Somfy System Not Working? A Home Automation Repair Guide
A Somfy motorised blind, shutter, or awning system brings a touch of luxury and convenience to your home. When it stops working, however, it can be frustrating. The good news is that most issues are caused by simple problems with power or communication that you can often fix yourself without needing to call an engineer.
This guide, written in British English, will walk you through the most common troubleshooting steps for when your Somfy system is unresponsive.
## Part 1: Troubleshooting the Remote Control
Often, the problem lies not with the motor in the blind or shutter, but with the handheld remote control.
### Step 1: Check the Battery
This is the number one cause of an unresponsive system.
- Check the LED: Press one of the buttons (Up, Down, or 'my') on your remote. A small LED light should illuminate briefly. If it does not light up at all, the battery is almost certainly dead.
- Replace the Battery: Slide open the back cover of the remote. Most Somfy remotes use a single coin-cell battery, typically a CR2430. Replace it with a new, high-quality battery, ensuring the positive (+) side is facing the correct way.
- Test Again: Once the new battery is in, press a button. The LED should now light up, and your blind should operate.
### Step 2: Re-Pair the Remote to the Motor
If the LED on the remote lights up but the blind doesn't move, it means the remote is working, but the motor is not receiving its command. This indicates the 'pairing' between them has been lost, which can sometimes happen after a power outage.
To re-pair the remote, you will need a paperclip or a similar pointed object.
- Locate the 'Prog' Button: On the back of your remote control, there is a small, recessed 'Programming' button.
- Wake the Motor: Press and hold the 'Prog' button. After a couple of seconds, the motorised blind or shutter should briefly move up and down. This is called a 'jog' and it indicates the motor is now in programming mode.
- Confirm Pairing: Release the 'Prog' button. The blind will jog again.
- Test Operation: Press the up and down buttons on the remote. The blind should now operate normally.
## Part 2: Troubleshooting the Motor and Power
If your remote seems fine, or if multiple remotes don't work, the issue may be with the power supply to the motor itself.
### Step 1: For Battery-Powered Motors
Many Somfy roller blinds use a discreet battery tube or a rechargeable battery pack.
- Replaceable Batteries: If your system has a battery tube (a long wand hidden near the motor), it's time to replace the batteries. They typically use standard AA or CR123A lithium batteries.
- Rechargeable Batteries: If you have a rechargeable motor, locate the charging port on the motor head and connect the specific Somfy charger. A full charge can take several hours, but you should see a status light indicate that it is charging.
### Step 2: For Mains-Powered Motors
If your blinds or shutters are wired into your home's electricity supply, the fix is often simple.
- Check Your Consumer Unit (Fuse Box): Go to your home's main fuse box and check if any of the circuit breakers have tripped to the 'Off' position. If one has, switch it back on. If it trips again immediately, you may have a more serious electrical fault and should consult an electrician.
- Check the Local Fused Spur: Each mains-powered blind should be connected via a local fused spur or switch. Check that this switch is turned on and that the fuse inside it has not blown.
## Part 3: For App Control (Somfy TaHoma)
If you control your system via the Somfy TaHoma app and it's not working, the issue is likely with the TaHoma Hub's internet connection.
- Check the Hub's Lights: Look at the status lights on your TaHoma Hub. A solid green light indicates it's connected and working. A red light means it cannot connect to the internet.
- Check Connections: Ensure the power cable is connected and the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both the TaHoma Hub and your internet router.
- Restart Your Network: Unplug your internet router and your TaHoma Hub from power. Wait 60 seconds. Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully restart. Then, plug the TaHoma Hub back in.
By following these logical steps, you can diagnose and solve the most common problems with a non-working Somfy system.