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How to fix a sticking window

Most windows that stick are either painted shut or have dirty, dry tracks. Both are fixable with simple tools, as long as you go gently and take care with old paint.

Updated · 7 min read

  • DifficultyModerate
  • Time20 minutes to 2 hours
  • If you need helpHandyman

A window that will not budge, or that moves in jerks and squeals, is frustrating, and it can be a safety problem if you ever need it as a way out. The cause is usually simple. Older wood windows are often painted shut, with a thin film of paint gluing the sash to the frame. Newer vinyl and wood windows more often stick because the tracks are full of dust, bugs and grime.

Wood windows can also swell in humid weather, and the springs that hold a sash up, called balances, can wear out. This guide starts with the easy fixes and tells you when to stop.

Cleaning and lubricating the tracks takes about 20 minutes per window. Freeing a painted-shut sash can take an hour or two.

What you'll need

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Many of these are in our basic home toolkit.

Cause 1: dirty or dry tracks (most windows)

If the window moves but drags, squeaks or jerks, start here. This is the most common fix for vinyl windows and newer wood windows.

  1. Open the window all the way. If it is a double-hung or single-hung window with tilt latches, you can tilt the sash in for better access. Follow the instructions from your window maker, since tilt latches vary.
  2. Vacuum the tracks. Use a crevice tool and a small brush to get dirt out of the corners and channels. Renewal by Andersen recommends vacuuming or dusting tracks and sills to keep windows working easily.
  3. Wipe them clean. Use a damp rag with mild soapy water, then dry the track. Lubricant will not help if grime is still there.
  4. Apply a dry lubricant. Spray a light coat of silicone lubricant along the track or jamb liner where the sash slides. Window makers advise a dry lubricant and warn against oily or greasy products, which attract dirt.
  5. Work the window. Slide it up and down, or open and close it, several times to spread the lubricant. Wipe off any overspray on the glass or frame.

Cause 2: painted shut (older wood windows)

If the window will not move at all and you can see paint bridging the gap between the sash and the frame, it is likely painted shut. This Old House recommends breaking the paint seal with a putty knife.

Before you start: in a pre-1978 home, test the paint first. If it tests positive, or you are not sure, call a lead-safe certified pro.

  1. Cut the paint line. Slide a flexible putty knife or window opener tool into the seam between the sash and the stop (the thin strip of trim the sash slides against). Tap the handle lightly with your palm or a hammer and work it along the full length on both sides.
  2. Do the bottom and middle. Run the knife along the joint where the bottom of the sash meets the sill, and along the meeting rail where the top and bottom sashes overlap. Do the outside too if you can reach it safely from the ground.
  3. Try the sash. Push up evenly with both hands on the bottom rail, not on the glass. Wiggle gently. A few pops as the paint lets go are normal.
  4. If it still will not move, remove a stop. Score the paint where the stop meets the frame with a utility knife, then ease the stop off with putty knives and a small pry bar. Remove the opposite stop if needed. This gives the sash room to come free.
  5. Clean and lubricate. Once the sash moves, wipe the jambs and apply a dry, non-oil lubricant. Reinstall the stops with a little gap so they do not pinch the sash.

Older windows may have sash cords and weights inside the frame. If you remove the sash and a cord is attached, tie a knot in it so it does not slip into the wall pocket.

Cause 3: swollen wood

A wood window that sticks only in humid months is probably swelling. Clean and lubricate the tracks, and wait for drier weather before taking off any wood. If it still binds once the weather is dry, a pro can check whether the frame has shifted or the sash needs to be trimmed.

Cause 4: worn or broken balance

If the sash is very hard to lift, slams down, or will not stay open, a balance may be broken or unhooked. Balances are the springs or cords that hold the sash at any height. Parts are specific to your window brand and model. Look for a label on the frame or the spacer between the glass, and contact the maker for the right replacement. Because the parts and steps differ from window to window, many people leave this repair to a pro.

When to call a pro

Call for help if:

  • Your home was built before 1978 and the paint has not been tested, or tests positive for lead.
  • The glass is cracked, or the window could break as you work it.
  • A sash falls, will not stay up, or a balance is broken.
  • The frame or sill is soft or rotted, or water is getting in.
  • The window is on an upper floor and you would need a ladder to work outside.
  • A bedroom window that is meant as an emergency exit will not open. Get that fixed promptly.

Renters, tell your landlord about stuck windows, especially in bedrooms. A handyman can free and adjust most windows. Check your window's warranty before hiring anyone, since some repairs may be covered. Not sure? Try the fix-or-call quiz.

Keep it from happening again

  • Vacuum window tracks and sills a couple of times a year. Add it to your fall maintenance checklist.
  • Use a dry lubricant on tracks, locks and hinges once a year, as Renewal by Andersen recommends.
  • When you repaint, take care not to bridge the gap between the sash and the frame with paint.
  • Open every window at least once a season so you know it works.

Common questions

What should I use to lubricate window tracks?

Use a dry lubricant such as a silicone spray. Window makers warn against oily or greasy lubricants, which collect dirt and can make the problem worse.

Can I use WD-40 or cooking oil on a sticking window?

Skip oil-based products on window tracks. Renewal by Andersen advises against wet lubricants and harsh solvent-based greases. Clean the track and use a dry lubricant instead.

Why won't my window stay open?

On most modern double-hung windows, springs or cords called balances hold the sash up. If the window slides down or drops, a balance is likely broken or has come unhooked. That usually needs a part from the window maker or a pro.

Is it safe to scrape paint off an old window?

If the house was built before 1978, the paint may contain lead. Test it or hire a lead-safe certified pro before scraping or sanding, and keep children and pets away from the work.

Sources

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