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How to Fix Broken Window Blinds

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published August 29, 2024

Window blinds can get damaged with time. But they don’t always need to be replaced completely. With the right tools and methods, you can take care of any damage and restore your blinds to full function.

Fixing Broken Blind Slats

A broken, cracked, warped or missing slat on your window blinds can hinder its operation and can also diminish the visual appeal of your blinds. We’ll show you how to fix these broken window blind slats by removing them and replacing them with a new one.

Removing Broken Blind Slats

Pull cords are the strings or cables that control the raising and lowering of your blinds. They are typically attached to the slats or the bottom rail of the blind and run through a threaded mechanism from the headrail. Replacing a broken blind often involves unstringing these lift cords. 

  • To prevent the blinds from retracting back up to the headrail, temporarily secure the strings at the top with an A-clamp or clothespin. Make sure to do this to both strings on either side. 
  • Below the bottom rail of the blinds, you will notice two plugs that secure the strings inside. Pop them up with a flathead screwdriver. 
  • Use the screwdriver to drive the string out from inside the sockets and untie the knots. If you have secured the string at the top with a clamp properly, the string should not retract after opening the knot. 
  • Go to the slat that is broken or needs to be replaced and pull the string out through all of the slats below the damaged one and finally out of the damaged slat. This releases the broken blind from the threaded mechanism. Now you can simply slide the slat out of the blinds to remove it. 
  • Repeat until all damaged slats have been removed.

Replacing Broken Blind Slats

To replace your broken blind slats, you must have a replacement slat in place. Either purchase a new one that is similar to the model and finish of your blinds or you can repurpose an unused bottom slat if your blinds extend significantly below the window when fully lowered. 

  • To remove the bottommost slat, you need to simply pull the string up to that last slat and slide the slat out. 
  • To insert the new slat, the process remains the same. First, slide the slat through the strings on the blinds where the broken slat was. 
  • The string that you pulled out on the side from where you removed the broken slat now has to be fed back into the hole in the new slat. 
  • After you have threaded it through the new slat, continue to thread it through the slats till the bottom of the blinds. 
  • Make sure that every slat that you pass the string through, is facing the right way up or else it will negate the function of the blinds entirely. 
  • After you have reached the bottom, you can finally pass the string through the bottom rail and tie the knot. Tie a couple of knots so that the knot cannot pull back through the rails. 
  • Push the strings back into the sockets and secure it in place by shoving the plugs back in.

How to Fix Broken Blind Slats on Vertical Blinds

  • If the vertical blinds are broken or damaged you will need to replace them with a replacement vane that matches your existing blinds. Carefully unplug the broken vane from the carriers and slide a new one in. 
  • If the carriers need to be repaired, you will notice that the vane that the carrier is clipped onto does not move smoothly or along with the other vanes in the blinds. Simply remove the vane that is below that carrier first and slide or twist and pull the damaged carrier out of the headrail. 
  • Insert the matching replacement carrier stem into the carrier body, then slide the blind onto the stem.

How to Fix Broken Pull Cords on Window Blinds

Pull cords are an essential part of blinds without which raising, lowering or adjusting the blinds would be impossible. Broken pull cords are an easy fix, here’s how

  • To unstring the pull cords, you will need to remove the plugs at the bottom rail that secures these cords in place. Use a screwdriver to do so. 
  • Pry the cords out of the rail and untie it. Pull the slats together to reveal the damaged cord. Cut the frayed part and remove it from the bottom rail. 
  • Thread in the new cord to the old one by splicing or gluing them together. This will guide the new cord through the slats. 
  • Guide the fixed cord through the top of the blinds and down through the slats with care. 
  • Once the fixed cord reaches the bottom, attach the plugs and secure them in place.

Maintenance Is Key

Now that you have made repairs to your broken blinds, you should make sure it stays that way. Make it a point to wipe your blinds with a clean and dry cloth on a regular basis. Handle your blinds with care and avoid applying too much pressure on the slats or pulling the cords harshly. Work on making repairs promptly to avoid having to make costly repairs and replacements in the future.