Why Have My Windscreen Wipers Stopped Working?

You may not realise it, but wiper blades are designed to be among the sturdiest and most durable moving parts on a vehicle.

Indeed, while it may appear from the outset that wiper blades have a simple function to clear moisture from a windscreen, they must also withstand harsh external forces while performing a mechanical action. 

With an exposure to the elements – such as ultraviolet sunlight, debris-filled gusts and frigid temperatures - multiplied by the forces that are created from their positioning on a moving vehicle, windscreen wiper construction demands that they are lightweight yet hard-wearing.

However, faults do occur for several potential reasons, so if you do encounter a problem with your windscreen wipers, here is what to look out for…

•    A blown fuse
•    A damaged motor
•    Build up of snow and ice
•    Loose pivot points
•    Wear and tear

How Do Windscreen Wipers Work?

To understand what might have gone wrong with your windscreen wipers, it’s well worth understanding how they operate in the first place.

The standard system is made up of several key components that work together to make your wipers function. The power comes from a fuse which is wired to the wiper motor and the switch.

By operating the switch inside the car, the motor will rotate to prompt a series of linked arms to begin a back-and-forth motion using pivot points.  

Why Are My Windscreen Wipers Broken?

A Blown Fuse – If the wiper motor becomes too overloaded, a fuse in the mechanism may blow to protect the motor from further damage. This could stop your windscreen wipers from functioning. However, a replacement fuse is a relatively inexpensive part to replace, though you may need the helped a trained technician to do so. 

A Damaged Motor – Damage to the motor could stop your windscreen wipers from functioning. If so, it would take a new motor installed by a trained technician to resolve this issue 

Ice And Snow – A common cause of windscreen wipers failing is caused by a build-up of snow and ice. In snow, if the blanket on your car is large enough, it might be too heavy for the windscreen wipers beneath it to operate. It is also possible that ice build-up is enough to cause the mechanism to stick. If so, don’t force the switch if they are not moving as this could damage the motor. Instead, use an ice scraper and de-icer to clear the snow and ice entirely before attempting to use your wipers again.

Loose Pivot Points – As moving components, pivot points can be subject to stress over time, causing them to become loose or damaged.  

Wear And Tear - You might notice over time that the rubber blades will clear the windscreen less evenly, leaving some streaks of moisture in places. They may also start to squeak as the rubber encounters friction on the windscreen.

If so, it is time to replace your wiper blades. With Wiperblades.co.uk you can purchase the wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin and Valeo, and they can be fixed in just seconds.

Can I Drive If My Windscreen Wipers Are Not Working? 

If your windscreen wipers malfunction whilst driving and it is raining, it is crucial you find a safe place to pull your vehicle over and bring it to a stop.

Whether the rain is light or heavy, it will build up fast on your windscreen without a wiper function and visibility will quickly become compromised.

If you are driving, it is important to remain calm. Assess the situation and be on the lookout for a safe place to pull over as promptly as possible.

Once you are stationary – provided you are in a safe position to do so - check the external mechanism up close to determine whether it will need to be assessed by a trained professional.

If the rain stops and conditions dry sufficiently so as not to necessitate the use of your windscreen wipers, you should be safe to continue your journey to a location where the mechanism can be repaired by a trained technician. 

Do not continue your journey with broken windscreen wipers in weather conditions that would ordinarily require their use. Be mindful that even if it has stopped raining, spray from driving on a wet road is enough to obscure your vision.

Do not make any additional journeys in a vehicle with broken windscreen wipers – even in dry conditions – as doing so knowingly is against the law. 

If it rains, it could put yourself, your passengers and other road users at serious risk of harm.