How to Manually Move a Stairlift Chair
It's worth knowing how to manually move a stairlift (stair lift) chair in the unlikely case that it becomes stuck. Because stairlifts allow people with mobility issues to get up and down stairs safely, effective maintenance is an important safety concern.
To manually move a stair lift, you will generally need to engage the override function or use the hand winder tool. If neither of these methods works, you may have to call a technician.
How to Move Your Stairlift Manually
Over 30 million Americans find it difficult to get up and down the stairs. Stairlifts have become a common solution to this problem, providing a safer way for elderly, chronically ill, and disabled people to maintain their mobility at home.
The safe functioning of a stairlift is important to the many households with a family member who needs assistance going up or downstairs. For that reason, modern stairlifts come equipped with a number of safety features that allow caregivers to maintain or restore the lift to working order.
Safety features on stairlifts can include:
A hand winder or crank to move the stair lift along the rail manually
Swivel functions to enable access to the stairway
A manual override in case the system malfunctions for any reason
Please note: If your stairlift is making a noise, it’s probably suffering a malfunction and may require a stairlift service or repair.
If the chair has become stuck, follow these steps:
1. Check the Manufacturer's Instructions
Because features can differ depending on the model, brand, and age of your stairlift, be sure to read the manual that came with the stairlift. Many brands provide a digital copy of the user manual on their website. If you can't find the manual, try calling customer service for help.
Older Models May Not Include Emergency Features
Modern stairlifts come with safety features that older models may not have. Newer models tend to have hand winders, a swivel unlock feature, and a manual override system. Lifts that don't have safety features might require you to override the wiring system which can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. If this is the case, ask for help from the manufacturer or a technician before attempting to move the chair yourself.
Modern Stairlifts Usually Have a Pre-Installed Hand Winder
If available, you can use the attached winder to manually move the chair along the rail if it malfunctions. Other models may come with a hand winder that isn't pre-attached. You will have to find this winder and attach it.
2. Turn Off the Power
The most important safety concern when attempting to move your stairlift is the risk of electrical injury. Make sure that you shut off all power to your stairlift before attempting any kind of movement. Your power may be supplied to the lift in various ways and with more than one power switch. Make sure all power sources are in the off position and the power light is off before doing anything else.
Find All of the Power Sources
Look out for these buttons to ensure you've completely shut down the electrical system:
Power Switch. You can usually find this on the armrest or on the front or side of the carriage.
Power Key. Some models have a small key to power the system. This needs to be in the “off” position.
Battery Isolator Switch. A stairlift has a battery to power the lift when the mains electricity goes down. It's important to switch this off too to prevent the lift from using its battery power when you move it.
Master Switch. Don't forget the master switch which is often found on the wall.
3. Set Up the Stairlift As Normal
If there's a passenger in the seat when your lift malfunctions, make sure the lift is set up as you would when controlling it with a remote control. The rider should be in the correct position with the seat belt secured and their arms and legs placed on the rests provided.
Many stairlifts won't move unless you take certain steps before operating them. These may include:
Locking in the armrests and footrest. The majority of stairlifts won't move even manually if the arm/legrests aren't locked in place.
Rotating the chair. The carriage must face the proper direction for it to operate. You might need to swivel it into position using the manual swivel lever under the seat.
Checking for any obstructions. Make sure there aren’t any obstructions on the stairs or on the rail itself that could interfere with the sensors.
Securing hinged rails. If your machine has a hinged rail, you must fully lock and secure it before moving the lift manually.
4. Find or Attach the Hand Winder
If your model has a pre-attached hand winder, you'll probably find it on the front, bottom, or side of the carriage. If the stairlift came with a separate tool, locate the hole and attach the winder. Be aware that the hole may be covered under a cap; your manual will show you where to find it.
5. Turn the Handle Based on the Labeled Directions
You should find some instructions on the carriage that tell you which direction to turn the lever to move the stairlift in the desired direction. With some models, you may also need to engage a safety pad to release the brakes.
Rotate the handle until the chair returns to the top or bottom of the rail. Reset the brakes immediately to avoid any accidents if the lift doesn't do it automatically.
6. Look for a Manual Override Switch
If your stairlift has a manual override option, there will be a button on the bottom of the chassis or under a safety flap. You'll probably need a special tool to get access to the override switch.
Press the button to engage the motor. You can then move the stairlift up or down the stairs.
7. Call the Professionals
When the stairlift is correctly positioned and the user has safely left the lift, you should call the manufacturer or retailer as a malfunction could be a sign that the lift needs maintenance from a professional technician.
When possible, you should avoid using the lift until a technician comes. It's especially important for users to avoid using the stairlift when they're alone as another malfunction could cause them to become stranded halfway up or down the stairs.
Other Tips for Troubleshooting Your Stairlift
It's always best to call a technician when you think your stairlift is malfunctioning. Apart from potentially making the stairlift unsafe, you can void your warranty with improper use.
That said, there are a few things you can look out for as sometimes the problem only takes a few seconds to solve:
Check the obstruction sensors. Your machine may not be functioning 100% due to dirty or dusty sensors. This can be solved simply by wiping or cleaning the sensors.
Check the basics. Keep an eye on the power switches, make sure the carriage is in the right operating position, and make sure the power key is inserted correctly.
Check the battery. Stairlifts are equipped with stairlift batteries in case of a power outage. These will need to be replaced every now and again. The batteries in the remote control also need to be replaced regularly.
Are there any obstructions? Check the rails and sensors to make sure nothing is in the way. Things can also get caught in spring-loaded sensors (including pencils), so be sure to check those, too.
When in Doubt, Call a Technician
Some problems users face with a stairlift are easily identified and solved. However, safety should always come first. If you are unsure what the problem is or how to solve it, your first port of call should be the user manual, and then the manufacturer or retailer who can advise you on your next steps and schedule a service call, if needed.
Modern stairlifts provide different safety features that can make your experience more comfortable in the case of a malfunction. Regular maintenance can also help to prevent most of the issues that might leave a stairlift stranded halfway up or down the stairs.