Windscreen Wipers Not Working? Here's What to Do

Find out the key reasons why your wiper blades might not be working and how to fix the issue. 

It’s important that your wiper blades are working correctly so that you can drive safely and see what’s happening in front of you. 

But what should you do if they stop working? We’re looking at some of the main causes of broken wiper blades and how to fix them. 

How do wiper blades work? 

To help you understand why your wipers might not be working, it’s good to know how they function normally. 

Various components work together to help your wiper blades function. A fuse supplies power, which is connected to both the wiper motor and the switch. 

When the switch is activated, the motor begins to rotate. This drives a series of interconnected arms that create a back-and-forth motion through pivot points. 

Why do wiper blades stop working? 

There are a few reasons why they might stop working suddenly, including: 

A blown fuse 

If the wiper motor becomes overloaded and the arms are unable to function properly, the fuse will blow to protect the motor from damage. 

As a result, your windscreen wiper blades may stop working, and you'll need to replace the fuse. Fortunately, fuses are easy and inexpensive to replace, although you might need help from a trained technician to do so. 

A damaged motor 

Your wiper blades could completely stop working if the motor operating them is damaged.  

If this happens, you’ll need the help of a qualified technician to replace the motor. 

Ice and snow 

Throughout the winter months, snow and ice can build up on your wiper blades. If this becomes too much for the wipers to cut through, they might stop working. 

It’s important that you de-ice your windscreen with a scraper and de-icer before attempting to operate them. This will also prevent any significant damage to your wipers. 

If you’ve de-iced your windscreen and your wipers still aren’t working, this could be the result of an electrical issue. 

Loose pivot points 

Pivot points are one of the key components of your wiper blades, creating the back-and-forth motion. 

If you notice that your wipers aren’t working as well as they used to, a loose or damaged pivot point could be the culprit. 

Wear and tear 

Wiper blades are one of the most used parts of a car and this means that they are no stranger to wear and tear. As a result, prolonged use and extreme weather can cause the rubber to deteriorate. 

Your wipers have an average lifespan of around 12 months and if you’ve had them for longer than this – they could stop working. 

What should I do if my wiper blades stop working? 

Now you know why your windscreen wipers might not be working, it’s important to know what to do if it does happen. 

If they suddenly stop working on the road, there’s a few things to remember: 

Stay calm 

Above all, it’s important not to panic as this could lead to you losing control of your vehicle and even worse, an accident. 

If conditions are poor and your wiper blades aren’t working, try to focus on driving safely and finding a safe spot to pull over. 

Maintain your distance 

If your visibility is restricted, make sure that you drop back from the vehicle in front of you and lower your speed. 

Rely on other senses 

While you might not be able to see what’s going on without your wiper blades, you can use other senses to help you. 

Fully utilise your mirrors and keep any music turned down or switched off to focus on what’s happening around you. 

Pull over 

It’s vital to find a safe place to pull over as quickly as possible. Here you have a couple of options. You can wait for conditions to improve or call for help if it’s not safe to carry on with your journey. 

Check the issue 

Once you’ve found a safe place to pull over, you’ll have more time to identify what is causing the issue. 

Make sure to check your wiper blades for any visible signs of damage and remove them if you feel comfortable doing it yourself. 

Once removed, you can look for any damage to the arm and mechanism. If you aren’t sure what is causing the problem, get a second opinion from a qualified technician. 

FAQs about windscreen wipers not working 

What makes intermittent wiper blades stop working? 

Intermittent wipers can stop working if they have: 

• A blown fuse 

• A damaged motor 

• Wear and tear 

• A build-up of snow and ice 

If they are still working, but stopping halfway across the windscreen, this could be down to a control box issue. You can check the switch and control box if you feel confident enough. If you aren’t, make sure to get your car checked over by a qualified technician. 

Can you drive when your wipers are not working? 

This depends on the conditions. If you are driving in light rain and it looks like it will ease up, you might be able to continue your journey. 

But driving in heavy rain without functioning wipers is not possible. As the rain builds up on your windscreen, visibility will become seriously restricted. 

If your wiper blades break during a heavy downpour, pull over to a safe location as soon as possible. You can then wait for conditions to improve or call for help. 

Looking for replacement wiper blades? 

One of the quickest and easiest ways to fix broken wipers is to replace them.  

At Wiper Blades, we offer replacement wipers from leading manufacturers including BOSCH and MICHELIN. As well as our own brand Aerowiper, which offers high quality at an affordable price. 

Enter your reg now to find the right wiper blades for your vehicle. 

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