Replacing the Lock Actuator on a Hinged Patio Door | Andersen Windows

[@peterdavis2233]

Very helpful. I just replaced the lock actuator on my Andersen patio door this morning. Took me about 10 minutes total. No problems whatsoever. The old actuator snapped in two. As a result, the lock knob was just spinning around like a propeller and the door wouldn't lock. After some sleuthing, I found the door's ID # and located the replacement lock actuator both on the Andersen site and on a popular online shopping site. I ended up buying the part from the latter site, since it would only take one day to arrive. (Had I ordered through Andersen, it would have taken up to 6 weeks to arrive.) Excellent repair, easily done. And I have almost no mechanical or construction experience. Thanks to the video, this repair was a breeze.

[@katiestutz]

Helpful video. Highly recommend for anyone buying this piece OS door. I’ve lost count of how many replacement lock mechanisms have been installed. Glad I can start doing this on my own.

[@chiprock8704]

Was the guy purposely trying to hide the actuator? I know what I'm doing but couldn't he have put it in, then put the plate on after. This way people could see how it fits, what it does and understand their lock a little bit?

[@alfredcarvill8603]

I thought the same thing. And also wondering if the actuator has broken in two, is it easy to get the pieces out? They speed right over the most salient part of the lock actuator replacement. I really hate how Anderson doors lock. It’s a very bad design for such expensive doors.

[@1965steph1]

Thanks so much for this video. I just replaced this own my own quickly 😊

[@BOBBYdigital31]

I have a newly installed Anderson 400 series in swing patio door. The lock knob is very difficult to turn, and in some instances is impossible to turn towards lock position, what should I do?

[@TNtoolman]

I have the same problem... when I went to a local distributor they advised I replace the entire unit with a Pella... Andersen turned out to be a mistake that cost thousands... my unit is 8 ft. high.

[@illinoisvideoatlarge8039]

Story of my life with this Door it has been a nightmare and now with arthritis I hope changing the actuator will make my life easier. Can’t even get out the door now.

[@illinoisvideoatlarge8039]

What did you end up doing? I hope that you reply.!!

[@hoangdao9699]

Hi, please let us know the lock part number. We would like to purchase a replacement lock. Thx Hoang

[@andreaanderson5356]

The hex wrench didn't work. Any ideas?

[@Simply7430]

Brian G what a scam, I only needed the latch spring but had to buy the entire locking system for $181.00 instead of a 50 cent spring!

[@andersenwindows]

Brian Guerin We apologize. The manufacturer that makes our lock mechanisms does not provide all the parts and components that make the lock mechanism. If something fails, you will need to replace the entire lock mechanism.

[@richardlizzi958]

Here's the problem that I have. This actuator is pressed in at the factory. It pops out of where it was pressed in and just spins. Come on Anderson get with the game. If I wasn't mechanical and wasn't able to fix this with the tech over the phone, it would have turned into a bigger deal. Anderson, ROOT CAUSE what causes these that are pressed in to let go and secondly what have you done to remedy the potential to happen again????

[@robertlindstadt935]

Brian Guerin there’s no way to just replace the spring.

[@shartingfish5761]

I have the exact same issue.. i had the Anderson door from 1995 replaced in 2017 because we wanted to change the look, never had an issue with the 1995 model, this new one is junk.. I'll never buy another Anderson product again.. in on my 3rd stupid lock kit..

[@ji3946]

@@andersenwindows tell us who makes the lock, we can go to them for a spring. Oh wait, I don't speak Chinese

[@susanpeters8219]

Is that what is needed when the handles keep falling off and the set screw can't be tightened any more?

[@jim9353]

Same thing here. If anyone has a solution, please post. Thanks

[@eamit1983]

I have the same problem, were you able to get this fixed ?

[@conniewirth670]

When the handles get loose and start to fall of, you need to get a small Hex Key and tighten the door handle right under the interior handle. Who knew?!

[@wharfrat53]

I just need a new latch spring for inside the lock. Andersen does not have any of those . My only option is a new lock for 181.00. Anybody out there have any lock parts?

[@detroitforever5352]

I am having the same problem

[@ji3946]

I actually welded the spring. Hard to believe, I know. The spring is so tiny, the broken end was laying at the bottom of the case. I hit it with the lightest amperage and it took much longer to grind the weld down because at the end I had to go by hand so as not to grind it clean off. the weld is stronger than the spring. It works

[@stephenmonken1337]

Just installed an out-swing patio door. The latch handle does not move in a downward motion but rather in an upward motion. The door will not open, so we are left with a inoperative door that we can't fully install until Anderson gets through it's backlog of complaints. Anybody ever experience this kind of problem?

[@TNtoolman]

I have exactly the same problem. This is a ridiculous design. There is a weak part called the actuator that usually breaks with a little too much force. It is such a problem that Amazon sells these in 10-packs. I have lost all respect for Andersen...

[@stephenmonken1337]

@@TNtoolman I don't follow. Our handles move upward only and do not allow the door to open. Where does the actuator fit in this issue?

[@MichaelBurns-d1l]

Tip: Lubricate well before adding new actuator.

[@illinoisvideoatlarge8039]

Install the door in 1990 but my mom never used this. It was in the dining room. I used it a lot when I started living there in 2010 and the handle kept falling off It’s always been a real pain Now I can’t even get it open While buying a new actuator to fix this problem, I hope ? Anyone have a clue where the label is they’re going to need to see which lock? It’s 20° out these days.

[@samanthaw8167]

Although the videos are very helpful tutorials, the survey code, I was told, "expired yesterday" when I requested to use it while talking with a sales rep and was told it would not work online either. :/

[@andersenwindows]

Thanks for the feedback, Samantha! We're sorry that happened. We will report this to our customer service team right away.

[@1philpot]

Helpful thank you AW.

[@timmartin1285]

You should say why you are replacing the lock actuator. What is happening to the actuator that it needs replacing.

[@andersenwindows]

Tim MartinThank you for your feedback, our videos are used to walkour customers through installing our parts. For diagnostic assistance, we would refer you to the Help Center at www.anderenwindows.com or ask that you contact our Customer Contact Center at 888-888-7020.

[@jimadietrich]

+Andersen Windows andersen not anderen. :)

[@doloressiconolfi3252]

Door handle will not return to horizontal

[@JeffPitman]

The reason is that it is poorly designed. It should be milled as 1 piece. What they did is milled them as 2 pieces and did some kind of small spot weld to put them together. I couldn't believe that it could snap like it did. The lowest price to replace is between $15 to $17 for a piece of metal that probably costs at most 50 cents to manufacture in bulk.

[@danrooney2829]

Handle

[@alfredcarvill8603]

What is the bushing and when was it removed? This video zips over the important steps and dwells on stupid stuff like taking out bolts with a screwdriver. Most people can figure out that part of the video. How about showing what the actuator actually does and how to get it out of the casing if it’s in two pieces.

[@TNtoolman]

While Andersen can be congratulated for hiring the mentally handicapped, I wish they would not place them in their engineering department... Our Andersen Patio Door is one year old and I have replaced the actuator twice so far. Usually visitors who have not been instructed on the difficulty and sensitivity of this part break it. The design is so bad that Amazon has the actuators available in 10-packs. I will never buy another Andersen product...