Troubleshooting by symptom · Rolling Shutter Guide
Why does my rolling shutter stop halfway or only move a few inches at a time?
If it moves only while a button is held, the motor is in limit-setting mode or runs on a press-and-hold switch. If it stops at the same mid-point, a favorite position or a short limit is set. If it quits after heavy use, the thermal cut-out tripped. On solar, suspect the battery; some motors also stop on an obstacle.
Key facts
- In Gaposa limit-setting mode the motor runs only while UP or DOWN is held (dead-man operation; a Sense obstacle-detection motor runs on by itself after a 2-second hold); it returns to one-touch running once the limits are stored.
- Wired shutter motors can be fitted with a momentary (press-and-hold) or a maintained (latching) wall or key switch; on a momentary switch the shutter moves only while the switch is held. Roll-A-Shield data
- Holding STOP on a Gaposa remote sends the shutter to its stored favorite (intermediate) position; on a Somfy RTS motor, a press of MY does the same.
- Obstacle detection is found only on certain motor families; go by the model code on the motor label, not by 'EZ' or a part name. Roll-A-Shield data
- A solar battery that has run completely flat will not recover on sunlight alone; it needs the wall charger. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Motorized rolling shutters with Gaposa (including Sense and Autonomo solar) or Somfy RTS tubular motors, wired motors on wall or key switches, and manual-override (CMO) motors.
A shutter that stops partway is usually doing one of two things: waiting for you to keep holding a button, or stopping where it has been told to. Watch what it does. Does it move only while your finger is on the button? Does it stop at the same height every time, or somewhere different each time? The answer points to the cause.
Symptom, likely cause, what to do
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Moves only while you hold the remote button | Motor in limit-setting (dead-man) mode | Finish the limit setting. |
| Moves only while you hold the wall switch or key | A momentary (press-and-hold) switch | Normal; hold it to the end, or ask about a maintained switch. |
| Goes to the same part-open height when you press STOP or MY | A favorite (intermediate) position is stored | Use it, or clear it. |
| Always stops at the same height short of fully open or closed | A limit is set short | Adjust that limit. |
| Sticks or slows at one spot in its travel | Dirt in the guide rails | Hose out the rails, dry them, spray dry silicone. |
| Stops when the curtain meets something | Obstacle detection on a motor that has it | Clear the opening and the rails. |
| Ran fine, then quits partway after a lot of use | Thermal cut-out | Wait about 15 minutes. |
| Solar shutter slow, or stops partway | Battery run down | Direct sun, clean panel, wall charger if flat. |
| Stops at a different place each time, with a bang or a slack curtain | It came down on something | Stop; see the backroll steps. |
Why does it only move while I hold the button?
Because the motor is in a setup mode, or because the switch is the press-and-hold kind.
- Gaposa radio motors. While limits are being set, the motor runs only as long as UP or DOWN is held, and it goes back to one-touch running once the limits are stored with STOP. A Gaposa Sense obstacle-detection motor needs only a 2-second hold and then runs on by itself. Adjusting a single limit (the limit button on the back of the remote held with UP or DOWN until the motor jogs) also puts the motor in limit-setting mode until you hold STOP and it jogs again. If you do not know how it got there, finish the sequence on the Gaposa programming page and test a full run.
- Somfy RTS motors. In programming mode the motor runs only while a button is held, and it drops out of programming mode after 2 minutes with no input. The Somfy limits page finishes the sequence.
- Wired motors on a wall or key switch. Roll-A-Shield fits paddle, toggle and key switches in momentary (press-and-hold) or maintained (latching) versions. On a momentary switch, letting go stops the shutter: that is the switch working as designed, not a fault. Changing to a maintained switch is a switch replacement, which is mains work for a licensed electrician.
Why does it stop at the same height every time?
Either a favorite position is stored, or a limit is set short. Both Gaposa and Somfy motors let you stop the shutter at any point and save a favorite in-between position. On a Gaposa remote, holding STOP sends the shutter to that position; on a Somfy RTS remote, a press of MY does. So a shutter that "stops halfway" every time someone presses STOP may simply be going where it was told.
If the shutter stops at the same point short of fully open or fully closed whatever button you press, a limit is set short. Adjust that one limit rather than resetting the motor: see Shutter stops too high or too low. Limits can also read wrong if the slat roll winds up egg-shaped; run the curtain fully down so it picks up evenly first.
Why does it stop somewhere different each time?
Look at heat, obstacles and the rails.
- Heat. Gaposa motors, and comparable Somfy models, have thermal protection: heavy cycling, common while someone is setting limits, shuts the motor down for about 15 minutes, after which it works again without any reset. More on the thermal cut-out.
- Obstacles. On the motors Roll-A-Shield fits, obstacle detection is on Gaposa Sense motors, 10-50 Nm (model codes XQ5E wired and XQ5EZ radio), and the Gaposa Autonomo solar motors. It is not on manual-override motors, mechanical-limit motors, Gaposa's 80-120 Nm motors (XQ6E/XQ6EZ series, even where a part name says Sense), and all Somfy RTS/LT motors. A motor with detection stops if something is in the way.
- The rails. A shutter that sticks going up or down usually needs its rails hosed out, dried and sprayed with dry silicone; never WD-40 or oil.
Why does my solar shutter stop partway?
Usually the battery. A sluggish solar shutter first needs a panel in direct sun (indoor or reflected light will not charge it) and a wipe to remove dust. If the battery has ever run completely flat it will not recover on sunlight alone and needs the wall charger. The solar troubleshooting page takes it from there, including the reset.
When should I stop and call?
Stop: If the shutter stopped because it came down onto something, do not run it back up with the motor; follow the backroll steps.
Stop: Do not operate a shutter that is off its track, back-rolled, jammed or spinning at the top.
If it still stops partway after the limit, thermal, rail and power checks, call (480) 921-0200; the service team works through the same checks by phone and books a technician if needed.
What next
Remotes and Gaposa motors are in the Roll-A-Shield parts store. In metro Phoenix, Roll-A-Shield repairs rolling shutters of any brand.
Watch it done
Gaposa: initial set-up, pairing the remote and setting the limits
The written steps on this page are the reference; the video shows the same job.
Frequently asked questions
My key switch only takes the shutter part of the way. Is it broken?
Probably not. Outdoor key switches are supplied as momentary (press-and-hold) or switchable momentary-or-maintained types. On a momentary switch the shutter moves only while the key is held, so hold it until the shutter reaches its limit.
Can I make the shutter stop at the same half-open height every time?
Yes, with a favorite position. On a Gaposa motor, stop the curtain where you want it and hold UP and DOWN together until the motor jogs; on a Somfy RTS motor, stop it there and hold MY until it jogs.
How do I remove a favorite position I set by accident?
On Gaposa, hold UP and DOWN together until the motor jogs. The same press sets a position if none is stored, so do it only once. On Somfy RTS, go to that position and hold MY for about 5 seconds.
Can I turn off obstacle detection if it keeps stopping the shutter?
On a Gaposa motor that has it, detection can be switched off and back on with a programming sequence from the remote. Find and clear the cause first: something in the opening, or dirt in a rail. Call (480) 921-0200 for the sequence.
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.