The most common cause of a stuck sprinkler head is dirt and debris. If dirt, rocks, leaves, or grass gets caught between a sprinkler body and the sprinkler riser, it can clog up the works and stop the riser from sliding back into the body. Resulting in a sprinkler head that won't go down.

How do you fix a stuck sprinkler?

Push the stuck sprinkler head into the ground and wait for it to pop back out. Do this several times. Then, turn off the water and note whether the sprinkler head retracts. Lubricate the sprinkler head with spray lubricant if pushing it down with the water turned on had no effect.

How do I keep my sprinkler heads from sticking?

Clean any debris from the inside of the sprinkler body or on the nozzle mechanism. Rinse the components with water and wipe them down with a rag. Turn the water on to the station controlling the sprinkler head. This will force out any dirt or debris that may be the cause of repeated sticking after reassembly.