Do you have an Ingenuity baby swing that’s stopped swinging? In this article, we show you how to fix it.
If you’ve got an Ingenuity baby swing that’s stopped swinging, the problem might be one of several things. It could be a faulty motor, or something else completely unrelated to the actual swing itself.
This is part of our series on troubleshooting baby swings and we previously wrote guides on;
How to fix Ingenuity Baby Swing that Doesn’t Swing
#1. Check Batteries
The first thing to do is check whether the batteries are working properly. It is possible for your Ingenuity swing to only play music and not swing if the batteries are running low. You should also check that the batteries are inserted correctly into the battery compartment.
If you’re using AA batteries, we recommend using alkaline batteries rather than rechargeable ones. Rechargeable batteries can lose their charge quickly, and this can cause your Ingenuity swing to stop working.
Go for type C or D batteries as they have a longer life. Energizer has great batteries on Amazon that you can get if you realize that the batteries are running low. You should note that one of the complaints of Ingenuity swings such as the Ingenuity 5-Speed Portable Baby Swing with Music is that it runs out of batteries fast. It can drain the batteries in less than a month.
If you have Ingenuity DreamComfort Inlighten or Ingenuity boutique collection swing portable, get type D batteries such as these Energizer D Batteries from Amazon.
If you own Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable or Ingenuity Simplecomfort cradling brands, then get type C batteries as these two Ingenuity models take type C batteries. Below are Energizer type C batteries available on Amazon;
#2. Inspect the Motor
If the batteries are fine, then the next thing to check is the motor. It’s possible that the motor has burned out and needs to be replaced. To check this, you’ll need to open up the bottom of the swing. There should be a small hole that you can use to unscrew the plastic panel and remove it. You can then inspect the motor to see if there is any damage or signs of overheating.
To replace a damaged motor, you’ll need to take your swing back to where you purchased it from if it is still under warranty. The store should be able to help you get either get a new motor or get a new Ingenuity swing altogether.
If your swing is out of warranty, you might need to look into getting a replacement motor yourself. There are some great options available on the market, that you can get for less than $100.
#3. Clean the Motor
If the motor looks to be in good condition, then you should try cleaning it. This is a fairly simple process, and all you’ll need is a can of compressed air. You can use the compressed air to blow any dust or dirt out of the motor. Once you’ve done this, try turning on your Ingenuity baby swing and see if it starts working again.
#4. Check the stationary lock feature:
One common issue that can cause your Ingenuity swing to stop swinging is the stationary lock feature. This is a safety feature that is designed to keep the swing from moving when your baby is not in it. However, if this feature is accidentally turned on, it will prevent the swing from moving even when your baby is in it.
To check if this is the issue, you’ll need to look for a small red switch on the bottom of the swing. This switch is usually located near the front of the swing. If this switch is in the “on” position, then it will be preventing the swing from moving. Simply turn the switch to the “off” position and the swing should start working again.
If you can’t find the switch, or if it is already in the “off” position, then this is not the issue.
#5. Check if the Sensor Alignment:
Some Ingenuity models use the hybridrive technology which has sensors that need to be aligned for the swing to work. There are usually two sensors, one on either side of the motor. These sensors need to be pointing towards each other for the swing to work properly.
If they are not aligned, then the swing will not be able to detect when your baby is in it and will not start swinging. To fix this, you’ll need to open up the bottom of the swing and realign the sensors. Once they are correctly aligned, your Ingenuity swing should start working again.
The main cause of this sensor alignment issue stems from a poor assembly of your Ingenuity swing. You need to verify that your assembly is in accordance with the manual and should be able to see if the magnet of the seat is aligned with the sensor on the base.
#6. Try pushing it
Some parents have found success in pushing the seat – especially those without the sensors. You should try pushing the seat with your hand to see if it will start swinging.
#7. Adjust settings:
- If your swing has different speed or motion settings, try adjusting these. Sometimes starting at a lower setting and then increasing can help.
#8. Get customer support
If none of these solutions work, then you may need to reach out to customer support for your Ingenuity baby swing. They should be able to help troubleshoot the issue and offer recommendations for fixing it. Oftentimes, a simple reset or firmware update can resolve common issues with Ingenuity swings.
Here is the link to the customer support page.
Matan Feldman, Dad & Swing Expert
My Name is Matan Feldman and I am a dad of a toddler and an infant based out of Atlanta. I manage this website, Safe Baby Fun (formerly known as Baby Swing Hubs), and mostly blog here about baby activity gear including swings, walkers, bouncers, and jumpers, among others. From what I have learned being a parent for over 7 years now, I am very excited to share good tips with other parents especially if it can improve the safety of kids. I work with a baby products testing and review company and over the past 2 years, I have gained deep insight into baby products and am happy to recommend them here. When I am not wasting time learning one or two tricks at home with my two kids, I spend a lot of time blogging on this site or on other sites to assist parents looking for first-hand insight or feedback on different baby products – especially from a dad’s perspective. If you have any questions, you can reach me using my email, matan@safebabyfun.com.
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