A fastener driver comprising: a driver blade movable from a retracted position to an extended position for driving a fastener into a workpiece; a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade from the retracted position to the extended position; a lifter assembly for moving the driver blade from the extended position toward the retracted position; a sensor for detecting the driver blade in the extended position; characterised in that the fastener driver further comprises: a latch movable between a locked position, in which the lifter assembly is maintained in an engaged position for moving the driver blade from the extended position toward the retracted position, and a released position, in which the lifter assembly can move away from the driver blade toward a bypass position; an actuator coupled with the latch for moving the latch between the locked position and the released position; and a controller electrically connected with the sensor and the actuator ; wherein, in response to an absence of a signal from the sensor after a predetermined time following initiation of a fastener driving operation, or in response to a fastener jam, the controller triggers the actuator to move the latch from the locked position to the released position. a driver blade movable from a retracted position to an extended position for driving a fastener into a workpiece; a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade from the retracted position to the extended position; a lifter assembly for moving the driver blade from the extended position toward the retracted position; a sensor for detecting the driver blade in the extended position; characterised in that the fastener driver further comprises: a latch movable between a locked position, in which the lifter assembly is maintained in an engaged position for moving the driver blade from the extended position toward the retracted position, and a released position, in which the lifter assembly can move away from the driver blade toward a bypass position; an actuator coupled with the latch for moving the latch between the locked position and the released position; and a controller electrically connected with the sensor and the actuator ; wherein, in response to an absence of a signal from the sensor after a predetermined time following initiation of a fastener driving operation, or in response to a fastener jam, the controller triggers the actuator to move the latch from the locked position to the released position. a latch movable between a locked position, in which the lifter assembly is maintained in an engaged position for moving the driver blade from the extended position toward the retracted position, and a released position, in which the lifter assembly can move away from the driver blade toward a bypass position; an actuator coupled with the latch for moving the latch between the locked position and the released position; and a controller electrically connected with the sensor and the actuator ; wherein, in response to an absence of a signal from the sensor after a predetermined time following initiation of a fastener driving operation, or in response to a fastener jam, the controller triggers the actuator to move the latch from the locked position to the released position. <EOS>