Installation and Mounting Problems

My brackets are missing. How do I pick out the right brackets?

There are two types of mounting brackets for venetian blinds: box brackets and hidden brackets. Box brackets are very common and fit on each end of the headrail like a box lid. To fit those, measure the height and depth of your headrail. If your blind requires hidden brackets, meaning they are mounting behind and/or above the blind and are hidden when the blind is hanging, they must be matched up visually by shape and measurements.

My blind is hitting the trim, window handle, or some other obstacle.

You may need to remount your blinds further away from the surface that is being hit or rubbed. In some cases, you will need to install plastic bracket spacers or extension brackets to provide additional clearance. If your blind is hitting a window crank, you may need to replace the window crank with a smaller T-handle window crank.

My blind keeps falling out of the box brackets.

If the blind is falling out of the box brackets and the brackets are still in the closed position, the box brackets are spaced too far apart. You will need to remount your brackets closer together. If the brackets are installed to the top of the window frame, to the ceiling, or the wall you can simply remount the brackets closer together. If your brackets are mounted to the sides of a window frame, you may need to install plastic bracket spacers between the window frame and the brackets. If the blind is falling down because your brackets won’t stay closed or are broken, it’s time to replace your mounting brackets.

Can I mount my blind inside or outside the window?

Most brackets can be mounted either inside or outside the window. Box brackets can typically be mounted inside, outside, or ceiling mounted. We specify the mounting type each bracket accommodates on its product page under “Additional Information.”

My blind sags in the middle.

Most blinds four feet wide and over require one or more center support brackets. They will stabilize the blind and keep it from sagging.

My blind mounted on my door bangs against the door when the door is opened or closed.

Installing hold down brackets will secure the bottom of the blind to the door. You may also need to replace broken or missing bottom rail end caps that have been damaged or lost from the blind hitting the door.

My blinds are too wide for my window.

You will need to have your blinds cut to the proper width. Most local blind repair shops can cuts blinds, but we recommend checking with them before taking your blinds to them. If you are the original owner, you can try contacting the company you purchased the blinds from. Also, you can consider mounting your blinds outside the window.

Tilting Problems

Wand Tilting:

When I twist the wand, nothing happens or I hear a clicking sound.

There’s a geared tilt mechanism inside the top rail of horizontal blinds. Sometimes, that gear fails and needs to be replaced. If you twist the wand or pull the cord to tilt the slats and the slats do not tilt, that indicates that the tilt mechanism is broken and needs to be replaced.

Is it possible to switch from a wand tilter to a cord tilter?

Yes, absolutely. Please follow through the Tilt Mechanism Buying Guide to find a part that will fit your blind. And don’t forget to purchase two new tassels for the end of the two tilting cords.

The tilt wand is missing or broken or won’t stay attached.

If the tilt wand is missing from your blind, check to make sure that there is a hook or eyelet sticking out from the top of your blind that a wand can attach to. If that part is intact, you can simply replace the tilt wand. Wands typically hang down 2/3 the length of the window opening. It can be shorter or longer depending on your preference. Sometimes, there is a shaft sticking out from your blinds, but no way to attach the wand. If the shaft is fully intact, there may be holes and/or groves that wire hook will fit into. Putting a new hook and/or sleeve on that shaft will enable you to re-hang the wand. If the shaft sticking out of the blinds is broken off, the tilt mechanism needs to be replaced. Maybe the end of the wand itself is broken. If there is a plastic or metal tip on the end of the wand, you may be able to replace just the tip of the wand.

Cord Tilting:

When I pull the tilt cords, nothing happens, I hear a clicking sound and/or the cord just pulls loosely through the mechanism.

There’s a geared tilt mechanism inside the top rail of horizontal blinds. Sometimes, that gear fails and needs to be replaced. When you pull the cord to tilt the slats and the slats do not tilt, that indicates that the tilt mechanism is broken and needs to be replaced.

The cord tilting string is broken, uneven or pulled out.

If the cord is broken or missing, replace the cord with a new piece. We recommend using a cord with a 1.4mm diameter. Use a piece that is ten feet long. We have a video that shows how to replace the cord here. If the cord is uneven, you can take it off and put it back on evenly. You could also replace the tilt mechanism.

Other Tilting Problems that apply to both operation types:

The slats at the top of my blind are hanging crooked.

If the slats on your blinds are hanging lopsided, the string ladder or cloth tape has probably become disconnected from the drums inside the headrail of the blind. You can simply attach them to the drums inside of the headrail. You may need to take the blind down and look to see what happened. The drums inside the headrail of the blind may have broken or disintegrated from the sun. They can easily be replaced. Look for a replacement drum that matches in the overall width and has the same size/shape of the center hole. Sometimes the cradles, the pieces that the drums sit in, also break. When replacing those, be sure to select a cradle that has the same height/width dimensions. Pay close attention to the holes punched in the bottom side of the headrail. The replacement cradle needs to match the punches. Also, check the string ladders. They may be broken or torn and need replacement.

There are little strings hanging out at the top of my blinds and/or the top slats won’t tilt.

The drums inside the headrail of the blind may have broken or disintegrated from the sun. They can easily be replaced. Look for a replacement drum that matches in the overall width and has the same size/shape of the center hole. Sometimes the cradles, the pieces that the drums sit in, also break. When replacing those, be sure to select a cradle that has the same height/width dimensions. Pay close attention to the holes punched in the bottom side of the headrail. The replacement cradle needs to match the punches. Or, the ladder strings can sometimes become disconnected. You can simply attach them again.

It’s hard to turn the wand on my blind. It feels very stiff.

The stiffness can be due to a wide/large/heavy blind. Or, the teeth inside the tilt mechanism may be failing. Replacing the tilt mechanism can help. Oftentimes, a cord tilting mechanism is easier to use compared to wand tilting mechanisms. You can switch from a wand mechanism to a cord mechanism easily. Our Tilt Mechanism Buying Guide will help you find the correct cord tilter. Remember to purchase two tassels of your choice to tie on the ends of the cords.

Is it possible to switch from a cord tilter to a wand tilter?

Yes, absolutely. Please follow through the Tilt Mechanism Buying Guide to find a part that will fit your blind. And don’t forget to purchase a new wand. Wands typically hang down 2/3 of the overall length of the blind.

Lifting & Lowering Problems

I can’t raise my blind.

This indicates a problem with the lifting strings. If the string is broken or fraying, it’s time to replace it. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your blind. Determine what thickness of string you need. We have instructions here. You may also need help to find out how much string you will need. If your cord continues to break or fray, it is probably being pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the blinds. Check the cradles and cord lock mechanism for sharp edges and grooves that can get worn over time. If one of those are sharp or broken, replacing that part will prolong the life of the cord.

My blind is stuck in the raised position.

Some heavier and larger blinds can get stuck if they are pulled up very tightly. To help release the lock, place your hand on the middle of the bottom rail and push up while simultaneously trying to unlock the blind cord. Usually, this extra support does the trick. If that still doesn’t work, you can manually disengage the cord lock. To do this, carefully remove the blind from the window and lay it on a flat surface. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the locking mechanism to separate the rollers.

The blind won’t stay up when locked in place.

This is usually caused by a failed cord lock or crushed cord. To determine if the problem lies with the lock or the cord, do this: Try to raise your blind up just a few inches and lock it in place. If it locks, the problem lies with the cord. If it doesn’t lock, the problem lies with the locking mechanism.
Over time, the cord can get crushed where the blind is continuously locked in the same position day after day. You can either replace all of the lifting cords or start locking the blind in a different location.
If the blind won’t stay up at any position, the lock needs to be replaced. Take the blind down and compare your lock to those on our website.

My blind is difficult to raise and/or raises unevenly.

This can be caused by frayed cord getting stuck in the route holes that are punched in the slats. Replacing each of the lifting strings should correct this problem.

My cordless blind won’t lift up/stay up/is uneven.

Most problems with operating cordless blinds can be resolved by reactivating the cordless tension device. To do this extend the blind until it is fully lowered then raise the blind by pushing up on the middle of the bottom rail. It may take several attempts to reactivate the tension. If this does not resolve your issue you may need to contact a professional repair service.

I can’t lower my blind all the way.

If the strings are too short for the blind to lower fully and cover the window completely, the only solution is to replace the cord. Unfortunately, there is no way to tie, sew, or melt new string to the old string to make them longer. That may work for a short time but isn’t a permanent solution. The string could also be twisted up inside the blind preventing it from lowering all the way. Again, the solution is to replace all of the lifting cords.

My string is broken and/or pulled out of my blinds.

If the string is broken, it’s time to replace it. Please following these measuring instructions to select the correct thickness of string. If the string has pulled out the blind, check to see if it is broken or frayed. If so, replace it.

Valance Problems

My valance is broken or missing.

We recommend contacting a local blind company to see if they can order a replacement valance.

My valance fell down, won’t stay up and/or is hanging crooked.

It’s very common for the valance clips that hold the valance to become brittle and break. When this happens you can simply replace your valance clips. We carry many replacement valance clips. To find the correct valance clip, determine how your valance clip attaches to your valance. It may wrap around the top/bottom of the valance, attach to a plastic strip on the back of the valance, fit into a grooved slot on the valance, or be screwed on. Measure the overall height of the clip. We match up all valance clips visually by measurement and shape. Be sure to put a valance clip every 18-24 inches to give the valances stability.

Slat Problems

The slats on my blind are hanging crooked.

If the slats on your blinds are hanging lopsided, the string ladder or cloth tape has probably become disconnected from the drums inside the headrail of the blind. Take the blind down and look to see what happened. Are the drums broken? Did the ladder material tear? Sometimes, it may just have slipped out and just need to be reattached. Or, it could be a bit more complicated and require new drums and/or new string ladder or cloth tape.

One or more of my slats are broken.

Some Venetian blinds have an extra slat or two at the bottom of the blind. If your blind has this, you can easily move that slat up to replace the broken or damaged slat. Remove the bottom rail buttons and untie the lifting strings. Remove the lifting strings up to the point of the damaged slat. Remove the slat and insert the new one. Rethread the lifting strings, and retie it through the bottom rail. Reinsert the bottom rail buttons. Currently, Fix My Blinds does not sell replacement slats.

Need Replacement Blinds

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If your venetian blind is beyond repair, we recommend Blinds.com for replacements.

Child Safety Concerns

Please visit the Window Covering Safety Council to see the latest recommendations for corded window coverings.