Power Window Won't Go Up: Quick Fix and Prevention Measures

Motorized car windows are excellent automotive advancements. They make it easy for drivers to operate the windows from the comfort of their seats. Power windows come with a master switch that allows you to lock, raise or lower the windows from your seat.

While this is exciting, it can be a pain when the windows stop working.

This article will look at quick fixes to help you push your window up. Would you want to know how to prevent your power windows from ever refusing to go up?

Power Window Won't Go Up: Quick fixes

All vehicle windows use regulators to pull your window up or down inside the channels. On a manual car, the regulators work with cranks that you turn when lifting or dropping the window. A manual car window usually fails due to gears tripping, low-level lubricants, or if the regulator bends, sticks, or breaks.

Your power windows use a similar mechanism, except the regulators use motors instead of manual cranks to raise or lower your windows. While you will not experience issues like broken regulators, power windows can fail due to a,

• Faulty switch
• Wiring issues
• Faulty motor
• Regulator issues
• Problems with fuses

Although power windows are smoother to operate than manual, if one of the mentioned parts fails, they compromise the overall functionality of the window.

Is your window stuck and refusing to go up? Try one of these quick fixes before visiting a mechanic for a comprehensive diagnosis.

1) Disengage Safety Locks

Before you go into panic mode, check your Child Safety Lock. Sometimes you can engage this safety lock subconsciously. The Child Safety Lock Button is near the master switch panel or the console on the driver's side.

When you engage this switch, it overrides all other window switches. No one can lower or raise a window except the driver's console. Locate this lock, disengage it, and see if it solves the problem.

2) Check the Battery and Circuits

Before settling for faulty power window controls, ensure other electronics in your vehicle are working correctly. Check if the interior lights are working properly. Also, check other interior electronics like the stereo and confirm whether they work. If you notice a problem with these, the problem is not specific to your power window.

Check your battery and circuits for faults. If your wiring network has a short circuit or your battery has a problem, your power window may not receive enough power to operate. Clean your battery terminals and test your cables for a broken circuit.

3) Restart your Engine

Sometimes your window can refuse to go up because of a minor glitch in the control module. When you restart your engine, it resets the module and gets the system working. Resetting the internal electronics and computer-controlled components can resolve the problem, and your window will go up.

4) Remove Blockages

Ice or snow can clog your window channels and cause the windowpane to stick. When this happens, you should manually remove the blockage to allow your window to move. You can use a lighter to melt away the ice buildup to avoid damaging the glass.

How to Pull Up a Stuck Power Window

If you have tried the above quick fixes and none worked, you can try a few more involved methods. Fixing a mechanical problem may require you to visit a repair shop. Therefore, you must still figure out ways to get the window up before repairing the problem.

Try the following methods to get your window up. It ensures your belongings are safe inside while you park the car and keeps cold out as you drive to the auto repair shop.

1) Use another Switch

Every window except the driver's side has another switch that can operate it. If the driver-side window works fine, use the master switch to operate the problematic window. For instance, if the passenger side window refuses to go up, you can use the master switch on the driver's side to roll it up.

2) Slam the Door

Although it sounds lame, slamming your car door can fix your stuck window problem. The glass window on your door is set on track within the door panels. If the glass somehow dislodges from its path or slightly tilts to the side, it may not respond even if the motor works fine.

Giving your car door a good slam realigns the window glass back to its track. To do this well, enter your car and turn on the engine. Push the window switch down in the direction of raising your window. While still holding the button, slam your car door severally. If the window refuses to go up because of misalignment, this method brings it back on track.

3) Strike the Center of your Car Door

If the slam method does not work, give the car door a good center strike. Give the car door a hard whack with the palm of your hand. This is another window-aligning hack that should bring the glass back on track to allow the motor to raise it. As with the door-slamming method, press down the window switch as you perform this method.

You can also try hitting along the top panel of the door next to the window. This can jar loose anything stuck along the top panel, causing the window not to respond when you try to raise it. If these two methods fail, try jumpstarting the motor by striking the door hard along the location of the motor. If the motor's sluggishness is causing the problem, this method can resurrect it.

4) Slide the Window up with your Palms

If the striking and slamming methods fail to yield results, try palming the window up. If your window refuses to go up because of debris inside window slots, the palming approach helps your motor to raise the window. This is a common issue for drivers who drive through severe weather.

To try this hack, leave your engine running, and open the car door wide. Stand at the end of the car door in a way that puts the door between your palms. With the window glass sandwiched between your palms, have another person press the window switch. Try pulling the window up with your palms holding flat on the glass.

Prevention Measures to Keep your Power Windows from Failing

Like most mechanical components, power windows need proper care to keep them running correctly. Power windows comprise parts that degrade and wear over time. While it is inevitable for them to fail someday, these preventive tips will help you elongate the lifespan of your power windows.

• Clean Bailey Channels Regularly

You should take good care of the door rubbers by keeping them clean and in excellent condition. Dirt-laden and hardened rubber is the primary reason your power window regulator breaks. Clean or replace your bailey channels if needed.

• Use Silicon Spray to Lubricate your Bailey Channels

Keep your door rubbers lubricated all the time. This ensures the window glass slides up and down easily when you press the switch. Avoid using grease, as it causes the rubber to swell. This can cause the window glass to seize as it tries to go up the swollen rubber.

You can purchase 100 percent silicon spray from any auto shop. For excellent results, lubricate your bailey channels every six months. Do it often if you drive in dusty regions or expose your vehicle to harsh weather elements.

• Repair Sticking Switches Immediately

If you notice a sticky switch, you should take care of it immediately. Check if it only requires cleaning or a professional electrician. Even if dirt causes it to fail, you will need the help of a professional mechanic to remove, clean, and return the switch to its place.

A sticky switch sends power to the power window motor even when the window is where you want it. This can lead to the motor burning out.

• Avoid Used Replacement Parts

If you visit a repair shop and the mechanic suggests you replace the regulator, motor, or any other power window component, do not purchase a used component for the replacement. Used parts are available because someone replaced them with new ones in their vehicle. As such, it is only a matter of time before they fail you.

Conclusion

If you ever have a power window that refuses to go up, start by checking the safety switch. If this switch is disengaged, check other areas such as the motor's power supply, dirt, debris, ice buildup causing the window glass to stick, and signs of misaligned window glass.

This information will make it easy for you to identify the cause of your problem. Try our suggested fixes, and ensure you see a professional mechanic later for a detailed diagnosis.