This is one of the most common questions asked by folks having problems with their massage guns.
Sports massagers are awesome gadgets for easing muscle tension and relieving pain. Just like every gadget, these essential devices can break down, too.
Do you know what to do when your percussion massager won’t turn on? What if it keeps overheating or won’t stop making rough sounds? Do you know how to troubleshoot a massage gun?
In this post, you will learn the many instances that may affect the smooth operation of your beloved deep tissue massager. We will also tell you how to troubleshoot a massage gun.
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.
In This ArticleBefore we can delve into some of the problems you may experience with your massage gun or mini massage gun, we first have to say a few things.
First, we receive many complaints from customers about malfunctioning sports massagers. However, we noticed that the majority of these complaints are from folks who own the cheap generic guns sold on Amazon.
Even though we are not a store selling sports massagers (we only do reviews), we still receive emails from people who say their Legiral Le3, Toloco, Chirogun, or Fitpulse won’t work. All these are generic devices; you get what you pay for.
Another we will mention is we occasionally receive (although rarely) emails from top-end massage gun users. We recently received two emails from users complaining about Theragun Pro’s (4 th gen) wobbly piston and head.
To be honest, we haven’t experienced many issues with the top-end guns we have purchased.
The one instance we are of is our Hypervolt 2 Pro going dead one month after the expiry of the 1-year cover (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 massage massagers.
Nothing is as frustrating as a sports massager that won’t turn on.
You’ve had your muscle massager for a few weeks or months. It has been working fine all that time, but now it won’t turn on. 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 can it be fixed?
Well, some of the reasons your sports massager may not turn on include the following:
Many percussion massagers have a power indicator that lets you know the device is on. Different muscle massagers will have the power indicator at various positions. Check to see whether the light is on. Check the device’s user manual if you can’t find the power indicator.
Again, most sports massagers require long-pressing the power button for a few seconds. Other massage guns have a switch-like button that must be flipped to activate them .
We’ve also seen devices that require you to flip the switch and hold the main button simultaneously.
Solution: Check the user’s manual on ‘how to turn on your device properly.’ Switch-like button on Ekrin 365, and the power button on Ekrin B37S.You have checked everything and are sure of the location of the power indicator. You have tried long-pressing the power button, but the sports massager still won’t turn on.
It’s time to check whether the battery is charged. Try charging your percussion massager before turning it on.
Many muscle massagers we have interacted with tend to have LED lights that flash when charging. The lights will often stop flashing once the device is fully charged. Ensure the massage gun is fully charged before turning it on again.
Also, keep in mind that most devices won’t work while the charging cord is connected to the device.
Solution: Fully charge your device (usually 3-4 hours)Many sports massagers tend to stop working when they are overused. The battery heats up, and some devices may shut off.
We have seen muscle massagers with an auto-shutoff feature that prevents them from overheating.
In this case, you only have to wait for the massager to cool down before you can try turning it on.
Solution: Wait for the device to cool down, usually ~30 to 60 minutes.This is probably the most dreaded reason for a percussion massager not turning on. After all, these gadgets don’t come cheap.
If your massage gun or a mini massage gun (such as Theragun mini) 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.
Solution: Well, you may need a new device. Making a wise purchase is half the battle. Below are our tips on that.
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 percussion massager’s 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 only to charge a device when the battery is low.
You don’t have to keep your muscle massager charging every time. This could affect its performance.
Charge your device only when the battery is low. Also, remove your percussion massager from the charger once it’s full.
Solution: Check the user’s manual on ‘how to charge the battery correctly.’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 other charger, the sports massager may not charge, and you risk damaging it. If you don’t have an original charger, you can often buy one from the manufacturer.
Solution: Use a compatible charger.If your charger is broken, your device will not charge. Check with the manufacturer for a new charger.
Solution: Buy a new charger.If your charger is okay, but the sports massager still won’t charge, you are probably 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 and replace them.
You can buy a spare battery if your sports massager has a removable battery.
Solution: Non-removable batteries: get a new device; Removable batteries: get a spare battery.Note that this only applies to sports massagers with a removable battery. Most, if not all, batteries are shaped to make 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).
Solution: Check to see that the battery is inserted correctly.Apart from your massage gun not turning on, it may also randomly shut off when using it. A few things may cause this problem.
An overheated muscle massager 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.
When your device shuts off randomly, especially when you have been using it for a while, give it a few minutes and then try turning it on again.
Solution: Wait until the percussion massager cools down.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.
Solution: Fully charge the battery.If your muscle massager randomly shuts off after only a few seconds and with a full battery, you may look at a defective device.
If this is the case, we recommend contacting the seller if a new device’s warranty is still active.
Solution: Check the warranty and contact the seller and/or the brand.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 applying pressure.
When massage guns first came onto the scene, they were drill machines that made a lot of noise. 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 start buzzing 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, the sports massager can become noisy.
We have noticed that some brands include spare gaskets. This is a common practice among percussion massagers, which utilize the push-and-pull solution to insert and remove massage gun attachments.
TIP: If your sports massager 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 a muscle massager (more on that in our massage gun heads guide).
Solution: Check the attachment gaskets and replace them if worn out.Massage guns have either brushed or brushless motors. Brushless motors tend to be quieter, but they can also get pretty loud with time.
Again, quality matters. A cheap massage gun may have a brushless motor made with cheap, inexpensive materials. Expensive percussion massagers tend to have a better build quality and use better parts.
We have experienced sports massagers 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.
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 their 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 and Theragun mini 2.0 are now hushed.
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.
Theragun Pro G5 QuietForce Solution.
TIP: If you believe the noise is coming from the motor, you can try adding a WD40-like liquid to see if the noise stops. Using the WD40 moderately on your massage gun’s motor is potentially no harm.
Some users report to us that their Theragun massage gun’s screen can become unresponsive or frozen and stuck, 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 might indicate a possible firmware glitch or software-related problem preventing regular operation.
Solution 1: Attempt a Firmware Update Through the AppIf your Theragun can still connect to the Therabody app, attempt to update the firmware (here are step-by-step instructions on how to do that).
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 sports massager connects to the App but doesn’t update, keep it connected for a while, as sometimes the update may take multiple attempts to initiate.
Solution 2: Let the Battery Drain CompletelyIn cases where the screen remains frozen, and the sports massager is unresponsive to any interaction, including through the app, the battery is allowed to deplete fully. Once the muscle massager has powered down due to a lack of battery charge, recharge it. This process can 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 percussion massagers have an auto-shutoff feature that turns the sports massager off after 10-20 minutes of continuous use to protect the motor. Read the muscle massager manual to find out how the feature works on your gun.
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 opening the percussion massager and trying to fix 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 massage gun comes at a cost.
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 of how to fix a Legiral massage gun that won’t turn on.
Note: We have our Legiral Le9 and Legiral Le3 reviews.
What else can you do to keep your massage gun 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 different 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 unsure that percussion massagers have some sort of reset button, but we came across articles claiming this.
We have tested over 80 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 sports massager by holding down the power button for 5 to 10 seconds. 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 your muscle massager has 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 could be the solution you need to keep your percussion massager functioning.
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 sports massager 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 muscle massager.
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. If you want your massage gun to serve you longer, you must ensure you 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?
Manufacturers include user manuals so you can learn how the sports massager works (such as Bob And Brad D6 Pro massage gun and Ekrin B37S)
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.
If all of the above fails and the warranty period has expired, you may need a new sports massager. Before that, however, you may want to look for spare parts or accessories:
If your sports massager works okay but lost a charger, damaged a cord, or broke a massage gun attachment, you may want to buy a spare one.
Good massage gun brands offer a variety of accessories. We are talking about brands like Theragun, Ekrin Athletics, and Bob And Brad Massage Guns, 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 hard to get spare 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 see if it has the same output as the original charger. Many cheap massage guns have the same charger. Try finding one on Amazon. 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, buy from a trusted massage gun brand with good cover and quality customer support.
Save up and buy a premium massage gun. There’s a reason it’s said: “cheap is expensive.” If you really want a sports massager that will serve you longer, you must be prepared to pay for it.
It is a worthwhile investment, given the benefits of massage guns. Brands like Ekrin Athletics and Lifepro even offer a lifetime warranty.
Common problems with massage guns may include battery issues, such as the device not turning on or not holding 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, and adequately maintain and store the device.
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 work, contact the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.
If your massage gun blinks red while charging, it could mean that the battery is dead 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, consult the manufacturer’s instructions or contact customer support for further assistance.
So, why is your massage gun not turning on? It’s probably because of many reasons.
The most obvious is that you are dealing with a cheap massage gun that ran out of mileage. You rarely have a lot of issues with top-end guns. As much as it may be tempting to buy a $50 massage gun, the long-term cost 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!
