Roller shades provide privacy at night and keep out the sun during the day. With a slight tug at the bottom, you can raise or lower the shade with ease. Roller shades operate on a hollow tube-like roller with a spring inside. When you pull the shade down, it puts more tension on the spring. The tension is released when you raise the shade. If you are having trouble operating the shade, either because the roller shade won't stay down or won't stay up, you can buy another roller tube or a new shade, but those are costly. Before you replace the window shade, try a few simple fixes.
Things You'll Need
Vacuum
Air compressor
Toothpick
Lubricating oil
New roller shade
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Roller Shade Won’t Stay Down
Step 1: Identify the Shade's Problem
Determine the source of the shade's problem. A shade that snaps up and takes more strength to pull down usually has a spring that's too tight. If your shade won't stay up, proceed to Step 2. For a shade that doesn't stay down, skip to the next section.
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Step 2: Take Down the Shade
Remove the roller shade from the brackets. One end lifts upward off the bracket; the other end pulls free from the bracket.
Step 3: Partially Unroll the Shade
Unroll the shade material about 4 to 6 inches. If you have an extremely loose shade, unroll the shade material to the halfway point.
Step 4: Manually Re-Roll the Shade
Roll the shade material back onto the roller with your hands.
Step 5: Reinstall the Roller Shade
Install the roller shade back in the window brackets.
Step 6: Test the Shade Repair
Pull the shade down and see if the shade works. If it doesn't, repeat the process.
Adjusting Uncoiled Spring
Step 1: Take Down the Shade
Remove the shade from the brackets. One end lifts upward off the bracket; the other end pulls free from the bracket.
Step 2: Locate the Flat Pin
Examine the two ends of the roller. Find the end with the flat pin.
Step 3: Clean the Mechanism
Vacuum away dust and debris from roller shade parts like the pawl, a small arm mechanism that engages the ratchet teeth. You can also use an air compressor or toothpick to clear away dust, debris and cobwebs.
Step 4: Apply Lubricating Oil
Spray lubricating oil onto the pawl.
Step 5: Hang and Test the Shade
Hang the window shade in place. Pull it down to see if it works better. If you are still having the problem, repeat Steps 1 through 5 until your shade works.
Roller Shade Won’t Stay Up
Step 1: Lower Shade Completely
Lower the roller shade as far as it will go. Remove the shade from the brackets.
Step 2: Roll Shade Halfway
Roll the shade up by hand to the halfway mark.
Step 3: Reinstall Roller Shade
Install the roller shade in the brackets.
Step 4: Test the Roll-Up Shade
Pull the shade down and then try to raise the roller shade. Repeat if necessary.
Step 5: Roller Shade Spring Replacement
If these steps don't work and the shade still won't roll up, the spring may be broken. In this case, replace the roller.