Installation and Mounting Problems

I lost my brackets or my brackets are damaged.

We carry replacement mounting brackets here.

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

You may need to remount your shade 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.

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

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

Traversing Problems

The shade binds or moves with difficulty toward the end of the headrail.

First, check that the headrail and mounting brackets are level and evenly aligned. Then, check that the tension cord is routed correctly and can move in the track. If the shade does not slide easily, you may need to adjust the cord tension. Slide the cord tensioner toward the fabric stack end to slightly decrease the tension. To increase the tension, slide the tensioner away from the fabric stack end.

The shade does not stay in my desired position after opening or closing the shade.

This has to do with the tension on the shade. Slide the cord tensioner away from the fabric stack end to slightly increase the tension. Slide the cord tensioner toward the fabric stack end to increase the tension.

The fabric billows out when I open the shade.

Increase the tension on the shade by sliding the cord tensioner toward the fabric stack.

The cord tensioner does not stay in the right place.

If there is a valance on your shade, put one of the valance clips up against the cord tensioner to act as a stop. This will prevent the tensioner from sliding out of place.

The fabric ripped and keeps falling out of the carriers.

Sometimes, the holes punched in the fabric may rip or tear. Then, the fabric won’t stay up in the carrier as the shade traverses. You can just move the carrier clip over to the next cells and install it there. Punch a hole in the fabric with a sharp object, taking care not to hurt yourself. Push the pin on the carrier clip through the hole in the fabric cells. Snap the hole at the bottom of the fabric carrier onto the pin.

There is a string hanging down from the top of my shade.

The cord that is hanging down is most likely attached to the tension device that slides in the top rail. Slide the cord tensioner away from the fabric stack end to slightly increase the tension.

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

If the string is broken, it’s time to replace it. Please following these measuring instructions to select the correct thickness of the string. You may need help to find out how much string you will need. If the string has pulled out the shade, check to see if it is broken or frayed. If so, replace it. If it is not broken, you may be able to reinsert it. It may have simply become disconnected to its tie-off point.

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 vertical honeycomb shade 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.

Fabric Problems

Several things can go wrong with the shade fabric. It can tear or become soiled and cleaning won’t work. The edges of the material can fray. Whenever there is an issue with the material, it is time to replace the entire shade. We do not carry shade material at Fix My Blinds or have a referral for replacement material.

Need Replacement Blinds

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If your window covering is beyond repair, we recommend Blinds.com for purchasing new vertical cellular shades.