Cleaning and lubricating the track may fix the problem. This can be due to a layer of dirt building up and interfering with the sash sliding smoothly on the tracks. Hard-to-open problems with sliding or glider windows may reside with the sliding track itself. When this happens, it's extremely difficult to operate the window, plus the window will not close as securely as it should. Check for loose hinges that lead to the sash being out of alignment. Loose or stripped screws can also be an issue. This can be caused due to exerting too much pressure when attempting to open and close the window as well as excessive cranking which impacts the seal in the operator gear. Casement, or crank-out windows, can become hard to open when the gears residing inside a metal housing are stripped, bent, broken or chipped. Casement, French Casement, and Awning WindowsĬasement windows rely on a gear mechanism that allows the windows to swing open and close. Removing the build-up and spraying with a lubricant will usually solve the problem.

The build-up results in friction, making it difficult for the windows to slide up or down.

One of the main reasons single and double hung windows can be difficult to open is due to a build-up of dirt, grime, dust, debris, and even bugs inside the window's tracks. Single and double hung windows are a popular style found in residential areas.

How to open closed window