RV Awning Retracts by Itself: Wind Sensor Settings by Brand
Quick answer
When a power RV awning retracts by itself, the wind sensor has usually fired, and the fix is its sensitivity setting. The catch is that each maker numbers it differently. On a Dometic 9500E the factory setting is "1", which is the most sensitive. On a Lippert Solera Smart Arm, level 3 is the most sensitive, and the level has to be set again after every retraction. On a Carefree Eclipse with Direct Response, "Low" is the most sensitive. If there was no wind at all, look at the sensor batteries (Dometic), a moisture fault (Lippert) or an ignition lockout that retracts the awning when the key goes on (Carefree RTL). An awning that stops part way and works later has usually tripped its motor's heat cut-out instead.
If your power RV awning retracts by itself, the wind sensor has almost always fired. The fix is the sensitivity setting. The trap is that each maker numbers it a different way. On a Dometic 9500E, the factory setting is "1", and "1" is the most sensitive. On a Lippert Solera Smart Arm, level 3 is the most sensitive, and you have to set the level again every time the awning closes. On a Carefree Eclipse with Direct Response, "Low" is the most sensitive. So "turn it down" can mean three different moves. If the awning closed when there was no wind at all, the cause is more often a weak sensor battery, a moisture fault or an ignition lockout. The table below sorts these out.
Below are the terms, a cause-by-symptom table, and the steps for each maker from its own manual. If your awning will not go in at all, that is a different problem; see RV awning won't retract.
What a wind sensor is on an RV awning
Wind sensor. On the three RV awnings checked for this page, the "wind sensor" does not measure wind speed. It senses the awning moving. Dometic's sensor is a small battery unit on the inside of the lead rail, and its test is to shake that rail. Carefree's system "uses a sensor in the motor head" that gauges "the vertical motion of the awning's leading edge." When the motion goes past a set limit, the controller closes the awning. Lippert calls its part an optional wind sensor that retracts the awning "if severe wind is detected." On house awnings you may also meet a cup-style sensor on the wall that does measure wind. Awning wind and sun sensors compares the two kinds.
Sensitivity. How little movement it takes to trip the sensor. A very sensitive setting closes the awning in a light breeze. A dull setting waits for a strong gust. This is the setting most owners need to change.
Lead rail. The bar along the front edge of the awning. Dometic uses this name. Lippert calls the tube at the front the roll tube, and Carefree calls it the roller tube.
Ignition lockout. A link between the awning and the vehicle's key switch. Some just stop the awning from opening while the key is on. Others also close it, which can look like the awning retracting by itself.
Why it retracted: cause by symptom
Start with what you saw just before it closed. Each row comes from the maker manual named in it.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Closes in a light breeze | Sensitivity set too high (Dometic's words) | Make it less sensitive. The direction differs by brand; see the scale table below |
| Dometic 9500E closes about 30 minutes after opening, with no wind | Wind sensor batteries low; the LED on the sensor's circuit board stays lit | Fit new AA batteries (Dometic) |
| Dometic 9500E closes about 1 hour after opening, with no wind | Sensor missing or not seated on its base, batteries dead, or sensor damaged | Seat the sensor, fit batteries, or replace the sensor (Dometic) |
| Lippert Smart Arm stops opening and goes back in, lock light blinking | Moisture fault in the connector, touch pad or controller | Clear the fault the way the manual says (Lippert) |
| Closes when the ignition key goes on | A lockout that retracts the awning, such as Carefree's RTL, or one the RV maker fitted | Normal for that lockout (Carefree) |
| Stops part way, then works again later | Motor got too hot and its thermal cut-out tripped | Let it cool (Lippert, Carefree); this is not the sensor |
| Will not open again right after a wind close | Built-in pause of about 30 seconds | Wait, or switch the motor power off and on (Dometic) |
The sensitivity scale runs a different way on each brand
This is the part that trips owners up. Each brand tells you what its "most sensitive" setting is. None of the three uses the same label for it.
| Awning | Where you set it | Most sensitive (closes soonest) | Least sensitive | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic 9500E | Dial (potentiometer) on the sensor, under its cover on the lead rail | "1" | "9" | "1" from the factory |
| Lippert Solera Smart Arm | Wind button on the touch pad in the awning arm | Level 3 | Level 1 | Not stated; must be set again after every retraction |
| Carefree Eclipse with Direct Response (2010 on) | Motion switch on the control panel | Low | High | Medium if no motion switch is fitted |
So a Dometic owner who wants fewer false closes turns the dial up, toward 9. A Lippert owner presses the wind button fewer times, toward level 1. A Carefree owner moves the switch toward High. Carefree says you "may have to experiment to find the best setting for your preferences."
Worked example: a Dometic 9500E that closes in a light breeze
Take a Class C with a Dometic 9500E cassette awning. Suppose it opens fine but closes every afternoon when a light breeze picks up. The batteries are new, so it is not the 30 minute or 1 hour pattern.
Step 1: find the row. Dometic's chart lists "Awning automatically closes during light breezes" with the cause "Sensitivity setting is too high."
Step 2: check the dial. The factory preset is "1", which Dometic calls "the highest predefined setting." At 1, "Low intensity shaking will close the awning." If nobody has touched it, the dial is almost certainly still there.
Step 3: move it one or two steps. With the awning at its out limit, slide the sensor cover off and turn the dial toward 9 with a small flat screwdriver. Put the sensor back on its base firmly. Dometic warns not to take the sensor off until you are ready, because the awning "will close automatically 1 hour after wind sensor removal."
Step 4: test it. Shake the lead rail for about 8 seconds as hard as the wind you want it to close in. It should retract. The motor then will not run for about 30 seconds.
Step 5: repeat in small steps. If no dial number feels right, Dometic has a personal setting, covered below.
Dometic 9500E: dial, reset and the battery clues
Dometic's 9500E operating instructions (Form 3314490.000, 2016) give three procedures for the sensor. They are labeled A, B and C in the manual.
- A. Reset Wind Sensor. Use this when the sensor does not respond at all. With the awning fully open, shake the lead rail up and down 3 to 4 inches for about 8 seconds. If it does not close, take the sensor off its base, fit new AA batteries, and check the dial. Then press the program button on the back of the remote, and then the program button inside the sensor. The motor jogs each time. Dometic says the motor "will only recognize wind sensor if the awning remote is fully programmed."
- B. Predefined adjustment. Use this when it closes in light breezes or stays open in real wind. Set the dial from "1" (most sensitive) to "9" (least), then shake-test.
- C. Personalized adjustment. Use this when no dial number suits you. Set the dial to "0" and put the sensor back. Then shake the lead rail for about 8 seconds as hard as the wind you want it to close in. The sensor "recorded the intensity of vibration" and will close at that level from then on.
The battery clues are worth knowing, because they explain closes on still days. Dometic's chart says a close after 30 minutes with no wind means low batteries. A close after 1 hour with no wind means the sensor is missing, not seated right, out of battery or damaged. Dometic says not to use rechargeable batteries. Use disposable lithium or alkaline AA cells, and check that an LED on the board lights briefly when they go in.
One more Dometic behavior looks like a fault and is not. After a wind close, the motor "will NOT operate for approximately 30 seconds." Dometic's fix, if you need it sooner, is to "Power motor off then on to temporarily bypass delay."
If the sensor itself has failed, Dometic part 3314017.000 is listed as the Wind Sensor Kit DA20 for the 9500 awning. In November 2026, Elkhart RV Parts listed it at $736.99 (regular price $1,171.81) and showed it as sold out. Its listing names the 9500 model 201. The 9500E manual used here covers model 202, so match the model number on your awning before you order. For the brand's wider lineup, see Dometic RV awnings.
Lippert Solera Smart Arm: set the level after every close
The Smart Arm's controls sit on a touch pad in the awning arm. Lippert's owner's manual (CCD-0001359, Rev 02.19.20) gives these steps for the optional wind sensor.
- Unlock the controller. Press and hold the lock button for three seconds. The green LED comes on.
- Choose the level. Press the wind button 1 to 3 times. Three LEDs next to the button show the level.
- Know the scale. Lippert says "Level 1 requires more wind (least sensitive)" and "Level 3 requires less wind (most sensitive)."
The note owners miss is this one: "Any time the awning is retracted for any reason (by the operator or due to strong wind), the desired level of wind sensitivity will need to be set." Lippert adds that the awning "can also be extended without activating the wind sensor." The manual does not say which level the controller uses if you skip the step. So set the level every time you open the awning, and read it off the three LEDs. Before a wind close, the awning light flashes "as a notification it is preparing to close." Lippert also says auto extend works only if the arm has the wind sensor fitted.
The Smart Arm has a second way to close itself that has nothing to do with wind. On units built after May 2018, it watches for water. Water in the main 12-pin connector is a Level 1 fault. Water in the touch pad or controller board is a Level 2 fault. Either one makes the lock LED blink nonstop. If either fault shows up while the awning is opening, it will "stop extending, and auto-retract to the fully retracted state." Lippert says a Level 1 fault clears with a power cycle of the controller, or by pressing any touch pad button once no fault has shown for 100 seconds. A Level 2 fault does not clear with a power cycle. It needs a five-button sequence from the manual, which ends with the unlock button held for 10 seconds. So if your Smart Arm goes back in after rain or a wash, look at the lock light before you blame the wind setting.
Carefree Eclipse with Direct Response
Carefree's Eclipse owner's manual for model year 2010 and on (052568-201r5, April 2017) covers its auto-retract system, called Direct Response. It has three switches on the control panel: power, patio (open and close) and motion sensitivity.
- Motion switch. High, Med or Low. "Low requires less amount of motion before the awning closes automatically. High requires more motion." If no motion switch is fitted, "the system defaults to the medium setting."
- Power switch. "The auto-retract system is ON when the power is ON." If power is shut off while the awning is out, Carefree says "the awning is not protected by the auto-retract system."
- Test. Carefree says to test the system now and then. Open the awning fully, set the motion switch to its lowest setting, and gently move the roller tube up and down. If it retracts, the system works. If not, Carefree says to contact an authorized dealer.
Carefree also says the power switch should be OFF whenever the awning is not being used and during transport. Read that with the note above. While the awning is out, the power switch has to stay on for the sensor to protect it. More on the brand is in Carefree RV awnings.
It closed when the key went on
That is often a lockout doing its job. Carefree's Eclipse manual describes two lockouts it sells with Direct Response. The EL lockout only stops the awning from opening while the key is on. "Special order RTL ignition lockouts will fully retract the awning and disable the extend function when the vehicle ignition key is in the ON position." Carefree adds that "RV manufacturers may install their own lockout design." So check your coach maker's papers too. Some motorhome recalls have added this kind of retract-on-start module. RV awning opened while driving covers those recalls.
The opposite fault matters more for safety. Dometic says to test its lockout before every trip: with the key ON, try to open the awning. If it opens, Dometic says the awning "MUST be disabled, then serviced," by pulling its fuse. Wiring faults and lockouts that will not let go are covered in RV awning motor problems.
It stopped part way, then worked later
That is usually not the sensor. Lippert's troubleshooting chart lists "Awning doesn't close all the way" and "Awning won't open or close" with the same cause: "Motor overheated, thermal breaker has tripped, auto resets once cooled." Carefree says running the Eclipse up and down many times in a short time can trip its heat protection. Carefree's fix is to "wait approximately 15 minutes" for the motor to cool. A thermal breaker is a small switch inside the motor that cuts power when it gets too hot and resets when it cools. Awning motor overheating explains the duty cycle.
Why the answer is not "turn the sensor off"
Every manual here treats the sensor as protection, not a nuisance. Dometic puts its warning at the top of both adjustment procedures: "Low sensitivity to high intensity wind will allow the awning to stay open during windy conditions, and could cause it to bend or collapse." So make the sensor less touchy one step at a time, and shake-test after each change. Do not pull its batteries or switch the power off with the awning out. Do not tie the awning down to stop it closing either. Dometic says not to tie down the lead rail on the 9500E, and Lippert says not to tie down the roll tube on the Smart Arm once it is extended. The habits that go with a sensor are in RV awning care and wind safety.
What this answer does not cover
The settings here come from three manuals: Dometic's 9500E, a 120 volt cassette awning; Lippert's Solera Smart Arm; and Carefree's 2010 and later Eclipse with Direct Response. Other models use other controls. Lippert's newer Solera 3000WS is set from the OneControl app, and its manual could not be retrieved for this page, so it is not covered. The same goes for Dometic's 9100 and other Carefree models such as the Mirage. Check the manual for your exact model before you change anything. None of the three manuals gives a wind speed in mph for any setting, so this page does not either. A sensor that closes at the right moment is still not a reason to leave the awning out in a storm. Carefree says plainly that "no auto-retract system is a guarantee against severe or destructive weather," and all three makers say to retract the awning when high wind or heavy rain is coming, or when you leave the RV. Dometic goes further: "NEVER leave an open awning unattended." Last, the arms move on their own when the sensor fires. Dometic warns to keep clear of the arm assemblies while the awning is open.
Key takeaways
- A power RV awning that closes on its own has usually tripped its wind sensor. On these RV awnings that sensor senses the awning shaking, not wind speed.
- The scales run different ways. Most sensitive is "1" on a Dometic 9500E (its factory setting), level 3 on a Lippert Smart Arm, and Low on a Carefree Eclipse.
- A Lippert Smart Arm needs its wind level set again after every retraction.
- Closes on still days point elsewhere: Dometic sensor batteries (30 minutes or 1 hour), a Lippert moisture fault (blinking lock light), or an ignition lockout that retracts.
- Stopping part way and working later is the motor's heat cut-out. Turn the sensor down one step at a time; never switch it off.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my RV awning close in a light breeze?
The wind sensor is set too sensitive. Dometic's troubleshooting chart gives exactly this cause. Make it less sensitive one step at a time, using your brand's scale: toward 9 on a Dometic 9500E, toward level 1 on a Lippert Smart Arm, toward High on a Carefree Eclipse.
Why does my Dometic awning close after an hour with no wind?
Dometic's chart says a close after 1 hour with no wind means the sensor is missing or not seated on its base, its batteries are dead, or it is damaged. A close after 30 minutes means the batteries are low. Fit new AA alkaline or disposable lithium cells, not rechargeables, and seat the sensor firmly.
Do I have to set the wind sensitivity every time on a Lippert Solera?
On the Smart Arm, yes. Lippert says that any time the awning is retracted, for any reason, "the desired level of wind sensitivity will need to be set." Unlock the touch pad by holding the lock button three seconds, then press the wind button 1 to 3 times.
How do I test an RV awning wind sensor?
Open the awning fully and move the front of it up and down. Dometic says to shake the lead rail 3 to 4 inches for about 8 seconds. Carefree says to set the lowest setting and gently move the roller tube up and down. If the awning retracts, the sensor works.
Can I just turn off the wind sensor?
It is not a good idea. Dometic warns that low sensitivity "will allow the awning to stay open during windy conditions, and could cause it to bend or collapse." Carefree says the awning is not protected when its power switch is off. Make the setting less sensitive instead.
Sources and further reading
- Dometic: 9500E (120 VAC) Power Case / Cassette Awning Operating Instructions, Form 3314490.000 (Revision B, 09/16)
- Lippert: Solera Smart Arm Owner's Manual, CCD-0001359 (Rev 02.19.20), hosted by Forest River
- Carefree of Colorado: Eclipse RV Owner's Manual, Model Year 2010 and On, 052568-201r5 (April 2017)
- Elkhart RV Parts: Dometic Wind Sensor Kit DA20, 9500 Awning, Part 3314017.000 (listing checked November 2026)
How we write our guides: figures are typical US ranges checked against manufacturer documentation, published standards and installer pricing. Read our editorial standards. Spotted an error or outdated detail? Request a correction.