How to Fix Windows That Stick (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Fixing Windows That Stick

Start at the first step and progress through as many steps as needed to unstick the window. It's not necessary to go through the entire procedure unless necessary.

1. Clean Window Tracks

   Ordinary dirt and grime can increase friction andcausewindowsto bind in theirtracks. In particular, dirt can build up on the side tracks. Vacuum thetracks to removealldust anddirt, then wipethemcleanwith a clean clothmoistened with furniture wax (forwood windows) ora household cleaner (for vinyl-track windows). This simplestep alone may restoreyourwindows toefficient operation.

   

2. Remove Paint

   Inspect the window tracks for dried paint. Windows tracks are not meant to be painted, but they often are. If the previous paint job was sloppy,it mayhaveleftpaint drips in thewooden tracks.

   Older paint may crack and peel, increasing the friction in the tracks. In this case, scraping away loose paint and lightly sanding the window tracks may loosen things up enough to allow the window to move freely.

   Put the sandpaper on a wood sanding block to ensure that the sandpaper is flat when you are using it.

   If you choose to paint window tracks, make sure you first scrape away the old paint, sand ​thoroughly, and apply a very thin coat of paint.

   

3. Cut Through the Paint Seal

   The wooden windows may have been painted shut inside theirtracks, inwhichcase the windowswill not move at all. In some cases, this may have been done intentionally, to prevent users from opening the windows.

   Trying to break the paint seal by lifting the window not only doesn't work but you risk damaging the window this way.

   You usuallycanbreak thepaint seal between the sash frame and the channel with a sharputilityknife, putty knife, or a toolknown as a paintzipper, designed for this purpose. Force the end of the tool into the crack. Start at the top and then run the tool downward. With the shop vacuum running, hold the vacuum's nozzle near the cutting tool.

   

4. Lubricate Wood Tracks With Wax

   Once you have cleaned the window tracks, you can lubricate wood window channels by rubbing the surfaces with ordinary wax, such as from a white candle. A light coat is all it takes. Open and close the window several times to distribute the wax and lubricate the surfaces. Cleaning the tracks and applying the wax once each year will keep your windows operating smoothly.

   Warning

   A common solution, but a poor one, is to lubricate the window tracks with penetrating oil, such as WD-40. Oils will offer only a temporary solution and will soon serve as magnets for dust and grime, making your windows stickier than ever. Never use oil products on either wooden or vinyl windows.

   

5. Lubricate Vinyl Window Tracks With Silicone or Dry Lubricant

   On vinyl-track windows, the solution to sticking windows is to remove the window sashes, then clean the vinyl tracks and lubricate them with a thin layer of silicone lubricant applied by wiping it on with a clean cloth. Repeat this routine maintenance once each year.

   Dry lubricants are an alternative to silicone. Containing graphite, dry lubricants have no oils or liquids that can attract dust and debris. Dry white lubricant is available, too. This will match the color of most vinyl window channels.

   What Is a Window Sash?

   The window sash is the part of the window that moves up and down. It's often made of wood, vinyl, steel, or fiberglass, with glass sealed to hold in insulating gasses such as argon.

   

6. Repair or Remove Sash Cords

   On older wooden double-hung windows, a system of cords and pulleys attached to metal weights inside the frame openings are used to counterbalance the weight of the window and allow it to move up and down easily.

   When the lower window is hard to lift upward in its channel—or if the window won't stay in place and slams shut sharply—it may be because the cord-and-weight system is malfunctioning. Most often, this is because the cords that link the pocket weights and the window sash have broken. The solution is to remove the window sash and repair or remove the broken sash cords.

   

When to Call a Professional

Fixing a window that slides with difficulty is a simple do-it-yourself project. But if you have tried to fix the window and it still won't slide, do not attempt to force the window. Forcing the window may break the sash or the window frame. There may be mechanisms within the window or the frame that require help from a professional window technician.