Mechanical failure is the main part of the high-voltage circuit breaker operation failure. The safe and normal operation of the high-voltage circuit breaker is one of the key parts of the power grid operation. In recent years, research on the failure of high-voltage circuit breakers has focused on the rapid and accurate diagnosis of faults. This paper introduces the basic diagnosis process of mechanical faults of high voltage circuit breakers and reviews the technology of circuit breaker fault diagnosis in the past five years. Finally, the idea of mechanical fault diagnosis of high voltage circuit breakers is discussed, and the future development prospects.