Ryobi Pressure Washer Won't Turn On? | Basic Troubleshooting

Need a new GFCI Plug? Check description below!

This is intended to be a very basic troubleshooting guide to help you figure out why your Ryobi electric pressure washer is not turning on when you pull the trigger. I am by no means an expert but this should help you through the basics. Please use common sense when messing with mains power. If you are not comfortable with it, then don't do it.

How To Clean A Pressure Switch Valve:

Pressure Switch Replacement:

Cleaning Out The Soap Siphon Port:

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[ClaytonCannon]

I found something that might help others. I have the Ryobi 1400 Pressure Washer. I was getting a light at the GFCI but not at the washer.

I opened up the GFCI plug and the wires in the plug had round caps covering the ends of the braided power lines. I clipped those caps off, made new ends for the load and neutral. Once I was done, I tightened each wire into its respective place in the GFCI plug. It all works again 100%.

Thank you for this video and shared knowledge in the comments.

[mitchgrafstein]

This video and the comments were helpful for me too! Bought a Ryobi 2000 psi model at Home Depot today and got home ready to put it to use.

Light on the plug but no light on the washer. Opened the plug and redid one of the wire connections. That solved it! 👍🏼

[LamNguyen-cgub]

I just fixed my Ryobi 2000 after watching this video and reading the comments. My problem was the GFI hot wire came loose. I removed the 4 small phillips screw on the gfi plug. See 3 wires black white green. The neutral and ground was already tight but the black wire needed almost a full turn to stop tight. I had a 1700 awhile back that had this problem. If I knew I could have fixed it, but I also want a stronger one.

[wakeupamerica]

Thanks picked one up a garage sell for $15, said it worked last time he used it. I knew it probably wasn't going to work went got it home but thought might be a simple fix. Your video diagnosed the problem it was the gfci. Thanks!

[calexander]

I have the exact same model of Ryobi PW. I followed your three videos to dissemble, inspect & clean the pump valve/switch/GFCI. It turns out my GFCI failed after using a multimeter. I followed your Amazon link and ordered a replacement. I finished it yesterday, and it works! Thank you so much for an easy to follow DYI video.

[chimchim_]

I was going to replace mine before I thought to check online for a fix. I found your video and you saved me hundreds of dollars. Thank you!

[adambahe]

Thanks, was able to diagnose a broken GFCI plug because of this. Power washer back up and running!

[Spajd]

Damn thanks for the video! Got myself a free power washer. Was told “it keeps turning off” $20 later it works 😂

[thomasnq]

Thanks for this video. I was about to purchase another pressure washer since my Ryobi refused to work when I came across this video. Turned out it was because of a bad plug. Took your advice and purchased a new plug on Amazon. Working again for now and my wife's car is clean. 👍

[jerryrogerson]

Thank you for sharing this troubleshooting video. As soon as I watched it, I plugged my Ryobi into the outlet and saw that the light was glowing on the plug but the light on the switch was not. I disconnected the Ryobi plug and used a grounded plug to replace it. When I plugged it in, the light on the switch immediately glowed green. I hooked the waterline to the pressure washer and it worked perfectly. I will get a replacement plug now that I know that was the problem.

[mariasato]

Worked perfectly. Thanks for this info - saved me from buying a new pressure washer.

[markjudge]

After verifying that gfci plug was good per video, I took the green cover off with the thought of verifying power was getting to the motor. Before getting out the multimeter I gave the motor a spin - fan is located on opposite end of motor from pump - to make sure it wasn’t seized up and it seemed to be fine. Got ready with the multimeter and plugged gfci into outlet and pushed "on" button and it worked! I think maybe I dislodged something sucked into the motor when I spun the fan. Thought I’d pass this along before somebody throws their machine away based on video alone.

[Jayerd]

I had to come back here to say Thank You very much for this video! As instructed I went and bought a new GCFI Plug ($16) and once I replaced I saw green light appear on both plug and unit. The motor ran the moment I turned it

[andrewstair]

Thanks for saving me with this video. The plug was bad. Swapped out and it worked! saved me plenty! thanks

[elgato]

smseace GFCI Replacement Plug Assembly 10Amp 2 Wires 2-Prongs was the one off Amazon that I used.
Once I did that, the green light came on the switch on the Ryobi!!
Thanks so much for the video.

[xTheCommodore]

Thanks for this video! I had a green light on my plug but not on the unit itself and it wouldn't turn on. Installed a new GFCI plug and it's working again! I was really bummed out thinking I was gonna have to buy a new pressure washer but you saved the day with this cheap fix.

[Resqdiver]

This is the second Ryobi power washer I've had in two years. The lights are green, but no power to the pump. They're junk! NEVER AGAIN! 😡

[swanrosney]

Thanks for this video. I was going to trash my 3000 psi Ryobi. That trick with cleaning the switch worked pefect!

[lkylky]

I have a Ryobi 2300psi electric pump that's not working.
What I heard you describe here about the 1700 psi pump is similar to the problems that zip have now. Mine is shutting down my circuit breakers in the house.
Please advise.
I have subscribed. Thx.

[DrCephalopus]

I found a lady online who was selling hers for $20 because of the same reason, ranting how much this thing is junk. When I brought it home I troubleshot and realized that a small piece of debris was clogging the nozzle head. If she had switched heads or popped this tiny thing out with a small nail the failsafe wouldn’t be activated to stop the machine and she wouldn’t have lost money. Hope this helps someone before they decide to take this whole thing apart.