Cellular/Honeycomb Shade Troubleshooting Guide
Installation and Mounting Problems
1. Lost or Damaged Brackets:
Brackets for cellular shades can be installed in various ways. It's advisable to compare your existing brackets with the pictures on our website. If you don't have brackets, you can email us a picture of the head rail of your shades, and we'll match the appropriate brackets for you.
2. Shade Hitting an Obstacle:
If your shade is hitting the trim, window handle, or another obstacle, you might need to remount it further away from the surface it's hitting or rubbing against. In some cases, you'll have to install plastic bracket spacers or extension brackets to create more clearance. If the blind is hitting a window crank, consider replacing the window crank with a smaller T-handle window crank.
3. Mounting Inside or Outside the Window:
Most brackets can be mounted either inside or outside the window. The mounting type each bracket supports is specified on its product page under “Additional Information”.
4. Shade Sagging in the Middle:
Shades that are four feet wide or wider usually require more than two mounting brackets. Adding extra brackets will stabilize the shade and prevent it from sagging.
5. Shade on Door Banging Against the Door:
Install hold down brackets to secure the bottom of the blind to the door. You may also need to replace any broken or missing bottom rail end caps that have been damaged or lost due to the shade hitting the door.
6. Shades Too Wide After New Windows Installation:
You'll need to have your shades cut to the right width. Most local blind repair shops can do this, but it's recommended to check with them before taking your shades there. If you're the original owner, you can try contacting the company you bought the shades from. Alternatively, you can consider mounting the shades outside the window.
7. Shade Not Fitting into Installation Brackets:
Check that the installation brackets are level and properly aligned. Ensure that the heads of the screws are flush with the installation bracket. Also, make sure the headrail is fully inserted into the installation brackets.
Lifting and Lowering Problems
1. Standard Operation Lifting Problems:
Can't Raise the Shade:
Often, this indicates an issue with the lifting strings. If the string is broken or fraying, it's time to replace it. For the best results and functionality of your shade, we recommend replacing all the lifting cords simultaneously. Determine the required string thickness here. You may also need assistance to figure out how much string you need. If the cord keeps breaking or fraying, it might be getting pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the shade. Follow the path of each string to check for anything cutting it. Also, make sure the shade fabric isn't caught between the installation bracket and the headrail.
Shade Won't Stay Up When Locked:
Usually, this is caused by a faulty cord lock or a crushed lift cord. To determine whether the problem is with the lock or the cord, try raising the shade a few inches and locking it in place. If it locks, the problem is with the cord; if it doesn't, it's with the locking mechanism. Over time, the cord can get crushed if the shade is constantly locked in the same position. You can either replace all the lifting cords or start locking the shade in a different location. If the shade won't stay up at any position, the lock needs to be replaced. Take the shade down and compare your lock with those on our website.
Can't Lower the Shade Completely:
If the strings are too short for the shade to lower fully and cover the window entirely, the only solution is to replace the cord. Temporarily tying, sewing, or melting new string to the old one isn't a permanent fix. The string could also be twisted inside the shade, preventing it from lowering all the way. Again, the solution is to replace all the lifting cords.
Only One String is Broken:
No, you need to replace all the strings related to the operation. For top down/bottom up shades, you can replace just the strings for the broken operation, but be sure to replace all the cords for that specific operation.
Shade Raises or Lowers Unevenly or Bottom Rail is Uneven When Raised:
First, check that the headrail and installation brackets are level and aligned and are firmly fixed to the mounting surface. Also, check for any obstructions in the shade's path. If the shade hits an obstacle while being lowered, it may become misaligned, causing it to be angled or tilted when fully raised. Try lowering the shade completely and then raising it to allow it to self-correct. If one of the lifting strings is frayed or broken, you'll need to replace all the strings for that operation. The lifting string could also be rubbing through the cord guide or creating a groove in the cord lock. Take the shade apart and inspect the cord guides and lock. Look for sharp edges or signs of wear and replace any worn parts. You may also need to restring the shade.
String is Broken or Pulled Out:
If the lift string is broken, replace it following the measuring instructions to select the correct thickness. If the string has pulled out of the shade, check if it's broken or frayed and replace it if so.
2. Clutch Operation Lifting Problems:
Can't Raise or Lower the Shade Completely:
There can be multiple issues. First, check the cord loop or chain loop for signs of wear, fraying, or breakage. Replace the loop if needed. Even though you use a loop to lift the shade, there are still lift strings behind or inside the fabric that pull the shade up. Inspect these strings to see if they're tangled or broken and replace them if necessary. If all the strings, cords, and loops are in good condition, the clutch mechanism itself needs to be replaced.
Shade is Difficult to Raise or Goes Up Unevenly:
Difficulty raising the shade can indicate a problem with the cord or chain loop, clutch, mounting, or tension device. First, check the control cord or chain loop for signs of wear, breakage, or tangling. If the loop is okay, the clutch mechanism may need to be replaced. Difficulty raising the shade can also occur if the shade is slightly larger than the window opening for inside-mounted shades. Shades can't be forced into tight inside mount window openings. If it's an inside mount, ensure there's clearance between the sides of the shade and the window casement. When tension devices aren't installed properly, they can make it hard to raise the shade. Make sure the tensioner is installed as per the manufacturer's recommendations. For uneven shades, ensure the brackets are installed evenly.
Cord or Chain Tension Device Moved to the Headrail:
Tensioners are meant to hold the cord or chain loop down to the wall, trim, or window frame. If the tension device comes loose from its mounting location, it can interfere with the proper operation of the shade. Reinstall the tension device according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Cord Loop is Broken or Pulled Out:
If the cord loop is broken, replace it. If it's pulled out of the shade, check if it's broken or frayed and replace it if so. If it's not broken, you can reinstall it. Sometimes, if the clutch cover is damaged, it can cause the loop to come off the clutch sprocket. Replacing the clutch cover will solve this problem.
Can the Broken Cord Loop be Repaired Permanently?:
Unfortunately, no. The ends may rejoin temporarily, but it's not a long-term solution. The cord loop must be replaced when it breaks.
Cord Loop Breaking Frequently:
If your cord loop breaks often, you can try removing the weights from the bottom rail (if there are any) to prolong its life. Also, if you're using a tension device, make sure it's installed so the cord loop operates smoothly and isn't too tight. If the cord loop continues to break, inspect the clutch for signs of wear as there could be a sharp edge cutting and fraying it.
3. Cordless Operation Lifting Problems:
Cordless Shade Won't Lift/Stay Up/Is Uneven:
Most problems with cordless shades can be resolved by reactivating the cordless tension device. To do this, extend the shade until it's fully lowered and then raise it by pushing up on the middle of the bottom rail. It may take several attempts to reactivate the tension. If this doesn't solve the issue, you may need to contact a professional repair service. Whenever the shade is left in the down position for a long time, the cordless spring motor may need to be reset for proper operation.
Adding a Handle to the Bottom Rail:
If your shade didn't come with a handle, it wasn't designed to use one. The cordless shade handles we carry are for replacement purposes only and are very specific, replacing only the exact same part.
Fabric Problems
Various issues can occur with the shade material such as tearing, glue failure, folds coming undone, soiling that can't be cleaned, or fraying of the edges. Whenever there's a problem with the material, it's time to replace the entire shade.
Need Replacement Blinds
This page contains affiliate links. If you click the link below and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we'd sell ourselves. If your honeycomb shade is beyond repair, we recommend Grscurtains.com for replacements.
Child Safety Concerns
If you're worried about your child or pet getting tangled in the cords on your blinds, please visit the Window Covering Safety Council to see the latest recommendations for corded window coverings.