Troubleshooting
Every troubleshooting guide here follows the same order: identify the symptom precisely, rule out the cheap causes first, then work toward the expensive ones. Many "dead motor" calls turn out to be a tripped GFCI, a lost limit or a remote that needs re-pairing. Many "broken arm" calls are a pitch bolt that crept.
Where a repair involves the stored energy in lateral arm springs or a screen's roller spring, we say so plainly and tell you when to stop and call a technician.
Start here
- Retractable Awning Won't Retract: What to Check and How to Get It ClosedWhat to do when a retractable awning is stuck open: quick checks, manual override, uneven rolling and jams, and when to call for help.
- Awning Motor Troubleshooting: A Symptom-by-Symptom Diagnostic GuideDiagnose a motorized awning that won't move, hums, stops short or ignores the remote, with a symptom table and a safe test order.
- Fixing a Sagging Awning: How to Diagnose Sag and Adjust Pitch CorrectlyRead the sag pattern, find the cause, and adjust lateral arm pitch safely, with a drop-per-degree table and the wrinkles that are normal.
All troubleshooting guides
- Guide
Retractable Awning Won't Retract: What to Check and How to Get It Closed
What to do when a retractable awning is stuck open: quick checks, manual override, uneven rolling and jams, and when to call for help.
- Guide
Awning Motor Troubleshooting: A Symptom-by-Symptom Diagnostic Guide
Diagnose a motorized awning that won't move, hums, stops short or ignores the remote, with a symptom table and a safe test order.
- Guide
Fixing a Sagging Awning: How to Diagnose Sag and Adjust Pitch Correctly
Read the sag pattern, find the cause, and adjust lateral arm pitch safely, with a drop-per-degree table and the wrinkles that are normal.
- How-to
Awning Arms Won't Close All the Way? Causes, Fixes and Safety
Why lateral awning arms stop short, collide or leave a gap at the cassette, and how to fix it safely in order of cost and difficulty.
- How-to
Awning Crank Slipping, Spinning Freely or Stuck? How to Fix the Gearbox and Handle
Diagnose a manual awning crank that slips, spins freely, binds or will not turn, from a worn handle hook to a failed gearbox.
- How-to
Awning Fabric Rolling Unevenly? How to Diagnose Telescoping, Cones and Wrinkles
Diagnose and fix awning fabric that drifts sideways, rolls into a cone or wrinkles, starting with free adjustments and ending with pro repairs.
- How-to
Awning Remote Not Working? Batteries, Interference, Pairing and Re-Adding a Remote
Fix an awning remote that stopped working: batteries, channels, power, sensor lockouts, radio interference, and pairing or re-adding Somfy RTS and io remotes.
- How-to
Awning Sitting Lower on One Side? Find the Cause Before You Adjust
Diagnose why a retractable awning sits lower on one side, rule out a failing bracket, and level it by adjusting arm pitch safely.
- How-to
Retractable Screen Came Off Its Track? How to Re-Seat It and Stop It Happening Again
Re-seat a retractable door, window, patio or zip track screen that has come out of its guide rails, then fix the cause so it stays in.
- Guide
Retractable Screen Repair: Fixing Doors, Window Screens and Motorized Patio Screens
Diagnose and repair retractable screen doors, window screens and motorized zip-track screens, from torn mesh to lost spring tension.
- How-to
Water Pooling on Your Retractable Awning: Causes, Fixes and How Much Weight It Adds
Why rain ponds on retractable awnings, how fast the weight adds up, how to drain it safely, and the pitch and fabric fixes that stop it.
- How-to
What Is That Noise? Diagnosing Awning Squeaks, Clicks, Grinding and Knocking
Pinpoint where an awning squeak, click, grind, hum or knock is coming from, what it means, and which noises need attention now.