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Fix a shade that will not roll

We'll confirm the symptom, rule out obstruction and loose brackets, then isolate the cause—spring not tensioned, spring broken, or fabric binding—and fix it or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–30 min
What you'll need
  • Screwdriver (for bracket screws)
  • Owner manual (for re-tension procedure and replacement parts)
  • Replacement roller or shade (if spring is broken)
Step 1 of 10

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out obstruction and loose brackets, then isolate spring tension or failure.

  • Try rolling the shade by pulling the fabric or the hem bar. Note whether it is stuck, rolls unevenly, or drifts when released.
  • Good: The shade does not roll—proceed to Check obstruction and brackets.
  • Bad: The shade rolls—no fault; check if the issue is a different symptom.

Check obstruction and brackets

Goal: Rule out physical blockage and loose brackets before spring steps.

  • Inspect the fabric, roller tube, and hem bar. Clear any bunched or twisted fabric, untangle the lift cord or chain, remove objects blocking the roller. Gently try moving the shade by hand.
  • Check the mounting brackets. Tighten any loose screws. Confirm the roller tube rotates freely in the bracket slots.
  • Good: No obstruction and brackets secure. Proceed to Re-tension the spring or Replace if spring broken based on whether the shade rolls one way.
  • Bad: Shade still stuck after clearing—call a pro if you cannot free it safely.

Re-tension the spring

Goal: Wind the spring so the shade rolls smoothly in both directions.

  • Check the owner manual or manufacturer website for the re-tension procedure. Most roller shades: pull the shade down fully, release to let it roll up; repeat 5–10 times.
  • Good: The shade rolls smoothly up and down after re-tensioning—done.
  • Bad: Still does not roll—the spring may be broken. Proceed to Replace if spring broken.

Replace if spring broken

Goal: Replace the roller mechanism or the entire shade when the spring has failed.

  • If the shade will not roll at all after re-tensioning and has no resistance when you pull, the spring is likely broken. Order a replacement roller (match brand and size) or a new shade. Remove the old shade from the brackets, install the new one, and re-tension per the manual.
  • Good: The new shade rolls smoothly—done.
  • Bad: Cannot find a replacement or the shade is large—call a window treatment professional.

When to get help

Call a window treatment professional if:

  • The spring is broken and you cannot find a replacement.
  • The shade is large or heavy.
  • The roller mechanism is sealed and you cannot access it.
  • You have tried obstruction, brackets, and re-tensioning and it still will not roll.
  • You are not comfortable removing or replacing the shade.

Verification

  • The shade rolls up and down when you pull the fabric or hem bar.
  • The shade holds its position when released (no drift).
  • Both sides roll evenly—no uneven rolling.
  • Mounting brackets are secure and the roller tube rotates freely.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the shade will not roll; note if stuck, uneven, or drifting.
  2. Obstruction and brackets Clear fabric, cord, or objects; tighten loose brackets.
  3. Re-tension spring Follow the manufacturer procedure to wind the spring.
  4. Replace roller or shade If the spring is broken, replace the roller mechanism or the entire shade.
  5. Call a pro Spring broken with no replacement, large shade, or all steps tried—call a window treatment pro.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Shade brand and size
  • Whether the shade rolls one way, neither way, or unevenly
  • Whether the spring responds when you pull (tension) or has no resistance
  • Steps already tried (obstruction, brackets, re-tension)

Does the shade not roll when you pull it?

Pull the shade up and down. Note whether it is stuck, rolls unevenly, or drifts when released.

Try rolling the shade by pulling the fabric or hem bar. Good: shade does not roll—proceed to obstruction check. Bad: shade rolls—no fault; check if the issue is a different symptom.

Yes No (rolls fine)

You can change your answer later.

Is there an obstruction or loose brackets?

Fabric bunched, cord tangled, or loose brackets can bind the roller.

Inspect fabric, roller tube, and brackets. Clear any bunched fabric, untangle the cord, remove blocking objects. Tighten loose bracket screws. Good: no obstruction and brackets secure—proceed to direction check. Bad: shade still stuck—clear obstruction first or call pro if you cannot free it safely.

No (clear) Yes

You can change your answer later.

Clear obstruction and tighten brackets, then test

Clear bunched fabric, untangle the cord, tighten bracket screws. Test rolling. If it rolls, you are done. If not, proceed to re-tension.

Done

Does the shade roll one way but not the other?

Rolling one way but not the other usually means the spring needs re-tensioning.

Pull down and release—does it roll up? Pull up and release—does it roll down? One way works: spring needs re-tension—proceed to re-tension. Neither way: spring may be broken—proceed to spring check.

Yes No (neither way)

You can change your answer later.

Re-tension the spring and test

Follow the manufacturer procedure for re-tension—usually pull the shade down fully, release to let it roll up; repeat 5–10 times. Test rolling up and down. Good: shade rolls smoothly—done. Bad: still does not roll—spring may be broken; proceed to replace.

Done

Does the spring have no resistance when you pull?

A broken spring gives no tension—the shade may drop or not respond.

Pull the shade. No resistance or drops when released: spring likely broken—replace the roller tube or shade. Some resistance: try re-tensioning again per the manual. If still no roll, replace or call a pro.

Yes (no resistance) No (some resistance)

You can change your answer later.

Re-tension again or call a pro

Try re-tension once more per the manual. If it still does not roll, the spring may be broken or the mechanism damaged—replace or call a pro.

Done

Replace the roller or shade

Order a replacement roller mechanism (match brand and size) or replace the entire shade. Remove the old shade, install the new one, re-tension per the manual. For large or custom shades, call a window treatment pro.

Done

Shade rolls — no problem to fix

The shade rolls when you pull it. If the issue is different (e.g. shade will not stay down, fabric is damaged), check the relevant guide.

Done

Call a window treatment pro

Call a window treatment professional if: the spring is broken and you cannot find a replacement; the shade is large or heavy; the roller mechanism is sealed and you cannot access it; or you have tried obstruction, brackets, and re-tensioning and it still will not roll.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a roller shade not roll?
Common causes are a spring that is not tensioned (new shade or after re-hanging), a broken spring (old shade), fabric bunched or stuck on the roller, a cord or chain tangled, or loose mounting brackets that bind the roller tube. Check obstruction and brackets first, then spring tension.
Can I fix a shade that will not roll myself?
Yes. You can often clear obstructions, tighten brackets, and re-tension the spring. If the spring is broken, you may need to replace the roller mechanism or the entire shade. Large or custom shades may require a professional.
How do I re-tension a roller shade spring?
Check your shade's owner manual or the manufacturer website. Most roller shades use a pull-and-release method: pull the shade down fully, release to let it roll up; repeat several times so the spring winds. Some models use a different procedure—follow the exact steps for your brand.
When should I call a pro for a shade that will not roll?
Call a window treatment professional if the spring is broken and you cannot find a replacement, the shade is large or heavy, the roller mechanism is sealed and you cannot access it, or you have tried obstruction, brackets, and re-tensioning and it still will not roll.

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