Mech Derailleur

What is wrong with the gear cable on my bike & how can I fix it?

I went to ride my bike today (after leaving it for a few weeks) and the mech gear cable to the rear derailleur has a few centimetres of slack meaning my bike stays in first gear.

On inspection, the cable is still attached at both ends (shifter & derailleur) and it has not slipped from the derailleur tensioning bolt. Surely it cant have stretched because it’s woven steel?

Can anyone diagnose how this could have happened and guide me how to fix it?

Kind Regards

Check all of the cable mounting points. The cable can be loose of the bike is one gear and the shifter is in another. Pick the rear wheel off of the ground and turn the pedals and see if the bike shifts gears. Cables will stretch a few mm but not cm’s.

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-rear-derailleur/

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