Module 1 of 5
Start with the remote
The quickest check of all: is the remote sending? After this module you can rule the remote in or out in ten seconds.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Fix It · 101
Somfy Motor Not Responding? Five Checks Before You Reset
A reset erases your remotes and limits, so it belongs at the end. Work through five checks in order, from the remote battery to the motor power, heat and WireFree charge, before you reach for it.
You will be able to: Find why a Somfy shade will not respond, and fix it, before reaching for a reset.
Inside this course
5 modules, one idea at a time
- Start with the remoteThe quickest check of all: is the remote sending? After this module you can rule the remote in or out in ten seconds.3 lessons · scenario check
- Range, channel and radioWhy a working remote can still miss the motor. After this module you can rule out distance, the wrong channel and a mismatched radio.3 lessons · scenario check
- Power at the motorAn RTS motor only listens while it has power. After this module you can confirm power on plug-in, hardwired, 24V and battery motors.2 lessons · scenario check
- Heat after long runsWhy a motor stops after many cycles in a row, and what to do. After this module you will recognise a thermal cool-down instead of calling it a failure.2 lessons · scenario check
- WireFree charge, then resetThe last two checks: battery charge on WireFree motors, and a reset only when everything else passes. After this module you will reset only when you mean to.3 lessons · scenario check
- Final quiz10 real job scenarios, one per screen, each with a hint if you need it. Score 80% to pass and get your certificate.
Start with the remote
Watch the indicator light
Press any button. A lit indicator means the remote is sending. No light points to a dead battery or a failed remote.
On the jobDo this before you get the ladder out. It takes ten seconds.
Start with the remote
Fit the right battery
The Situo 1 and Situo 5 RTS take one CR2032. The Telis 1 Chronis RTS and the Ysia 1 Zigbee take two AAA cells.
Watch forA weak cell can light the indicator and still send a signal the motor ignores. Fit a fresh one.
Start with the remote
A remote that stays dark
If the light stays off with a fresh battery, the remote has failed. A replacement such as the Situo 1 RTS must be paired to each motor.
ExamplePair the new remote using another remote that still works. Our pairing course covers it.
Check yourself
The remote light stays off after you press a button. What do you do first?
Hint: No light means the remote is not sending.
Fit a fresh battery of the right type. If it still stays dark, replace and pair the remote.
Module 2 of 5
Range, channel and radio
Why a working remote can still miss the motor. After this module you can rule out distance, the wrong channel and a mismatched radio.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Range, channel and radio
Test from under the shade
Somfy lists 656.2 ft of open-field range for the Sonesse 506S2 RTS. Walls and metal cut that indoors. If the shade answers up close, range is the problem.
On the jobStand under the shade and press again before you change anything else.
Range, channel and radio
Check the channel
A multi-channel remote sends on the channel its lights show. On a Telis 4, all four lights mean channel 5.
ExampleA remote left on channel 3 will not move the shade paired to channel 1.
Range, channel and radio
Check the radio matches
An RTS remote never runs a Zigbee motor, and a Zigbee remote never runs an RTS motor. Read the radio in both names.
Watch forA new remote that never worked on this shade may be the wrong radio, not a fault.
Check yourself
The remote lights up and the shade moves only when you stand under it. What is the cause?
Hint: It works close and fails far.
Range. Walls or metal are cutting the signal between the remote and the motor.
Module 3 of 5
Power at the motor
An RTS motor only listens while it has power. After this module you can confirm power on plug-in, hardwired, 24V and battery motors.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Power at the motor
Confirm the supply
Test a plug-in outlet with a lamp, check the breaker on a hardwired motor, and check the power supply on a 24V DC motor.
On the jobTry a second paired remote too. If it moves the shade, the first remote is the problem.
Power at the motor
One breaker, several motors
A breaker that feeds one shade may feed others. If several shades on one circuit stopped together, check that breaker first.
ExampleThree shades in one room die at once. A tripped breaker explains all three in one check.
Check yourself
Three shades on the same wall stopped at the same moment. What do you check first?
Hint: What do they share?
The breaker or supply that feeds them. One power fault explains all three.
Module 4 of 5
Heat after long runs
Why a motor stops after many cycles in a row, and what to do. After this module you will recognise a thermal cool-down instead of calling it a failure.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Heat after long runs
Thermal protection
Somfy motors stop to protect themselves after running many cycles in a row. Somfy lists a thermal protection time per motor.
On the jobSetting limits means a lot of runs. If the motor stops mid-job, wait before you troubleshoot.
Heat after long runs
Read the time for your motor
Somfy lists 5 minutes for the 550R2 RTS CMO and 4 minutes for the Sonesse 30 PoE. Wait it out, then try again.
Watch forA long shutter run on a hot day can trip it. The motor resumes once it cools.
Check yourself
A motor stopped answering after you ran it up and down twenty times setting limits. What is the likely cause?
Hint: What happens when a motor works hard for a long stretch?
Thermal protection. Let it cool for the time Somfy lists for that motor, then try again.
Module 5 of 5
WireFree charge, then reset
The last two checks: battery charge on WireFree motors, and a reset only when everything else passes. After this module you will reset only when you mean to.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
WireFree charge, then reset
A flat WireFree battery
A WireFree motor with a flat cell looks like a dead remote. Somfy lists a low battery indicator LED on the motor head.
On the jobCharge it before you touch the programming. A charge often brings it straight back.
WireFree charge, then reset
Charge times
Somfy lists 4.5 hours for the Sonesse 28 and ULTRA 30 RTS, 4 hours for the Sonesse 40 Zigbee USB-C and 8 hours for the Sonesse 40 RTS Li-ion.
ExampleStart the charge first, then check the other shades in the house while it runs.
WireFree charge, then reset
Reset is the last step
A reset erases the paired remotes, and on most motors the limits. Somfy publishes a different reset for each motor family. Use the guide for your part number.
Watch forAfter a reset you set limits and pair every remote and wall switch again.
Check yourself
A WireFree shade will not move and the remote light works. What do you do before a reset?
Hint: Battery motors have one more check.
Check the low battery LED and charge the motor with its Somfy charger.
Final quiz
10 questions. Score 80% to pass.
Each question is a real job scenario, one per screen. Stuck? Tap the hint. You see the right answer and why right after you choose. Pass and you get a printable certificate, plus a 10% code for your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.
Question 1 of 10
On the job: A guest presses the remote and the indicator stays dark.
What is the first fix?
Hint: No light means the remote is not sending.
A dark indicator points to the remote battery first.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: You need a battery for a Situo 5 RTS.
Which cell does it take?
Hint: It is a coin cell.
The Situo 1 and Situo 5 RTS take one CR2032.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: A shade works when you stand under it and fails from the sofa.
What is the cause?
Hint: It works close, fails far.
Distance and obstacles cut RTS range indoors.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: A Telis 4 shows all four lights lit.
Which channel is it on?
Hint: All four lights is a special case.
On a Telis 4, all four lights mean channel 5.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: A brand-new Ysia remote never moved an RTS shade.
What is the likely problem?
Hint: Read the radio in both names.
RTS and Zigbee never cross.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: Three shades on one wall stopped together.
What do you check first?
Hint: What do all three share?
One power fault explains all three.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A 24V DC shade motor will not answer any control.
What do you check?
Hint: A DC motor has its own supply.
Confirm the 24V power supply is giving output.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: A 550R2 RTS CMO stopped after a long run on a hot afternoon.
What should you do?
Hint: It worked hard for a long stretch.
Thermal protection drops in and the motor resumes once cool.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: A Sonesse ULTRA 30 WireFree will not move and the remote light works.
What do you check before a reset?
Hint: Battery motors have one more check.
A flat cell looks like a dead remote.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: Every check passed and you decide to reset.
What must you do afterwards?
Hint: A reset erases what the motor stored.
A reset erases paired remotes and, on most motors, the limits.
Almost done
Where should we send your certificate?
Your score shows on the next screen. The certificate goes to your inbox so you can download it again later.
Parts used in this course
Genuine Somfy parts, 5-year warranty
Parts used in this course
