My Motorized Elite Screens Not Working: How To Fix It?

Ever looked forward to a quiet movie night at home, but then when you go to put on the movie, your projector screen won’t light up?

To say you were disappointed is an understatement.

If you’re dealing with such a setback from your Elite Screens projector screen, stick around as we explore ways to fix the issue. 

We even show you an easy way to replace the screen motor if your Elite Screens motorized display is not working.

But first, let’s see how motorized projector screens in general work.

How do Motorized Projector Screens Work?

Unlike fixed projector screens, motorized projector screens come with a motor .  

The motor, controlled via remote control or a wall switch, rolls the screen down and retracts it into the casing. 

The remote and wall box have three control buttons: Up, Stop, and Down.

If you press the Down button, the screen rolls down. 

If you press Up, the screen retracts into the housing. 

And when you press Stop, the screen stops moving. The Stop command applies both when the screen is rolling down and retracting.

Top and bottom limit switches  dictate how far up or down the screen can roll. You can adjust the bottom limit switch so that the screen does not drop beyond your preferred height.

You can mount a motorized projector screen on the ceiling, floor, or wall. To keep the screen out of sight when not in use, you can mount the screen into a recessed wall or ceiling.

Why are Motorized Elite Screens Not Working?

Your motorized Elite Screen can stop working if the motor, circuit board, or trigger become inoperative. 

To test which one out of the three is faulty, plug the screen into the power outlet.

Faulty trigger, circuit board, or motor

Take the trigger that comes with your Elite Screens projector screen and expose the green and red wires.

Connect the bare wires to a 9V battery , taking care to match their polarity. 

In a proper setup where all the components are working, the screen should begin rolling down as soon as the trigger wires touch the battery. 

If the screen does not roll down, go ahead and test the circuit board.

Plug in the wall switch.

Press the Down button. If the screen rolls down, you’ll know that the trigger is faulty.

If the screen does not roll down, you may need to replace the circuit board.

If you can’t hear the motor running when you press the remote or wall switch, it is likely faulty and needs replacing. 

Blocked pathway

If the motor is running, it means the screen is unwinding. And if the unwinding screen is not rolling out of the housing, something may be blocking its pathway.

The likely culprit, in this case, is the weight bar. 

Disconnect the screen from power. Detach the weight bar, taking care not to damage the housing.

Remove the screen and smooth any creases. Then reinstall everything back into position. 

Problems with power 

Your motorized Elite Screens projector screen can also stop working due to a power problem. 

The most common cause is a blown fuse, which you will need to replace.  

Ensure that your circuit breakers are in place to prevent the short circuits and overcurrents that could damage the fuse.

Check batteries

If the screen responds when you use the wall box commands but does not respond when you press the remote, it may be that the remote batteries are dead.

Replace the batteries and then try again.

Synchronization issues

Before you can use the remote to control the screen, you must sync the two devices.

Elite Screens gives these instructions for syncing the screen and its RF remotes.

For V 1.4-1 and below electric screens:

1. Press the Up button on your remote and hold. The LED light should turn on.
2. Without releasing the Up button on the remote, push the tiny button on the screen circuit board. You may access this button through the hole on the end cap on your screen. Push a sharp object through the hole and press the button.
3. Wait 3 seconds and then release the UP button.

Your remote and screen should now be synced, and you should successfully use the remote to control the screen.

For V 2.0 electric screens:

1. Disconnect the screen and unplug it from power.
2. Press the Up button on your remote and hold. 
3. Without releasing the Up button, plug the screen back into the power outlet.
4. Wait 5 seconds before releasing the Up button. 

This should sync your screen and remote, and you can use the remote to control the screen.

Not sure what screen version you’re using?

• Check the remote control. The version number it supports is printed somewhere on the remote.
• Or check the screen end cap. It has a sticker with the screen version printed on it.
• The packaging box your screen came in also has the screen version printed somewhere on it.

How do I Fix or Replace my Elite Screen Motor? 

Elite Screens uses both tubular and synchronous motors in their projector screens. And while the two differ in design, the process of replacing both units is similar.

How to Replace A Synchronous Motor

Here’s a video showing how to replace a synchronous motor.

The step-by-step procedure is as follows:

1. Start by removing the end cap and plate cover.
2. Next, loosen and remove the screws holding the motor in place.
3. Hold down the roller bar, then wiggle the motor until it comes loose. You can now pull it gently to remove it.
4. Remove the motor cap using a flat head screwdriver or a pair of needle-nose pliers.
5. Reinstall the motor cap (or replace it with a new one if you’re replacing the motor cap as well). Ensure that the notches on the roller align with the motor cap. If the roller dislodges from the limit switch in the process, reseat it. You can do this by gently lifting it from the opposite end and carefully moving it over the limit switch.
6. Insert the new motor. Make sure that the motor axle and the roller align. You may need to lift the cap slightly using a thin string to create space for you to slide in the motor.
7. Use screws to secure the motor, then re-attach the motor plate.
8. Screw the end cap into place.

Your new motor is now ready for use. 

How to Replace a Tubular Motor

To replace a tubular motor, Elite Screens suggests you:

1. Loosen the screws on the left-side end cap and motor bracket and remove them.
2. Pull the decorative sheet outward and remove it.
3. Remove the 3P cable and the power cord.
4. Place a screwdriver on the edge of the roller on the right-side end cap. Exerting pressure on the screwdriver, push the roller toward the open space previously occupied by the left-side end cap. Lift the roller and pull it slightly, just enough to access the ground terminal. You’ll identify the ground terminal by its green and yellow wires.
5. Cut off the terminal and remove the motor.
6. Remove the motor bracket that’s attached to the motor and attach it to your new motor.
7. Install the new motor. Ensure that the drive wheel and the ladder on the roller align.
8. Insert the motor bracket into the casing. The RJ45 LAN port on the circuit board should align with the home on the housing.
9. With one hand keeping a firm grip on the left side, wind a thin rope around the motor cap on the right side of the roller. This tightening action guides the roller back into the housing. Ensure the right side of the roller is repositioned and reconnected with the shock absorber core.
10. Reinsert the 3P cable and the power cable into the circuit board. Connect the power cable to the motor cable ground, then clamp it with the ground terminal.
11. Fasten the ground terminal onto the mount bracket and housing using screws.
12. Reinsert the decorative sheet.
13. Re-attach the end cap and secure it using screws.

Conclusion

Motorized projection screens roll down and back up with the help of an electric motor. 

You can install a wall switch which you then use to engage and stop the motor as needed. Or you can use a remote control to lower and raise the screen.

Your Elite Screens motorized projector screen can stop working for several reasons: 

• the motor may have malfunctioned
• the screen’s circuit board may be defective
• the trigger may be unresponsive
• the remote batteries may be dead
• maybe the remote and screen are not synchronized
• or it could be a problem with the power supply to the unit

Perhaps the most involving problem to fix is the motor. But with some guidance, replacing your screen’s motor is something you can do on your own.

If you’re having trouble with your Elite Screens motor, we hope you use the steps we’ve outlined above to replace your broken motor.