Practical guide · updated 2026-07

Jammed roller shutter: what to check before you call

Won’t go up, won’t go down or is stiff: how to tell whether it’s the strap, the roller or the guides — and what you can fix yourself.

A jammed roller shutter almost always has one of four causes: strap, winder, roller or guides. Working out which is the first step — and in one case out of four you can sort it out without a technician.

What to do, in order

1
Look at the strap

If it’s frayed, slack or snapped, you’ve found the culprit: it’s the most common fault. DIY replacement is possible for the handy (you remove the box and the winder), but the spring tension has to be reloaded correctly — that’s where home attempts fail.

2
Watch the slats in the guides

Shutter crooked or out of the track on one side: do NOT force it up and down, it gets worse. If the slat is only slightly out and within reach, with the shutter nearly closed you can guide it back into the track.

3
Listen to the box

Scraping noises or knocks come from a worn roller and supports; if the strap moves but the curtain doesn’t, the pin or the brackets attaching it to the roller have broken. Either way it means working inside the box: technician.

4
If it’s motorised

Check the power and the remote (batteries!). Motor humming but not moving: mis-set limit switches or a worn-out motor. Many motors have an emergency manual release: look it up in the manual before you’re left in the dark.

What NOT to do

  • Never force a shutter that’s out of its guides: you’ll bend the slats and triple the damage
  • Don’t leave a snapped strap "for later" with the shutter up: at the first storm you’ll want to close it
  • Don’t lubricate the guides with grease: it collects dirt; better a dry silicone spray

When you need a technician

The strap inside the box, the winder spring, the roller, the supports and the motors: everything beyond the winder plate is best left to someone who does it every day. The typical job is finished in under an hour, spare parts included.

Rolling shutter repair: see the service and the cities we cover → Network median pickup time: 5 minutes.

We'll call you back, usually within minutes

Leave your number: we call you back and route your request to the nearest qualified technician right away.

By sending your number you agree to be contacted about your request — privacy notice.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace the shutter strap?

Roughly €60-120 all in. If the roller or winder are worn too, the technician spots it right away and updates the quote before going ahead.

Is it better to repair or to motorise?

If the strap snaps often or the shutter is heavy, motorising it (€200-450) removes the problem at the root and fits in a few hours, usually without any building work.

Request service