How to Get a Car Window Up When It’s Stuck Down

How to Get a Car Window Up Fast

Quick Summary
The most common power window failure is when your car window goes down but not up or vice versa. But when it’s stuck in the down position, you’ve got to get it up in a hurry to protect interior damage from rain or snow. Here are the top tricks to get a car window up fast:
• Slam the door while pulling up on the window switch
• Smack the door panel with a closed fist while pulling up on the door switch
• Check for a blown fuse
• Wiggle the wiring in the door hinge area
• Remove the door panel and cut the lift cables.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the methods I’ve used successfully over the years to get a car window stuck down back into the up position.

How to Get a Car Window Up When It Won’t Roll Up

If your window is stuck open and bad weather is approaching, try these steps.

1. Rapidly move the window switch from up to down and vice versa — Sometimes, repeating the operation is enough to wear off corrosion on the electrical contacts inside the switch.

2. Hold the Switch and Slam the Door — This trick works more often than you might think because the vibration temporarily frees stuck motor brushes or an intermittent electrical connection and allows the motor to run.

• Turn the key to the ON position.
• Hold the window switch in the UP position.
• Firmly close the door.

3. Smack the Door Panel — While holding the switch UP: I know it sounds primitive, but sometimes vibration is enough to wake up a failing motor.

• Strike the lower door panel with your fist.
• Alternatively, use the heel of a shoe.

4. Check the Fuse — A simple blown fuse can create a car window stuck-down condition. Consult your owner’s manual. Inspect:

• Power window fuse
• Power accessory fuse
• Body control module fuse

5. Wiggle the Wiring Harness — Open the door completely and locate the rubber boot in the hinge area between the door and body. The wires inside often break or develop intermittent connections. If the window suddenly works, you likely have broken wires inside the harness. While holding the switch:

• Move the wiring harness gently
• Watch for any window movement

6. The Last-Resort Method — Cut the lift cables. When I’m dealing with a completely failed regulator and I absolutely need the window closed, I remove the door panel. Once inside, I:

• Disconnect the regulator.
• Cut the regulator lift cables using a wire cutter or bolt cutter.
• Raise the glass manually.
• Secure it with tape and a wooden support.
Pro Tip

This is a typical late-model window regulator. If you can’t get the window up, cutting the cables will allow you to pull the glass up and secure it with tape and a prop rod

Place cardboard over the painted window frame before applying tape.
Then run clear shipping tape from the outside glass, over the frame, and attach it to the inside of the glass. This prevents paint damage while holding the window securely in place.

Secure the Glass Up If It’s Only Partially Raised

If you can get the glass halfway up, but it won’t raise further:

Insert a wooden wedge
Use a paint stir stick
Secure with tape

This can keep the glass from dropping further.

The most common reasons why your car window won’t go up

1: Corrosion/wear in the driver’s door master switch — The driver’s door switch is the one used most often, and it’s often exposed to rain, snow, and soft drinks. Those liquids can cause corrosion in the switch, allowing one contact to lower the window while the corroded contact prevents you from raising it.

Sometimes you can clean the contacts by opening the switch and spraying with electrical contact cleaner (with the switch disconnected from power). Let it dry fully before reconnecting. Or, replace the master switch.

2: Intermittent electrical connection at the window motor — Moisture inside the door panel can cause corrosion inside the motor’s electrical connector. The vibrations from slamming or pounding on the door can sometimes be enough to re-establish contact. That doesn’t mean you’ve fixed the problem; it only means you bought a temporary reprieve.

Remove the door panel and use electrical contact cleaner to freshen up the connections.

3. Break or open in the wiring, especially in the door hinge area —  The wires in the door hinge area are exposed to the most open/close movement, and that causes them to break or create intermittent connections. Check for breaks or opens in the wires and repair them.

4. Dead spot in the brush/armature connection — As a motor’s brushes and armature wear, they can develop dead spots that prevent the motor from running. If a good smack got it working again and you’ve ruled out a wiring or connector issue, then it’s time to check for a worn motor.

If you suspect you have a bad motor, read this article titled How to Test a Power Window Motor Like a Pro

5. Failed Window Regulator — This is another common cause of stuck windows. Years ago, automakers used heavy scissor-style regulators that lasted a long time. To reduce weight, most manufacturers switched to cable-driven regulators. While lighter, these designs are far less durable. A failed regulator often leaves you with a power window that won’t go up.

Common failures include:
• Broken cables
• Cracked plastic pulleys
• Stripped drive gears
• Broken sash clips attached to the glass

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Power Window That Won’t Go Up?

Typical repair costs:

• Window switch replacement $75-$250
• Fuse replacement under $20
• Window motor replacement $200-$500
• Window regulator replacement $250-$700
• Wiring repair $150-$500

The exact cost depends on vehicle make, model, and labor rates.

Final Thoughts

When people ask me how to get a car window up, I tell them to start with the easy checks before buying parts. A blown fuse, a faulty switch, or a broken wire can mimic the symptoms of a failed regulator.

However, if I were placing bets, I’d put my money on the master switch or the window regulator. Modern cable-operated regulators are among the most common causes of the “power window won’t go up” complaint.

The good news is that even if the regulator has failed, there are several temporary solutions that can get the window closed and protect your vehicle until you can make a permanent repair.

©, 2025 Rick Muscoplat