IN THIS ARTICLE

• Why won't my horizontal blinds go down?
• How to Fix Different Types of Cordless Blinds?
• Fixing Your Cordless Blinds in the Comfort of Your Home
• Fixing Cordless Blinds FAQs

A frustrating problem with cord-operated shades and blinds is their propensity to wear out over time. The cords get stiff, the mechanisms get rusty or gummed up with dirt, and eventually the whole thing just stops working.

That's why more people are leaning toward cordless blinds, which are operated by a small motor that either raises or lowers the shade. Not only are they more reliable, they're also safer for children and pets; there aren't any dangling cords to get tangled up in.

Despite your best intentions, though, cordless blinds aren't immune to wear and tear – and there may come a time when they stop going up or down altogether. If that's the case, don't despair; here are five screwdriver-free tips to help get your cordless blinds working again. Even if you're lacking in DIY know-how, you'll be able to fix them yourself in no time!

Why won't my horizontal blinds go down?

First of all, let's explore some of the reasons why your cordless blinds might not be working. There are a few common culprits:

• The battery may be dead or low. It's always best to check this first, as a fresh battery can often do the trick.
• The motor may be malfunctioning. In this case, there may be a manufacturing defect, or the motor may have simply worn out over time.
• Rough use or mishandling over time can also damage the blinds or the motor, leading to a malfunction.
• In hot or humid areas, your shades may swell and change shape. This can affect how they work and even prevent them from going up or down altogether.

Remember, too, that just because your blinds are 'cordless' doesn't mean they lack moving parts. There are still internal cords and mechanisms that can wear out over time, so it's important to give your blinds a regular check-up – just like you would with any other appliance in your home.

Here are 5 tips for doing just that!

1. Reactivate the Spring Mechanisms

In particular rooms, or during certain times of the year, you may keep your cordless blinds in the same position for a prolonged period of time. When you go to move them, however, you find that they don't budge. This can be confusing, especially since you haven't been using the mechanisms at all.

The likely cause here is that the spring mechanisms have become inactive. They aren't broken – just in need of a wake-up.

If your blinds don't go up, try lowering the blind down first as far as it will go. This will help to 'reactivate' the springs. Once they're down, you should be able to raise them back up without any problem. For blinds that are already lowered as far as possible, simply pull them toward you at a 45-degree angle and gently lower them back down. A few light tugs can help as well.

In most cases, this will solve the problem – but if not, let's move on to the next tip.

2. Realign Uneven Shades

At times, you may notice that your cordless blinds are a little uneven when you try to raise them. This is usually due to the blinds not being perfectly aligned when they were installed. It could also simply be a matter of the cordless blinds becoming warped over time.

In order to fix this, you'll need to realign them. Thankfully, this is a pretty easy process – so long as you have a steady hand.

As tempting as it may be, don't try to pull on the uneven side of the blinds to straighten them out. You'll likely end up damaging them even further. Instead, you'll want to grab on to the middle of the window covering and briskly pull it all the way down.

Since you are extending the shade fully, both sides should straighten out at the bottom. Now, all you have to do is raise it back up. If one side is still uneven, repeat the process until it's aligned.

3. Test the Friction Clips

Cordless blinds have mechanisms inside them that are used to help the blinds recoil. These are known as friction clips; they work by providing friction against the cord (or lack thereof) as the blinds are raised and lowered.

Therefore, if your friction clips aren't operating as they should, it could be the reason why your cordless blinds won't go down. Sometimes you'll need to remove a couple of these clips in order to get the blinds moving again.

To do so, open up the headrail and locate the clips. Start by removing one and then replacing the headrail; it should begin working again, but if not, that's your sign to remove another clip. Continue doing this until the blinds work as they should.

4. Remove the Steel Rods

If you've tried all of the above and your cordless blinds still won't go down, it's possible that there is something wrong with the steel rods located at the bottom of the blinds.

The purpose of these rods is to keep the blinds in place when they're lowered. However, you can safely them if needed without causing any damage.

To do so, remove the end caps and slide one of the rods out, then replace the caps. Test to see if they work properly. If not, remove the other rod in the same way and test again.

5. Contact the Manufacturer

Of course, sometimes it's best to go straight to the source – especially if you've tried all of the above and nothing seems to work. You don't want to risk playing around with them too much and potentially damaging them further.

Manufacturers are experts in the products they create, and as such, they're well prepared to handle any problems that may arise. They'll hopefully be able to give you a simple solution – or, if the problem is more serious, they may be able to help you get a replacement set of cordless blinds.

To connect with the manufacturer and begin troubleshooting, simply find their contact information online or look for the customer service number on the product packaging. They will be able to walk you through the issue and help you get your cordless window blinds up and running again.

If you've purchased direct from the manufacturer, good news – you may be covered by a warranty! Regardless, you're in much better hands than if you'd purchased from a third-party retailer. The manufacturer will be able to help you troubleshoot the issue with expert care.

How to Fix Different Types of Cordless Blinds?

Under the umbrella of cordless blinds, there are a variety of types. You can get a cordless version of just about any window treatment – from mini blinds to bamboo shades, Venetian blinds, and more.

As such, you'll need to take a slightly different approach to fixing your cordless blinds depending on the type you have. Let's take a look at some tips for fixing the different types of blinds:

Fixing Cordless Roller Blinds

For roller shades and blinds, there is usually a problem with the tension spring. You can attempt to fix roller blinds with the following:

• Take the shade down and manually unroll it to the halfway point, then turn the pin on the spring side of the blind until tension returns.
• Grasp the middle of the shade and pull gently down until the fabric is completely unrolled. Allow the shade to re-roll as you guide it all the way up to the top.
• If the cordless blinds are still not working, you can try winding a new spring onto the shaft.

Fixing Cordless Cellular Shades

• Cellular shades and blinds can usually be fixed by using the 45-degree method, in which you lower the shade fully and then raise it toward you on an angle.
• If this doesn't work, the motor likely needs to be replaced, or the internal cords are tangled and in need of replacing.

Fixing Cordless Roman Shades

• Roman shades can be fixed with the 45-degree method, too. Tug the shade once it is sitting at the 45-degree angle and this should reset the motor.
• If not, reach up to the tube at the top of the shade and give it a half-turn.

Fixing Cordless Venetian Blinds

• Venetian blinds can be trickier than other types due to their design, so take extra care when trying to fix them.
• Grab both ends of the blind, gently pulling down toward the bottom and extending the slats fully out.
• Then begin rocking the blind up gently, lifting one side slightly up and then the other. This should eventually reset the motor.
• If you have vertical blinds, tilt the vanes to sit fully open and then reach up and pull them across from the part attached to the headrail. Don’t pull from the vanes themselves – they’ll likely get pulled off.

Regardless of which shade type you have, if the cordless blinds still won't go down, you might need to call in a professional. They'll be able to help diagnose and fix the issue, whether it's a broken spring, tangled cords, or something else.

Fixing Your Cordless Blinds in the Comfort of Your Home

As you can see, a faulty blind doesn't have to mean a trip to the hardware store – many of the fixes can be done right at home. And, if all else fails, you can always call in a professional to take a look.

If you've recently made the switch to cordless blinds, be sure to keep these tips on hand for a rainy day. You'll be glad to have a swift solution when those blinds stop going down!

And if you're looking for budget blinds, look no further than Factory Direct!

Fixing Cordless Blinds FAQs

What do you do when cordless blinds won't come down?

There are a few things you can do to try and fix your cordless blinds when they stop going down, such as:

• Check the batteries in the remote control.
• Make sure there is no debris or obstructions in the way of the blinds and the track.
• Reset the motor by pulling the shade down and out at a 45-degree angle.
• Manually unroll the shade and reset the tension.

You can also call a professional to take a look at your cordless blinds if none of the above solutions work.

How do you unlock cordless blinds?

Regular blinds typically have a cord lock. To unlock cordless blinds, however, you will need to find the release button on the bottom of the shade. This button is often located in the center or near one of the edges. Push this button and then pull down on the shade to release it.

If the shade is jammed, you may need to manually pull from the center of the shade and extend it fully before guiding the shade back into place. This should reset the shade.

What causes cordless blinds not to work?

There are a few things that can cause cordless blinds to stop working, such as:

• Dead or weak batteries in the remote control.
• Debris or obstructions in the way of the blinds and the track.
• The motor has deactivated or become jammed.
• The shade has become unthreaded.

Sometimes there is an easy fix for these problems, while other times you may need to call in a professional.