All guides
Published on July 8, 2026

Cuckoo clock troubleshooting: stopped or not calling?

Cuckoo clock troubleshooting: stopped or not calling?
© Hönes · Foto: Czybik

Most minor faults on a mechanical cuckoo clock can be fixed in a few minutes, without tools. Before calling a clockmaker, go through these common problems and their solutions.

The cuckoo clock stops

First check that the weights have not reached the bottom: if they have, simply wind the clock. If the pendulum still stops, the clock is probably not hanging straight. The pendulum must swing freely, without touching the case.

Listen to the tick-tock rather than looking at the clock: shift it very slightly to the left or right until you hear an even beat.

The cuckoo does not call or the music does not play

On a clock you have just unpacked, check that all the transport locks have been removed, in particular the clips holding the cuckoo’s bellows. Also make sure the little door is no longer locked by the transport hook or wire on the side.

Then check the shut-off lever, on the side or under the case: it must not be stuck between its two positions.

The cuckoo calls at the wrong time

If it calls, but not on the hour or half hour, the minute hand has slipped. Loosen the small nut that holds it, set the hand exactly on the 12 when the cuckoo calls, then tighten the nut again.

The number of calls does not match the time

Let the cuckoo call on the hour and count its calls. Then gently pull the hour hand towards you, set it to the hour matching the number of calls you heard, and push it back on. If the hand is made of wood, secure it with a tiny drop of glue.

The door stays open after the call

During transport, the wire that controls the door may have slipped from under the bird’s tail. Open the little door and gently put this wire back under the cuckoo’s tail.

A chain has come off its wheel

Pull the other chains all the way up, then unhook all the weights. Tie the chains together with string, as close to the case as possible, so that they cannot move. This fault needs a repair: contact our after-sales service.

The clock runs fast or slow

If it runs fast, move the pendulum disc down slightly; if it runs slow, move it up. According to the VdS, moving it by 3 mm changes the rate by about 3 minutes a day.

If the problem persists, or if the clock has not been serviced for a long time, plan a service by a clockmaker, recommended every two to three years. On a quartz cuckoo clock, most of these faults do not occur: check the batteries and the night sensor first.

Share this page
Step by step in video

Troubleshooting and maintenance videos

Le film officiel : un vrai coucou de la Forêt-Noire
Also read

Our other guides

Mechanical or quartz cuckoo clock: how to choose? Mechanical or quartz cuckoo clock: how to choose? Choosing between a mechanical cuckoo clock and a quartz cuckoo clock is first and foremost choosing how you want to live with your clock. Both come in the same... Read the guide Musical cuckoo clocks: melodies, music box and figures Musical cuckoo clocks: melodies, music box and figures A musical cuckoo clock does more than call the hour: after the bird’s call, a melody rises and figures start to move. Here is how these little shows work, on me... Read the guide Genuine Black Forest cuckoo clock: the VdS certificate Genuine Black Forest cuckoo clock: the VdS certificate The success of the Black Forest cuckoo clock has given rise to many copies. Yet a few clues help you recognize a genuine cuckoo clock, starting with its VdS cer... Read the guide What size cuckoo clock should you choose? What size cuckoo clock should you choose? Before falling for a model, check that it will fit in your home. The size of a cuckoo clock is not just about its case: on a mechanical model, you also need to... Read the guide Quartz cuckoo clock: how it works and its advantages Quartz cuckoo clock: how it works and its advantages A quartz cuckoo clock offers the call, the music and the animations of a Black Forest cuckoo clock, with no winding at all. Here is how it works and what it cha... Read the guide How does a mechanical cuckoo clock work? How does a mechanical cuckoo clock work? A mechanical cuckoo clock works without batteries or electricity: everything it does, from moving the hands to the bird’s call, comes from its weights. Here is... Read the guide Properly Hanging Your Cuckoo Clock Properly Hanging Your Cuckoo Clock A properly installed cuckoo clock runs better and lasts longer. All you need is a solid wall, a screw at the right height and a few minutes to free the mechanis... Read the guide Understanding Black Forest Movements Understanding Black Forest Movements Beneath the dial of every mechanical cuckoo clock beats a clock movement. There are two main families, the 1-day movement and the 8-day movement, each available... Read the guide Maintaining and Winding Your Cuckoo Clock Maintaining and Winding Your Cuckoo Clock A Black Forest cuckoo clock can last for generations. All it takes is a few simple habits: regular winding, setting the time without forcing it and a service by... Read the guide