Metal Shutter Breakdown: The 7 Most Frequent Failures

A metal shutter works hard: two cycles a day, weight, weather. Here are the seven faults our technicians meet most often in Île-de-France, and how they are fixed.

The 7 typical faults

1. Slack or broken compensation springs: the shutter becomes very heavy to lift; springs replaced in the workshop or on site.
2. Motor overheating and cutting out: thermal protection triggered by excessive effort — often a consequence of point 1.
3. Worn capacitor: the motor "growls" without turning; a quick, inexpensive replacement.
4. Slats bent after an impact: the curtain catches in the rails; straightening or replacement of the affected slats.
5. Curtain out of its rails: misaligned after an obstacle; re-railing and guide check.
6. Forced or seized shutter lock: replacement of the side or central bolt.
7. Misadjusted limit switches: the shutter no longer stops at the right level; motor reprogramming.

Prevent rather than endure

Annual servicing — greasing, spring checks, tightening fixings, testing safeties — cuts the risk of a blocking failure by two-thirds. It is also the chance to catch wear before rupture.

If it jams completely

Do not keep pressing the control and never force the curtain: you would turn a simple fault into major repair work. Our technicians release metal shutters 24/7 throughout Île-de-France, with a free quote before work.