Repair Guidance for Designer Roller and Screen Shades with LiteRise® or Cordless – Hunter Douglas

Summary:

Learn how to adjust spring tension and lift speed for Designer Roller and Screen Shades with LiteRise®, and how to adjust the stop height on Cordless shades. This article also explains which repairs are supported in-home and when to contact a dealer for further assistance.

Applies To:

Designer Roller Shades, Designer Screen Shades, LiteRise®

Understand the Difference Between Cordless and LiteRise®

Designer Roller and Screen Shades are available with two different manual lifting systems: Cordless and LiteRise®. Knowing which system you have will help you follow the correct repair or adjustment steps.

Cordless (spring-activated)

Lower the shade: Pull down and release. The shade stops where you release it.
Raise the shade: Pull the shade down slightly (about 1 inch), then release. It will rise fully to the top and stop.
- To stop mid-way: Pull down again briefly and release at the desired height.
No positioning while pushing up or down—the shade responds only to the release motion.

LiteRise® (position-anywhere)

Lower the shade: Gently pull down on the bottom rail handle.
Raise the shade: Gently push up on the bottom rail handle.

Important: When raising a LiteRise® shade, push straight up. Pushing at an angle can cause the fabric to skew. If the fabric shifts into the cassette endplate or side holder, it may prevent operation or cause fraying.

Adjust Spring Tension (LiteRise® Only)

If your shade rises too slowly, won’t stay up, or doesn’t lift at all, adjusting the spring tension can help restore proper performance. This process increases or decreases the lift force inside the roller tube using a 3/16" Allen wrench. You can adjust the tension by accessing the control side of the shade. Always roll the fabric up completely before starting.

Identify the control side:

Fabric off the back = use the right side
Fabric off the front = use the left side

For cassette shades: You may need double-sided adhesive to reattach the end cap after adjustment.

Remove the end cap from the control side of the shade.
Insert a 3/16" Allen wrench into the center hole of the control bracket.
Press inward to engage the spring.
Turn the wrench:
- Clockwise to decrease tension
- Counterclockwise to increase tension
- Reverse roll: directions are flipped
Turn the wrench only once or twice.

Note: Turning more than twice may fully unwind the spring. If this happens, the shade will not lift and must be returned for repair.

If the shade creeps upward:

A weight can be added to the bottom rail to help balance the shade. This weight must span nearly the full width of the rail to prevent skewing. If you think a bottom rail weight is needed, please contact your original dealer to request the part. If the added weight causes reduced lift height, you can increase spring turns slightly to compensate.

Remove Spring Tension (LiteRise® Only)

Use this process if your shade drifts upward after being lowered.

Fully raise the shade and hold it in place.
Identify the control side:
- Fabric off the back = right side
- Fabric off the front = left side
Insert a 3/16" Allen wrench about 1/2 inch into the access hole.
- Caution: Compressing the spring frees it from the gear. Be sure the wrench is fully engaged. It should not spin freely.
While holding the spring compressed, rotate the wrench clockwise in 1/2-turn increments to reduce tension.
Release and test the lift. Repeat if needed.

Correct Fabric Skew (LiteRise® Only)

If the fabric pulls to one side while raising the shade:

Lower the shade to the fully closed position.
Lift the fabric gently near the roller tube.
Apply a small strip of tape to the tube, on the opposite side of the skew.
Raise the shade to check alignment.
Repeat as needed until the skew is corrected.

Fabric Skew.jpg

Tip: Use multiple layers of tape if additional balance is needed.

Remove Wrinkles or Fabric Ripples

If you notice minor ripples, waves, or wrinkles in the fabric:

Use a hair dryer on low heat about 6 inches away from the fabric
Apply heat for no more than 30 seconds at a time
Smooth gently with your hand (do not tug)

Caution: Do not apply heat to Alustra® Woven Textures® or delicate fabrics.

Adjust Lift Speed (LiteRise® Only)

Speed adjustments allow fine-tuning of how quickly the shade rises. Identical performance between shades is not guaranteed, even with similar size and fabric.

Tools needed: Plastic winder (included with the shade)

Fully raise the shade.
Turn the left-side holder counterclockwise until it stops.
Remove the shade from the brackets by pulling from the right side.
Lay the shade on a clean, flat surface.
Attach the plastic winder to the black knob on the left side.
While pulling the winder, turn it clockwise no more than 1–2 turns.
- The winder must be pulled to rotate
- Do not exceed two turns
- Hold the winder firmly to prevent slippage or injury
Reinstall the shade:
- Align the right side into the holder or cassette
- Insert the left black knob with the red side facing up
- Turn the left-side holder clockwise until it stops
Test the shade to confirm improved speed

Adjust Stop Height (Cordless Only)

Some Cordless shades include a stop controller that lets you change how far the shade rises. This is helpful for aligning multiple shades or stopping the fabric before it reaches the top.

Stop Controller Dial.jpg

Fully raise the shade.
Locate the stop controller dial (usually on the right side of the shade).
Turn the dial:
- Clockwise to lower the stop height
- Counterclockwise to raise the stop height
Test by raising and lowering the shade. Repeat if needed to reach your desired position.

Repair Service Eligibility

Only a limited number of in-home repairs are supported for Designer Roller and Screen Shades. For LiteRise® shades, supported repairs include adjusting spring tension and lift speed. For Cordless shades, supported repairs include adjusting the stop height and replacing brackets. All other issues may require professional assistance. If you need new brackets or other parts, you can search for compatible options at parts.hunterdouglas.com.

Need More Help?

If you have additional questions, we recommend reaching out to your original dealer or installer for support.

If you’re not sure who installed your window treatments, you can use our Dealer Locator to find a local expert or chat with an agent at help.hunterdouglas.com for further assistance.

Related to

System Overview

Repairs

Support