You lift the window, let go, and it slides right back down. So you prop it with a book, a ruler, or a piece of wood. Maybe you've stopped opening that window at all.
It's a common window problem, and it rarely means the window is finished. In most cases a small part inside the window has worn out. Below is what usually causes it, what you can safely check yourself, and when the window does need replacing.
Why won't my window stay up?
Most of the time, a window that won't stay up has a worn, broken, or disconnected balance. The balance is the spring-loaded part hidden in the side of the window frame. Its job is to hold the weight of the sash (the part of the window that moves) so it stays where you put it.
When the balance wears out or comes loose, nothing is holding the sash up anymore, so gravity wins. A few other parts can play a role too:
- Balances: the springs in the sides of the frame that carry the sash's weight.
- Pivot shoes: small parts at the bottom of a tilt-in sash that connect it to the balance. If one breaks, the sash can drop or sit crooked.
- Tilt latches: the small latches at the top of the sash that let it tilt in for cleaning. A broken one can let the sash shift out of its track.
You don't need to know which part it is. Tell us what the window is doing, send photos, and we'll figure out the part.
What are the signs of a broken window balance?
The clearest sign is a sash that slides down on its own or drops when you let go. You may also notice the window feels much heavier than it should, sits crooked in the frame, or opens on one side faster than the other. Here's a quick way to sort it out:
- Slides down after you open it
- Likely cause: Worn or broken balance
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Drops suddenly or slams shut
- Likely cause: Broken balance or disconnected pivot shoe
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Sits crooked or rubs on one side
- Likely cause: Broken pivot shoe or one failed balance
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Tilts in when you don't want it to
- Likely cause: Broken tilt latch
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Window won't lock
- Likely cause: Worn lock or keeper, or a sash that's no longer lining up
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Crank window won't open or close
- Likely cause: Worn crank (operator) or hinges
- Repairable without a new window?: Often yes: hardware repair
- Wood is soft or rotted around the sash
- Likely cause: The frame itself has failed
- Repairable without a new window?: Probably not: this may need a new window
- Sash or frame cracked, split, or warped
- Likely cause: Frame damage, minor or serious
- Repairable without a new window?: Sometimes: minor damage is often still repairable, so send photos
How do I fix a window that won't stay open?
The lasting fix is to repair or replace the worn hardware, most often the balance. That's a parts job, not a window job. The glass, frame, trim, and paint all stay. Until it's fixed, keep the window closed or propped securely so it can't drop.
What you can safely check yourself:
- Look at the top of the sash. If you have a tilt-in window, make sure both tilt latches are pushed out into their tracks. A latch that's tucked in can let the sash shift.
- Look along the sides. Check whether the sash sits evenly in the frame or hangs lower on one side. That points to a problem on that side.
- Watch it move. Open the window halfway and let go. Note whether it drifts slowly, drops fast, or sticks. That detail helps us read your photos.
Anything past that usually means taking parts out of the window, so we'd leave it to us. Balances are under tension, and we don't recommend pulling them out yourself.
Is a window that won't stay up dangerous?
It can be. A sash that drops suddenly can pinch fingers or hands, and that's a real concern with kids around. A window held open with a stick or a book can come down if the prop slips. If it's in a kid's room, keep it closed and locked until it's repaired.
None of this means you've done something wrong by living with it. Plenty of people work around a window like this for a long time. It's just worth fixing before someone gets hurt.
Can old windows that won't stay up be repaired?
Often, yes. Many older double-hung windows can get new hardware so they open and stay open again. Older wood windows sometimes use a different system, with cords and weights inside the frame instead of spring balances. We repair sash cord and weight windows too. If you have an older home, our guide on how to fix old windows without replacing them covers more.
When does a window that won't stay up need to be replaced?
Sometimes the hardware isn't the real problem. If the wood in the sash or frame has rotted, new parts won't hold, and a new window is the right call. We'll tell you so. Cracks and warping depend on how bad they are, so we'd want to see photos first.
Signs that point toward a full replacement, and the ones that depend:
- The wood is soft or crumbles when you press on it. Rotted wood can't hold new glass securely, so this one points to a new window.
- The frame or sash is cracked or split. This one depends. Minor cracks often still hold new glass safely, while bigger damage may not. Send photos of exactly where it's damaged and we'll tell you which it is.
- The frame is bent or warped. Same thing: it's situational, and sometimes we can make it work. Photos let us check before you decide anything.
- You want a different size, style, or type of window. That's a remodel, not a repair.
A window that won't open, close, lock, or stay up is usually a hardware problem, which is what this whole article is about. Most of the time it's fixable, and it isn't a reason to buy a new window.
We don't sell or install full windows. If it needs replacing, you can take that to a window company. For the full picture, read our honest guide to whether you should repair or replace windows.
How does window hardware repair work?
You send photos, we send a price, and a technician comes to you to fix the hardware. You don't need to know the part name. And if we can't repair a hardware problem, we don't charge for that repair or the attempt.
- Send photos. One of the full window from inside, and one close-up of the problem, such as the side of the sash or the spot where it sticks. A short video of the window moving up and down helps too. You can send photos or a video through the Start Service form, which is on every page of our site.
- Get your price. Photo review is free. If the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours. Every job is priced on its own, so you get a fair price for the right repair.
- Pick a time. Same-day or same-week appointments when available.
- We come to you. The repair happens on site. You don't need to take the window out.
- We clean up. Clean-up is included.
How long does it take to fix a window that won't stay up?
Many hardware repairs can be done in a single visit. Some windows use parts that have to be ordered first, and those usually take about 1 to 2 weeks to come in. A typical hardware repair visit takes about 1 to 2 hours. Your photos help us tell you what to expect before we book.
What customers say
"I had a very sticky situation I was in with my window and John came and serviced me same day and he worked very fast."
Geedah G., Google review
We have 2,000+ reviews across Google, Yelp, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and Housecall Pro, including a 5.0 average from 1,358 Google reviews. You can read more at https://2hourglass.com/reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a window that won't stay up?
Every job is priced individually, based on the window and the part it needs. We don't publish price ranges, because the right fix depends on your exact window and part, so a range would mislead. Send photos and we can usually send your exact price within minutes during business hours.
Is window balance repair cheaper than replacing the window?
It's a much smaller job, since you keep the glass, frame, and trim, so it usually costs less than a new window. Your photo quote shows the actual number before you book.
Can you do double hung window spring replacement?
Yes. We repair and replace balances, the spring parts that hold a double-hung sash up. We also repair pivot shoes, tilt latches, locks and keepers, cranks, hinges, and handles.
What if you can't fix it?
If we can't repair a hardware problem, we don't charge for that repair or the attempt. If the frame has failed, we'll tell you the window needs replacing.
How long does the repair take?
Many hardware repairs are done in one visit, though some parts have to be ordered first. Your photos help us give you a realistic timeline before you book.
What photos should I send?
Send one photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the problem area. You don't need to know the part name.
Do you fix sliding doors that won't open easily?
Door rollers and locks aren't our main work, but we can take a look or refer you to a reliable partner we trust, and we do replace glass in sliding and patio doors. See why a sliding glass door is hard to open for what to check.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 New Jersey counties: Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, and Essex. Not sure about your address? Check your ZIP below, or send a few photos and we'll confirm we can get to you.
Where we work
2HourGlass is a local PA and NJ team focused on window glass and hardware repair, with repair before replacement. We fix windows that won't stay up across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 counties in New Jersey. When you call or text, you reach a real person, not a call center.
