Why won't your roller blind go up?

Why a roller blind won't go up

There are two common kinds of roller blind, and the fault to look for depends on which one you have. A chain or cord blind has a loop of chain at one side, and pulling it turns the roller through a clutch at one end. A spring or cordless blind has no chain: a spring inside the roller winds the fabric back up.

Check how your blind is meant to behave before you look for a fault. IKEA says its SKOGSKLÖVER roller blind is cordless and "rolls back up slowly and softly thanks to the built-in soft-closing function". On that kind of blind, a slow rise is normal.

If you are still deciding what to fit at a window, see our guide to blinds or curtains. Otherwise, find your kind of blind below.

Chain blinds: when the chain is stuck

A roller blind chain stuck in one place, or a chain that runs freely without moving the blind, usually has a simple cause. Lower the blind fully if it will still go down, then check these points in order:

• Gear. Check that the chain still sits on the gear in the clutch at the end of the roller.
• Twists. Untwist the chain so it hangs in a straight, even loop.
• Connector. Look for a broken connector, the joint that closes the loop.
• Stops. Check that no stop on the chain has slipped out of place.

Pull the chain straight down, never at an angle, and never force it. A pull at an angle can work the chain off the gear.

If the chain sits on the gear but the clutch still slips, or the clutch is cracked, the part or the blind needs replacing.

Spring blinds: tension and its limits

A roller blind spring that has lost tension leaves the blind hanging part way down, or rising only part of the way. If the fabric is square on the roller and the brackets are firm, a slack spring is the likely cause.

Re-tensioning differs from model to model, so follow the maker's instructions for your blind. A sealed mechanism usually means replacing the blind rather than repairing it.

If you plan to cut a spring blind down to fit a window, check first. On its LÅNGDANS roller blind, IKEA notes that the top rail of blinds that are 60 cm wide or less cannot be cut, as this will damage the spring mechanism. That note is for IKEA's own product, so for any other blind, read the maker's instructions before you shorten it.

Brackets, fabric and the upper rail

Not every blind that refuses to go up has a fault in the chain or the spring. A bracket that has worked loose or tilted lets the roller drop or bind. Fabric that rolls up to one side catches on the bracket.

Check that the blind hangs level, the upper rail sits firmly in both brackets and the fabric sits square on the roller. If one end is lower, refix the bracket at that end. If the fabric has drifted to one side, lower the blind, straighten it and re-roll it by hand.

IKEA says on its LÅNGDANS product page that different wall and ceiling materials need different types of fixing devices, and that its blinds can be mounted inside or outside the window recess, or in the ceiling. If a bracket keeps working loose, ask whether the fixing suits your wall or ceiling.

For refitting brackets or a whole blind, see curtain and blind installation.

Cords and child safety

The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) says loose cords may pose a strangulation hazard to young children. If you have young children at home, CPSO says to choose window coverings without exposed cords, and that you may consider cordless window coverings instead. Where cords remain, it notes that cleats secure cords on the wall and tension devices keep them taut, out of reach of children. Its tips also say to ensure there are no loose accessible cords on the front, side or back of the product, not to place cribs, beds, play pens or other furniture close to a window, and to always supervise children where cords are within reach.

For other checks around the home, see our childproofing checklist.

Repair or replace?

A chain that has jumped off the gear, a loose bracket or fabric rolling unevenly is usually a simple fix. A broken clutch, a dead spring or a blind that cannot be cut to fit your window usually means a new blind.

When you look for roller blind repair in Singapore, describe the kind of blind, what it does when you pull it and what you have already checked. Photos of the clutch, the brackets and the fabric help a handyman company judge whether a repair makes sense.

Price depends on the job, whether it is a repair, a refit or a new blind. For what affects it, see the curtain installation cost guide.

Questions