The Chainsaw in ARK: Survival Ascended is a powerful tool for harvesting wood, hide, polymer, and flesh efficiently. It offers faster gathering speeds compared to traditional tools, making it a favorite for players farming resources.
However, some players report that their Chainsaw stops working, fails to consume fuel, or does no damage to targets. If you’re experiencing these issues, don’t worry—this guide will explain why it’s happening and how to fix it step by step.
How Does the Chainsaw Work in ARK?
The Chainsaw is a high-efficiency harvesting tool that requires Gasoline as fuel. It is crafted using a Fabricator and is often used in PvE and PvP scenarios due to its high harvesting rates and damage output.
Chainsaw Crafting Requirements
- Metal Ingots (50)
- Polymer (20)
- Electronics (10)
- Cementing Paste (25)
- Fabricator Access (Requires power and fuel)
Chainsaw Uses in ARK
- Harvesting Wood & Thatch (Faster than a Hatchet)
- Collecting Hide, Chitin, and Polymer (More efficient than a Pick)
- Destroying Structures in PvP (Effective against wood and thatch buildings)
If your Chainsaw stops working, it could be due to game bugs, missing fuel, or server restrictions. Let’s go over the main reasons and solutions.
Why Is My Chainsaw Not Working in ARK?
Here are some causes that can be mostly responsible:
- Chainsaw Not Consuming Fuel (Gasoline Issue) – The Chainsaw requires Gasoline, but sometimes it doesn’t register due to inventory misplacement, a game bug, or server restrictions. Try moving Gasoline to inventory, restarting the game, or switching servers.
- Chainsaw Won’t Swing or Attack – This can happen due to animation bugs, keybinding conflicts, or server lag. Try resetting controls, switching weapons, and re-equipping the Chainsaw.
- Chainsaw Doing No Damage or Not Harvesting – Some creatures resist Chainsaw attacks, or a server setting may be affecting damage output. Test on different targets like trees or dead creatures.
- Chainsaw Breaks Too Fast or Cannot Be Repaired – If durability drops quickly, server settings may have modified durability, or the Fabricator isn’t allowing repairs. Try checking settings or crafting a new Chainsaw.
- Chainsaw Not Working on Certain Servers – Some PVE or modded servers disable Chainsaws. Check admin settings or test in single-player mode.
- Chainsaw Not Working in Single Player – Possible causes include save file corruption, mod conflicts, or disabled tools. Try verifying game files or resetting settings.
How to Fix Chainsaw Issues in ARK: Survival Ascended
Here are solutions you can try one by one.
1. Fixing Chainsaw Fuel Issues
If the Chainsaw isn’t consuming Gasoline, the game may not be registering the fuel properly. This issue is common due to inventory misplacement, server restrictions, or game bugs.
First, make sure Gasoline is in your inventory and not inside a storage container or Fabricator. If it is in the right place and still not working, try restarting the game or switching servers. Some server settings disable Chainsaw fuel consumption, so testing in single-player mode or another server can help determine if the issue is game-related or server-specific.
If the problem persists, you can use admin commands in single-player mode to force fuel usage:
- Open the console (
Tabon PC,L1 + R1 + Square + Triangleon PlayStation,LB + RB + X + Yon Xbox). - Type
admincheat GiveItemNum 1 1 1 0to spawn Gasoline and test if manually adding new fuel works. - If that doesn’t work, try
DestroyMyTargetto remove the Chainsaw and craft a new one to reset its state.
2. Fixing Chainsaw Input & Control Bugs
If your Chainsaw doesn’t swing or attack, the issue could be due to input conflicts, animation bugs, or server lag.
- First, check your keybindings in the settings menu. Some updates reset keybinds, so ensure the attack button is assigned correctly.
- If using a controller, try switching to keyboard and mouse to see if the issue is input-related.
- Unequip the Chainsaw and re-equip it. Sometimes, the animation bugs out, preventing the tool from responding.
If none of these work, drop the Chainsaw and pick it up again to force a refresh. In some cases, the Chainsaw remains stuck in an inactive state, requiring a game restart. If restarting doesn’t work, consider reinstalling the game or verifying the integrity of game files through Steam or your console’s repair feature.
3. Repairing the Chainsaw
Chainsaws have durability and will break if overused. If your Chainsaw stops working due to durability depletion, you need to repair it using a Fabricator.
- Open the Fabricator and place the Chainsaw inside.
- Add the required repair materials:
- Metal Ingots
- Polymer
- Electronics
- Click Repair, and the Chainsaw will be restored to full durability.
If you cannot repair the Chainsaw, check your server settings. Some PvE or modded servers restrict item repairs to balance gameplay. If repairs are disabled, the only solution is to craft a new Chainsaw.
4. Fixing Chainsaw Damage & Harvesting Issues
If your Chainsaw isn’t dealing damage or collecting resources, the issue may be due to server settings, hitbox problems, or a bug preventing damage registration.
- Test the Chainsaw on different creatures and objects. Some dinosaurs and structures are resistant to Chainsaw attacks.
- Check if the server has reduced Chainsaw effectiveness. Some custom servers nerf the Chainsaw’s damage output to prevent abuse in PvP.
- If fighting creatures, use another weapon to kill them first before trying to harvest with the Chainsaw.
If none of these solutions work, the Chainsaw may be bugged. Try crafting a new one to see if the issue is isolated to a single weapon.
When Chainsaws Fail – What Are the Best Alternatives?
If your Chainsaw is completely unusable, consider using alternative tools for gathering resources.
- Therizinosaurus – The best dino for collecting wood, hide, and fiber. It offers faster and more efficient harvesting than a Chainsaw.
- Castoroides (Beaver) – A great option for wood and thatch farming, with the added benefit of being a mobile storage unit.
- Metal Hatchet or Pick – While slower than the Chainsaw, these tools don’t require fuel and are more reliable when the Chainsaw is bugged.
If your Chainsaw continues to malfunction, consider switching to Dino-based harvesting methods for a more stable experience.
Final Thoughts
The Chainsaw is a powerful harvesting tool in ARK: Survival Ascended, but it can sometimes stop working due to bugs, fuel issues, or server settings. If it won’t turn on, check if Gasoline is in your inventory and ensure the game is registering fuel consumption.
If the Chainsaw doesn’t swing or attack, try re-equipping it, resetting controls, or switching input methods to rule out keybinding issues. For damage and harvesting problems, test it on different creatures, trees, and structures, as some may be resistant to Chainsaw attacks.
If none of these fixes work, repair or craft a new Chainsaw to see if the issue is specific to that item. Still having trouble? Leave a comment below and share your experience!