Cordless cellular shades have become a prevalent choice for homeowners and interior design enthusiasts. Their elegant appearance and cordless operation provide a modern and convenient window treatment solution.
However, when faced with the issue of cordless cellular shades not going up or down, it can be both frustrating and concerning. You must be ready for mishaps, as cordless cellular shades won’t operate smoothly forever. As such, equip yourself with the basics of troubleshooting tips when your cellular shades fail to go up or down.
In this guide, we have provided a comprehensive review of why your cordless cellular shades won’t go up and potential solutions to problems.
Read on!
Also Read:
How do Cordless Blinds Work?
Before we embark on why your cordless cellular shades won’t go up or down, let’s remind ourselves of the operating mechanism of cordless blinds or shades.
The cordless cellular shades and blinds are built with a tension mechanism inside the headrail or bottom rail to hold them in place. The tension mechanism allows you to lower or raise your window blinds to your preferred position as you attempt to control the light entering your room and your level of privacy.
Though cordless, the shades or blinds always have cords between the slats or behind the shade to allow up and down-movement. However, for the cordless blinds, you can cover these cords with decorative tape to enhance their appearance and maintain their cordless stature.
If you are using cellular shades as your window treatment option, the visibility of the cords will depend on the type of shade and the material chosen. For example, solar shades or roller shades have no visible cords since you control them using the roller in their headrail.
On the other hand, the Roman and cellular shades have cords but are within or behind the material to guarantee minimal or no visibility.
But how exactly do cordless blinds/shades work?
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Raising/Lowering Cordless Blinds
The working mechanism of the cordless blinds involves lowering and raising them to convenient heights to control light entering your room or office and maintaining the required level of privacy. Also, the working principle of the cordless blinds may vary depending on the shade or blind chosen as every type may have a slight variation on how they raise or lower.
However, raising or lowering the cordless blinds or cellular shades takes the same concept since both have the tension mechanism in their bottom rail. Your job is to pull or lift the bottom rail gently, and the tension mechanism will do the rest of the job for you, offering the needed force to hold the blinds in place while also allowing you to move the blinds up and down with a little pressure in either direction.
Besides, you can control the slats on the cordless blinds with the bottom rail. In the case of slats, gently twist them towards or away from you to adjust the slats to the desired position.
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Raising/Lowering Cordless Shades: Roller and Roman Shades
Cellular shades such as Roman, roller, and solar have tension mechanisms in the headrail. Their working principle relies on more of a pull-and-lock motion. If you want to adjust your shades’ height, pull the bottom edge of the shade down and slightly towards you to release the lock. This should allow you to adjust the shade to your preferred height by letting it rise or pulling it down.
Once you have selected your desired height, lock it into that position and push the shade towards the window away from you.
Remember, if you have used the Roman Shades as your window treatment, you will be pulling the ring sewn on the back of the shade, and in the case of Solar and Roller shades, you only need to pull the bottom bar.
Mechanisms of Cordless Blinds Operation
Cordless blinds are window coverings designed to operate without requiring cords or chains to raise or lower them. The blinds offer a safer and more streamlined alternative to traditional corded blinds, which can pose a safety risk, especially in households with children or pets.
Cordless blinds work using various mechanisms, depending on the type and brand of blinds. Detailed below are some mechanisms for operating cordless blinds or shades.
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Spring Mechanism
If you have cordless blinds as your window treatment, you can use a spring-loaded mechanism to operate them. The spring-loaded mechanism allows you to raise the blinds by slightly pulling down on the bottom rail of the blinds and releasing it. The spring inside the mechanism will then coil up, lifting the blinds.
Conversely, if you want to lower the blinds, gently pull down on the bottom rail again and release it, allowing the spring to uncoil and lower the blinds. This way, the spring-loaded mechanism will enable you to raise and lower the cordless blinds.
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Push-Button Mechanism
Some cordless blinds are operated using a push-button mechanism. You’ll find buttons on either side of the bottom rail of the blinds. Pressing the button on one side raises the blinds while pressing the button on the other lowers them.
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Motorized Mechanism
Motorized cordless blinds are controlled using a remote control or a wall switch. They have a small motor that raises or lowers the blinds with a button. These blinds can often be programmed to stop at specific positions, and some can even be integrated into smart home systems for remote control through smartphones or voice commands. The units are convenient as you can operate them without moving from your couch. As such, they are appropriate for older people who can barely move to the window to adjust the blind positions.
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Lift-and-Lock Mechanism
The lock-and-lift mechanism is another easy-to-use mechanism to control the raising and lowering of the cordless blinds. The mechanism is safer and more convenient than traditional corded blinds, especially when you have pets and children.
In this mechanism, the cordless blinds are integrated with a horizontal bar, bottom rail, that holds the slats together. The bottom rail has tension springs to control the blinds’ movement. The springs offer resistance when you lower or lift the blinds to your desired heights.
Moreover, the cordless blinds with a lift-and-lock mechanism are integrated with a handle or pull instead of chains or cords. The handles are placed at the bottom rail. You raise or lower your cordless blinds using the handles. If you want to raise the binds, grasp the handle and lift it upward. The tension spring at the bottom rail will allow you to raise the blinds to your preferred height. The blinds will stay at the chosen height.
If you want to keep the blinds in a given position, the lock part of the lift-and-lock mechanism will come into play. After raising the blinds to a position you prefer, release the handle. Again, the tension springs in the bottom rail will hold the blinds in place, effectively locking them at that height.
Conversely, if you want to lower the blinds, grasp and gently pull the handle down. As a result, the locking mechanism is released, allowing the tension springs to unwind and lower the blinds. You can stop the blinds at any height of your preference by releasing the handle. The tension springs will lock the blinds until you decide to move them. This is essential when you want to control the amount of light in your room or have a certain level of privacy.
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Continuous Look Cordless Mechanism
Instead of traditional cords, some cordless blinds use a looped cord system that operates similarly to a pulley system. Pulling down on the looped cord raises the blinds, and pulling it across the window lowers them. This design reduces the risk of entanglement, as the cord remains taut and out of reach.
It’s important to note that while cordless blinds are safer than corded blinds, some designs may still have small cords or components. It is essential to consider the manufacturer’s instructions and safety recommendations to ensure proper usage.
Moreover, the exact mechanism may vary between manufacturers and blind types. Hence, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific operation of the cordless blinds you have or are considering purchasing.
Cordless Cellular Shades won’t go Up.
Your cordless blinds will not work in their top conditions over time. Eventually, the mechanisms can get rusty or gummed up with dirt, and the cordless system will eventually stop working.
Cordless blinds are the perfect option for having kids or pets in your home. The units are reliable and convenient to operate. However, like the corded units, they are not immune to wear and tear. Sometimes, these units may fail to go up or down altogether.
What happens if this happens? Do you know where to look when your cordless blind won’t go up? Do not worry. We have detailed why your cordless blinds won’t go up with some troubleshooting tips.
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Damaged or Malfunctioning Mechanism
A damaged or malfunctioning internal mechanism is one common reason for cordless cellular shades not going up. Components such as springs or gears can wear out over time, leading to operational issues. In a real-life case study, Graham’s cordless cellular shade experienced a similar problem. After a few gentle tugs, the shade remained unresponsive.
When the springs become inactive, especially when you have left your cordless blinds in one position for a long time, they may require a wake-up since the inactivity does not mean they are broken.
Solution
You can diagnose the issue by gently pulling the shade down. If you encounter resistance or notice any abnormalities, there’s likely an internal problem with the mechanism. Listen for unusual sounds that could indicate damage within the shade and apply corrective mechanisms.
Besides, you can try lowering your window blind first to the distance it can go. Lowering the blind will help reactivate its springs. Once the blinds are down, you can raise them again and see whether there are any difficulties. If you want to lower the blinds again, try pulling them towards you at a 45-degree angle and gently lowering them. You can apply a few light tugs to help with the efficiency of the process. This should solve the problem of inactive or malfunctioning mechanisms.
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Tangled or Twisted Cords
Tangled or twisted cords within the shade’s mechanism can also cause it to become unresponsive. This issue might occur due to frequent use or improper handling. A step-by-step tutorial outlines how to fix cordless blinds with tangled cords, helping users resolve this problem effectively.
Solution
Visually inspect the cords to ensure they are not tangled or misaligned. Slowly pull the cords to check for smooth movement. If the cords feel stuck or uneven, this could be the source of the problem. Replace or straighten the cords.
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Uneven Shades
Uneven shades can be another reason your cordless blinds won’t go up. When you raise them, you may notice that your cordless blinds are skewed. The problem arises when they are not effectively aligned during installation. Besides, uneven shades can result when they become warped over time.
Solution
You can fix uneven shades by realigning them. The process is pretty straightforward. However, you should not try pulling on the uneven side of the shades to straighten them out. You will end up causing more damage to them. Instead, grab on the middle of the window covering and briskly pull it down.
In addition, since you are fully extending the shade, you should straighten both sides at the bottom and then raise it back up. Repeat this step if any sides are still uneven until your window blind is aligned.
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Incorrect Installation
Sometimes, the shades may not go up because of incorrect installation. Misaligned brackets or mounts can prevent the shade from functioning correctly. A comprehensive installation guide provides step-by-step instructions to ensure cordless shades are installed correctly.
Solution
Verify that the shades were installed correctly. It can affect their functionality if they are not adequately mounted or aligned. Consult the installation manual for guidance.
Ensure that the brackets and mounts are securely attached and properly aligned. Incorrect installation can hinder the shade’s functionality.
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Malfunctioning friction clips
Cordless blinds are integrated with mechanisms within them to help them recoil. The mechanisms are called friction clips and offer friction against the cord as the blinds are lowered and raised.
Thus, if your friction clips are not working usually, it could be why your cordless blinds are not going up or down.
Solution
You can correct the problem by removing some clips, and they will start moving again. Open up the headrail and locate the clips. Begin by removing one and replacing the headrail, and your shade will begin working again. However, if you realize the unit still does not work, remove another clip and continue the process until it works.
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A problem with Steel Rods
If you have checked the above and realize your cordless blind won’t go up, the problem could be with the steel rods. The steel rods are always located at the bottom of the blinds and used to keep them in place when they are lowered.
Solution
When the still rods are the problems with the shades that won’t go up or down, replace the caps. Start by removing the end caps and slide one of the rods out to replace the caps and check if they work effectively. If this does not solve the problem, remove the other rod in the same way and test it again.
The video below shows how to fix a cordless cellular shade that won’t go up. Follow the procedure and learn how to fix the problem when you encounter the same problem.
Prevention and Maintenance Tips
If you want to avoid the discussed problems with the window shades that influence their movements up or down, practice the below prevention and maintenance tips.
- Regularly inspect the shades for any signs of wear or damage.
- Clean the shades periodically to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris.
- Educate all family members about properly operating the shades to avoid using excessive force.
Conclusion
Cordless cellular shades offer a perfect blend of style and functionality, but encountering issues where they won’t go up can be frustrating.
By understanding the potential reasons behind the problem and implementing the provided solutions, homeowners, parents, and interior design enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the benefits of these shades without interruption.
Remember to prioritize safety, proper installation, and routine maintenance for a seamless and enjoyable window treatment experience.