A roller shutter that won't stay down is usually caused by a worn spring, faulty limit switch, damaged guide rail or broken slats.
You lower the shutter all the way to the ground and it slowly creeps back up, or it bounces up as soon as you let go. This is one of the most common roller shutter problems across Sydney homes and businesses.
A shutter that won't stay closed leaves your property exposed to break-ins, weather damage and pests until it's fixed. The longer you leave it, the more likely the underlying fault will worsen.
If your roller shutter is stuck open and you cannot secure your property, contact Fix My Shutters for an emergency call-out across Sydney. Same-day service available.
Roller shutters rely on a balance between the motor (or spring mechanism) pulling the shutter up and the weight of the curtain holding it down. When something disrupts that balance, the shutter retracts on its own.
If your shutter won't close at all rather than closing and creeping back up, the causes differ. This guide focuses on shutters that descend but refuse to stay in the closed position.
The most common causes:
The fix depends entirely on which part has failed. Some are straightforward to diagnose, others require disassembling the barrel to inspect the spring or motor.
Manual roller shutters use a coiled spring inside the barrel to counterbalance the weight of the curtain. The spring makes the shutter easier to lift, but if the tension is too high, it pulls the curtain back up after you close it.
Signs of a spring tension issue:
Spring tension is adjusted at the barrel inside the shutter box. This involves releasing the barrel, unwinding the spring by a set number of turns, and reassembling. If you are mechanically confident, our guide on adjusting spring tension on manual roller shutters walks through the process step by step.
Roller shutter springs are under significant tension. Attempting to adjust them without proper tools and experience can cause serious injury. This is a job for a qualified repairer, not a DIY weekend project.
Electric roller shutters use a motor with built-in limit switches that tell the motor when to stop. If the lower limit switch is set too high or has drifted over time, the shutter stops before reaching the ground.
On some motors you can adjust the limit switches yourself. The process varies by brand. Tubular motors typically have adjustment screws accessible from the drive end of the barrel.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shutter stops 50-100mm above the ground | Lower limit set too high | Adjust the lower limit switch or screws |
| Shutter reaches the ground then reverses up | Safety sensor detecting obstruction | Clear obstructions, clean sensors, re-align |
| Shutter drops partway then stops | Motor thermal protection tripped | Let the motor cool for 15 minutes, try again |
| Remote works intermittently | Weak battery or signal interference | Replace remote battery, check antenna |
| Motor hums but shutter does not move | Capacitor failure or jammed barrel | Motor needs servicing or replacement |
Many electric roller shutters have obstruction sensors near the bottom of the guide rails. These sensors stop and reverse the motor if something is in the way. When a sensor shifts out of alignment or its lens gets dirty, it reads a false obstruction and pulls the shutter back up every time it reaches the bottom.
Wipe the sensor lens with a dry cloth and check that nothing is blocking the beam path. If the problem continues, the sensor likely needs re-aligning or replacing. Work on the electrical components of a motorised shutter should comply with AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules, so call a licensed repairer if you are unsure.
If adjusting the limits does not fix the problem, the motor itself may be failing. A failing motor often shows other warning signs like humming, slow movement or intermittent operation.
Each slat in a roller shutter curtain interlocks with the one above and below it. When a slat cracks, bends or pops out of alignment, the curtain cannot travel smoothly through the guide rails. It catches, jams or springs back instead of sitting flat at the bottom.
Common causes of slat damage:
Individual slats can usually be replaced without removing the entire curtain, which keeps the repair cost down.
Manual roller shutters that use a strap (webbing) or cable to raise and lower the curtain can develop problems when that strap frays, stretches or snaps. A worn strap slips on the winder drum, so the curtain lowers but cannot hold its position.
Check the strap where it wraps around the drum inside the winder box. If the edges are fraying or the strap feels thin, replacing the roller shutter strap before it breaks completely prevents the shutter from dropping uncontrolled.
The guide rails on either side of the shutter keep the curtain aligned as it moves up and down. If a rail is bent, rusted or has debris stuck inside, the curtain catches and does not sit properly at the bottom. Damaged rails also cause grinding or rattling noise when the shutter moves.
Check the guide rails for:
The bottom bar (the weighted bar at the bottom of the curtain) may also have a latch or lock mechanism. If that latch is broken or bent, the shutter cannot lock into the closed position and will drift back up.
Cleaning the guide rails with a dry cloth and applying a silicone spray can fix minor friction issues. Badly damaged tracks need to be straightened or replaced by a repairer.
Some causes of a roller shutter not staying down are things you can identify and sometimes fix yourself. Others require professional tools and knowledge.
Safe checks you can do:
If none of these checks reveal an obvious problem, the issue is likely inside the barrel. Opening the barrel means dealing with springs or motors, and that is where calling in a professional for a jammed roller shutter makes sense.
A roller shutter that will not stay closed is a security and weather exposure problem. If your basic checks have not fixed it, getting a professional in sooner saves you from further damage.
Call a repairer when:
Fix My Shutters services all roller shutter brands and types across Sydney, including the Hills District and Western Sydney. With 15+ years of experience and parts in stock for most common shutters, most repairs are completed in a single visit.
Contact Fix My Shutters for a quote or emergency call-out. Same-day service available across Sydney.
The most common cause is spring tension set too high on a manual shutter, or a lower limit switch that needs adjusting on an electric shutter. A dirty obstruction sensor can also trigger the motor to reverse after the shutter reaches the ground.
You can safely check the guide rails for debris, inspect slats for damage, clean sensors and test the bottom bar latch. Anything involving the spring inside the barrel or the motor's electrical connections should be left to a qualified repairer.
It depends on the cause. A limit switch adjustment or sensor clean is a quick job, while replacing a motor, spring or multiple slats costs more. Get in touch with Fix My Shutters for a quote based on your specific shutter and problem.
A shutter that stops at the same height each time usually has a limit switch set incorrectly. If it stops at different heights, a damaged slat, bent guide rail or overheating motor is more likely. Our guide on roller shutters stuck halfway covers this in detail.
Yes, strong winds can bend guide rails, shift the barrel housing and dislodge slats from their tracks. After a storm, check the rails and curtain for visible damage before operating the shutter. Forcing a damaged shutter closed can make the problem worse.
