Common Problems With DeWalt Weed Eaters (According To Owners)

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If you want to expand your toolkit, DeWalt is one of the biggest players you should consider. After all, it ranks among the best on our worst-to-best list of major power tool brands, offering a vast catalog of cordless power tools suitable for everyone, from construction workers to woodworking hobbyists. That said, while DeWalt offers some of the best outdoor power tools, nothing beats a DeWalt weed eater when it comes to giving your lawn a crisp edge, especially where lawn mowers can't reach.

The DeWalt 20V MAX 13-inch Weed Eater, for instance, is one of the brand's best-selling string trimmers. Customers give it a 4.4-star rating out of 5 on Amazon, where it costs $157. Additionally, most of the reviews overwhelmingly praise this product for its ease of use, cut quality, and battery-powered convenience. Others claim it's much lighter than a gas trimmer yet remains extremely powerful.

Despite these positive reviews, DeWalt weed eaters often leave much to be desired. Of course, this might come as a surprise, considering DeWalt is one of the most popular power tool brands in the U.S. market. But like other cordless power tools, DeWalt weed eaters appear to be plagued by a host of common problems, including those related to a weak battery, a jamming trimmer head, or an overheating motor. That said, here's what owners have to say about the most common issues with DeWalt weed eaters.

After reviewing multiple owners' forums, one major problem that keeps arising with DeWalt weed trimmers is their short runtime. Some owners on YouTube have raised this issue with the DeWalt 20V 922 Weed Eater, in particular. Many owners have reported that these trimmers seem to run normally at first, but after a few uses, they start overheating, smoke pours out, and the machine stalls quickly.

According to user reports, this issue often results from an overheated motor. After all, when in use, dirt, debris, and grass clippings will definitely accumulate around the motor housing, blocking the vent holes. And without sufficient airflow, the motor will overheat and automatically power down to prevent damage. Luckily, the fix is pretty simple: regularly clean and inspect the vent holes for clogs after every trim.

Another common issue that users often report is DeWalt weed eaters' battery life. The vast majority of light-duty DeWalt weed eaters use a 20V battery. And while this battery is a good fit for a lawn less than a half-acre or trimming around flower beds, it'll definitely struggle once you start clearing thick grass or a larger area. For this reason, if you want to tackle demanding tasks, you'll want to invest in a 60V DeWalt battery. It'll make a huge difference in keeping your trimming tasks smooth and uninterrupted.

Beyond runtime and battery frustrations, other pain points that affect DeWalt weed eaters' owners revolve around usability and design quirks. For instance, in a Reddit thread, one owner complained that the string spooled out uncontrollably and wrapped around the trimmer head, describing the experience as frustrating. Others even report that the string may get stuck or break too easily. And when this happens, you can easily expect a 15-minute flower bed trim to turn into a full-blown tangle session.

Another frequently reported problem among DeWalt weed eaters — especially 60V models — is the weight distribution and grip. DeWalt trimmers have a lightweight design and are built tough, which is why this brand is deemed one of the best manufacturers of cordless yard tools. However, several users have expressed frustration, claiming that prolonged use can lead to fatigue. This issue often stems from its inherent design, which makes the top feel heavy and unbalanced. Besides that, some users often complain that the motor vibration can add up over time, making comfort a real concern, particularly for longer tasks.

This list of problems facing DeWalt weed eaters was compiled based on experiences shared by present and past owners. We took into account user feedback from major retailers like Amazon, paying close attention to problems that popped up repeatedly. We also consulted customer reviews from Reddit threads and used YouTube repair videos to get a clear picture of the problems affecting models like the DeWalt 20V 922 Weed Eater and how to troubleshoot them.