How to Troubleshoot Window Shade Problems

Problems with shades are a cinch to resolve, and the repairs don't cost a cent. Whether you're troubleshooting a new shade you've installed or trying to resolve a problem with an old one, you'll find the solutions to be easy and accessible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Fix problems involving the shade rolling up or down. If it won't roll up completely, rolls up too slowly or rolls up too quickly, you'll need to remove the shade from its brackets. When it's down, roll or unroll (depending on your situation) about half of the shade and pop it back into place. If this doesn't work, just repeat the step. It's usually a problem with the spring adjustment that is easily fixed by resetting the tension in the spring with the manual roll.

2. If the shade falls out of its brackets or won't lock in the desire position, remove the shade from its brackets. For an outside mount, bend each bracket inward slightly with pliers. For an inside mount, pry out one or both of the brackets with a screwdriver with enough room to slip a cardboard shim behind each bracket. Then, tap the bracket nails back in.

3. If the shade is wobbly, removed it. The wobble likely means one of the stationary pins is bent, when it's supposed to be straight. Pull the pin out and straighten it with a pair of pliers before putting it back in.

4. For any problems more extreme that this, consult your local hardware store. You may need to replace the shade altogether.

on 12/16/2005 Temp/perm solution for vertical venetian blind slat (blind) repair - if the part at the top that hangs breaks, simply place it horizontally in the same area where it normally snaps into place and re-hang slat (blind).