Troubleshooting by symptom · Rolling Shutter Guide
My shutter motor stopped after several up-and-down runs. How long until it works again?
About 15 minutes. Gaposa and Somfy shutter motors have a thermal cut-out that switches the motor off when it has run too long without a break: Gaposa rates about 4 minutes of non-stop running, Somfy about 5. It resets on its own. If the motor is still dead after 20 minutes, check the power.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield tells owners to wait about 15 minutes after the thermal cut-out trips; its quick-fix sheet allows 15 to 20 minutes. Roll-A-Shield data
- Gaposa's motor instructions give a working time of about 4 minutes before the thermal protector intervenes.
- Somfy motors are rated for about 5 minutes of continuous running, and Somfy recommends letting a motor cool for at least 15 minutes after continuous operation.
- The cut-out commonly trips while someone is setting limits, which means many runs back and forth with little rest. Roll-A-Shield data
- Gaposa states a 6-minute duty rating for its solar motors.
Applies to: Tubular shutter motors from Gaposa (wired, radio, manual-override and Autonomo solar) and Somfy (RTS and LT) on rolling shutters of any brand.
A shutter motor that worked a few minutes ago and has now gone completely quiet, right after a lot of up and down, has usually tripped its thermal cut-out. Nothing is broken and nothing needs pressing. Leave it alone, then try again.
What is a thermal cut-out?
It is the motor's built-in thermal protection: after too much running without a break it shuts the motor off, and the motor works again once it has cooled. Gaposa motors include thermal protection; excessive cycling triggers an automatic shutdown of about 15 minutes, after which the motor works again. Roll-A-Shield treats this as normal behavior, not a malfunction, and Somfy motors behave the same way.
How long does it take to reset?
It takes about 15 minutes. Roll-A-Shield's quick-fix sheet allows 15 to 20 minutes before you conclude it is something else, and Somfy's own guidance is at least 15 minutes of cooling after continuous running. You do not need to cut the power, reset the motor or re-pair the remote.
How many up-and-down runs does it take to trip?
The motor makers rate running time, not a number of trips. The number of full runs before the cut-out depends on how tall the shutter is and how fast the motor turns, so a tall shutter trips it in fewer runs than a short one.
| Motor | Running time before the cut-out | Cool-down |
|---|---|---|
| Gaposa wired, radio and override motors | About 4 minutes of non-stop running; the motor label states its own working time | about 15 minutes |
| Somfy RTS and LT motors | About 5 minutes of continuous running | At least 15 minutes (Somfy) |
| Gaposa solar (Autonomo) motors | Duty rating of 6 minutes (Gaposa) | Not stated |
When does it usually happen?
While someone is setting or adjusting limits. Excessive cycling during limit setting is the common trigger. If the motor goes quiet partway through, wait, then carry on from where you were; the Gaposa and Somfy RTS pages note where to pick up.
Do not confuse it with a Somfy RTS motor leaving programming mode: that happens after 2 minutes with no input, and the fix is to start the programming sequence again, not to wait.
How do I know it is the cut-out and not a fault?
Listen and wait. A motor that is dead with no motor noise at all, after heavy use, has overheated. If it works again after the wait, that was all it was.
| What you notice | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Silent after a lot of up and down, works again after the wait | Thermal cut-out |
| Silent from the first press, with little use | Power, remote battery or pairing; see the basic checks |
| Hums or buzzes but does not move | Not heat: a jam, off-track curtain or failed motor; see Motor hums but doesn't move |
| Still silent after 20 minutes | Check breaker, GFCI, other shutters on the circuit and the remote, then re-pair; still dead means a technician |
Does it apply to every motor?
Gaposa's thermal reset applies across its motors, and Somfy's guidance is comparable. Solar motors carry their own rating: Gaposa states a 6-minute duty rating for its solar motors, and a solar shutter that slows or stops for days rather than minutes is usually short of charge. See solar shutter stops halfway or runs slow.
When should I stop and call?
Safety: If the motor is still dead after the wait and the breaker or GFCI has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, stop and have a licensed electrician check the circuit.
For help working out whether it is heat or a fault, call (480) 921-0200; the service team runs the same checks by phone and books a technician if the motor is still dead.
What next
Motor specifications by model are on rolling shutter motor specs, and the motor page compares Gaposa and Somfy. In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield repairs rolling shutters of any brand.
Watch it done
Gaposa: setting limits with the remote
The written steps on this page are the reference; the video shows the same job.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reset the motor after the thermal cut-out trips?
No. The cut-out is automatic: leave the shutter alone for about 15 minutes and it works again without any button presses or power cycling.
Why did the motor stop while I was setting the limits?
The many short runs of limit setting commonly trip the thermal cut-out. A Somfy RTS motor also leaves programming mode after 2 minutes with no input, which looks similar but is not heat; start the sequence again.
It has been an hour and the motor still will not run. Is it still cooling?
Unlikely. Roll-A-Shield's quick-fix sheet allows 15 to 20 minutes, so after that look for something else. Check the breaker, GFCI outlet and remote battery, see whether other shutters on the circuit work, and try pairing the remote again. Still dead after that means a technician; the motor is the likely cause.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Replacement motors, remotes, straps, slats and hardware ship from our Tempe, Arizona factory. Phoenix-area owners can book a service visit; everywhere else, our technicians help by phone. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.