You’re on your morning commute when dark clouds roll in and rain starts hitting your windshield. But as you turn on your wipers, something’s not right. One wiper remains frozen in place while the other sweeps back and forth.
Not only does this look really odd, but it can be incredibly dangerous (especially if the driver’s side wiper is the one that’s stuck)! Before making that appointment with the mechanic, let’s go over the possible causes of only one windshield wiper not working. It may actually be an easy fix.
Reasons Why Only One Wiper Is Working
When one windshield wiper stops moving while the other continues working normally, the problem is usually mechanical rather than electrical. Since both wipers share the same electrical system, issues like blown fuses or faulty switches typically affect both wipers simultaneously.
Let’s look at the two main culprits behind a single non-working wiper.
1. Broken or Disconnected Linkage
The most common reason for a single wiper to stop working is a broken or disconnected linkage. The wiper linkage is the mechanical assembly that connects your wiper motor to both wiper arms. If this linkage breaks or becomes disconnected on one side, that wiper won’t move while the other continues working normally.
Symptoms
- One wiper stays fixed in position while the other moves.
- You might hear the motor running normally.
- The affected wiper might be stuck in an unusual position.
- The problem usually starts suddenly rather than slowly over time.
How to Fix
- Open your hood and locate the wiper linkage assembly (usually near the base of your windshield).
- Look for any obvious breaks or disconnections in the linkage.
- If you spot a disconnected piece, it might be possible to reattach it.
- For broken linkage, you’ll need to replace the damaged component.
While linkage repair is possible as a DIY job on some vehicles, accessing these parts can be tricky. Modern vehicles often require removal of plastic covers or other components to reach the linkage assembly. If you’re not comfortable with mechanical repairs, this is best left to a professional.
2. Worn, Damaged, or Loose Wiper Arm
The second major cause of a single non-working wiper is a problem with the wiper arm itself. The wiper arm is the metal piece that holds the wiper blade and maintains proper pressure against your windshield.
If it becomes loose at its mounting point, gets bent from snow or ice, or suffers other damage, it can prevent that wiper from moving properly.
Symptoms
- Wiper appears loose or wobbly.
- Wiper sits at an odd angle against the windshield.
- You may hear grinding or scraping noises.
- The affected wiper might move slightly but get stuck in certain positions.
- The problem may have developed gradually over time.
How to Fix
- With the wipers in the “off” position, inspect the wiper arm where it connects to the linkage.
- Try gently wiggling the arm to check for looseness (it shouldn’t move around).
- Look for any obvious bending or damage.
- If it’s just loose, tightening the nut at the base of the arm is often all it takes to fix it.
- For slightly bent arms, you may attempt to straighten it back to the proper angle. But be careful so you don’t accidentally damage the linkage or other nearby components. If you’re not 100% confident in your abilities, it’s best to let the pros handle it.
- If severely damaged, the entire wiper arm will need to be replaced.
A word of caution: While replacing a wiper arm isn’t particularly difficult, be careful when removing the old arm. The spring-loaded mechanism can snap back with considerable force if released incorrectly. This can be both painful AND cause damage to your vehicle. If you’re unsure about the repair, have a professional handle it.
Other Possible Causes
While mechanical issues like broken linkages and damaged arms are the main reasons behind a single non-working wiper, it’s worth mentioning some other problems you might encounter with your wipers. These issues typically affect both wipers simultaneously but they can help with troubleshooting.
- Blown fuse: When the wiper fuse blows, both wipers stop working completely
- Faulty wiper motor: Usually causes both wipers to stop or move very slowly.
- Bad wiper switch: Affects the operation of both wipers at all speeds
- Wiring problems: Generally stops both wipers from working properly
If both your wipers are acting up rather than just one, these electrical issues are more likely to be the cause. In these cases, professional diagnosis is usually the best course of action since electrical problems can be complex and often require special testing equipment.
Related: 6 Reasons Your Wipers WON’T Turn Off
When to Call a Professional
While some wiper problems can be fixed at home, certain situations call for professional help. Here’s when you should skip the DIY approach and head to a mechanic:
- You can’t easily access the wiper linkage assembly on your vehicle.
- The wiper arm is severely bent or damaged.
- You’ve tried tightening a loose arm but it won’t stay in place (the threads on the corresponding stud/bolt may be stripped).
- You’re not comfortable working with spring-loaded components.
- The problem keeps coming back after your attempted fix.
- Both wipers have stopped working (indicating an electrical issue).
- You hear unusual noises from the wiper motor or mechanism.
Most shops charge between $100-500 for wiper repairs, depending on the specific problem and your vehicle model. While this sounds expensive (and it is), properly functioning wipers are kind of a big deal. In addition, attempting a repair you’re not comfortable with could end up causing more damage and costing even more in the long run.
Preventing Future Wiper Problems
A few simple habits can help keep your wipers working properly and prevent single-wiper failures:
- Do not put your wipers up (off the glass) when parking and snow/ice is in the forecast. (this is why)
- Clear ice and snow from your windshield before using wipers.
- Never use wipers to remove heavy snow or ice buildup.
- Run your defroster for a few minutes to loosen frozen wipers.
- Replace wiper blades before they become badly worn.
- Keep your windshield clean to reduce strain on wiper components.
- Never operate wipers on a dry windshield.
- Don’t run the wipers when temperatures are below freezing unless your defrost is on.
- If you hear any unusual noises from your wipers, have them checked right away.