How to open a broken uPVC window lock

[@PaddysDiy]

Hey lovely people! Why not buy me a cup of coffee or a beer to say thanks. Click on the THANKS button above 👍☕🍺

[@Leo-gt1bx]

Hi I am a handyman and potential customers window won't open. The handle turns but I'm guessing one of the 3 locking points is not releasing. Any suggestions please?

[@zacsayer1818]

@@Leo-gt1bx You’re not that bright are you mate, he’s literally just given you the answer in this video!!!

[@qm0143]

@@zacsayer1818 He probably meant one of the bolts is not moving and stopping the technique in this video from working. Mine too, unfortunately.

[@welovetechnology2251]

You Sir are a valuable member of the KZbin community. Thank you!

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped

[@haluter]

Mate you just saved my life 😅 I haven't been able to open my bedroom window for months now, and it gets super hot as all my rooms face the setting sun. We're expecting another heatwave in the coming week and I was contemplating swapping my bedroom and living room just so that it's a little cooler at night. Just watched your tutorial and I was able to fix the window lock in 5 minutes. The spindle had detached from the handle. Thanks so much!

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent 👍

[@chrismealand7475]

Paddy you are The MAN. Several of my windows have sealed themselves shut, 5 in all. Had a quote from some joker who wanted £1500 to sort the problem. SO glad I came across your video. I shall be raising a glass in your honour.

[@PaddysDiy]

Hi Chris, I'm glad to hear the video helped you :) £1500 is crazy money, you would have 5 new windows installed for that.

[@x5ite]

Guys, read this, very important, don't bother wasting your time if you do not remove the handle. But he never says the reason why. It's because when you push the roller lock with allen key it will slightly move the handle in the open direction so your handle can't go further on open. Also, I used a metal hanger end because allen key not long enough and easy to drop inside the frame. I finally opened the window after 3 weeks of trying. Lol

[@pellier08]

Hi, I find Allen key is too short as well!! But a hanger would be too bulky to go inside the tight space and turn? How did you do it? The handle of the window is stuck even with screws out.

[@danielisherwood5687]

Just wanted to say thank you because 2 of the windows upstairs wouldn't open i managed to open them with a screw driver, pliers and Allan keys from someone else's video but my bedroom window handle snapped in my hand and your video has shown me what I need to do. I'll keep you posted if I get time to do it or I end up paying someone. You've been a massive help

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@booldawg]

Took me a few attempts to successfully do this. From my experience of it, make sure you know which end of the locking mechanism is jambed and which direction the lock works. I have one of the windows that has an integrated seal (the latter design is this video) I also struggled to find an allen key that was thin enough and long enough to engage with the locking rollers. I ended up using a tent peg. Finally got it done, so many thanks for the upload and advice! The window was jambed for the best part of a year and was beginning to cause a bit of mold on the ceiling. So glad its sorted now.

[@PaddysDiy]

Good to hear. Glad it helped :)

[@techytech1907]

Managed to get my window open, thanks for taking the time to upload this video. Now to work out how to replace the locking mechanism as the handle is working fine.

[@musicferret1829]

I have waited a long time for this video, just fixed two windows with this method amazing. Just have to replace the locks and seals job done. Thanks Paddy.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :)

[@UMO905]

What a guy! Thank you so much, I've finally managed to get my window open and diagnose the gear had broke, new gear on order! Cheers

[@BernadetteTate]

Cheers Paddy, Loose spindle on the bathroom window, lock, 2 minute job, saved me a fortune. Many thanks John T

[@funtimejamie]

This is just what I was looking for to fix our bathroom window. Your video is great and really clear. Thank you, you've saved me loads of money!

[@sopheakcreative2077]

James Slinger hi brother

[@JcaspianN]

cheers paddy, followed your advice and it worked a treat took me a few minutes to realise mine was a double locking system went for the top of the two sliders and succeeded top man, much appreciated video

[@PaddysDiy]

Good to hear Joshua. Glad it helped :)

[@ianh5699]

This worked for me! Afterwards I needed to temporarily unscrew the female part of the locks on the bottom half that was faulty. I could then lock the window with the top half without the problem happening again. Very much appreciated

[@kevinjones-rs2by]

Best tip I've seen in ages saved me 100s of euros in callout and fix and replacement pRt thnks a million

[@tombooker2679]

This video helped me to fix my bathroom window - I couldn't get it to open, but now it's working fine. Thank you!

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent

[@angusknight6149]

If you have a central lock in the espg and the handle wont open it properly,try spraying some silicone lubricant into the lock first and gently move handle back and forth. May not work for you but it did for me and I managed to open the window. Mechanism was still broke though and needed to be replaced though!

[@IPMan-me6lo]

Oh dear, Senator Windows have this Problem. Thanks, for this how to. Fixed one, 6 to go. Hopefully they still have replacements locks, for this 20-year-old windows.

[@PaddysDiy]

No window manufacturer is immune to it I'm afraid. Glad it helped 👍

[@michellegreasley7125]

Paddy, Paddy, Paddy!! My window has been stuck for over 10 years! Your little hack right at the very end, it feckin opened! B jesus! Thank you very much

[@PaddysDiy]

Music to my ears 👍

[@adrianfitzpatrick4638]

Paddy you are the Don. Ive just managed to free the mechanism on me sons window which has been jammed shut for about 5 years. Wasn't so bad when he was a nipper, but he's a teenager now and the heady mix of lynx and hormones, in hot weather, things weren't good. Breezy like a spring meadow now. Thanks.

[@PaddysDiy]

Good to hear Swagnus :)

[@wallbars8684]

Thanks, really helpful. Got the handle off our widow then tried pulling rubber strip out as shown. Was struggling to get any purchase on rubber strip without damaging window frame. I then put screwdriver in hole where the barrel on the latch mechanism goes and turned. After a few goes the window opened! We now have fresh air coming in our bathroom in the current hot spell - it’s been like an oven in there recently!

[@PaddysDiy]

Check out the handle and espag to see which one is broken

[@wallbars8684]

OK great, thanks - will do 👍

[@kevgeomcc]

Very good trick. I had trouble with the allen key though, so improvised using a flattened (ish) L shaped wall bracket from Billy bookcases. Worked a charm 1st go. Thanks so much for the idea though and your clear, easy to follow instructions!

[@PaddysDiy]

Happy days. Whatever works.

[@tabishnaveed2559]

Cheers mate undone the mystery of the broken window lock for me. Much appreciated. Clear instructions, no questions left unanswered, to the point, good pace of explanation.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@MartinBrigden]

Thanks Paddy, Just fixed our bedroom window that's been broken for years, one very happy wife, although she said if it was that easy why didn't I do it before, lol!

[@PaddysDiy]

Happy days 👍

[@Dime_Bar]

Thank you so much this has saved me a call out fee and the price of replacing my window lock. Got me a new lock for £6.50 and about a hour of my time in total.

[@PaddysDiy]

Your very welcome. Glad it helped :)

[@aitchleeds]

Great tutorial. Managed to open my closed, locked and broken window handle!! I feel really pleased that I did it ☺

[@PaddysDiy]

Well done. Glad it helped

[@Ashley-fe9dn]

Works a treat. Couldn't open one of our windows.I used a slim kitchen knife and took extra care. Worked instantly 👍

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent

[@zsoobhan]

Thanks for this! A pair of pliers and a bit of metal from a coat hanger did the trick for me.

[@HassanDeedaur]

Thank you so much for this beautifully presented piece. Our window handle is in the locked position and it cannot be moved. So do one remove the handle firstly and then to have access to opening the window.

[@PaddysDiy]

Hi Hassan, Your window handle could be locked. That could be the reason it's not moving.

[@woodentops1394]

You are a genius. Opened a stuck window in 3 seconds. Thank you so much xx

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@MrNigel1340]

Thank you very much for this information, now I know how to repair my daughters windows, regards Doc Cox.

[@sopheakcreative2077]

Doc Cox hi

[@clemviking]

Thanks, Paddy, worked for me. Ordered a replacement part from your site immediately too. It was very quick and easy. Good job.

[@PaddysDiy]

Hi Clemviking, glad you got it sorted :)

[@R3PooC]

Oh my days! This was the perfect video, so simple yet effective. Thank you!

[@TotallyRadical_]

You sir are a literal godsend. Thank you

[@paulcooper9187]

Great video, easy fix and certainly stopped me paying a call out charge. Thanks

[@PaddysDiy]

Hi Paul, glad the video helped :)

[@psm2day]

Thanks for this informative video, I've just managed to fix 5 windows in a property I've just bought, thought I was going to have to get them all replaced so I've saved a ton of cash there (Just some new gearboxes), 4 popped easily with a yank on the Allen key but the fifth was a pain and was about to give up after 30 mins of trying as i was starting to damage the frame a little then it gave in at the last minute, the gearbox mech was split in half and the others all had something broken on the gearbox.

[@markboden2749]

I am a professional window installer and even I found this useful, thanks

[@PaddysDiy]

Good to hear 👍

[@amanuelablel3364]

Amazing video, life saver, appreciated the time you took to show us the different camera angles till it made sense to someone like me, God bless

[@PaddysDiy]

Thanks for your comment 👍 glad it helped

[@2BMIKE1569]

Thanks so much for this, I've been searching for a technique to open my bedroom window....Cheers 👍🏼

[@aligooya8514]

Thanks a lot, this video actually saved me from having a wet bathroom in the middle of the lockdown. You are a decent person.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad to hear it helped

[@farukm7627]

Thanks mate. Got a stuck window at the moment. Will give this a go.

[@steveyorkshire1797]

Great video! I took the seal out, and saw, with the aid of a torch, the plate which the lock engages virtually touching the bottom of the frame, so there was no gap for the Allen key/wire to go.... I'm just having a coffee break and giving it one last go! 🙄

[@PaddysDiy]

Hate it when they're like that. Get a nice wide paint scraper, and pry the sash. You should get enough space to get the allen key in

[@steveyorkshire1797]

@@PaddysDiy Hi, much appreciate the reply on a 7 yo post! I've no problem getting the Allen key in the gap between the frame and the window itself, there's no gap at all where the locking mechanism meets. I tried levering up the frame to get a gap, but the upvc frame just flexes. It's a council house, so we'll probably have to get them to sort it! Thought I could do it myself, alas not!

[@IconOfSin]

Had the opposite problem trying to get a broken upvc window locked, cheers Paddy worked a charm👌

[@PaddysDiy]

Happy days 🤣

[@AndrewCoats-c8s]

Thank you! Your help was just the thing to open a uPVC window. Very practical.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@brianbelford]

Hey, thank you so very much! Your clear explanation really helped me to open a very stiff window with three locking points. I had to go at each point a few times, but it eventually opened. Knowing that this was the correct approach gave me the persistence to keep trying. Thanks!

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent 👍

[@CEO786]

Bubu hbbbj

[@ferriter100]

Hi, Thanks for the great video! Do you have any advice if the window doesn’t have a roller lock at the bottom?

[@marklimbrick]

since the expert hasn't had a chance to help yet Chris....go to an identical window in the house that is working and check how to modify the technique so you know what you are aiming for in your particular case. I think this is what they teach each other in prison..

[@rob-123]

My Windows have another lock on the top and bottom. After using a 4mm allen and alot of patience i got it open. Thanks for the video.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :)

[@markspearing9320]

Great video , and love the hack with Allen key. Managed to get window open and turned out gearbox had failed , replaced and all good .

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent. Glad it helped

[@DK-ff9hp]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video - you got me out of a crisis!

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :) thanks for the comment

[@jayojb]

Cheers mate, saw your video and I thought this is effort so I called a handy man and quoted me £169, I hung up and sorted it myself

[@MrMSC100]

Thank you so so much. You have literally saved me my tenancy deposit next month when I move home. Thank you.

[@Dang_Lin-Wang]

That's not down to you anyway. The landlord should be responsible for maintenance. Gearboxes fail because no one oils them. Twice a year minimum .

[@daveg1250]

Great video I have been quoted £250 to fit and replace the lock gearbox mechanism in my bottom opening window, now if I can get window open, I can do it myself for £20. I will try this in the morning thanks

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :)

[@daveirwin7538]

Thank you Paddy. We had no key to our 15 month old conservatory and so couldn't open them.... Until I saw your method of gaining entry....... So thank you. (as a footnote, the key was found in a cavity within the opened window..... Quite how we were supposed to unlock it without the key remains a mystery....)

[@PaddysDiy]

Not the first time I've seen that

[@dazedwonder]

This is incredibly helpful. One thing to add - from the windows in my house, the allen key is not long enough because the mechanism is positioned in the middle of the frame, so I'll have to find a different tool.

[@sopheakcreative2077]

Siuyee Lo hi brother

[@jimbojones178]

Thanks you so much, I would have been waiting weeks if not months for the council to sort out mine

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@benggogibb169]

Excellent film,especially the demonstration on how it works on the lower frame

[@michaelclegg8534]

Thank you so much for this video. Thought I needed the whole window replacing because the gear mechanism was broken. Allen key wouldn’t reach but I managed to fashion a tool from a steel tent peg which did the trick 👍

[@PaddysDiy]

Well done

[@sky37blue]

Genius thanks. I have literally just tried this in the bathroom. Ripped the draught excluder out the frame and my Allen key wouldn't reach, which I've verified against one of my kitchen windows which still open. I will order a tent peg right now!

[@staffyboystoney2016]

well done paddy as usual a great detailed and clearly explained video

[@Scriffbin]

Great help, thanks . I'm having real problems getting the seal off. It clings and I only achieve a small section at a time, so am having to move a few centimetres along bit by bit. One attempt broke off. Any tips really welcome.

[@davidgorman9527]

So glad I came across this video. I've got a broken lock to repair in a student house and this has helped a lot. Thank you for posting. Watched some of you other videos and quickly hit the subscribe button to keep up with new posts.

[@PaddysDiy]

Thanks David. Glad it helped :)

[@iansummerfield]

Great video, my window is almost identical only at the side I had bolts that push out of the window frame, the one on the right is not releasing, the one of the left is. As they push in/out rather than slide up and down, I can't use a key to slide them anywhere. I'm not sure how I can get it open.

[@PaddysDiy]

This is a tough one. The shootbolt locks can be a bit of a nightmare. The easiest option would be to remove the double glazing and using a nice wide paint scraper or chisel, push out on the side that is free, and at the same time pry the side thats jammed away from the side of the frame. With the glass out, the sash should be a lot more flexible

[@laktykbugbad]

Many thanks for your video Paddy! It saved me a lot of hassle!

[@PaddysDiy]

Great to hear!

[@MrJimWinter]

Amazing I just managed to fix my window after two years - thank you

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent. Glad it helped 👍

[@woodlandsben]

Brilliant video and given me an approach what do you do if it has a double seal and seat? as that is the situation that I have. thanks

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped

[@jimrochford7952]

great vid, thank you, have the window open for the frist time in a long ting time. the lock mechanism seems to work but not with the handle. Should I just replace the handle or would I be better off replacing the lot?. Thanks again.

[@PaddysDiy]

If it's not working with the handle, the mechanism is broken and needs to be replaced

[@patrober62]

Great video and technique - except my allen keys were too short to grip with the grippers, so ordered extra long ones only to find the reach on the short section is too short by about 5mm. Still locked!

[@patrober62]

Found a tent peg that I could bend to shape and got the pins moved. Only to find there are side bolts that also are broken in place and wont move. And cant be moved with this technique.

[@sharonlindsay7041]

Excellent explanation and clear demonstration. Thank you. Keep sharing.

[@PaddysDiy]

Thank you

[@haydendavies8638]

Thanks pad,very informative I did not have a clue how to fix my child's window. 😊😊👍

[@digitaIgorilla]

You absolute star. This was exactly what was wrong with my window. Now to find a replacement part.

[@owen-rhysmorris1997]

A part where the spindle in the handle goes into has broken off and stopped working. Tried doing this for the past week and nothings working. Anything else I can do?

[@carolg5340]

Brilliant explanation, thank you. My window mega stuck at the bottom, very awkward but luckily I had those tools and eventually managed it.

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent. Well Done

[@glen1066]

did this today worked a treat--------window shut for years----------top-lad

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :)

[@alexredcloud]

Thank you so much for this video, just had my kitchen window lock go and this method worked perfectly.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped :)

[@dinocitozi9216]

Very good cool trick, very well done. Can I ask what can I spray to the mechanism to open a bit easier as my windows are a bit hard on opening and closings? Is W40 ok to use?

[@alpachino468]

I wasn't able to watch the entire video, but how do you put the seal back on again - does removing it damage it in any way?

[@kosovel]

Hi Paddy, I've been trying your method on my old Everest windows for a while now without luck. Any tip for them?

[@7tracey7]

This is a great video. Thanks for posting. I’m wondering how this would work with a universal espag keep please? I’m not too sure whether the seals are co-extruded or removable as I’m worried about pulling & breaking them if they aren’t supposed to be removed! Any tips or links to other videos would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[@7tracey7]

Now think seals are removable.. but I’ve noticed another problem. My window is flush with frame & not inset like yours so I can’t access the seal anyway or get a paint scraper in 🤔

[@wraith600original1]

needed this i found the internal latch was broken on 1 side did help putting a piece of 2x2 a crow bar n 5k weight in the out side to lift the window a little though

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@teamholmez86]

I used a small hook as didn't have a allen key small enough but worked! finally I have a looked window again I was pulling my hair out as the wind keeped blowing it open and my living room was freezing so thankyou very much

[@Ironic1950]

Many thanks for the excellent tips on how to fix jammed espag locks!

[@qm0143]

Mine;s stuck on tilt, the gearing cassette broke. Even with the handle out I can't get the bolts to move much or at all. In theory as I can get to the upper and middle bolts, I suppose I should be able to move the bolts manually and then free the lower bolt so I can get the window fully open and remove the Roto mechanism. But they won't budge. That leaves me with perhaps undoing the hinge hexagonal bolt and freeing the lower part of the window from the frame that way. A local repairer wants a lot of cash to come out and do it, partly because the replacement parts are very pricey, even just the gearing is pricey as it's an oldish window. A great video btw, nobody could ask for better if their window bolts are not jammed like mine. I wish I had teachers as clear and good as Paddy when I needed to learn stuff earlier in life :o)

[@PaddysDiy]

Tilt and turn mechanisms are a different beast than a regular espag. Finding the broken part or the section that's causing the issue is key. Can't really offer much more help than that I'm afraid, there could be a hundred and 1 reasons why it's not working

[@XX0ST]

Excellent video mate, my girlfriends parents house has an escape window in case of a fire, it's been jammed for well over five years, going to order a replacement lock in case and repair it when I next go over to theirs. Quick question for you though, I have a loose 5 point mech latch, the screw is rounded, removing it isn't the problem, what screws are generally used for them?

[@ab3215]

Brilliant! Did it and it worked. Window better , me jubilant! Thank you very much.

[@PaddysDiy]

Glad it helped 👍

[@pootlingalong8928]

Woman of advanced years here with upvc window handle wouldn’t open. Does now! Thanks 🤗

[@PaddysDiy]

Music to my ears 👍

[@jattjimidar6996]

Thanks it helped me may God bless us both

[@larakyawnok]

@PaddysDiy Paddy, thanks so much for the video. I can get an alin key in but unfortunately the short bit I need to turn is not long enough to make it to the roller lock on my type of window. A suggestions for an alternative tool? I’m wracking my brains here 😅

[@PaddysDiy]

Maybe a wire coat hanger, but it might not be strong enough.

[@larakyawnok]

@@PaddysDiy thanks so much

[@rachval]

Thank you so much!! I’ve fixed my girls bedroom window and showed off to my husband. I think he was annoyed to see I’ve managed to fix it myself where he failed :)))

[@PaddysDiy]

Good to hear :)

[@tatjanastrunkevica1131]

Great instructions but unfortunately I don't have the tools like the clamp and the hex/Allen key which is that long... I did try and the tiny key just fell in.

[@julianreading]

Great video, clear comprehensive uncluttered instructions. Many thanks :)

[@jamiejamie835]

Very useful and helpful. It is what we need in KZbin.

[@DrBroncanuus]

brilliant vid... thanks....my handle turns but window won't open

[@iant1000]

Gave it a try, found the lock but will not budge. Much smaller window to

[@Maranatha621]

Great video. I managed to open my jammed window however my rubber seal is full of holes and one of the rollers appears to be rusted. ......Wd40?

[@PaddysDiy]

Yeah try WD40 and see if it improves

[@ConorFenlon]

This was extremely helpful! Thank you! Now I can air out my room again!

[@19750jrob]

Excellent video. Will try this method on a window which fails to open

[@powerkitemad]

Thank you for showing the internal working at the end there. Now I know how it works I'm off to try it :)

[@PaddysDiy]

No Problem. Glad it helped :)

[@benszabo]

Hey Paddy this is great info> I checked a window that opens and the mushrooms are locked in place, so I am unable to use this technique. Any other ideas before I have to call a specialist? The socket for the spindel is broken (cast aluminium part).

[@eamonnmolloy3532]

Hi Paddy If the window bolt goes horizontally into the side of the frame and not the bottom of the frame, any advice on how to open it. The bolt on the left works but not right. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@susanthomson3861]

Really helpful. Window was jammed open. Now closed

[@PaddysDiy]

Excellent 👍

[@Sonofdonald2024]

Excellent I had just queried with a lock Smith about opening and repairing a upvc window lock. Said roughly £120!!!

[@PaddysDiy]

Dodged a bullet there