hammer
Another potential cause of a malfunctioning staple gun is a congested or blocked staple piston, sometimes referred to as the hammer. The air pressure from the air compressor helps the hammer strike the staples and force them out of the staple gun. When the appropriate-sized staples are not utilized, the hammer frequently jams, impeding hammer movement and resulting in a staple gun malfunction.
Other reasons that may lead to a clogged Hammer include:
- The dust got stuck in the head of the staple gun.
- Particles trapped in the grease (used to lubricate the staple gun).
No power supply
If your electric stapler isn’t working, it may be because it’s not getting enough power or because the power cord is broken. This may occur if a sharp object pierces the power supply cord or if high voltage causes the wire inside the cord to burn out. Batteries are used to power some electric staplers. Check the batteries in battery-operated staple guns to see if they are charged enough to operate the gun or if they need to be changed.
Unloaded staple gun
If there are no staples in the loader, the staple gun won’t fire any. Make sure your stapler has enough staples before using it.
Issues with air compressor
Since some staple guns use an external air compressor to power up, any issue with the air compressor would hinder the functionality of the staple gun. Normally, a staple gun should be able to deliver 2.0 CFM (cubic feet per minute) at 90 psi. Pressure lower than the mentioned figure would result in weak stapling.
A damaged safety check button
A safety check button is already built into staple guns to prevent inadvertent staple firing. The trigger won’t work if the button is broken or malfunctioning, which prevents the staple gun from firing. A safety mechanism on some staplers prevents them from firing if they don’t detect enough weight on the wood’s base.
Worn-out or broken small components
Missing or damaged small components could cause your staple gun to stop working. Components such as handle, handle spring, and loader often breaks or lose their optimal functionalities over time. They may become the reason why your staple gun is not working because:
- A broken handle won’t be able to trigger the staple gun.
- A worn-out or broken handle spring won’t allow the staple gun to fire.
- Worn-out hooks on the loader won’t be able to catch the tension bar and pull it back to its original position which will result in staple gun malfunction.
How to fix a staple gun that is not working?
There are several ways to fix a staple gun that is not working. After a careful inspection of an inoperative staple gun, try these common methods to fix a staple gun that is not working.
Before trying to fix a staple gun that is not working make sure you;
- Disconnect the power source (electricity, air compressor, batteries, etc).
- Wear gloves and goggles.
- Unload the staples.
- Have the required tools.
How to fix a jammed staple gun?
Depending on the type of the staple gun whether manual, electric, or pneumatic, the method to unjam your staple gun can vary.
How to Un-jam a manual staple gun
If you have the necessary tools such as a Philip screwdriver and a long-nose plier to open a manual staple gun you may follow these steps to unjam a manual staple gun;
- Remove the spring and the pushing rod and unload the staples (if any).
- Unscrew the tray. You can find the screw at the back end of the tray.
- Now remove the tray from the staple gun.
- Look for the stuck staples and remove them using a long-nosed plier.
- Assemble the staple gun after unjamming.
How to Un-jam an electric or pneumatic staple gun
Follow the given steps to unjam an electric or a pneumatic staple gun:
- Disconnect the staple gun from the power source. (Electricity or air compressor)
- Pull the staple tray out and remove any loaded staples.
- Use a screwdriver or a long nose-plier to remove the obstruction (probable stuck staples).
- Load the staple gun with new staples and close the tray.
How to fix a defective spring?
To fix a defective spring on a staple gun you’ll need to replace the whole tension bar or the pusher rod:
- Pull out the pusher rod from the tray.
- Replace the pusher rod with a new one and reload the staple gun.
How to fix a blocked staple piston or hammer?
To fix a blocked staple piston or a hammer use:
- Lubricants such as grease to smoothen the movement of the hammer.
- Clear any obstruction in the head of the staple gun.
- Remove any misshaped staples.
- Use staple of the right size.
How to fix a broken handle?
The easy way to fix a broken handle is by:
- Buying a new compatible handle.
- Removing the handle screw.
- Detaching the handle spring.
- Replacing the handle with a new one.
- Screw the new handle and reattach the spring.
How to fix a broken or burnt-out cord?
You can easily attach the broken ends of the cord by taping them. In case the wiring inside the cord is burnt-out you may contact a professional to replace it for you.
How to fix a Bostitch staple gun that is not working/firing?
To fix a Bostitch staple gun that is not working/firing you first need to diagnose the problem responsible for it. After carefully diagnosing the issue you can follow the guide on how to fix a staple gun that is not working to help you fix the staple gun.
If everything works fine but still your Bostitch staple gun won’t fire disassemble your staple gun and clean it thoroughly. You can start by:
- Removing and cleaning the interior of the cap.
- Beneath the cap lies the exhaust. Clean it as well.
- Check the hammer and clean any blockade.
- Remove the air hose and make sure nothing is stuck.
- Reassemble the staple gun.
One of the most common issues users had with a Bostitch staple gun is a broken driver that comes built-in (fixed in the new models). Even though it is a manufacturing defect, it still makes the Bostitch staple gun non-functional. You can visit any service center to fix the issue. If the warranty is still up you can fix it without paying a penny.
How to fix a Stanley staple gun that is not working/firing?
One of the most common issues with a Stanley staple gun that is not working is a jammed staple. The methods to fix a jammed Stanley staple gun depends on its type. Whether you use a manual, electric, or pneumatic staple gun, the guide on how to fix a jammed staple gun will help you fix your jammed Stanley staple gun.
Other fixes you may try to fix a Stanley staple gun that is not working include;
- Regular inspection of the staple gun before use.
- Regular cleaning of the staple gun before and after use.
- Keep track of worn-out or damaged components of the staple gun.
How to fix a Powershot staple gun that is not working/firing?
The staples could not be positioned correctly if a Powershot staple gun is not working/firing. Sometimes the staples are placed on the tray, which misplace them when the tray is pushed back into the stapler. If a Powershot staple gun is not firing or working properly, you must;
- Properly place the staple in the tray,
- Use staples of the right size, and
- Make sure not to use heavy-duty staples on a light-duty Powershot staple gun.
How to fix a Senco staple gun that is not working/firing?
You can fix a Senco staple gun that has stopped working either by;
- Increasing the air pressure,
- In case of a jammed hammer, slam it against your palm to free the hammer, or
- Open the staple gun and clean it thoroughly and reassemble it.
How to fix an Arrow staple gun that is not working/firing?
A manual Arrow staple gun, for instance, Arrow t50 may stop working because of a jammed staple. A burnt out fuse may be the reason why an electric Arrow staple gun is not working. To fix an Arrow staple gun that is not working you may consult the customer service for professional assistance.
Why does my staple gun keep jamming?
If your staple gun keeps jamming you are most likely not using the right size of staples. Other reasons your staple gun keeps jamming is because of a misshaped staple is being loaded, or the staples aren’t being fed evenly to the barrel.
How to fix a staple gun that keeps jamming?
To fix a staple gun that keeps jamming make sure you avoid using the wrong-sized staples. Also, keep inspecting the loaded staples for any misshaped staples. If you find one remove it and keep the spring lubricated to avoid future obstruction.
Why does my staple gun not go through the wood?
The reason your staple gun is not going through the wood is because the air pressure that shoots the staple out of the gun is low. Other reasons your staple gun is not going through the wood is because there is not enough force on the wood while stapling, the use of low-quality staples or the thickness of the wood is preventing the staple to penetrate.
