Installation and Mounting Problems

I lost my brackets or my brackets are damaged.

Brackets for vertical blinds typically wrap around the front and back of the top of the headrail. Measure the width of the headrail where the bracket attaches. Then compare that measurement to the vertical blind brackets we carry.

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.

Can I mount my blind inside or outside the window?

Most brackets can be mounted either inside or outside the window. Vertical blind brackets are frequently used with an extension bracket. 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 more than two mounting brackets. Additional brackets will stabilize the blind and prevent it from sagging.

I had new windows installed and now my blinds are too wide for my window frame.

You will need to have your blinds cut to the proper width. Most local blind repair shops can cut 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

One of my vertical blind vanes is twisted out of sync.

On many brands, you can reach up and firmly grab the stem and try to slowly turn it back into place. Please note that not all brands are capable of this. If it feels like it isn’t budging, don’t force it. Some of the brands that you can self-correct are Graber, some Excalibur, Vertilux, Novo, and some of the store-bought brands that you buy off the shelf.

Some vertical blinds are made to be self-aligning. If your blind is self-aligning, that feature can be activated by pulling the chain. Keep pulling, even past the point of ease. This will cause the headrail to realign. If your blinds are not self-aligning, this action will damage your blinds. If you are not sure if your blind is self-aligning then contact the manufacturer.

If the above tips don’t work, it may be time to purchase a new headrail.

My vanes don’t open and are difficult to turn. I feel like something may break when I twist the wand or pull the chain to tilt the vanes.

First, check to make sure that all the vanes are overlapped in the same direction. If they are not facing the same direction, it may prevent the blind from opening easily. If all of the vanes are aligned, it could be the tilting gear is failing. Replacing either the wand tilt mechanism or the control end may correct this problem.

Some of my vanes won’t open and close. It’s easy to twist the wand or pull the chain to tilt the vanes.

If just a few vanes that don’t turn, it’s a problem with the gears inside of each carrier. Sometimes, vertical blinds are built with replaceable carrier gears. However, the gear may be completely enclosed inside the carrier. In that case, the entire carrier would need replacing. Finding the correct carrier with the same turning ratio as existing parts is very difficult. We recommend hiring a professional repair person or purchasing a new headrail.

When I twist the wand or pull the tilt chain, nothing happens and/or I hear a clicking sound.

There’s a geared tilt mechanism or control end inside the headrail. Sometimes, that gear fails and needs to be replaced. When you twist the wand or pull the tilt chain and the vanes do not tilt, that indicates that the tilt mechanism or control end is broken and needs to be replaced.

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

If the control wand is missing from your blind, check to make sure that there is a hook or eyelet sticking out from your blind that a wand can attach to. If that part is intact, you can simply replace the tilt wand.
Sometimes, there is only a shaft or nub sticking out from your blinds, but no way to attach the wand. When that happens, the tilt mechanism needs to be replaced.

Traversing Problems

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

If the string has pulled out from your blind, determine if it is broken. If it is, replace the cord. You may need help to find out how much string you will need. If it is not broken, you may be able to put it back in. Maybe it became unknotted from the end of the carriers, and you can simply retie it.

When I pull on the string, one or two vanes move, but not the rest.

All of the vanes are hanging from carriers. The carriers are attached to each other with metal or plastic spacer straps forming a carrier train. Sometimes, these straps can become disconnected or break. Inspect the spacer straps inside the headrail to see if they have become disconnected. You may be able to rejoin them. If the spacer straps are broken, it’s time to purchase a new headrail.

Alternatively, some carriers are joined together with what is called a “scissor track.” The scissor pieces can also become disconnected. If they are broken, it’s time to purchase a new headrail.

When I pull on the string, it is really hard to draw the blinds back and forth.

First, make sure to fully tilt the vanes to the open position before trying to draw them across the window. When it’s hard to open the blinds, it may indicate that the cord is frayed or wearing. Follow the entire path of string and inspect it for wear. If necessary, replace the cord.

Many verticals are on patio doors near a heater vent. Dust and dirt can get inside the headrail causing difficulties when traversing. Spraying silicone spray on the inside edges of the headrail may solve this problem. Do not use WD-40 on your vertical blind headrail.

I had new carpet installed and the bottom of my vanes are catching on it.

The pile of carpet can affect the traversing of vertical blinds. To correct this, you can remount your blinds higher up on the wall if they are mounted outside the window. For inside mount blinds, you can have the vanes cut to fit the window opening better.

Can I change how my vertical opens? I want it to draw in a different direction.

Vertical blinds can open to stack on the left, on the right, in the middle, or split in the middle to stack evenly on both sides. If you want to change your vertical blind to a different draw type, hire a professional or purchase a new headrail that operates how you prefer.

Vane Problems

The vanes won’t stay up in my blind. They keep falling out.

There are a few possible problems going on. The vane itself may be cracked or broken at the top. If the hole at the top of a plastic, vinyl or PVC vane is broken, you can repair and reinforce it with a vertical blind vane saver. If it’s a fabric vane, you can replace the hanger that inserts in the top.

It’s also possible that the carrier clip into which the vane is inserted is broken or stretched out. Over time, due to sun exposure, the legs of the clips can become disfigured, warped or stretched. Replacing the carrier clip will fix that. The carrier clips can also break off leaving you unable to hang a vane on it. Some carrier clips are very simple to replace like these vertical blind carrier clips. However, some carrier clips are not removable. They are actually part of the carrier itself. In that case, the entire carrier would be to be replaced. That is a difficult repair, and we recommend that you get a professional to replace it or purchase a new headrail.

The vanes are swinging in the wind and knocking together.

To prevent this, draw your blinds open before opening the window. If the window is open, leave the blinds open as well. Some vertical blinds with fabric vanes have a chain and clip system at the bottom of the vanes that connects the vanes together. This chain and clip does not affect the overall functionality of the blind and is not required a component. When the vanes are chained together, it creates a sail effect so that all of the vanes will be moving together rather than just a few. There is no chain and clip system for plastic, vinyl or PVC vanes.

Valance Problems

My valance is broken or missing.

We recommend visiting Reslat.com to order replacement vertical blind valances. Or, contact 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 vertical blind valance clips to become brittle and break. When this happens you can simply replace your valance clips. We carry many replacement vertical blind valance clips. We match up all valance clips visually by measurements and shape. Be sure to put a valance clip every 18-24 inches to give the valance stability.

I got a new headrail, and my valance clips no longer fit.

Pairing an older valance with a new headrail can be very difficult. Your old valance clips will not work on the new headrail. To see if we have valance clips that will work, measure the width of the top rail where the clips will snap around. Determine if you have a flat valance and need an L-shaped valance clip or if you need a dust cover valance clip. Then, look for a valance clip on our website.

Need Replacement Headrail or Vanes/Slats

We recommend Reslat.com for purchasing new headrails and vanes/slats for vertical blinds.

Need Replacement Blinds

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If your vertical 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.