6 Common Problems With Vertical Blinds and How to Fix Them
If your vertical blinds are throwing you shade, here’s what to do
Vertical blinds are prone to bent slats and frayed cables.
You can usually replace individual components without needing new blinds.
A little lubricant can make hard-to-pull blinds open smoothly.
Most of the time, you can realign crooked slats by hand.
Don’t force blinds that won’t open—call a pro to prevent damage.
Often seen on sliding glass doors and tall windows, vertical blinds are easy to use and low-maintenance while offering privacy and light control. Unfortunately, there may come a day when you notice they don’t slide like they used to. Here’s a look at some common problems with vertical blinds along with simple fixes to try.
1. Damaged Slats
The slats (or vanes) of your vertical blinds can get damaged over time. Aluminum and vinyl blinds, in particular, can bend or break. Fabric or wooden blinds may discolor or stain over time. Wear happens, especially if you have kids or pets that jump or brush against the bottom of the blinds.
How to Fix It
You can fix your vertical blinds by replacing the damaged slats. Simply slide the damaged slat out of the clip and insert a new one. Make sure you order the correct replacement from the manufacturer. Sometimes, if the slat was torn down, you can DIY a temporary fix by removing the damaged slat, flipping it around so the bottom becomes the top, and punching a new hole for the clip with a hole punch.
2. Damaged Chain or Cord
Vertical blinds operate using chains or cords. Over time, these can wear down, tangle, or snap. This will make it difficult to operate your blinds—if you can move them at all.
How to Fix It
If the cord is tangled, you may be able to carefully untangle it. If it’s worn down or fraying, it’s best to spring for a replacement. Measure the chain or cord to order the correct replacement, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install it. This can be a difficult job that requires you to re-string the entire headrail, so you may want to call a vertical blind repair pro near you.
3. Blinds Won’t Slide
Vertical blinds should easily slide open, exposing the window or door. That said, it’s not uncommon for blinds to stick. If you can’t slide them open past a certain point, an obstruction or misaligned slat is likely to blame. If you can’t open them at all, it could be a damaged master gear.
How to Fix It
Inspect your blinds for a misaligned slat and check the track for obstructions (insects are a common culprit). You can move misaligned slats gently back into place by hand. Remove any obstructions in the track.
If that doesn’t help, check the master gear located near the first slat. If the gear looks stripped or damaged, unscrew the gear and replace it. You can order the part online from the manufacturer or call a pro to help.
4. Slats Won’t Turn
In addition to sliding open, slats should rotate (often with the turn of a rod) to allow you to control the amount of light in the room while still maintaining privacy. If the slats won’t turn, a slat could be misaligned or you could have a broken tilting mechanism.
How to Fix It
Inspect your slats. If one is misaligned, turn it back into place by hand. If you don’t notice any slats out of place, inspect the tilting mechanism inside the headrail. Replace it if it looks worn, bent, or rusted.
5. Blinds Are Hard to Open
With long term use, sometimes blinds will get harder to open. You’ll notice yourself using more strength to pull them along the track—but don’t force it. This could damage the mechanisms that slide your blinds back and forth.
How to Fix It
If your blinds are difficult to open, they usually just need a little lubrication. Spray a lubricant like WD-40 on the carrier body, where it slides along the headrail. This should loosen things up.
6. Slats Are Misaligned
Many vertical blinds cover sliding glass doors. It’s easy for one of the slats to become misaligned if you brush past it when you’re trying to open the door. You’ll be able to see one slat facing in a different direction than the rest.
How to Fix It
You can usually grab the slat and gently twist it back into place from the stem. This won’t be the case with all brands, so don’t force it. If you’re having trouble adjusting the stem manually, you’ll need to bring in a pro.
When to Call a Pro
Some of the most common problems for vertical blinds are easy to fix on your own. For the most part, handy homeowners can replace old slats, fix alignment issues, or lubricate blinds that are hard to pull. Anything else can get a bit tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing or can’t find the right replacement part. In these cases, it’s best to bring in a pro to avoid accidentally damaging an expensive component.
How to Prevent Problems With Vertical Blinds
The best way to prevent issues with your blinds is to properly maintain them. Dust and debris can damage the components, so you should clean regularly. If you don’t want to do it on your own, professional blind cleaning costs $100 to $200. Here are some simple maintenance tips:
Don’t forcefully pull on any part of the blinds
Regularly check the blinds for damage
As needed, apply lubricant to prevent wear
Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust from the track
Gently clean the slats
It’s usually worth it to repair minor damage to your vertical blinds as long as they aren’t at the end of their lifespan. Vertical blinds cost $65 to $350 per window treatment—but it could cost more depending on the size, quality, and added features. The average repair costs around $125, but you may be able to DIY a fix for cheaper.
To clean your vertical blinds, dust each slat with a feather duster or microfiber cloth. If you need to deep clean the slats, you can remove them and wipe them down with mild soap and water (check the material though, since not every material can handle water). You can also vacuum out dust from the track using a vacuum attachment with a brush.
