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Retractable screen does not 
operate

Screen cassette may have come out of 
brackets

Remove screen assembly cover and make sure screen is 
seated properly.

Screen cassette is caught

Open your door and lower the glass insert approximately 
half way.  Place a hand on both sides of the screen material.  
Pull down on the screen about six inches and then release 
it.  This should let it snap up and reset the tension.

Screen cassette has failed

Replace screen cassette. Contact Larson.

Screen cassette may be too tight or shifted 
to one side which will cause binding

Remove screen assembly cover and make sure screen is
seated properly.  Screen cassette should free float.
Open door and lower glass half way. Place a hand on both
sides of the screen. Gently pull down on the screen about 
six inches. This should allow it to snap back up and reset.

Screen fray caught in screen roll

Remove screen assembly cover. Do not remove screen 
roll or spring tension will be lost. Occasionally the screen 
will fray and a loose strand will wrap around the end of the 
screen roll. If this happens, carefully cut the thread off of the 
screen roll.

Screen is out of track

Screen blowing out

The screen is made to blow out in heavy winds or extreme 
pressure.  This is normal and prevents damage.  To reset the 
screen, raise glass insert completely, then lower.
Raise glass insert to vent less of the screen.

Window won’t latch

Top glass frame is separating in corners

Replace glass Insert. Contact Larson.

Bottom glass frame is bowed on top

Tap top edge back in place.

Top glass frame is bowed in middle

Tap bowed frame back in place, or replace. Contact Larson.

Shipping clip is still in place on screen 
cover

Remove shipping clip.

Bottom glass corner wedges are broken or 
cracked

Replace wedges if damaged. Contact Larson.

Glass sash will not stay up in 
up position

Missing sash handle

Install sash handle per instructions.

Sash handle not catching 

Push glass sash all the way up to engage the sash lock for 
glass.  Replace if broken.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

SYMPTOM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION

General

Door leaking

Water getting behind door

Caulk behind and around drip cap.

Door not closing properly

Unpainted portion of closer rod 

extended too far or not far enough

Review instruction sheet for proper closer installation.

Door closer requires adjustment

Review instructions for proper closer installation.
Doors with visible closers: 

 

Adjust screws to increase or 

decrease speed (on models with two closers, adjust each closer 

individually by disconnecting the other closer from the door).   

Closing force may be increased by repositioning the jamb 

bracket farther (up to 1”) from the door.
Doors with hidden closers:  Turn the screw on top of the closer 

to increase (counterclockwise) or decrease (clockwise) the 

speed of the door.  Ensure that the slider pad moves freely in the 

drip cap by loosening the bolt connecting the slider pad to the 

closer arm slightly. 3-in-1 multi-purpose oil can also be applied 

to the slider pad, if necessary.

Mortise latch not lined up with strike 

plate

Align latch and strike plate.

Air pressure between prime and 

storm door

Raise expander or leave window open to allow air to escape.
Increase closer speed.

Hinge rail screws may be too tight

Loosen hinge rail screws (1/4 turn) to relax tension.

Door opening out of square

Shim behind the latch or hinge rail to square up opening.

Expander dragging on threshold

Raise expander so that sweeps only touch top of threshold.

Hinge rail is bent or hinge is broken

Replace. Contact Larson.

Heat build up

Air is not circulating enough

Raise expander or leave window open to allow air to circulate.

Condensation 

Warm air being trapped between 

storm door and primary door

Possible leak around prime door.  Check prime door seals and 

replace if necessary.
Use dehumidifier.

Vent storm door (retract glass or raise expander).

Surface of storm door 

is dirty

Manufacturing dust or glue on 

surface of door  

DuraTech

®

 surface models: Apply a small amount of Goo Gone

®

 

Xtreme using a soft cloth. After cleaning, wipe down with soap 

and water. Do not use soft scrub or any abrasive cleaner on 

DuraTech or vinyl surfaces, as they will remove the surface’s 

texture.

Aluminum surface models: Use SoftScrub

®

 or mild cleaner to 

clean surface.

Surface of storm door is 

cracking or peeling

Weather seal damage may have 

occurred

Contact Larson.

Retractable Screens

SYMPTOM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION

Hardware

I have to lift up my mortise 
handle to open door  
(Easy Vent

®

 models)

The handle set is installed upside down

Following the handle instructions, reverse latch nose. Install 
with the key cylinder below the outside handle.

Deadbolt will not work or is 
stuck in the lock position

Deadbolt is hitting edge of latch rail

Might be necessary to chisel out clearance in brick mold to 
freely accept the lock.  Minimum depth of ¾” is required.

Deadbolt is binding against back of brick 
mold frame

Push button sticks

Handle screws may be too tight

Loosen handle screws.

Spindle hole too small

Enlarge hole.  Refer to template.

Spring behind push button may be 
reversed. The narrow end may slip in the 
hole on the door and not function properly

Make sure spring behind push button has the wide end 
against the door’s surface.

Spindle may not be in center of push 
button

Verify spindle is in center of push button.

Door does not latch 

Latch is not engaged into strike plate

Adjust strike plate.

Keyed alike option

May be purchased if compatible with  
your model

Contact Larson.

Storm doors are not 100% waterproof. They are designed to protect the prime entry door by slowing the elements.  
The prime door is the primary seal for the opening.

Drip cap interferes with door 
closing

Hinge rail not positioned correctly
or
Factory installed pilot hole not in 
proper location or missing

Make sure hinge rail overlaps 
the top of the door by 1/16" to 
1/8".  Once you have the hinge 
rail properly placed (1/16" to 
1/8" overlap above top of door) 
mark,  pre-drill hinge screws and 
attach to door as instructed in 
instructions.

Excess gap between door 
and drip cap

Screw covers

May be purchased if compatible with 
your model

Visit www.LARSONdoors.com or call 1-888-483-3768.

Hinge Rail

Door closes up against the 
latch side z-bar at the top or 
bottom but the other end or 
middle does not touch

Opening is not plumb

Shim behind the latch or hinge rail to square and plumb  
the opening.

Screw covers

May be purchased if compatible with 
your model

Contact Larson.

Latch Rail

1/16" - 1/8"

TOP OF DOOR

HINGE

RAIL

Summary of Contents for SCREEN-AWAY

Page 1: ...ly covers manufacturer s defects only Warranty Replacements Call the Homeowner Helpline 1 800 352 3360 www LARSONdoors com Visit our website or call for detailed warranty information related to your model Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty replacements When placing the call please have the registration number available located on hinge side of door Heavy Duty Aluminum Limited Lifetim...

Page 2: ...ly covers manufacturer s defects only Warranty Replacements Call the Homeowner Helpline 1 800 352 3360 www LARSONdoors com Visit our website or call for detailed warranty information related to your model Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty replacements When placing the call please have the registration number available located on hinge side of door Heavy Duty Aluminum Limited Lifetim...

Page 3: ... window open to allow air to escape Increase closer speed Hinge rail screws may be too tight Loosen hinge rail screws 1 4 turn to relax tension Door opening out of square Shim behind the latch or hinge rail to square up opening Expander dragging on threshold Raise expander so that sweeps only touch top of threshold Hinge rail is bent or hinge is broken Replace Contact Larson Heat build up Air is n...

Page 4: ... window open to allow air to escape Increase closer speed Hinge rail screws may be too tight Loosen hinge rail screws 1 4 turn to relax tension Door opening out of square Shim behind the latch or hinge rail to square up opening Expander dragging on threshold Raise expander so that sweeps only touch top of threshold Hinge rail is bent or hinge is broken Replace Contact Larson Heat build up Air is n...

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