Many homeowners find a retractable awning to be a practical
addition to their outdoor entertaining area, as it enables them to control the
amount of sunlight or shade they receive at any given time. When the awning
stops working as it should, however, it can often be quite frustrating, which
is why you might be looking at ways that you can troubleshoot it.
Step 1: Ensure that the awning’s power supply has been
properly connected; some will plug into an outlet inside whilst others are
connected directly to the home’s mains. Is the outlet turned on? Is the switch
turned on?
Step 2: Check that the cover’s circuit breaker or fuse is
still active, as the power can become disconnected if the breaker or fuse
detects that an electrical fault has occurred. You may need to call an
electrician for assistance.
Step 3: Place some new batteries into the retractable
awning’s remote control, as dead batteries can sometimes make you think that
the system isn’t working. You should be able to use standard household
batteries.
Step 4: Adjust the awning’s limit settings, as the unit
might not be configured correctly for your entertaining area. It won’t fully
extend, for example, if the ‘open’ limit setting is too close to the ‘closed’ position.
These settings can often be adjusted via a control panel on
the side of the cover; if you are unsure of how to use these controls, consult
your owner’s manual or even the internet for more precise instructions.
Step 5: Stop using the awning or unplug it and wait for a
few minutes to let the system cool down, as the motor could be overheating. If
possible, limit how often you open and close it, especially in summer, to avoid
this.
Fortunately, troubleshooting your retractable awning can be
quite a simple process once you know what you’re doing. If you are still unable
to rectify the issue that your system is experiencing, you might need to
contact an electrician or even the company responsible for installing the
cover. They should be able to offer you some sort of solution.