A car window that will not go up is usually a problem inside the door, not the glass itself. The glass is often fine — what has failed is the mechanism that lifts it. Here is how to tell what is wrong, how to get the window closed for now, and what the repair involves.
Why won’t my car window go up?
The most common causes, in rough order:
- Window lock or child lock engaged. The driver-side lock switch disables the rear windows. Check it first.
- Blown fuse. A fuse for the window circuit may have failed, so no power reaches the motor.
- Faulty switch. The switch itself can fail, especially if the window works from one switch but not another.
- Failed window regulator. You hear the motor run but the glass does not move, or the glass drops into the door — usually a snapped regulator cable.
- Worn motor. No sound and no movement from any switch can be the motor, though it can also be a fuse or wiring.
- Glass off track. The glass tilts, binds or comes out of its channel as it moves.
What can I check myself first?
- Press the window lock button on the driver’s door to make sure it is not locking out the other windows.
- Try the window from a different switch — the one on that door, and the driver’s master switch. If it works from one but not the other, it is usually the switch.
- Check the fuse for the window circuit in your owner’s manual and inspect or swap it if it has blown.
- Listen for the motor while holding the switch. A humming sound with no movement points to the regulator; no sound at all points to the motor, a fuse or the switch.
How do I get the window up for now?
If the window is stuck down, press and hold the up switch while someone gently helps the glass up by hand from both sides. Once it is up, do not use the switch until it is repaired — cycling it again can drop the glass back down. If it will not stay up, cover the opening with heavy plastic sheeting and painter’s tape (which comes off paint cleanly), and keep the car out of the rain. Do not pry at the glass or force it with a tool — that is how a working regulator becomes a broken one, and how intact glass gets cracked.
Is it safe to drive with a window stuck down?
Only as far as necessary. A stuck-down window lets in rain and road debris and is a security risk, so it should not be driven any longer than it takes to get it covered and scheduled. Cover the opening and get it repaired soon.
How much does it cost to fix?
Labor is usually $150 to $250, depending on how complex the door is, plus the part. The part price depends on your vehicle and on whether you need the regulator alone or a regulator with the motor attached. We quote the full price — labor and part — before anything is ordered. See our power window regulator repair page for the full process.
When is it the glass and not the regulator?
If the glass is shattered or cracked, it is a glass problem — tempered side glass shatters completely and must be replaced rather than repaired. If the glass is intact but will not move, the problem is inside the door. We check both and replace whichever has failed. See our car window repair and side window replacement pages.