What Manufacturer and model saw ? It could be as simple as your fuel line filter has become fouled or hung up within the fuel tank and is not picking up fuel from bottom of the tank ! Inlet needle valve or the prefilter screen under the diaphragm may also have debris or gumming . If you did not add Sea foam prior to running saw dry then yes the carb may also have fouled circuits !

Also could be the fuel line is cracked inside the gas tank. I know there was/is an issue with the fuel line hose deteriorating when ethanol gas is used.

I have always used non=ethanol gas. I will try and spend a bit more time cleaning said comments. Its a 16" sears craftsman. My bigger Stihl boys are working fine!

The symptoms you state normally indicate the fuel pick up is out of the gas . Check within your fuel tank for the fuel line and fish it out with a piece of wire . On the end should be a weighted fuel filter . Often they can become dislodged and the fuel line rises above the fuel , if all appears good with the line and filter check within the carb as advised . These Craftsman are actually manufactured by Poulan Ltd .

thanks Fuel line was the culprit. It was stale and cracked inside the tank

Thanks to all who answered.

Awesome Bert , good to hear , Efuel attacks these poulan fuel lines , Tygon replacement line is impervious to Alcohol , otherwise you will need efuel conditioner to prevent this from reoccurring Bud !