Is your Stannah stairlift not working? In this post we will cover a few of the most common problems you’ll find when a stairlift stops working. Although these faults mentioned here are specifically for the Stannah 600 model, you’ll find commonalities with different makes and models.
Stannah Stairlift Not Working – Most Common Problem: Power
One of the most common problems with stairlift breakdowns is power. Either the batteries have worn down, a switich is off, there’s a loose connection or the batteries are not being charged. Modern stairlifts use 2 X 12 volt batteries for power but are trickle charged by a mains charger.
Common problems occur when a switch is turned off, either on the back of the base unit, on the handle, or the mains power switch. There can also be a power cut and a fusebox has tripped out. So even if everything is turned on, the fusebox can cut the power to the charger. The batteries will run down.
Check all your switches and connections. If the problem still persists you may need new batteries. If the power has been off, you’ll need to leave it switched on for a few hours to re-charge the batteries.
Stannah Stairlift Not Working – Safety Plate Triggered
Another very common problem we experience when our customers call us out for a broken down stairlift is a safety plate. Stairlifts are very safe and have a number of safety plates around the base of the stairlift. These are quite sensitive and can easily be tripped or triggered accidentally.
Gently tap each plate to see if any have been trapped in the on position. If they are, it tells the stairlift there’s an obstacle in the way, so it won’t operate. This will show as a code 3 on the side panel on a Stannah 600.
Seat Position Not Correct
With a Stannah 600 there is a swivel seat which allows you to pivot at the top of the staircase for easy entry/exit. Sometimes this seat position doesn’t return to its original position after use. This can trigger a safety mechanism which stops the stairlift from working.
To remedy this, you can use the manual handle and realign the stairlift chair to face the right position. With a power swivel you can simply press the button on the handle and it should automatically realign itself.
Arm Safety Feature Triggered
Another feature of this stairlift (and many others) is the arm rest. If the downstairs facing arm rest is in the upward position, the stairlift won’t move. This is a safety feature to prevent you falling out of the seat down the stairs. You will hear a beep sound when you depress the toggle.
Make sure the arm is locked in the downward position. This can sometimes be triggered even when the arm isn’t fully up. So give a few movements to check that the safety feature is off.
Summary
So here’s a quick summary of the most common call-out faults we find:
- Low battery/no charge – often due to machine being switched off at the mains
- A switch is in the off position – either at the back of the machine or on the armrest.
- A sensor trigger has been activated – check the safety plates with a gentle tap around the base
- The armrest is in the up position while trying to use the stairlift – another safety feature.
See also fault diagnosis for Stannah 600. You can also use the search feature on our YouTube channel to find faults and problems with your stairlift make/model.