“My clipper turns on but it just won’t cut”. Show
Argh! Another bad day? For most unprepared or inexperienced barbers, it usually starts with horrible clipper noises; then comes the overheating; and finally, the clipper blades start moving but not cutting. Sounds familiar? Well, these are some of the many clipper issues that we face on a day-to-day basis. And while some are easy fixes, you’ll definitely get two or three problems that will stress you to the core. But: Don’t fret – I’ve got you covered. In this guide. I will share some of my best hacks, tips, tricks, and show you exactly how to fix hair clippers that won’t cut; including:
Sound, good? Well, let’s dive in. 1) Common Clipper ProblemsIs there anything as frustrating as a clipper that pulls or moves but won’t cut the hair right off? Well, it irks. Whether it’s a new clipper or one you’ve been using for quite a while, below are a few common clipper problems you could be facing. a) Your Hair Clipper is OverheatingImagine this: You connect your clipper to the power source. You set it up and start following one of my haircut guides on WiseBarber. Two minutes into the haircut, your clipper starts to become hot. What could be the problem? Clippers often overheat because of dirt, lack of oil, or long-term use. Failure to troubleshoot immediately can damage your clipper badly. Anyway: Here’s what you can do about this: Get this: The sole purpose of a vent is to ensure effective heat dissipation. And failure to clean those vents as expected could get them clogged with hair, grease, and other debris. And that’s why most clippers come with vents that require regular cleaning. Now: Vent clogging can cause your hair clipper to overheat. And so, to fix this issue:
Oil Your Dry ClippersMuch like a car or generator, hair clippers need regular lubrication depending on the number of times you use them. For instance: If you run a barbershop like me, you may have to oil your clippers before and after each use. Why? Failure to oil them increases friction between the moving parts and could lead to the hair clipper overheating. Otherwise, if you’re the type to get a self-cut at home every once in a while, commit yourself to adding oil to your clippers on the itinerary on every clean-up day. Avoid Long-Term/Non-Stop UseI get it: You run a busy shop. But, that’s no excuse to use one clipper for all your haircuts non-stop. Note: Clippers, like most machines, tend to get hot when used for extended periods. And that’s why it’s always recommended that you have an extra pair of clippers to act as a substitute whenever your cutting tool starts heating up. That way, you’ll give your main clipper some cooling intervals during busy working hours. Get it? Moving on… b) Your Haircutter is Too NoisyThat loud, incessant, droning sound is back again, isn’t it? What could be the cause? Now: We can all agree that noisy hair clippers are not only annoying but also tend to attract a lot of unnecessary attention. You don’t want that, do you? Well, below are some common causes of abnormal or loud clipper noises: Check for Blade MisalignmentBlade misalignment can cause incessant clipper noise. That’s because the blades’ movement might be deterred or altered by the change in alignment. To fix this: What you want to do is to screw those blades back into place with the stationary blade being slightly longer than the cutting one. Remember: The edges have to be parallel and there should be space between the stationary and cutting blade. If it’s still noisy, try the following solution… Check for Power Voltage Screw MisalignmentAnother cause of noise in clippers is the misalignment of power voltage screws. This could happen at any time and sometimes, for no definite reason. Here is a quick-fix for this;
Still noisy? Try this next fix… Tighten Any Loose Housing ScrewsHousing screws usually come off after prolonged usage because of the clipper’s vibrations. But: The only sign that you’ve got a loose housing screw is that horrible, loud, rattling noise. Anyway: Here’s how to fix this:
Doing so should hold them in place for a while but it is often a short-term solution. c) Hair Clipper Pulling/Snagging IssuesLet’s face it: It gets a little bit annoying and uncomfortable for your clients if your hair clipper starts pulling and snagging their hair. And that never bodes well for any barber’s reputation. Funny enough: A lot of the time, clippers pull or snag hair due to small, fixable problems. Anyway: If you are facing these issues, it could be because of the following factors… Inadequate OilingI always say this: “Oil your clipper and its blades when and how its manufacturer recommends.” And if you are still wondering; why should you oil? It’s Simple: Lubricating is a must for the best utility and optimal performance. Apart from reducing the friction between your blades and extending the life of your hair clipper, oiling also helps to mitigate noise and heating. Anyway: My post on How To Oil a Hair Clipper explains everything you need to know about this simple task and how to do it right. Blunt BladesAre your clipper blades moving but not cutting properly? Well, your blades may still have their shine but might have lost their sharpness. It’s a fact: Blunt blades won’t cut. It’s wise to sharpen your blades as soon as you notice that your clipper is taking longer to cut, pulling/snagging hair, or that it takes more than one pass to cut. Luckily, sharpening clipper blades is quite easy. With the right tools and a little know-how, this is something you can do on your own. Thinking of buying new blades? It’s always best to go for stronger alloys like titanium. Of course, original titanium blade prices may be high. But, quality makes all the difference. And good quality equals good value for money. Wear and tear? The only cause for worn-out clipper parts is clipper aging or excessive usage. If your clipper is past its warranty and you are not ready to part with it, you could have them checked out by an expert. Here’s why! An expert will highlight the parts of the trimmer that can go on for a little longer. Also, they will tell you which parts are completely worn-out. With this knowledge, you can buy the replacement parts you need and install them yourself or find an expert to do it for you. e) Power Supply IssuesPower supply issues can also be the reason why your clipper is acting up. But: What are these issues? Faulty Power CableQuestion: Have you ever been in a situation where you plug in your hair clipper, start using it, and then it stops working prematurely? Well, chances are that your power supply isn’t stable. And this usually happens if you’ve got a faulty power cable. Now: To be sure that your power cord is damaged, try this:
If you are using a cordless clipper, then getting a new replacement would be the most ideal course of action. But for corded clippers, the best you can do is to try to fix it as shown in the video above. Blown Power Plug FuseGet this: A blown power fuse is usually a result of power surges, socket overload, or faulty wiring. If you suspect that your clipper’s plug fuse is blown, the first thing is always to switch to another power outlet, just to be sure. Now: If it still doesn’t work, you can then try to replace the blown fuse with a new one as shown in the video above. Dead Clipper Batteries (in Cordless Cutters)Fact: When using a cordless clipper and its battery dies (doesn’t recharge properly or discharges faster than expected), you won’t be able to use it if it does not offer cord/cordless usage features. So, what can you do about that? Well, I’d recommend replacing the battery. For most clippers, that’s usually a very simple procedure. And: If you’re unsure about it, you can always go online to search for battery replacement tutorials on your specific hair clipper; just like in the video I’ve shared above. Theoretically, the process should be easy; i.e.:
f) Taper Lever IssuesOccasionally: Your taper lever might start exhibiting problems; from being loose to altering the length of blade sizes due to misalignment. And when that happens, it becomes harder for you to use your clipper optimally. So, here are a few ways to fix common taper lever issues: Fixing a Loose Taper LeverNote: When your clipper’s taper lever becomes loose, you’ll have a hard time making fast, easy and accurate blade size adjustments. And that defeats the whole point of having a taper lever in the first place. Luckily, you can fix this fast and easy; i.e.:
Taper Lever and Blade MisalignmentAt times: When the taper lever on your clipper comes undone, the blades also tend to be out of their regular position. Though, this is quite rare. Note: Most blade misalignment/taper lever issues stem from users dropping their clippers often. To fix this:
And that’s just about everything you need to know about common hair clipper problems. Does it end there? Not really! To fully understand how your clipper works and how to diagnose it, you must learn a few important things about its critical parts. So, let’s start by looking at clipper blades and what you need to know about them. 2) Everything You Need To Know About Hair Clipper BladesIn this section: I will walk you through a few important facts about hair clipper blades… So, let’s get down to it! a) Common Types of Clipper BladesAs a rule of thumb: The quality of clipper blade materials determines the overall haircut experience, durability, and ability to stay sharp after use. Yes, read that again. Since it’s the blades that do all the cutting, it’s important to choose clippers with the best blade materials. But: How do you know which blade to choose from the many available on the market? Well, for starters, here is a list of common types of clipper blades:
Now: The big question is, “which blade material is the best/worst?” Here’s a quick rundown of both the best and the ugly. What Are The Best Hair Clipper Blades?Titanium Blades Get this: You’re most likely to find a titanium blade in a top-tier hair clipper. Basically, most models with a “self-sharpening” tag. Why? Titanium blades tend to stay sharp longer and are impressively durable. Moreover, these blades do not need any maintenance. On the downside, they can be very expensive at times. Ceramic Blades They have been proven to be the sharpest and coolest blades on the market. Ceramic blades are awesome because they don’t heat up regardless of how long you use your clipper. But: They are also very expensive and can easily break if dropped. Japanese Steel Blades The variances in the quality of Japanese steel and ceramic blades are few. Basically: If you want ceramic blade quality at a lower budget, go for the Japanese steel blades. What Are The Worst Hair Clipper Blades?Steel Alloys There are more than 6 types of steel alloys. And they vary in terms of durability and sharpness duration. On the plus side: They are generally the cheapest you can get as a low-budget replacement. But, they don’t always retain sharpness for long and tend to rust if left unused. b) How to Oil Hair Clipper BladesOiling is an essential part of hair clipper and blade maintenance. Note: To improve performance and increase the longevity of your hair clipper, you have to oil it before and after each use. And the best part is that it is a simple task to do; i.e.:
And that’s it – quick and easy! Learn more about this on my How to Clean and Oil Clippers post. c) How to Replace/ Upgrade Clipper BladesHere, all you have to do is:
d) How to Sharpen Clipper BladesHere’s how:
Now: Most clipper blades develop rust because of lack of use, not being oiled properly, and exposure to moisture. Having rusted clipper blades could impede the quality of cuts the clipper can give; plus, it’s not healthy. Good news! This is not a big problem. You can fix this right now from the comfort of your home. Here’s what you can do:
Anyway: Enough about blades. Now, let’s look at the motor. 3) Hair Clipper Motors FactsheetIn truth: Hair clipper motors play a pivotal role during a haircut. Motors are the engines that drive hair clippers and they directly determine how much power and speed the cutter will have. And that’s why it’s always important to find a clipper motor that meets your needs and requirements. Which ones are they? Well, read on to find out…. a) Types of Hair Clipper Motors (Best? Worst?)There are three primary types of hair clipper motors; i.e.: Pivot MotorsPivot motors are well-known for having high power but low blade speeds. This kind of motor is ideal for wet or thick hair (heavy-duty work). Rotary MotorsRotary motors are usually a bit balanced. They often feature the same power and blade speed. This kind of clipper motor is for a wide variety of cuts; thick, thin, wet-dry, curly, etc. Magnetic MotorsMagnetic motors have dependable power and high blade speed. This type of clipper motor is ideal for salon owners because of its high volume cutting capacity. b) Reasons for a Noisy Clipper MotorGet this: Owing to the design and architecture of electromagnetic motors, sometimes, your hair clipper can get noisy. And in most cases, that’s usually because the power voltage screw has been adjusted past its optimal position. To fix this:
If you’d like to see how it’s done, refer to section 1(b) of this guide under Power Voltage Screw Misalignment. c) What Causes a Clipper Motor to Underperform?Worried that your clipper isn’t giving you its best performance? Well, it could be that your motor is struggling to deliver. And: If that’s the case, here are a few possible reasons why:
And that’s a wrap on clipper motors. Next up, a look at what Zero-Gapping is all about. 4) Everything You Need to Know About Zero-Gapping a Hair ClipperIn this section: I will highlight the things you must know about Zero-Gapping a hair clipper. First off, what is it? a) What is Zero-Gapping?Well: Zero-gapping is the process of closely aligning the threads of a clipper’s blades to a point that they are completely flush with each other. On the plus side, zero-gapping can improve the quality of your haircuts. But: It also makes your blades dangerously sharp and can easily cut and nick your clients’ skin. And that’s why this is something that is recommended for elite barbers or someone with a very steady hand. b) Why Is Zero Gapping Important?Some of the reasons why many barbers zero-gap their hair clippers include:
Moving on… c) How To Zero Gap a ClipperGood news! You can Zero gap a clipper by yourself as shown in the video above. To recap:
And that’s it. You’ll have successfully zero-gapped your hair clipper with ease. Now: Did you know that there are clipper issues that are specific to their brand? If not, this next section is for you. 5) Common Clipper Brand IssuesAlright. So far, I have highlighted general hair clipper problems and their solutions. But in this section, I will get a little bit more specific. I want to delve into common clipper brand issues and troubleshooting. So, shall we? a) Andis Hair Clipper IssuesArguably: The biggest issue with Andis tools is often heating. If you’ve used the Andis Master or T-Outliner, you know what I’m talking about. Now, if you’ve been experiencing this, here are a few things you can do:
b) Wahl Hair Clipper IssuesSo: What do you do if your… Wahl Clippers Won’t Turn Off?Listen: The two major reasons your Wahl clippers won’t turn off are a result of contact with water or a busted switch. If it’s as a result of contact with water, you should air-dry it. Thereafter, your clippers should be back to work again after drying up. But, if the switch doesn’t work, plan a trip to the Hair clipper repair shop. Wahl Clippers Are Not Cutting Properly?Now: If your Wahl Clippers or Trimmers won’t cut, you may want to first check the following:
Moving on… 6) How to Clean a Hair ClipperObviously: There are several methods of cleaning your hair clippers. And they are all rather effective. In a nutshell, here’s what you can do:
7) Expert Tips on Hair ClippersNow: Before I wrap up this post, here are a few expert tips that may come in handy for you… a) Where and How To Find Quality Hair ClippersTo be on the safer side: Always read through customer reviews to avoid finding yourself in a ‘what I ordered vs. what I got’ scenario. Also, if you want to buy online, make sure the retailer has a favorable return policy, just in case. With that said: Here are the 5 things to look out for to choose the best quality trimmer. 1. Experts Or Beginners-Level Clipper?Note: No matter how great a clipper is, it will never be good enough as long as it’s below or above your handling. So, the first thing you should consider is your barbering skill level. For quality beginner-level trimmers, I recommend Wahl Elite Pro for home use or the Oster Fast Feed for professional use. If you’re an expert barber, any of these will do:
2. Home Or Professional Use?Of course: You have to consider the purpose of your hair trimmer/clipper. This way, you won’t end up with a light-duty trimmer as a professional barber. So, how can you tell whether the clipper you’re buying suits your needs? For professionals, you want a clipper with:
For home barbers:
3. What Type of Housing Material Does It Have?Here’s a good rule of thumb:
Another thing: Make sure the clipper’s casing allows for efficient heat dissipation or go for a clipper that has heat-resistance housing for comfort. b) When to Oil Your ClipperNow: Oiling your clipper should be a regular thing but the frequency will differ depending on usage. For instance, if you run a busy barbershop, you should oil your clippers before every haircut. But, if yours is for personal use, you can oil your clipper weekly; even if it hasn’t been in use for a while. Remember: Oiling your clipper not only improves its performance but also lengthens its longevity. c) When to Replace a Hair ClipperNow: There are a lot of things that can tell you whether it’s time to get a new clipper. For example:
In Conclusion…And that’s a wrap. I’m pretty sure I’ve covered all the possible ways on how to fix hair clippers that won’t cut. Plus, I’ve included a few extras that may be useful to barbers – both experienced and beginners. Anyway, I hope this article has been helpful and informative enough. And if you find a fix on this guide that’s too complex for you, kindly seek professional assistance to avoid damaging your hair clipper. So: Is there anything I’ve left out? Would you like to ask a question? If so, don’t hesitate to post it in the comments section below. Good luck and #StaySafe |