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Stairlifts can provide aging loved ones with a sense of independence by allowing them to stay in their homes while retaining access to each level of the building. However, these machines pose problems if they malfunction. Fortunately, most come equipped with a manual mechanism to ensure the stairlift is out of the way until it can be serviced.
You can manually move a stairlift using the hand winder tool or the override function. Turn off the power to the lift and prepare it as usual. Access the hand winder and turn it based on the labeled instructions to move the stair lift. Alternatively, you can look for and engage the manual override switch.
In this quick guide, you’ll learn how to manually move a stairlift in case of an emergency, power outage, or malfunction. The article also covers two reasons a stairlift may stop moving and the easy fixes that could get it working again. Read on to learn more.
Manually Moving a Stairlift With a Hand Winder or Override
Most modern stairlifts come equipped with safety features that allow caregivers or family members to manually move a stairlift up or down the rail using a hand winder or crank. Some include swivel functions that would enable stairway access in emergencies. Others have a manual override option in case the system malfunctions.
Is your stairlift beeping? Check out my article “Why Is Your Stairlift Beeping? 11 Causes and Fixes“
Below are the steps required to manually operate a stairlift using the hand winder or manual override option.
1. Read the User Manual for the Stairlift
Before attempting to manually move a stairlift, make sure it’s a possibility. Read the manual to learn about your options.
If you don’t have the user guide on hand, you may be able to access the document online. Otherwise, you can reach out to the manufacturer for any questions or concerns. If you don’t have a manual and you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s best not to proceed further.
Stairlifts differ in their mechanisms. Some older models don’t have emergency features like hand winders, swivel unlock, or manual overrides. Instead, these systems may require overriding the wiring system, which can be dangerous if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
Fortunately, most of the newer stairlift models include a pre-attached hand winder to manually move the carriage up and down the stairs in case of a malfunction. Some models may come with an unattached hand winder (provided at the time of installation). These usually don’t attach to the stairlift until you need them. But you should always keep this tool in a safe, easily accessible place because you can never know when things might go wrong.
Some stairlift companies have manual winder functions on their stairlifts, but they ask their customers to purchase the hand winder separately. When buying a hand winder from the manufacturer, make sure it matches the stairlift’s specific make and model. If purchasing from a third-party seller, read the reviews; they’ll help you determine whether the tool is the right fit for your stairlift.
2. Shut Off Power to the Stairlift
To prevent electrical injury, turn off all power to the stairlift. There are several ways that power is supplied to a stairlift and several power switches. Ensure they’re all in the “off” position before proceeding.
Here are several buttons to look for:
- Power Switch: The power switch to a stairlift is usually located on the armrest or front or side of the carriage.
- Power Key: Some stairlifts use a key to power up. Insert the key firmly and turn the dial into the “Off” position.
- Battery Isolator Switch: This switch is usually located on the back, side, or bottom of the carriage. You’ll need to turn this off to prevent the device from utilizing battery power as you attempt to manually move it.
- Master Switch: This is usually a switch on the wall.
3. Set Up the Stairlift As Usual
Prepare the stairlift as you normally would when moving the chair with the controls. If there is a passenger in the seat, make sure all restraints are secure. Ensure they’re correctly positioned within the seat, with their arms on the armrests and their feet resting on the footrest.
Most stairlifts require you to complete several steps prior to operation. Those steps typically include one or more of the following:
- Locking the armrest(s) and footrest in place. Most stairlifts won’t move at all (even manually) unless these systems are secure.
- Rotating the chair. The carriage must be swiveled into the appropriate position and facing the proper direction for operation.
- Checking for any obstructions. Give the stairs a quick once-over to ensure there are no obstructions on the stairway or along the rails that may damage the stairlift or interfere with the sensors.
- Securing hinged rails. Hinged rails must be fully locked and secured before attempting to manually move the carriage along the stairlift.
4. Locate and/or Attach the Emergency Hand Winder
If your model includes a pre-attached hand winder, locate it on the carriage. These are usually located on the bottom, front, or side; your user manual should indicate the exact location.
When using a separate tool, you’ll need to locate the notch or hole to attach it. It may be hidden on the carriage beneath a plastic cap. The user guide should point you to the correct spot for tool placement.
Without this tool, you cannot move the stair lift unless you override the system.
5. Turn the Handle Based on the Labeled Directions
Once you’ve located and/or attached the manual hand-winding tool to the stairlift, look at the carriage to find the labeled instructions. These instructions indicate which direction you should twist the hand winder to adjust the stairlift up or down the rail. Some models may also require you to engage a safety pad which slightly releases the brakes and allows for movement (without freefalling).
Rotate the handle continuously in the desired direction until the chair returns to its starting or finishing position. Do not adjust the hand winder further than this to avoid damaging the system.
Remember, these emergency tools aren’t designed for regular use but instead for moving the carriage a short distance (to the starting or ending point).
Brakes should be reset with the return of power to prevent any accidents. Some countries require that systems do this automatically, but you should check the manual to be sure.
6. Look for a Manual Override Switch
Some stairlift models include manual override access buttons. The buttons are inside recessed cavities to prevent accidental engagement. The manual override switch may be on the bottom of the chassis or beneath the safety flap of the carriage.
You’ll need to access the user manual for your specific make and model to determine how to locate and engage the manual override switch. Most require a special tool for access.
Once the manual override switch has engaged the motor, you can turn the tool in the desired direction to move the stairlift up or down the stairs.
7. Call the Professionals
After moving the stairlift back to the desired position and safely removing the user, contact the manufacturer. Request a technician to come and service the stairlift as soon as possible. You’ll want your loved one to avoid using the stairlift until it’s fixed. The last thing you want is for the stairlift to stop again while your loved one is home alone and halfway up the stairs.
Troubleshooting a Stairlift That Keeps Stopping
While waiting for a technician to make a service call to examine the stairlift, there are a couple of basic troubleshooting methods you can try on your own. The stairlift may have stopped for a simple reason and requires a relatively easy fix. For example, the obstruction sensors may be dusty and in need of cleaning.
The standard fixes you should try include checking the power switches, inserting the power key, and making sure the carriage is in the proper position for operation.
Aside from those, there are two additional fixes you can try. If they make a difference, great! If not, wait for the technician — don’t attempt any fixes without knowing what you’re doing, or else you could damage the stairlift further and potentially void your warranty.
Check the Batteries
If the stairlift fails to operate during a power outage, the issue is most likely with the batteries.
Stairlifts use batteries as a backup power source in case of situations like this. However, if the stairlift was unplugged for a while or the batteries were used during a power outage and never recharged, it’s possible the battery pack is out of juice.
To fix this issue, you’ll have to charge the batteries. Of course, if there’s no power to the home, you’ll need to charge them in an area where power is available. Let the batteries charge for several hours, and then reattach the battery pack to the stairlift. Test the device to see if it works again.
For reference, check out my article discussing how long it takes to charge stairlift batteries. How Long Does It Take to Charge a Stairlift Battery? Also, you can read my article on How To Fix a Stairlift Battery That’s Not Charging.
In addition to the backup battery, check the batteries in the wireless control. These controls typically use standard AA or AAA batteries, so you can switch them out on your own. Check the user manual to see which type of batteries you can use in the remote control. Rechargeable lithium batteries may last longer than standard alkaline types.
Check for Obstructions
If you notice the stairlift malfunctions or stops at a certain point on the staircase, the sensors or pressure signals may be indicating some sort of obstruction. You can easily fix this by removing obstructions from the staircase. If the staircase is free of objects, you can check the sensors to make sure they’re in good working order.
Turn off the power to the stairlift and examine the sensors. These are located on the bottom and sides of the carriage and footrest. They’re designed to prevent emergencies by stopping the stairlift from moving if it indicates the presence of an obstruction to avoid running over objects or pinching the skin.
Some stairlift models have spring-loaded sensors. These sensors occasionally end up pushed inward. You can check these sensors by gently pressing them in to make sure they retract and release. They should bounce back out with relative ease. If not, mention this to the technician so they can fix it for you.
Other sensors use lights to detect motion and/or objects. Over time, these sensors may end up covered in dust or debris. You can try giving them a good wipe down with an electronics cleaner and a microfiber cloth. If that doesn’t work, it could be the lighting inside the sensors that’s malfunctioned; this is a more complicated fix.
A Note About Safety and Malfunctioning Stairlifts
It’s scary to imagine your relative at home alone, stuck on a stairlift without the ability to call for help. Unless they have a nurse’s aide, relative, or other caregivers around, they’ll have no way of moving themselves off of the stairs.
I recommend the Medical Alert devices from Lively (formally Jitterbug). These are excellent devices for seniors. They have a wide variety of options depending on what works best in your situation. They have Lively Mobile+ which is a wearable button with GPS that can be worn and used anywhere (even outside of the home.) There is a Lively app that can be used on an Apple Watch that will connect your loved one in an emergency with the Lively Response Team or Nurse on Call. They also have the ability to utilize Alexa to contact the Lively Response Team. As always you can also use their traditional Jitterbug phone as well to contact the Lively Response Team in the event of any emergency.
This is why you must always purchase stairlifts and other similar safety products from reputable companies that offer a long-term warranty on parts and service. It’s also critical to ensure your loved one has some sort of alerting device to reach out for help in case of an emergency.
Closing Thoughts
Stairlifts provide your aging loved one with a sense of freedom in their own home; a malfunction can take away from their sense of independence.
If your stairlift malfunctions, help your loved one out of the machine as quickly as possible. Then cut the power to the machine and locate the hand winder to move the stairlift to a safe position. In most cases, the batteries are the culprit. However, regardless of the cause, the safest option is to have a technician inspect your machine to avoid future incidents.
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