When it comes to window shutters, one of the most popular brands is Velux. Velux solar shutters are a great way to control the amount of light entering a room and provide privacy. However, if your Velux solar shutter is not working properly, it can quickly become a nuisance. This article will provide you advice and solutions for troubleshooting your Velux solar shutter that no longer works.
Velux solar roller shutter no longer works: common problems
When your Velux solar shutter not working properly, or that he completely refuses to go up or down, the first thing to do is to determine the cause of the problem. The most common problems with this failure are:
- a faulty remote control
- a blockage in the shutter rails
- a software failure or deprogramming
- an engine out of order
Once you identify the cause of the problem, then you can begin to fix it. To do this, we invite you to follow our troubleshooting guide in order.
How to troubleshoot your Velux solar shutter that no longer works?
Several factors can therefore be responsible for the fact that your Velux solar roller shutter no longer works correctly or no longer works at all. To unblock and repair a broken Velux solar shutter, so you will have to try to diagnose its origin, so as to have the right repair tools. Note that sometimes several factors are combined. This is why it is important to push the investigations to achieve a complete repair.
You have been warned! : most of the operations require access to the solar shutter box which is located on the roof. If you are not competent to carry out one or more operations, call on a professional. If your faulty solar roller shutter is under guarantee, then contact now the Velux customer service (08 06 80 15 15 – France) who will send you an approved technician to repair the shutter, at no cost on your part.
Test the working condition of the remote control
Solar shutters are designed to open and close automatically using a remote control. If your Velux solar roller shutter no longer works (born move at all, no motor noise), the problem may therefore come from its remote control or its wall-mounted radio transmitter.
If you notice that the remote control is sending a signal (small light or screen that lights up), the remote control is probably working correctly. Otherwise, it may have run out of battery. Start by trying to replace the batteries with new batteries. If the remote control still does not send a signal, then try to reset the remote. If that doesn't work either, replace the faulty remote control by a equivalent Velux remote control or compatible with your Velux solar roller shutter model.
Check that nothing is obstructing the closing of the Velux SSL shutter
If your Velux solar shutter no longer goes down, this may be due to a obstruction. Make sure nothing is blocking the shutter from closing, such as leaves or branches. Check that none of the screws present in the guide rails are slightly unscrewed or damaged, which could block the closing of the shutter. Finally, check that the side rails are in good condition (well parallel, fixed and joined in good condition) and that the blades are not damaged.
Note: if the Velux solar roller shutter no longer works smoothly, if it seems to block when lowering or raising, also consider lubricating the rails using a silicone lube bomb.
Reset the Velux solar shutter
When your Velux solar roller shutter has a problem opening or closing, it is also possible that the problem comes from a software bug who deprogrammed the shutter. In this case, you will need reset the SSL Velux shutter. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Remove the right side cover
- Check that the switch is set to I
- Press the button P for 10 seconds. The shutter should hum or move back and forth.
- Within 10 minutes, you will need to connect the remote control to the shutter. Depending on the model of your remote control, the method is different:
- Classic iO remote control : press briefly using a paperclip in the small hole on the back of the remote control
- Square remote control : press briefly using a paper clip in the small hole located on the side of the remote control
- Touch keypad : press “+” “New product” “Add new products”
- Screen remote control : "Menu" "Adjustment or system parameter" "Register product"
- Within minutes, open the window and cover the solar cell with an opaque material (towel for example)
- Put the switch on 0 for 30 seconds then put it back on I
- Close the window quickly and within 10 seconds press the button Stop then in a second on the button Descent on the remote control.
If the procedure worked, the flap should go back and forth. In this case, you can uncover the cell and resume normal use of the pane. If the Velux solar roller shutter still does not work, try the procedure again from the beginning.
Note: The procedure for resetting Velux solar roller shutters may change over time. It is therefore best to refer to the instructions for use corresponding to your model. You will find the name of your model on its identity plate which is located on a label affixed to the last slat of the shutter. If you cannot find the manual, contact Velux customer service. A technician can guide you through the process step by step.
Test the motorization of the Velux solar shutter which no longer works
If you Velux solar shutter still not working properly, the problem then most certainly comes from the engine that is broken, i.e. the photovoltaic cell and/or the engine block/battery/electronic card.
Warning: The following manipulations require dismantling the trunk and the winding shaft. They are therefore reserved for competent persons. Risk of electric shock and irreversible damage to the SSL cover.
1 – Test the photovoltaic cell
The solar cell transforms solar energy into electricity and thus powers the motor unit of the shutter. If the photovoltaic cell is not working correctly, the SSL shutter cannot therefore open or close. To begin with, check the general condition of the cell.
If it looks too dirty (especially if you've never cleaned it), wash it with a soft cloth soaked in clean water. Afterwards, wait for a nice sunny day and try to operate the shutter again. If the shutter works normally again, then the problem came from the cell.
If the problem persists, electrically test the solar cell using a multimeter. To do this :
- Open the flap on the cell side of the trunk
- Disconnect the cable that connects the solar cell to the engine block
- Put the multimeter on voltmeter (100V or 200V)
- Put the test leads on the outputs of the solar cell at the corresponding polarities (red on red and black on black)
If the cell is working, the displayed voltage should be between 15 volts if the weather is cloudy and 22 volts in sunny weather. If the voltage is not correct, the cell is probably faulty and therefore certainly responsible for the fact that your Velux solar roller shutter no longer works. In this case, replace the cell with a compatible one.
Note: you will probably also need to replace the engine block because when the cell is defective, the battery also becomes out of order very quickly. Note that the motor, the battery and the electronic board are inseparable. If the battery is out of order, you must therefore replace the entire block.
2 – Test the battery motor unit
Then you need test the supply voltage of the motor unit/battery of the SSL Velux roller shutter. Note that the life of a Velux solar roller shutter battery is estimated at 10 years. So if your broken shutter is over this age, the battery is probably the cause of the breakdown. As explained above, the motor and the battery are one and you will therefore have to change the entire block which is in the form of a kit. Also note that it is strongly advised to replace the cell at the same time.
To find the compatible cell battery motor kit, you will need the exact model reference and/or the year of production of your Velux solar roller shutter.
3 – Replace the motor/battery and/or the solar cell
Once you have identified that the Velux solar roller shutter no longer works because of the motor block and/or the solar cell broken, so you need replace the part by an equivalent or compatible spare part.
For this, it is best to contact Velux assistance with the reference of your shutter SSL so that it tells you the right part to order. Otherwise, if you prefer to order online, you will need identify for yourself the year of marketing of the shutter which is on its identity plate. Indeed, there are two generations of Velux solar roller shutters: the V21 shutters marketed before 2011 and the V22 shutters marketed after 2011.
The reference (identity plate) of a Velux roller shutter is on the white label stuck on the last slat of the shutter on the inside. You will then have to dwell on the production code of the shutter because it allows you to find its year of production. The production code consists of two digits, then two letters, then two digits and finally a letter. Observe the letters in 3rd and 4th positions:
- If the first letter begins with an A: these are V21 shutters produced until 2010. The second letter can range from A to Z. These correspond to the years from 1992 to 2011. The shutters produced in 1992 being identified by "AA", the shutters produced in 1993 by AB, the shutters produced in 1994 by AC, and so immediately up to the shutters produced in 2010 being identified by AZ.
- If the first letter begins with a B: these are V22 shutters produced after 2011. As before, the second letter can go from A (BA corresponds to the year 2011) and up to BN for the moment which corresponds to the year 2022.
When you have the production year of the Velux solar roller shutter, then you are able to find the corresponding spare part on the manufacturer's website or on an independent merchant site. You must therefore either buy the cell/engine block kit from before 2011 if you have a shutter whose first letter is an A, or buy a cell/engine block kit after 2011 if you have a shutter whose first letter is a B. Note that if your shutter is a V22 model and therefore it was installed after 2011, you can transform your solar shutter into an electric shutter.
Note: The second letter is important if your shutter was marketed before 2011. If the letter following the letter A is between M and Z, you will certainly need to buy a new remote control because your old remote control did not have radio technology IO currently used on new marketed engine blocks.
What should I do if, despite everything, the fault persists on the Velux solar roller shutter?
By following the advice outlined in this article, you should be able to determine why your Velux solar shutter has failed. However, if you still have problems, if you cannot find the spare part necessary for the repair or if you are not competent to carry out the manipulations, you will then have to contact a professional to get help.
You can contact the Velux customer service for personalized help. This in particular if your shutter still has the right to guarantee. You can also contact one or more independent professional repairers in the sector to obtain different quotes. Finally, in order to avoid repair costs, also remember to check if you are still entitled to the ten-year guarantee or if a clause in your Home Insurance supports roller shutter repair.
