Retractable Screen Door Not Retracting? What to Check
By the San Diego Mobile Screens team · Updated · 5 min read
A retractable screen should pull across with one hand and roll back into its housing on its own. When it sticks half-way, drags, or won't go back at all, the cause is usually in the track or the guides, not the spring. Here is what you can check safely, and when it is time for a tech.
Safety first
The housing holds a spring under tension. Don't take the housing apart, and don't let the screen snap back on its own while you test it. Walk it back slowly by the pull bar.
What to check, in order
- The bottom guide or track. Sand, leaves and pet hair stop the pull bar. Vacuum it and wipe it out. Near the coast this is the most common cause.
- The mesh edges. Look down both sides of the opening. If the mesh has slipped out of its side guide, it bunches and won't roll. Pull the screen out slowly and see where it catches.
- The pull bar. If the bar sits crooked in its tracks, it binds. Check that it slides evenly at the top and bottom.
- The housing. If the housing has pulled away from the frame or isn't straight up and down, the mesh winds on unevenly. Check the mounting screws.
- The mesh itself. A tear or a crease can catch as it rolls in.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What it does | Likely cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks at the same spot | Debris in the guide, or a dent in the track | Clean it yourself; a tech if dented |
| Rolls back crooked or bunches | Mesh out of the side guide, or the housing out of line | A tech |
| Rolls back slowly or only part way | Spring has lost tension | A tech |
| Won't stay closed | Pull bar not reaching the catch | Adjust; a tech if it won't line up |
| Mesh torn or frayed | Wear, pets or a snag | A tech (new mesh cassette on a Roll-A-Way) |
When to call us
If the screen still sticks after a cleaning, rolls back unevenly, or has lost its pull, it needs a tech. We service Roll-A-Way retractable screens: adjusting the unit, re-seating the mesh, and swapping a worn mesh cassette without removing the housing. Roll-A-Way repairs are quoted after a look.
If your screen is another brand, such as Phantom, Mirage or Larson, we can't repair it, but we can replace it with a Roll-A-Way at our posted prices: $699 for a single door or $1,299 for a French door set, installed. Our retractable screen door cost guide has the details.
Keeping it rolling
- Clean the bottom guide every month or two, more often near the beach.
- Walk the screen back by the pull bar instead of letting it fly.
- Keep pets from pushing on it; retractable mesh is lighter than a fixed screen.
- Rinse salt and dust off the mesh with a gentle spray of water now and then.
Common questions
Why won't my retractable screen roll back?
Most often dirt in the bottom guide, mesh that has slipped out of its side guide, or a pull bar that is binding. If it rolls back slowly or only part way after those are clear, the spring has lost tension, which is a job for a tech.
Can I open the housing to fix the spring?
Please don't. The spring inside is under tension and can unwind fast. Have a tech do it.
Can a torn retractable screen be fixed?
On a Roll-A-Way, yes: the mesh cassette can be replaced without removing the housing, which costs much less than a new unit.
Do you repair other brands?
We only service Roll-A-Way. For other brands we can put in a Roll-A-Way: $699 for a single door or $1,299 for a French door set, installed.
What does a retractable screen repair cost?
Roll-A-Way repairs are quoted after a look. There is a $145 minimum for mobile service.