Window Won't Stay Open? How to Fix a Falling Window
Short answerA window that won't stay open usually has a broken sash cord or chain in older wood windows, or a worn spring balancer in newer ones. Prop it with a stick and keep hands off the sill. Older windows can be repaired by replacing the cord, after testing for lead if built before 1978. Newer ones need a matching balancer.
Safety first
- A falling sash can crush fingers and break glass. Prop it with a wood stick, or keep it closed until repaired. Do not leave it where children can reach it.
- Old windows may have lead paint, especially on sills and where the sash rubs. If your home was built before 1978, test first, then follow EPA's do-it-yourself lead-safe work practices, or hire a lead-safe certified contractor. Do not sand or scrape dry.
- Sashes are heavy, and glass can break. Wear gloves and eye protection, and get a helper to remove one. Do not work from a ladder on an upper floor from the outside.
Likely causes
| Cause | How to tell | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Broken sash cord or chain | Older double-hung wood window with a loose or missing cord at the side, and the sash drops. | Replace the cord or chain, and reconnect the weight. |
| Worn or detached spring balancer | Newer window with no cords. The sash drops, or a part has come loose in the side track. | Find the model and replace the balancer with a matching part. |
| Paint or dirt on the track | The sash is hard to move, or it hangs up and then drops. | Clean the track. Free any paint with care, following the lead precautions. |
| Pulley stuck with paint | The cord is whole but does not move smoothly. | Clean or free the pulley. |
What you need
- Utility knife
- Two putty knives
- Pry bar or stiff scraper
- New sash cord or chain
- Replacement balancer for your model
- Wood stick to prop the sash
- Gloves and eye protection
- Damp rags for cleanup
How to fix it
- Prop it and identify the type. Prop the sash with a wood stick. Look at the sides. Cords or chains over a pulley mean an older weight system. No cords and a spring or tube in the track means a balancer. On newer windows, look for a brand and model on the frame or glass spacer.
- Protect yourself from lead. In a home built before 1978, cutting and prying painted window parts can release lead dust. Test the paint first, using a certified lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor, or assume it has lead. Then follow EPA's do-it-yourself lead-safe work practices, or hire a lead-safe certified contractor.
- Free the stop on an older window. Score the paint along the seam between the stop and the frame with a utility knife. Pry the stop off slowly with two putty knives, working up and down in small moves. Lift the lower sash out with a helper.
- Replace the cord. Tie a knot or pin the remaining cords so they do not fall into the wall. Open the plate in the side of the frame, or remove the trim, to reach the weight. Run the new cord or chain over the pulley, tie it to the weight, and attach it to the sash. Check that your pulley fits a chain if you switch.
- For newer windows. Follow the maker's instructions for your model. Balancers differ, and some are under spring tension, so get the correct part and directions before you take the window apart.
- Put it back and test. Reinstall the sash and stop. Raise the window to different heights and check that it stays put. Clean up the dust with damp rags, and throw them out.
When to call a professional
- The window is on an upper floor and needs outside access, or the sash is too heavy to handle.
- The window has lead paint and needs a lot of scraping. Hire a lead-safe certified contractor.
- The balancer part is not available, or the frame is rotted. Ask about repair versus replacement.
What it costs to have fixed
Window Repair is estimated at $90 to $590 nationally. See your state
Common questions
Why won't my window stay open?
The part that holds up the sash has failed. In older wood windows that is the cord or chain and weight. In newer windows it is a spring balancer in the side track.
Can I fix an old window with a broken sash cord myself?
Often yes. The National Park Service calls replacing sash cords a common repair. You take out the stop and sash, then run a new cord to the weight. Take lead paint precautions first.
Should I replace an old window that won't stay up?
Not just for that reason. A broken cord or balancer is usually a small repair. Replacement makes more sense if the frame is rotted or the parts are no longer available.
Related repairs
- Basement Leaking When It Rains? What to Do
- Door Won't Close? How to Fix a Sticking or Sagging Door
- Foundation Cracks: Which Are Serious and What to Do
- Garage Door Spring Broken? Stop and Read This First
- Garage Door Won't Close? Check the Sensors First
- Gutters Overflowing? Why It Happens and How to Fix It
- How to Patch a Hole in Drywall: Small to Large
- Mold in Bathroom? How to Clean It and Keep It Away
Last verified 2026-11-01
Sources
- National Park Service: Preservation Brief 9, The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows — Broken sash cords as a common repair, replacing them with cords or chains, the weight pocket reached through a jamb plate or trim, removing the stop with putty knives, and securing cords
- EPA: Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead — Window sills and friction surfaces in pre-1978 homes making lead dust, avoiding sanding, wet sanding, and lead-safe contractors
- NC State Extension: Inspecting a House — Windows should open easily and close tightly
- EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program — EPA recommends a lead-safe certified contractor for pre-1978 homes, and do-it-yourself lead-safe practices for homeowners doing their own work
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.