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Why is my massage gun not turning on?
This is one of the most common questions asked by folks having problems with their massage guns.
Massage guns are nifty gadgets for easing muscle tension and relieving pain. Just like every gadget, these essential devices can also break down, and if you landed here on this page, it is because you are experiencing some of the below issues:
In this post, you will learn about the many instances that may affect the smooth operation of your beloved muscle massager. We will also tell you how to troubleshoot a massage gun.
Let’s do it…
NOTE: Please understand that we don’t sell massage guns. You didn’t buy from us.
We only provide reviews, buying guides, and informational articles (like this one). We are not the correct address for refund/replacement/device support inquiries—please contact the seller/brand instead.
Before we delve into some of the problems you may experience with your massage gun or a mini massager, we need to address a few key points.
First, we receive many complaints from customers similar to: Why isn’t my massage gun charging? However, we noticed that the majority of these complaints are from folks who own a cheap, generic Amazon massage gun.
Although we are not a store that sells sports massagers (we only conduct reviews), we still receive emails from people who claim:
Most of these are generic devices, and ultimately, you get what you pay for.
Another thing we will mention is that we occasionally receive (although rarely) emails from top-end massage gun users. We recently received two emails from users complaining about the wobbly piston and head of the Theragun Pro (4th gen), which answers the question: Why is my Theragun so loud?
To be honest, we haven’t experienced many issues with the top-end guns we have purchased.
The one instance we are aware of is our Hyperice massage gun not turning on (Hypervolt 2 Pro), which went dead one month after the expiry of the 1-year warranty (most likely, it’s just the battery).
All our other Hypervolts (including the older models) still work just fine.
That said, you will still experience problems at some point with any massage gun. Here are some of the issues you may face with your massage gun:
These are just some issues you may encounter with your percussion massagers. Again, these issues tend to be prevalent in cheap devices.
Below, we discuss how to troubleshoot your massage gun in case you are experiencing any of these issues. Also, check out our post on Massage Gun Construction – What’s Inside. It provides information that will help you understand the technical workings of sports massagers.
Nothing is as frustrating as a massage gun that won’t turn on.
You’ve had your percussion massage gun for a few weeks or months. It has been working fine all that time, but now the massage gun won’t charge. What could be the problem?
It’s even worse when the warranty period just runs out, and the device is acting up. What could be the problem, and how to fix your massage gun?
Well, some of the reasons your massage gun won’t turn on, or a Theragun not turning on, include the following:
Many percussion massage guns have a power indicator that lets you know the device is on. Different devices may have the power indicator in other locations. Check to see whether the light is on. Check the device’s user manual if you can’t find the power indicator.
Again, most massage guns require long-pressing the power button for a few seconds. Other ones have a switch-like button that must be flipped to activate them (e.g., Ekrin 365).
We’ve also seen devices that require you to flip the switch and simultaneously hold the main button.
You have checked everything and are sure of the location of the power indicator. You have tried long-pressing the power button, but the massage gun not turning on.
It’s time to check whether the battery is charged. Try charging your muscle massager before turning it on.
Many devices we have interacted with tend to have LED lights that flash when charging. The lights will often stop flashing once the massage gun is fully charged. Make sure it is fully charged before turning it on again.
Also, keep in mind that a massage gun won’t work while the charging cord is connected to the device.
Many massage guns tend to stop working when overused. The battery heats up, and the massage gun stopped working (some devices may shut off).
We have seen massage guns with an auto-shutoff feature that prevents them from overheating.
In this case, if your Theragun stopped working, simply wait for the massager to cool down before trying to turn it on.
This is probably the most dreaded reason for a massage gun not turning on. After all, these gadgets don’t come cheap.
If your massage gun, mini massage gun, or Theragun mini stopped working or malfunctions within the warranty period, you can contact the manufacturer or seller for repair or replacement.
We will discuss the warranty later on in the article.
Another common problem with massage guns is when the battery won’t charge. Unless your percussion massager is juiced up, you can forget about turning it on.
Different things may cause a massage gun battery to malfunction…
Yes, you heard that right. Overcharging your massage gun might ruin its battery. Better sports massagers have relevant protection in place, but it never hurts to charge a device when the battery is low.
You don’t have to keep your muscle massager charging every time you use it. This could affect its performance. Batteries have life cycles. Also, topping up the battery frequently can change the battery’s charge/discharge limits.
Charge your massage gun only when the battery is low. Also, remove it from the charger once it’s full.
Not all chargers can charge your device’s battery. Your massage gun’s charger is designed to meet the needs of its battery.
If you use any charger other than the one provided, the massage gun may not charge properly, and you risk damaging it. If you don’t have an original charger, you can often buy one from the manufacturer.
If your charger is broken, your device will not charge. It could also be a broken charger cord or a broken charger tip. Check with the manufacturer for a new charger.
If your charger is okay, but the Theragun stopped charging, you are likely looking at a dead battery. In this case, you may need a new battery.
Again, in our experience, high-end massage guns don’t have this problem. Cheap massage guns may not have a durable battery. If the battery is dead, then you might as well buy a new muscle massager.
We don’t recommend opening up sealed batteries to try to replace them.
You can buy a spare battery if your sports massager has a removable battery.
Please note that this only applies to massage guns with a removable battery. Most, if not all, batteries are designed to be shaped in a way that makes it nearly impossible to insert them incorrectly.
But as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we have seen photos of percussion massagers with batteries inserted upside down (in a brute-force manner).
Apart from your massage gun not turning on, it may also shut off randomly when in use. Several factors may contribute to this issue.
A Theragun overheating will shut off until it cools down. As we have seen, some sports massagers are fitted with a safety auto-shutoff feature to prevent overheating.
If your device shuts off randomly, especially after prolonged use, give it a few minutes and then try turning it on again.
Your percussion massager will go off when the battery is too low. In this case, charge it until it’s full, then try turning it on.
If your massage gun randomly shuts off after only a few seconds, and with a full battery, you may have a defective device.
If this is the case, we recommend contacting the seller to determine if the warranty for the new device is still active.
Stall force is the amount of pressure it takes to stop a muscle massager. If you apply too much pressure, some devices will shut off completely.
Better percussion massagers don’t completely shut off when you exceed the stall force. Instead, they kick right on when the pressure is eased.
Most cheap massage guns have a weak stall force and will shut off when pressure is applied.
When massage guns first emerged, they were often perceived as noisy drill machines. However, with time, many brands have improved the quality of their motors.
Nevertheless, while interacting with percussion massagers, we discovered that Theraguns remained notoriously loud. This is actually one of the reasons we have suggested sports massagers from other brands in the past.
Generally, expect most massage guns to be quiet – that is often the case when you buy a new device.
But there’s an exception for cheap massage guns. Even though they may sound smooth at first, they begin to buzz after a short while.
Here’s what causes a muscle massager massage to be too loud…
Small gaskets around the massage gun attachments help reduce the noise around the tip as the muscle massager percusses. However, these gaskets tend to wear out after some time.
When that happens, you may notice the massage gun making noise.
We have noticed that some brands include spare gaskets as part of their product offerings. This is a common practice among those which utilize the push-and-pull solution to insert and remove massage gun attachments.
TIP: If your device didn’t come with spare gaskets, you could use one from a different attachment you don’t use often. Most people (including us) don’t use all the massage gun attachments that come with it (more on that in our massage gun heads guide).
Massage guns have either brushed or brushless motors. Brushless motors tend to be quieter, but they can also become quite loud over time.
Again, quality matters. A cheap massage gun may have a brushless motor made with cheap, inexpensive materials. A high-quality massage gun typically features a better build and utilizes higher-quality parts.
We have experienced massage guns that got louder after only 2 months of use.
But there are instances when even the top-end muscle massagers get loud. Hypervolts, for example, are very quiet guns. However, we have received emails from Chiropractors and Physios who say their Hypervolt got louder after 3 years (some Hypervolt rattling happening!).
We’d say that is a pretty decent return. Chiros and Physios use these muscle massagers non-stop on different people. Three years is impressive for a workhorse device!
Therabody has struggled to keep its percussion massagers quiet for a while. Until their 4th-generation devices, the noise problem seemed impossible to eliminate.
However, the new Theragun Pro 5th Gen is now hushed, and the Theragun mini sound (Gen 2) is also quieter.
Interestingly, they are now adding liquid maintenance to the new-gen Theragun Pro. They instruct users to add a few drops of the liquid every few months to keep the sports massager quiet.
TIP: If you believe the noise is coming from the motor, try adding a WD-40-like liquid to see if the noise stops. Using WD-40 moderately on your massage gun’s motor is potentially harmless.
Some users have reported to us that their Theragun massage gun’s screen can become unresponsive or frozen, displaying the letter T. This issue can occur even when the sports massager is fully charged and can prevent the device from activating or being reset through conventional means.
Such a situation may indicate a possible firmware glitch or a software-related problem that prevents regular operation.
If your Theragun can still connect to the Therabody app, try updating the firmware (here are step-by-step instructions on how to do so).
Even if the muscle massager appears frozen, the App might recognize it and prompt a firmware update. This solution is particularly relevant for models like the Theragun Elite and Theragun Pro.
If the massage gun connects to the App but doesn’t update, keep it connected for a while, as sometimes the update may take multiple attempts to initiate.
In cases where the screen remains frozen and the massage gun doesn’t respond to any interaction, including through the app, the battery is allowed to deplete fully. Once it has powered down due to a lack of battery charge, recharge it. This process may reset the system, resolve the frozen screen issue, and allow the device to restart normally.
Another problem we have received many emails about is the overheating of massage guns.
When a massage gun is overworked, the motor tends to overheat. However, manufacturers are aware of this and have measures in place to prevent overheating.
Most massage guns have an auto-shutoff feature that turns the sports massager off after 10-15 minutes of continuous use, protecting the motor. Read the massage gun manual to find out how the feature works on your device.
But sometimes, your massage gun may get too hot without warning. It’s worse if the device doesn’t have the auto-shutoff feature. This happens a lot with cheap massage guns. If the cover still applies, we recommend contacting the seller for a replacement. We don’t recommend attempting to open it without knowing how to fix massage gun. Please don’t attempt to repair it yourself.
Legiral massage guns became popular around 2020 and 2021. They sold thousands of their cheap massage gun. Back then, they were the relief that people who couldn’t afford a Theragun or a Hypervolt needed.
But quality issues started popping up. It turns out that this cheap device comes at a cost (e.g., Legiral massage gun not turning on). The same applied to the Sharper Image massage gun not turning on.
Recently, Legiral has tried to address some of the thorny issues about their muscle massagers. They have provided information and even videos on how to fix the problems in your sports massager. There are videos available on how to repair a Legiral massage gun that won’t turn on.
Note: We have reviews for the Legiral Le9 and Legiral Le3.
What else can you do to keep your massage gun issues away and functioning?
We have provided the information you need if your massage gun not turning on. The information above is based on our experience with different sports massagers. If the above tips on various issues still don’t work, you can try other fixes to see what happens.
However, we also admit that we haven’t bought and tested every percussion massager on the market. For this reason, we searched the internet for any information we could find to help you. Here are some things we found.
We are not sure whether massage guns have some sort of reset button, but we came across articles claiming this.
We have tested over 70 percussion massagers and have not seen a reset button on any of them. But there could be exceptions that we are not aware of.
You may try resetting a massage gun by holding down the power button for 5 to 10 seconds or longer. You can also hold the power button and flip the switch simultaneously. We are not sure this would work, but trying doesn’t hurt.
If you have a massage gun with a removable battery, try removing it first. Then, check inside for anything clickable.
It could be a tiny hole, and a pin could be used to press it. Again, this is not something we have done ourselves, but it may be the solution you need to keep your percussion massager functioning properly.
There are also videos (this one in particular) you can watch, where people try different tricks to see what works. The video shows someone disconnecting the charging cord from the massage gun when it’s at 20%, which restarts the device to work again.
This is not entirely proven, but it doesn’t hurt to try, especially if you have a similar massage gun model. Let us know if it works when your Theragun Elite not charging.
Remember: A massage gun will serve you longer if you take good care of it. However, cheap massage guns (generic ones) tend to get faulty pretty quickly – you get what you pay for.
Prevention is always better than a cure when all is said and done. To ensure your massage gun lasts longer, it’s essential to take good care of it.
Here are some tips you can use to ensure your sports massager stays functioning for longer.
How to Maintaining a Massage Gun?
Different brands will include warranty information along with the device. Read this information to learn how the warranty works. You will void the warranty if the problem is caused by negligence.
Some brands allow you to register your device after purchase. The warranty is activated only when the device is registered, as in the case of the Sharper Image massage gun warranty.
Our Recommendations:
If all of the above fail and the warranty period has expired, you may need a new massage gun. Before that, however, you may want to look for spare parts or accessories:
If your massage gun works properly but you have lost a charger, damaged a cord, or broken a massage gun attachment, you may want to consider purchasing a spare part.
Good massage gun brands offer a variety of accessories. We are talking about brands like Theragun, Ekrin Athletics, Bob And Brad Massage Guns, and KiCA, all of which have friendly support teams to handle your requests.
Cheap massage gun brands rarely sell accessories other than those that come with the device. Some also have inferior customer support, and you may find it challenging to obtain spare massage gun accessories, such as chargers or cables (this is not the case for Theragun accessories).
OUR TIP: If you can’t contact the brand for a new charger, try buying a generic replacement from the market. Check the voltage to ensure it matches the original charger’s output. Many cheap devices have the same charger. Try finding one on Amazon. Most likely, you can return it if it doesn’t work.
You may have gone through all the above recommendations and are sure there is no redemption for your sports massager. In that case, you need a new muscle massager. We suggest you carefully investigate the seller before making a purchase.
Before spending your hard-earned money on a new set, consider purchasing from a trusted massage gun brand that offers a good warranty and quality customer support.
Save up and buy a top massage gun. There’s a reason it’s said: “cheap is expensive.” If you truly want a sports massager that will last longer, you must be prepared to invest in it.
It is a worthwhile investment, given the benefits of massage guns. A brand like Ekrin Athletics even offers a lifetime warranty.
Common problems with massage guns may include battery issues, such as the device not turning on or failing to hold a charge. Other issues may involve improper charging, random shut-offs, excessive noise, or overheating during use.
Broken or damaged attachments can also pose a problem. To avoid these issues, it is essential to choose a high-quality massage gun from a reputable manufacturer, follow the user manual carefully, and maintain and store the device properly.
There is no guaranteed method to reset a massage gun, as different models may have different reset options. While some suggest that massage guns may have reset buttons, we have tested dozens of models and have yet to come across any with a visible reset button. However, hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds or remove the removable battery (if your device has one).
There are several possible reasons why your Theragun is not charging. First, please ensure the charger is correctly connected to the device and the power source. If that doesn’t help, try using a different power outlet or charging cable.
You should also check if the charging port on the device is dirty or blocked and clean it gently with a dry cotton swab or toothbrush if necessary. If none of these steps are successful, contact the manufacturer’s customer support for additional assistance.
If your Hypervolt blinks red while charging, it may indicate that the battery is defective and needs to be replaced. However, note that you may not be able to replace the battery for massage guns with non-removable batteries.
Alternatively, a blinking red light could indicate an extremely low battery level or a problem with the charger’s connection. Try plugging the charger into a different outlet, ensuring it’s firmly connected to the device, and waiting a few minutes before turning on the massage gun. If the problem persists, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or contact customer support for additional assistance.
So, why is your massage gun not turning on? It’s probably due to several reasons.
The most obvious is that you are dealing with a cheap massage gun that has reached its “mileage” limit. You rarely encounter significant issues with top-end massage guns. Although it may be tempting to buy a $50 massage gun, the long-term costs may be high.
Try using the tips provided in this article.
Also, ensure you take good care of your percussion massager. It will serve you well!
Until the next time!
Here's a quick rundown of all the tweaks and edits we've made to this article to keep it accurate and up-to-date!
Current version.
December 15, 2023: Interlinking corrected for improved navigation. (Author: Greg)
April 17, 2023: FAQ section added. (Author: Greg)
Published on:
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Written by:
Greg Szostak
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