Troubleshooting by symptom · Rolling Shutter Guide
Why is my rolling shutter noisy? Squeaking, grinding, popping and banging
The common documented causes are friction in the guide rails or the box. Dirty or dry rails squeak and stick; overtightened box or rail screws distort the box or rails and make the curtain rub; a curtain slightly too tall bangs as its top slats settle. Clean the rails, use dry silicone only, and ease overtightened screws.
Key facts
- Guide rails are lubricated with dry silicone spray only; never oil or WD-40, and never oil the motor or the crank box. Roll-A-Shield data
- Roll-A-Shield's installation guide warns that overtightening the box screws can distort the box and cause friction with the slat roll, and overtightening rail screws can warp or obstruct the guide rails. Roll-A-Shield data
- If a curtain is too tall for its opening, the top one or two slats do not settle when it closes, which causes a settling or banging noise and light slits; it is worse on wide shutters where the axle sags. Roll-A-Shield data
- End retention on every slat runs with more friction than every-other-slat end retention, which Roll-A-Shield generally recommends for a quieter shutter. Roll-A-Shield data
- Clean a shutter at least twice a year with mild soap and water; no pressure washer, and not in extreme heat. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Rolling shutters (roll-down security shutters) of any brand, manual or motorized: insulated (foam-filled) and single-wall slats in mini, standard and end-retention guide rails, with strap, crank, spring or tubular-motor operation.
A rolling shutter is a curtain of slats sliding in two rails and winding onto an axle in a box. Noise can come from any of those three places rubbing harder than it should. Find the noise in the table, then read the section for the fix.
Symptom, likely cause, what to do
| Noise | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Squeak or scrape in the rails, sticks at one spot | Dirt or dryness in the guide rails | Hose out the rails, let them dry, spray dry silicone |
| Grinding or rubbing, often since installation | Box or rail screws overtightened, distorting the box or rails | Adjust the fastener tightness |
| Rubbing at the box on a wide shutter | Curtain roll touching a long-lip box front cover as it deflects | Call |
| Bang or thud as it closes, light slits at the top | Curtain slightly too tall; top slats do not settle | Call; it is a curtain fit problem |
| Louder, stiffer running on a single-wall shutter | Every-slat end retention adds friction | Normal for that build; keep rails clean |
| Slam at the top on a manual shutter | Raised too fast into the box | Raise it steadily; slamming damages the entry guides |
| Click-click from the crank, nothing moves | Crank turned the wrong way | Turn toward the arrow on the crank box |
| Motor hums or buzzes, curtain does not move | Jam, off-track curtain or motor failure | Stop; see motor hums but nothing moves |
Why does my shutter squeak or stick in the tracks?
Because the guide rails are dirty or dry. The slats run in a channel lined with weather stripping, and grit in that channel drags on every slat.
- Close the shutter fully.
- Hose out the guide rails, or clean them with a soft brush without pulling out the pile lining.
- Let the rails dry.
- Spray dry silicone into the rails. Do not use WD-40 or any oil: oily products gum up the tracks.
- Run the shutter up and down a few times.
Stop: Never oil or grease the motor or the crank box. Anything inside the crank box or motor is a job for a technician.
Clean the whole shutter at least twice a year with mild soap and water, wiping up and down. Do not use a pressure washer or harsh household cleaners, and do not spray or clean it in extreme heat, which can damage the slats.
Why does it grind or rub, especially on a new installation?
One cause the installation guide warns about is a screw that is too tight. Roll-A-Shield's installation guide fixes the box with one screw in each corner, near the metal safety plates, and warns that overtightening them can distort the box and cause friction with the slat roll. The same guide warns that most walls are not perfectly flat, so overtightened rail screws can warp or obstruct the guide rails.
The guide's own fix for a shutter that sticks at any point after installation is to adjust the tightness of the fasteners in the guide rails or U-channel. Adjust them where the shutter rubs or sticks, then run it again to test.
On wide shutters the curtain roll deflects slightly, and a box front cover with a long lip can rub against it; Roll-A-Shield uses long-lip covers only on narrow shutters. If the rubbing is at the front of the box, call.
Why does my shutter bang when it closes?
One documented cause is a curtain that is a little too tall for the opening. At full extension the top one or two slats do not settle in correctly because of the angle they come down at, which gives a settling or banging noise and visible light slits; it is worse on wide shutters where the axle sags. A curtain built too tall also leaves the hanging straps nearly fully extended.
This is a fit problem in the curtain, not something to lubricate, so call (480) 921-0200. If the bang comes with light at the top, see light gaps at the top of a closed shutter.
Are some shutters naturally louder?
Yes. End retention, used on single-wall extruded slats, runs a screw head in a second channel of the rail. Every-slat end retention has the most friction; every-other-slat end retention is quieter, and is what Roll-A-Shield generally recommends. A manual shutter that is pulled up hard can also slam into the box; raise it steadily.
When to stop and call
Stop: A grinding noise with the curtain stuck, a hum with no movement, or any noise from a curtain that is off track, jammed or spinning at the top means stop operating it and have it inspected.
In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield repairs rolling shutters of any brand; elsewhere, call (480) 921-0200 for phone support.
Frequently asked questions
Can I oil my shutter tracks?
No. Use dry silicone spray on the guide rails only. Oily products gum up the tracks, and the motor and the crank box should never be oiled.
My new shutter bangs when it closes. Is that normal?
A clear settling bang at the bottom of the stroke can mean the curtain is a little too tall for the opening, so the top slats do not sit down cleanly. That is a fit problem in the curtain itself, so call rather than adjusting it yourself.
The crank clicks and the shutter won't go up. Is something broken?
Usually not. A clicking crank means the handle is being turned the wrong way; turn it toward the arrow on the crank box.
Is a humming or buzzing motor a noise problem?
Only if the shutter still moves normally. A motor that hums or buzzes while the curtain does not move points to a jam, an off-track curtain or a failed motor: stop running it and have it checked.
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.