How do you manually raise a power window?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
To manually raise a power window, press and hold the up switch while pressing your palms flat against the glass on both sides and lifting steadily. Do not pry or force the glass. Once it is closed, tape the switch so it cannot drop, and book regulator or motor repair. See our guide on a window that will not go up.
How to get a power window up when the motor is broken
This works on some vehicles when the motor is weak but not fully seized. If the glass does not move, stop — forcing it breaks the regulator or the glass.
- 1
Hold the up switch
Press and hold the window up switch the whole time, so any motor assist you can get is working.
- 2
Press your palms on both sides
Put one palm on the outside of the glass and one on the inside, flat, so you grip the glass evenly without prying.
- 3
Lift steadily
Raise your hands together, smoothly, following the curve of the glass. Do not jerk or force it.
- 4
Tape it shut
Once the window is closed, tape the switch in the up position so it cannot drop, and book the repair.
Do not pry or force the glass
Prying the glass with a tool, or forcing it past resistance, cracks the pane or breaks the regulator. Lift with your palms only, and stop if the glass will not move. A window that will not go up needs regulator or motor repair, available at the shop or mobile. See our window will not go up guide.
Manual raise myths
You can pull the glass up with pliers or a suction cup.
Prying with a tool cracks the glass or breaks the regulator. Lift with flat palms only, and stop if the glass resists.
If you get it up, the problem is fixed.
The window will drop again when the switch is used, because the motor or regulator is still broken. Tape it shut and book the repair.
Holding the switch does nothing if the motor is dead.
On some vehicles a weak motor still assists when the switch is held, so holding it while you lift can help the glass move.
More questions about manually raising a window
How do I close a car window that will not go up?
Hold the up switch and lift with flat palms on both sides of the glass, steadily. Do not pry or force it. Once it is closed, tape the switch so it cannot drop, and book regulator or motor repair.
Is it safe to drive with a window taped shut?
Short trips, yes, but only until the repair. The tape can let go, and the window may drop while driving. Book regulator and motor repair, available at the shop or mobile, as soon as you can.
What if the glass will not move at all?
Stop. A fully seized motor or a broken regulator will not lift, and forcing it breaks the glass or the regulator. The window needs regulator or motor repair, so book the job rather than forcing it.
Related guides
More in Car windows, back glass and sunroofs
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