Repair help
Why Is My Snow Blower Auger Not Turning?
AAZparts Team
Updated on June 24, 2025
6 min read
One of the most common and frustrating issues during winter is a snow blower auger not turning—even when the engine is running smoothly. Since the auger plays a critical role in collecting and throwing snow, its failure can severely impact your machine’s performance.
In this article, AZParts will guide you through 5 common reasons why your snow blower auger might stop spinning, along with practical fixes to help you get your equipment back to peak condition quickly and efficiently.
1. How Does the Auger Work on a Snowblower?
The auger in a snow blower is responsible for gathering and pushing snow out of the area being cleared. When the engine is running, it transmits rotational force to the auger, causing the spiral blades to turn. These blades, shaped like a corkscrew, scoop snow from both sides toward the center. The snow is then pushed up through the discharge chute by an impeller located behind the auger (in two-stage and three-stage models).
The auger responsible for gathering and pushing snow out of the area being cleared (Source: Freepik)
In single-stage snow blowers, the auger both gathers and throws the snow, making them ideal for light, fluffy snow and smaller areas. Meanwhile, two-stage and three-stage models feature an additional impeller or auger to improve efficiency, especially helpful for clearing heavy or packed snow. Users can control the direction of the discharged snow using a lever or rotating knob.
To ensure safe and reliable operation, avoid using the machine in areas with gravel or rocks, and regularly inspect and maintain key components such as the auger blades, shear pins, drive belt, and bearings.
Check out more: Two-Stage vs Three-Stage Snow Blower: What’s the Difference?
2. 5 Common Reasons the Auger Isn’t Turning
2.1. Broken or missing shear pins
A shear pin is a safety component designed to break when the auger encounters a hard obstruction. This prevents damage to the gearbox and auger shaft. If the shear pin breaks or falls out, the auger will stop spinning even though the engine continues to run normally.
To repair this issue, turn off the machine completely and disconnect the spark plug (for gas-powered models) or unplug the power cord (for electric models) to ensure safety. Then inspect each section of the auger to check whether any shear pins are broken or missing.
If the shear pin breaks or falls out, the auger will stop spinning (Source: AZParts)
You can use the 303160355P Shear Pins and Nuts Set, a dedicated replacement kit specifically designed for Powersmart snow blower models. This set, which includes 4 shear pins and nuts, is easy to install, durable, and impact-resistant, effectively protecting both the auger and gearbox. The estimated repair time for replacing the shear pins is around 15–20 minutes.
Read more: How to Replace a Shear Pin on Snow Blower
2.2. Worn or broken drive belt
The drive belt plays a crucial role in transferring power from the engine to the auger system. Over time, the belt may stretch, wear out, slip, or even break. This disconnects the engine from the auger, preventing snow from being collected and expelled from the machine.
To resolve this issue, you should remove the belt cover and inspect its condition. If the belt is stretched, worn, scratched, cracked, or broken, it’s essential to replace it with a new one to ensure smooth operation of your snow blower. Regularly checking and replacing the drive belt helps maintain optimal performance and avoids unexpected issues during use.
The drive belt plays a crucial role in transferring power from the engine to the auger system (Source: Freepik)
You can use the 99-9313 Rubber Paddles, 133-5585 Scraper Blade, 121-6622 Drive Belt and Hardware Kits for replacing the damaged parts. This kit includes all the necessary belts and components, compatible with a wide range of snow blower models. The estimated replacement time is around 15-20 minutes, helping you quickly restore the functionality of your machine.
2.3. Faulty auger gearbox
The gearbox of the auger transmits torque from the engine to the auger, ensuring efficient operation. However, if the internal gears become broken, worn, or jammed, the entire auger system will fail to rotate. This is a serious issue that typically occurs when users ignore signs of a broken shear pin and continue operating the machine. In such cases, uncontrolled force transmission leads to damage to the gearbox.
If the internal gears become broken, worn, or jammed, the entire auger system will fail to rotate (Source: Freepik)
To address this issue, you need to remove the auger and inspect the condition of the gearbox. If the internal gears are damaged, you will need to replace the entire gearbox assembly or the gear set, depending on the extent of the damage. Early replacement will restore the machine's normal operation and prevent more severe issues from arising.
2.4. Loose or damaged cables/levers
The control cable connects the lever on the handle to the auger clutch mechanism. If the cable becomes stretched, broken, or the lever is misaligned, users will be unable to engage the auger even though the engine is running properly.
To fix this issue, you need to check the condition of the cable and lever. Start by determining if the cable is stretched or broken, and verify whether the lever is misaligned. If you find any damage to the cable, you should replace it with a new control cable to ensure the clutch mechanism works accurately.
The control cable connects the lever on the handle to the auger clutch mechanism (Source: AZParts)
If you need to replace the cable or lever, you can use high-quality replacement parts from AZParts, including:
- 946-0897 Snow Blower Auger Clutch Cable: Compatible with two-stage snow blower models from MTD, Craftsman, Yard Man, and Troy-Bilt.
- 946-04396A Speed Selector Cable: Compatible with brands like Murray, MTD, CCadet, Huskee, Craftsman, and Troy-Bilt.
- 746-0898 Clutch Drive Cable: Compatible with snow blower models from MTD, Cub Cadet, Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Ryobi, and Yard.
2.5. Engine runs but auger doesn’t engage
When the engine is running but the auger does not rotate, it's likely that one of the internal drive components has worn, loosened, or shifted out of place. These damages are often difficult to spot with the naked eye, especially components such as worn pulleys, loose bolts, slightly slipping belts, or misaligned clutch mechanisms. If left unaddressed, the issue can spread to other parts, reducing the machine's performance and lifespan.
If the engine runs but the auger doesn’t spin, a drive part may be worn, loose, or misaligned (Source: Freepik)
To resolve this issue, you should carefully inspect the entire drive system, including:
- Pulleys: Check the wear on the pulleys. If the contact surface is smooth or cracked, replace the pulley.
- Bolts and screws: Tighten all bolts, especially at the pulley connections, gearbox, and clutch mechanism.
- Clutch mechanism: Inspect for misalignment or wear. If necessary, adjust or replace the clutch.
- Belt: Even if it’s not visibly broken, the belt may slip if it’s stretched or the contact surface is too worn. Check the tension and replace if needed.
If you are looking for snow blower parts to replace, visit AZParts for genuine parts compatible with a variety of models, enabling quick and effective repairs.
Contact Information:
- 8 The Green, Ste A, Dover, Delaware 19901-3618, United States
- support@azparts.com
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