If your window won’t lock, will not close properly, or the handle suddenly feels loose or stiff, you are not alone. It is one of the most common problems we see on UPVC and double glazed windows across Berkshire and Surrey. The good news is that in most cases the window itself is fine. A single worn part, usually a hinge, a locking mechanism or a handle, has failed, and it can be repaired or replaced in under an hour.
In this guide we explain the 7 most common reasons a window won’t lock or close, what you can safely check yourself, and when it is time to call a local window repair specialist.
Signs Your Window Hinges or Locks Are Failing
- The window drops or catches on the frame when you close it
- You have to lift or push the sash hard before the handle will turn
- The handle turns but the window does not lock, or it spins freely
- The window will not open fully, or swings open too far
- You can see daylight or feel a draught around the closed window
- Rattling in windy weather, even when locked
Ignoring these signs usually makes the problem worse. A window that is forced shut every day puts extra strain on the locking gear, and a failed lock leaves your home less secure.
7 Common Reasons a Window Won’t Lock or Close
1. Worn or bent friction hinges
Most UPVC casement windows hang on friction hinges hidden in the top and bottom of the frame. Over 10 to 20 years they wear, bend or corrode, so the sash drops and no longer lines up with the frame. This is the number one cause of windows that won’t close. Our window hinge repair service replaces worn hinges with new, correctly sized ones.
2. Misaligned keeps
The keeps are the small metal plates on the frame that the locking cams hook into. If the sash has dropped slightly, or the house has settled, the cams miss the keeps and the handle will not turn. Sometimes a small adjustment is enough; sometimes the keeps need repositioning.
3. A broken espagnolette or gearbox
Inside the edge of the sash is a long locking bar called an espagnolette, driven by a gearbox behind the handle. When the gearbox breaks, the handle turns but nothing locks. This cannot be fixed by adjusting; the mechanism needs replacing.
4. A loose or broken handle
Handles take a lot of use. If the screws work loose or the spindle snaps, the handle no longer drives the mechanism. A new handle is quick to fit and is a good chance to upgrade to a key-locking handle.
5. Old or perished seals
Compressed or perished gaskets can make a window feel tight or uneven to close and let draughts in. Replacing seals improves comfort and helps reduce heat loss. The Energy Saving Trust has useful advice on keeping windows and doors energy efficient.
6. Paint, debris or swelling
On timber windows especially, layers of paint or swelling in damp weather can stop the sash closing. On UPVC windows, grit and dirt in the hinge tracks can cause the same problem.
7. The wrong hinge was fitted previously
We often find hinges that are the wrong size or type for the window, fitted during a previous repair. They may work for a while but soon cause the sash to drop again.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
- Clean the hinge tracks and keeps with a soft brush and wipe away grit
- Apply a light silicone spray to the hinges and locking points (avoid thick grease)
- Tighten any visibly loose handle or hinge screws
- Check whether the sash is dropping by looking at the gap around the frame
If the window still won’t lock after these checks, stop there. Forcing the handle can snap the gearbox or bend the espagnolette, turning a small repair into a bigger one.
Repair or Replace the Whole Window?
In our experience the vast majority of windows that won’t lock or close can be repaired. Replacing hinges, locks, handles or seals costs a fraction of a new window and keeps your existing frames in use. We will always tell you honestly if a frame is beyond repair, but our approach is simple: fixed fast, not replaced for profit.
Keeping Your Windows Secure and Safe
A window that does not lock is an easy way in for burglars. Police-backed Secured by Design recommends key-operated window locks as a basic security measure, and we can fit these when we repair your window.
Safety matters too. Upstairs windows used as an escape route in a fire should open wide enough to climb through. Building guidance on escape windows is set out in Approved Document B on GOV.UK. If your bedroom windows do not open far enough, ask us about fire escape window hinges.
Window Repair in Berkshire and Surrey
WDRS has over 18 years of experience repairing UPVC and double glazed windows. Our average repair time is under 45 minutes on site, and we carry common hinges, locks and handles so many jobs are fixed on the first visit.
- Window repair Berkshire
- Window repair Surrey
- Window hinge repair Surrey
- Window and door lock replacement
- Why are my windows cloudy? (misted double glazing guide)
If your window won’t lock or close, contact us for a free quote or call 07951 152986. We will diagnose the real fault and fix it properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my UPVC window lock?
The most common causes are a dropped sash from worn friction hinges, misaligned keeps, or a broken gearbox inside the locking mechanism. Each can be repaired without replacing the window.
Can a window that won’t close be repaired?
Yes. In most cases replacing the hinges or adjusting the keeps lets the window close and seal properly again.
How long does a window hinge repair take?
A typical hinge or lock repair takes under an hour once we have the correct parts.
