★★★★★ 4.9 from 145+ reviews | Google · Thumbtack · Angi · Yelp | 20-yr glass warranty · 3-yr wood warranty
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm | Fully insured
Call or text(224) 209-0862
★★★★★ 4.9· 145+ reviews· 20-yr glass warranty
Cranks, balances, latches & locks · 40+ nearby towns

Window Hardware Repair. Cranks, Locks & Latches.

A crank that spins, a lock that won't catch, a sash that won't stay up — these are part failures, not window failures. We replace the part and get the window working and secure again.

Call (224) 209-0862 Free Quote

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  • All window types & brands
  • Fully insured
  • Price match
Can it be fixed?Yes — the part is replaced, the window stays
Typical price$75 – $500per window · confirmed before work starts
How longUsually one visit
Peace of mindWrong hardware install? We redo it
The Problem

Four Window Hardware Problems We Fix Every Week

A window can be in perfect shape — solid frame, clear glass, sound wood — and still be useless because one small piece of hardware has worn out. The good news is that hardware is meant to be replaced.

Cranks, operators, balances, latches, locks, hinges, and keepers are all serviceable parts. When one fails, the fix is to repair or replace that component — not the window.

That keeps a hardware repair among the most affordable window services there is, and it applies across every window type: casements with crank operators, double- and single-hung windows with balances, and every window that latches and locks.

Below are the four hardware problems we handle most often. If your window's issue isn't listed, it's almost certainly still a hardware fix — call and describe what it's doing.

Most window hardware repair comes down to a handful of parts: window cranks and operators, window locks and keepers, window latches, tilt latches and balances.

We source and install replacement window parts, identify brand-specific parts from a photo, and source proven equivalents for discontinued window parts — so "they don't make that part anymore" rarely means you need a new window.

Not sure this is your problem? Use our window triage guide — pick the symptom and see the likely cause and cost. Related reading: Casement window repair · Window brands we repair

Crank & Operator Repair

The crank mechanism on casement and awning windows. When the gears strip, the handle spins freely, feels stiff, or grinds — and the window won't open or close. We replace the operator and restore smooth cranking.

Balancer Repair

The spring balance that holds a single- or double-hung sash open. When it wears out, the window drops shut or is hard to lift. We replace worn balances — usually in pairs — so the sash glides and holds again.

Latch Repair

Tilt latches, sweep latches, and cam latches that no longer hold, align, or release. We repair or replace the latch and its keeper so the window closes tight and — on tilt-in windows — tilts and locks back into place correctly.

Lock Repair

Locks that won't engage, won't line up, or have broken. We repair or replace the lock and keeper and realign them so the window secures firmly — a comfort issue and a security one.

Casement window crank operator and arm, close-up
Recognize this? It's a common, repairable problem.
The window hardware parts that wear out
Double-hungCasement1234567
  1. Sash lock — pulls the two sashes together at the meeting rail.
  2. Tilt latches — let the lower sash tilt in for cleaning; brittle plastic ones snap in the cold.
  3. Balance — hidden in the side channel; holds the sash up.
  4. Pivot shoe — connects the balance to the sash at the bottom of the channel.
  5. Crank operator — the gearbox and handle that open a casement; stripped gears are the usual failure.
  6. Hinges & tracks — let the casement swing; worn hinges make it sag and drag.
  7. Multi-point lock — pulls the casement tight against the weatherstripping.

Every part shown is replaceable on its own — the window stays.

The Fix

How We Repair Window Cranks, Locks & Latches

Identify the part

We match the brand, model and part — from a photo in many cases — including discontinued hardware.

Source the right fit

We use the original part where it exists, and proven aftermarket or universal equivalents where it doesn't.

Replace & adjust

The part is installed and adjusted so the window cranks, locks or balances smoothly.

Test it

We open, close and lock the window several times before we leave. If we installed it wrong, we come back and fix it.

By Window Type

Window Hardware by Window Type

Double-hung and single-hung: sash locks that no longer line up, tilt latches that snap in the cold, and the pivot shoes and balances inside the jambs (see balance & sash cord repair).

Casement and awning: crank operators with stripped gears, bent operator arms, worn hinges and multi-point locks that no longer pull the sash tight.

Sliding windows: latches that won't catch and rollers that have worn flat, so the sash drags in the track. For sliding patio doors, see patio door repair.

Whatever the window, the part that failed is replaced on its own — including equivalent parts for discontinued brands.

Repair vs. Replace

Window Hardware Repair Cost

Replacing the window$800 – $2,500+
Repairing itFrom $75

Typical prices

Per window · typical local prices
Hardware repair (latches, locks, keepers)$75 – $500
Casement crank operator$150 – $450
Double-hung balance / counterbalance$150 – $350
Sliding latch or pivot shoe$20 – $150
Alignment & sticking windows$50 – $500
Why the final price can differ: these are typical ranges, not quotes. What moves the price: the size and type of glass (tempered, low-E, triple-pane, decorative), how far rot has spread once the wood is opened up, second-story or ladder access, parts availability on discontinued brands, and how many windows are done in the same visit — multi-window jobs cost less per window. Minimum service visit: $150. We confirm and agree the price with you before starting. Compare all repair prices →

The most common reason homeowners get talked into replacing a good window is being told the original hardware is discontinued. It's rarely true that nothing can be done. Many parts have direct aftermarket equivalents, universal replacements can be adapted to fit, and some original hardware can be repaired rather than replaced altogether.

We work with hardware on older and discontinued windows throughout McHenry County's older homes, matching function and — where it matters — appearance.

Because hardware is a small, self-contained part, replacing it is one of the least expensive window repairs there is, and almost always a tiny fraction of what a whole new window would cost. We give you an estimate after identifying the right part, so you know the price before any work begins.

What wears out in McHenry County windows

Casement cranks and balances installed in the 1990s–2000s building boom across Lake in the Hills, Algonquin and Huntley are now 20 to 30 years old — beyond the 15 to 25 years most cranks and balances last. Winter cold stiffens grease and makes cranks strip under force, which is why so many fail on the first cold morning of the year.

DIY or Pro?

Window Hardware: What You Can Fix Yourself

Safe to do yourself

  • Clean and lubricate crank gears and tracks with dry silicone spray once a year.
  • Tighten loose screws on latches, keepers and crank handles.
  • Never force a stiff crank in cold weather — let the room warm up first.
  • Photograph the part (and any label on the window frame) so we can identify it.

Call a pro

  • Spring balances under tension — they can snap back and cause injury.
  • Casement operators on upper floors — the sash can swing free once disconnected.
  • Hardware where the wood around the screws has rotted — it needs wood repair first.
  • Locks that won't line up because the frame has shifted — the frame needs re-squaring.
Warranty

Warranty on Hardware Installation

3 yearson wood we rebuild or replace — if it rots, we replace it
20 yearsmanufacturer warranty on insulated glass units
Redoif we install hardware incorrectly, we come back and fix it

Parts we don't make (cranks, balances, locks) carry only their supplier's warranty. Leaks from roofs, flashing or siding aren't window defects. Full warranty terms → · Read our reviews

Got a quote to replace these windows?

Send it to us before you sign. We'll tell you — free — whether a repair would solve it for less.

Free Second Opinion
FAQ

Window Crank & Lock Questions

That's one of the most common casement problems, and it's almost always the operator. Inside the crank mechanism is a set of gears; when they strip or wear out, the handle turns freely but no longer drives the arm that pushes the window open. The fix is to replace the crank operator — a self-contained mechanism — rather than the window. We match the replacement operator to your window's make and style so it drives smoothly and holds the sash where you set it. If the arm or track is also worn, we address that at the same time so the window opens fully and seals when closed.
Window hardware is designed to be replaceable, and swapping it is far cheaper than replacing the window. Cranks, operators, balances, latches, locks, hinges, and keepers are all serviceable parts — when one wears out or breaks, we replace that component and leave the rest of the window in place. The one challenge with older or discontinued windows is sourcing a matching part, but there are broad aftermarket and universal options for most hardware, and we identify the right match for your window. Replacing a whole window because a small metal part failed is almost never necessary.
Usually yes. When a window won't lock, it's often the lock or latch itself that has worn, bent, or broken — or the keeper (the part the lock engages) has come loose or fallen out of alignment. We repair or replace the lock, latch, and keeper and realign them so the window secures firmly. One thing to check first: if the whole window has shifted out of square, the lock may be misaligned because of the frame, not the hardware. During assessment we confirm whether it's a straightforward hardware fix or whether the frame needs attention too, so the lock actually holds after the repair.
A balancer is the mechanism in single- and double-hung windows that counterbalances the weight of the sash so it stays open where you leave it — the modern equivalent of the old cord-and-weight system. It's usually a spring-loaded device (a spiral balance or a block-and-tackle balance) hidden in the side channels. Balancers fail from age and repeated use: the spring weakens or the mechanism wears out, and the sash stops holding — it drops shut or is hard to lift. Replacing the balances restores smooth, balanced operation. Because balances typically wear at a similar rate, we often replace them in pairs so the window operates evenly.
Yes, and this is a big part of hardware work. Homeowners are often told a window is beyond help because the original hardware is no longer made — but that's rarely the end of the story. Many parts have direct aftermarket equivalents, universal replacements can be adapted to fit, and some original hardware can be repaired rather than replaced. We work with the hardware on older and discontinued windows across McHenry County's older homes, matching function and, where it matters, appearance. It's almost always possible to get an old window operating and locking again without replacing it.
Yes, and it's worth doing. A crank that's getting stiff, gritty, or grinding is usually warning you that the operator gears are wearing or that dirt and old lubricant are binding the mechanism. Caught early, it can sometimes be cleaned, serviced, and re-lubricated; if the gears are already worn, replacing the operator now is a small, planned repair rather than an emergency when the handle finally strips and the window won't open at all. Either way, addressing a stiff crank early keeps the window working and prevents forcing it, which is what usually finishes off a worn operator.
Yes. We repair window cranks, balances, latches and locks across 40+ towns within about 40 miles, including Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley and Elgin. Call or text (224) 209-0862 — a photo of the part helps us quote.
Typical ranges per window: latches, locks and keepers $75–$500, casement crank operators $150–$450, double-hung balances $150–$350, and small parts like sliding latches or pivot shoes $20–$150. Our minimum service visit is $150, so several small repairs in one visit cost less per window.
If we install a part incorrectly, we come back and fix it. The part itself carries whatever warranty its supplier offers — many hardware suppliers offer none, so we can't warrant parts we don't make.
Usually one of three things: the lock or keeper is worn or bent, the screws have loosened, or the sash no longer lines up because the frame has shifted. The first two are quick part fixes; the third needs the sash or frame adjusted.
In most cases, yes. We use original parts where they still exist and proven universal or equivalent parts where they don't. A photo of the part and any label on the window frame helps us identify it quickly.
If we have the part, it's usually replaced in the same visit. Brand-specific or discontinued parts may need to be ordered; we'll tell you the expected timing once we identify the part.
More Repairs

More Mechanical Repairs

Sash RepairStuck or drop-down sashes rebalanced.Learn more →Casement WindowsCrank and hinge repairs for casements.Learn more →Frame RepairFrames re-squared so locks line up.Learn more →Vinyl WindowsMechanical repairs for vinyl windows.Learn more →

Hardware & Locks in these towns and more

Lake in the HillsCrystal LakeAlgonquinCaryHuntleyCarpentersvilleWoodstockMcHenryMarengoJohnsburgIsland LakeLakewoodAll service areas →

Based in Lake in the Hills, serving homes within about 40 miles.

One Part, Not a New Window.

Call, text, or send a photo. You'll know what's wrong and roughly what it costs — before anyone comes out.

(224) 209-0862Free Quote

★★★★★ 4.9 from 145+ reviews · 20-year glass warranty · Price match