Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Michael Fox. Michael Fox is a Window Repair Specialist and the President at Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com, based in Westminster, South Carolina. With over 25 years of experience, Michael specializes in commercial window repair and service. He holds a business degree from Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport. Michael has helped Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com become an industry leader in commercial window repair and hardware distribution, servicing schools and businesses and training large public school systems.
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Cordless blinds are a stylish and safe option for most windows. If you are used to standard corded blinds, though, figuring out how to operate a cordless window treatment can seem confusing. The good news is that operating most cordless blinds is actually very easy. Standard cordless blinds simply pull up and down to open and close. Motorized cordless blinds can be controlled with a remote or smart device, and panel track blinds simply slide left and right to adjust light exposure.
Steps
Gently pull down the rail down to close the blinds. If your cordless blinds have a rail system, gently pull down on the rail to close your blinds. It should be a very easy and natural pull. If you encounter a lot of resistance when trying to close your blinds, they may be broken or incorrectly installed.[1]- If your blinds are installed hanging from the top of your window, the rail should be at the base of your slats or shade. If your blinds are installed at the bottom of your window, the rail should be at the top of your slats or shade.
- If you are having trouble lowering your blinds with the rail, contact the company that installed them or your local window treatment store to get an inspection.
Lift the rail up to open the blinds. To open the blinds, simply lift the rail upwards. You can open the blinds completely or partially, just as you would with standard blinds. Just like closing the blinds, opening them should be a smooth and easy motion.[2]Advertisement
Use the twist wand to rotate the slats. If your blinds have a twist wand, use this to adjust the angle of your slats. The direction you need to twist will depend upon your brand and installation, so try twisting the wand both left and right to see how your blinds work.[3]
Tilt the rail to rotate your blinds if you don’t have a twist wand. If your blinds don’t have a twist wand, you can likely adjust the angle by tilting the same rail you use to open and close them. Pivot the rail back and forth to adjust the tilt of your blinds.[4]
Carey Brothers, Home Improvement and Maintenance ExpertsCordless blinds are fuss-free and functional window dressings. Just lift or lower the bottom rail to open or close with ease. For further control, utilize the twist wand to rotate slats — turning the wand left or right rotates the blinds for privacy or light filtering. If your blinds don't have a wand, you can still tilt the slats: gently push or pull the bottom rail inwards or outwards to achieve the desired slat angle. This slat rotation allows you to modulate incoming light. Combined with a clean, cord-free look, cordless blinds offer convenient operation and a modern style for your windows.
Use your remote or smart device to control the blinds. If your cordless blinds are motorized, you can typically use a device to open and close them. Some blinds may only work with the remote provided at installation. Others may be compatible with a smart device such as a phone, tablet, or smart home hub.- The control should have clearly labeled buttons or commands that indicate the direction of the blinds.
- If you are using a smart device to control your blinds, you may have to download a manufacturer-specific app. Look at your manufacturer's instructions to see what app you need and how to link your blinds with your specific smart device.
- If you are unsure how to control your motorized blinds, read over the instruction information provided by the manufacturer or talk to a customer service agent form your local blinds store.
Use a button to control your blinds when you don’t have the remote. If your controller is not nearby, you may be able to use a button to open and close your motorized shades. Hold down the button until the blinds are at the level you desire, then release.- Not all motorized blinds will have a button. Talk to your installer to see if that is an option for your shades.
Set your blinds to adjust automatically throughout the day. With many brands of motorized shades, you can set them to adjust automatically throughout the day. If you know you want your blinds to open and close at certain points, such as before bed, you can typically use your smart device to program them for automatic adjustments.[5]- Many blinds will have an easy programming setup available through their smart controls. If you aren’t sure how to program your specific brand of blinds, check online or call the manufacturer’s customer service center.
Use the guiding wand to move the shades left or right. Panel track blinds are another type of shade that do not involve cords. Unlike other types of cordless blinds, they do not move up or down. Instead, you simply use the guiding wand located at the top of the shade to move them left or right.
Gently pull the panels with your hand if they do not have a wand. If your panels do not come with a wand to pull them open and closed, you can gently slide them along the track with your hand. The slide should be smooth and involve little physical exertion.- If you notice your panels don’t drag smoothly or take considerable effort to move, there may be a problem with the shade rail or the track. Talk to a window treatment store or installer in your area about an inspection.
Individually adjust your panels if you have more than one. Panel track shades may have one or multiple shades set up on the track. Sometimes the shades are set up in sequence so that one want controls them all. Typically, though, each panel can be individually adjusted. Pull each one to the desired location using the wand or your hands.[6]
Community Q&A
- QuestionWhy won’t my cordless blinds go up?
How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou may simply need to reset the springs inside your blinds. Try pulling the blinds down as far as they will go, which may be enough to reactivate the spring. If the blind is already pulled down as far as possible, try pulling it out toward you at a 45° angle and see if it springs back after that. - QuestionHow do I adjust the tension on my cordless blinds?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerMost tension blinds have a pin that you can turn to adjust the tension. Take your blinds off the brackets, make sure they’re wound evenly and tightly around the tube, and then unwind them halfway by hand. With a pair of pliers, turn the pin on the side of the shade with the spring clockwise until you feel tension. Then, turn it counterclockwise until you feel it latch. Wind the blinds back up and put them on the brackets again, then test them to make sure they work correctly. - QuestionHow do you shorten cordless blinds?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerTake the end caps out of the bottom rail of the blinds, then slide the bottom slat out of the rail. Decide which slat you want to be the new bottom, then cut the connector cords to remove all the slats underneath that slat. Your blinds should have come with some eyelets that you can thread the cord ends through. Use scissors to trim off any excess cord, then tuck the cords into the bottom rail and slide the new end slat into place. Replace the end caps on the rail.
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.blinds.com/blog/how-does-cordless-work/
- ↑ http://www.venetianblindparts.com/PDF/Horizontal%20Blinds%20with%20Cordless%20Lift.pdf
- ↑ http://www.venetianblindparts.com/PDF/Horizontal%20Blinds%20with%20Cordless%20Lift.pdf
- ↑ https://www.blinds.com/blog/how-does-cordless-work/
- ↑ https://eponline.com/articles/2016/11/15/seven-benefits-of-smart-blinds.aspx
- ↑ https://www.budgetblinds.com/window-blinds/vertical-blinds-alternative
About This Article
Cordless blinds can be a neater option, but at first they can seem a little confusing to open and close. If your blinds have a rail system, gently pull the rail down to close them and lift the rail to open them. They should move easily with a little pressure. If there’s no twist wand hanging down, tilt the rail itself to rotate the blinds. If you have motorized blinds, they may have buttons on them, a remote control, or an app to open and close them. For sideways blinds, look for a guiding wand at the top, which you can pull to open and close them. If there’s no wand, try gently pulling or pushing the blinds. For more tips, including how to program your motorized blinds to open and close automatically, read on!
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