Retractable awnings are reliable when they are well made and well looked after, but like any outdoor mechanism they can develop faults over years of sun, rain and wind. The good news is that the issues owners report are predictable, and most trace back to a handful of avoidable causes — fabric or frame quality, operation, installation and maintenance. Below we list the problems we see most often, their likely causes, and how to prevent or fix each one. If you are still deciding how your awning should operate, our guide to motorized vs manual retractable awnings is a useful companion read.
Common problems at a glance
This table summarises the issues retractable awning owners most commonly raise, the cause that is usually behind each one, and the simplest way to prevent or resolve it. The sections that follow expand on each problem in more detail.
| Problem | Likely cause | How to prevent / fix |
|---|---|---|
| Awning won't retract | Power or remote fault, blown fuse, a tripped wind sensor, debris in the roller, or a motor that has reached the end of its life | Check power and remote batteries first; use the manual override (crank or NHK loop) to close it; clear any debris; replace a faulty tubular motor — it is a replaceable part, not a whole-awning failure |
| Fabric sagging / pooling water | Too little pitch, an over-long projection, a stretched or under-weight fabric, or sagging arms over time | Set an adequate slope (commonly around 14°+ so rain runs off); choose a quality 280–300 gsm fabric; never leave the awning out in heavy rain, where pooled water adds weight and strains arms |
| Fading or mildew | Prolonged UV on lower-grade fabric, or damp fabric rolled away wet and left without airflow | Choose solution-dyed acrylic for colourfastness; always let fabric dry before retracting; clean periodically with mild soapy water rather than harsh chemicals |
| Wind damage | Operating or leaving the awning open in gusts beyond its rated wind class, often with no wind sensor fitted | Match the awning's EN 13561 wind class to your site; fit a wind sensor that auto-retracts above a set speed; retract manually before storms |
| Motor / remote failure | Flat remote batteries, lost pairing, moisture ingress on cheaper motors, or a motor at end of cycle life | Replace batteries and re-pair the remote; specify a reputable tubular motor (e.g. Somfy/Becker-compatible); confirm a manual override exists so a motor fault never traps the awning open |
| Loose / misaligned hardware | Wall fixings working loose, an under-spec mounting surface, or settling after a rushed installation | Mount into solid structure with correctly rated fixings; have the arm tension and brackets checked on installation; re-torque fixings as part of seasonal maintenance |
Most of these are not signs of a 'bad awning' — they are the result of mismatched specification, weak installation, or skipped maintenance. Buying a frame, fabric and motor that suit your climate, and operating the awning within its limits, removes the majority of them before they ever start.
Operation problems: won't retract, motor or remote faults
An awning that won't close is one of the most commonly reported issues, and it is rarely as serious as it feels. The usual culprits are simple: flat remote batteries, a lost remote pairing, a tripped wind sensor that is doing its job, or a blown fuse. Start with power and the remote, then check that nothing is jamming the roller.
A genuine motor failure is less common, and on a quality awning it is also the most straightforward to resolve. The tubular motor is a self-contained, replaceable component — when one reaches the end of its working life it can be swapped without replacing the awning. This is exactly why a manual override matters: a quality motorized awning includes a crank or NHK loop so you can retract it by hand if power or the motor fails, which is essential in windy or storm-prone locations.
- Check the remote battery and re-pair the remote before assuming a motor fault
- Confirm the wind sensor hasn't simply auto-retracted and locked out operation
- Always confirm a manual override (crank/NHK loop) is included before you buy
- Specify a reputable tubular motor compatible with Somfy or Becker controls
Fabric problems: sagging, water pooling, fading and mildew
Fabric issues are among the most visible problems. Sagging and water pooling usually come down to pitch and projection: if the slope is too shallow, rain collects in the middle instead of running off, and the added weight stresses the arms and fabric. Retractable awnings are designed for sun and light showers — they shed light rain when pitched but should be retracted in heavy weather rather than left to hold a pool of water.
Fading and mildew are the other common fabric complaints. Lower-grade or printed fabrics fade faster under intense UV, while mildew typically appears when damp fabric is rolled away wet and left without airflow. Solution-dyed acrylic resists fading because the colour runs through the fibre, and a quick habit of letting the fabric dry before retracting goes a long way. Our guide to the best fabric for awnings compares acrylic, polyester and PVC in detail.
- Set an adequate pitch so water runs off rather than pools
- Choose a quality 280–300 gsm solution-dyed acrylic for colourfastness and longevity
- Let the fabric dry before retracting to avoid mildew
- Clean periodically with mild soapy water, never harsh solvents or a pressure washer
Wind damage and how to avoid it
Wind is the single biggest cause of serious, avoidable damage to retractable awnings. Bent arms, torn fabric and pulled-out fixings most often happen when an awning is left open in gusts beyond what it is rated for. Every quality awning is evaluated to a wind class under the EN 13561 standard for external blinds and awnings — the higher the class, the stronger the wind it can withstand while extended.
Prevention is mostly about specification and habit. Match the awning's wind class to how exposed your site is, fit a wind sensor that automatically retracts the awning above a set speed, and get into the habit of closing it before a storm. A larger or more exposed awning without a wind sensor is the configuration most likely to suffer wind damage.
A wind sensor doesn't only protect the awning — staying within the rated EN 13561 wind class is also commonly tied to warranty terms. Operating the awning beyond its limits can void cover, so matching the class to your site protects both the product and your warranty.
How factory-direct quality control lowers the risk
Many of the problems above trace back to component and build quality, which is where a factory-direct manufacturer can reduce the risk before an awning ever ships. Buying closer to the source means the frame, fabric, motor and assembly are specified and inspected to a consistent standard, rather than assembled from mixed parts of unknown grade.
- Frame: 6063-T5 aluminium, powder-coated, in cassette and folding-arm systems built to hold tension and resist corrosion over years of exposure
- Fabric and frame are independently SGS-tested, and awnings are evaluated to the EN 13561 wind standard so the rated class is meaningful
- Production is ISO 9001 certified, with CE and TÜV conformity and ACS, COS and MSDS documentation — quality control applied to the build, not just the final look
- Wind class, projection and motor brand can be specified to suit your climate, so the awning is matched to its site rather than over-stretched
None of this makes an awning immune to misuse — leaving any awning open in a storm will still cause damage. What consistent quality control does is remove the avoidable, build-related failures: weak frames, under-weight fabric and unreliable motors. The aim is an awning that performs to its rated specification, so the only variables left are correct installation and routine care.
Maintenance checklist to prevent most problems
A short, regular routine prevents the large majority of the issues above. None of it is specialist work — it is mostly about keeping the fabric clean and dry, closing the awning in bad weather, and checking the hardware once or twice a year.
- Brush off loose dirt and rinse the fabric periodically with mild soapy water; let it dry fully before retracting
- Keep the roller and arms clear of leaves and debris that can jam operation
- Retract the awning in heavy rain, strong wind and overnight when not in use
- Test the wind sensor and remote occasionally so you know they work before you need them
- Re-check and re-torque wall fixings and brackets once or twice a year
- Inspect arms, fabric and seams for early signs of wear, sag or fraying
- Confirm the manual override still operates smoothly
- In harsh winters, retract and keep the awning closed when it is not in regular use