I've had that happen when I tightened down the recoil housing to the engine. Loosened the screws up a bit and it worked fine.

Now loosening the screws is only a test to help troubleshoot what's wrong. Unless you really tightened them way too much.

With some recoils, the OWB is a press-fit intil the gear. Sometimes you need to move OWB in or out of the gear a tiny bit. What's happens is the OWB gets pushed against the engine backplate and sticks.

If the engine starting shaft is hitting the housing, you will have to figure out something....maybe washers as spacers between the recoil housing and the engine.

Anyway, loosen the screws to see if it works, and if so, take the recoil back off and inspect...look for things that touch where they shouldn't when the hosuing is compressed.