Home generator repair

Common signs your generator needs service

Most home standby generators have a control panel that shows a status light or an alarm message. Many also send alerts to an app. Any of the problems below are worth a call before the next storm, not during it.

• The unit shows a red alarm or fault code
• It did not run its scheduled self-test
• It starts but the house does not switch over to generator power
• It shuts down under load or during long outages
• Unusual noise, smoke, or a fuel or oil smell
• The battery is old or the unit has trouble cranking

What a technician usually checks

A generator repair visit typically starts with the controller's fault history, then the battery, the starter, the fuel supply and pressure, spark plugs, air filter, oil level and the transfer switch. Batteries and maintenance items are among the most common causes of a no-start. Bigger problems, such as a failed controller board, a bad alternator part or an engine issue, can cost much more, so ask for the diagnosis and a written price before any major part is ordered.

Safety first

Do not open the generator enclosure or the transfer switch to troubleshoot. Both can carry dangerous voltage, and the generator connects to your gas or propane line. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911.

You can safely check the obvious things: whether the unit's display shows an alarm, whether its breaker is in the right position as described in the owner's manual, and whether the fuel supply is turned on. Beyond that, let a qualified technician take over.

Repair or replace?

Many older generators are still worth fixing, especially if the engine is sound and parts are available. If the unit is old, the repair is expensive, or the generator was undersized to begin with, a technician may suggest replacement. Ask for both numbers so you can compare, and ask whether any remaining warranty applies.

Before you call

It helps to have a few details ready: the generator brand and model, roughly how old it is, the exact fault message or light on the control panel, and when it last had maintenance. If the unit is still under the manufacturer's warranty, say so, since warranty repairs often have to go through an authorized service provider.

How a request works

Send a short request describing the brand, approximate age and what you are seeing, such as the fault message on the display. We pass it to an independent local contractor who works on home generators. They contact you to schedule and quote the repair. We do not set prices or promise how quickly anyone can come out.

Typical generator repair costs

Published averages. Large standby units and major parts cost more.

Ranges are national averages from the source below, not quotes. Your price depends on the brand, the fault and the parts needed.

Sources: Angi, generator repair cost