Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer HEAD WON'T SPIN Error Fix: Motor Runs But Trimmer Head Does Not Rotate

You can hear the motor running when the trigger is pulled, but the trimmer head does not spin. On the Ryobi RY40260 Expand-It system, the motor is in the powerhead and connects to the attachment via a drive shaft inside the lower shaft tube. If the head does not spin: Check the shaft connection — the Expand-It system uses a coupler to connect the powerhead to the attachment. The attachment must be fully inserted and the locking button must click into place. If the connection is loose, the drive shaft cannot transfer power. Remove and firmly reinsert the attachment. If the connection is secure, the internal drive shaft may have broken or the coupler may have failed. Remove the attachment and visually inspect the drive shaft at the coupler end — it should have a square or splined end that engages the powerhead. If the end is rounded off, sheared, or broken, the drive shaft or coupler needs replacement. A stripped drive shaft coupler is a common wear item on Expand-It attachments used for heavy-duty work.

warning2 fixes available✨ Free fix available

Quick Answer

Error HEAD WON'T SPIN on the Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer means: Motor Runs But Trimmer Head Does Not Rotate. The top-ranked community fix is “Replace the Drive Shaft Coupler or Drive Shaft” (hard difficulty, ~45 min, DIY cost: $30-$50). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.

Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · string trimmer

Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.

When to Call a Professional

While many string trimmer repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:

The repair involves electrical wiring, gas lines, or refrigerant
You've tried the top-ranked fix and the error persists
You smell gas, see sparking, or notice water leaking
The repair requires specialized tools you don't have
Your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150-$220.

Other Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer Error Codes

BATT ALL BLINK

Battery Fault — All 4 LEDs Blinking

2 fixes

BATT COLD

Battery Too Cold to Operate or Charge

2 fixes

BATT DEPLETED

Battery Fully Depleted — No LEDs Lit

2 fixes

BATT OVERHEAT

Battery Over-Temperature — Tool Shuts Down

2 fixes

CHARGER RED-GREEN

Charger Alternating Red/Green — Defective Battery

2 fixes

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION

Abnormal Vibration During Trimming

2 fixes

GUARD BROKEN

Line Cutter Guard Broken or Missing

2 fixes

LINE BREAKS

Trimmer Line Breaks Frequently

2 fixes

People Also Ask About Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer Error HEAD WON'T SPIN

What does error code HEAD WON'T SPIN mean on a Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer?

Error code HEAD WON'T SPIN on the Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer means: Motor Runs But Trimmer Head Does Not Rotate. You can hear the motor running when the trigger is pulled, but the trimmer head does not spin. On the Ryobi RY40260 Expand-It system, the motor is in the powerhead and connects to the attachment via a drive shaft inside the lower shaft tube. If the head does not spin: Check the shaft connection — the Expand-It system uses a coupler to connect the powerhead to the attachment. The attachment must be fully inserted and the locking button must click into place. If the connection is loose, the drive shaft cannot transfer power. Remove and firmly reinsert the attachment. If the connection is secure, the internal drive shaft may have broken or the coupler may have failed. Remove the attachment and visually inspect the drive shaft at the coupler end — it should have a square or splined end that engages the powerhead. If the end is rounded off, sheared, or broken, the drive shaft or coupler needs replacement. A stripped drive shaft coupler is a common wear item on Expand-It attachments used for heavy-duty work.

How do I fix error code HEAD WON'T SPIN on my Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer?

The most successful fix is "Replace the Drive Shaft Coupler or Drive Shaft" (hard difficulty, ~45 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $30-$50. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

Is error code HEAD WON'T SPIN on a Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer serious?

This error is rated warning severity. It is generally not urgent and can often be resolved with a simple DIY fix.

Can I fix Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer error HEAD WON'T SPIN myself?

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Replace the Drive Shaft Coupler or Drive Shaft") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 45 minutes. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, Needle-nose pliers, Flashlight.

How much does it cost to repair Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer error HEAD WON'T SPIN?

DIY cost: $30-$50. Professional repair typically costs $150-$220. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

What other error codes does the Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer have?

The Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer has 8 other known error codes, including: BATT ALL BLINK (Battery Fault — All 4 LEDs Blinking), BATT COLD (Battery Too Cold to Operate or Charge), BATT DEPLETED (Battery Fully Depleted — No LEDs Lit), BATT OVERHEAT (Battery Over-Temperature — Tool Shuts Down), CHARGER RED-GREEN (Charger Alternating Red/Green — Defective Battery), and 3 more.

What other error codes does the Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer have?

The Ryobi Ryobi RY40260 40V Expand-It Cordless String Trimmer has 8 other known error codes:

BATT ALL BLINK — Battery Fault — All 4 LEDs Blinking (2 fixes)
BATT COLD — Battery Too Cold to Operate or Charge (2 fixes)
BATT DEPLETED — Battery Fully Depleted — No LEDs Lit (2 fixes)
BATT OVERHEAT — Battery Over-Temperature — Tool Shuts Down (2 fixes)
CHARGER RED-GREEN — Charger Alternating Red/Green — Defective Battery (2 fixes)
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION — Abnormal Vibration During Trimming (2 fixes)
GUARD BROKEN — Line Cutter Guard Broken or Missing (2 fixes)
LINE BREAKS — Trimmer Line Breaks Frequently (2 fixes)

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