Summary:
Learn how to complete common repairs for Cadence®, Vertical Solutions®, and Somner® vertical blinds, including removing the headrail or vanes, reinforcing vanes, fixing tilt issues, replacing carriers, and installing swing arm tilt supports. The article also outlines when to contact a dealer for professional service and parts availability.
Applies To:
Cadence®, Vertical Solutions®, Somner®
Repairs
1. Uninstall the Headrail and Vanes
2. Reinforce Vertical Vanes
3. Fix Headrail Tilt (Paramount Track)
4. Replace Carriers
5. Install Swing Arm Tilt Support (Paramount)
Support
6. Repair Service Availability
7. Need More Help?
Uninstall the Headrail and Vanes
If your blinds require professional repair, removing the headrail in advance can make transportation and servicing easier. You might also remove one or more vanes if they are damaged and need replacement.
Removing the Headrail
- Locate the rear tab on the mounting clip.
- Push up on the rear tab to release the headrail.
Removing the Vanes
- Push up on the vane.
- Gently open the vane hook by inserting a ‘credit card’ sized piece of rigid plastic between the vane and the long prong of the vane hook.
- Carefully remove the vane.
Need to order replacement vanes? We recommend contacting your original dealer, who can place the order based on our best color-match coordination options related to your original order details.
Reinforce Vertical Vanes
Over time, the tops of your vertical vanes may begin to wear out, especially where they clip into the headrail. If you notice fraying, stretching, or difficulty keeping the vanes in place, a reinforcement piece can help.
- For fabric vanes, this piece attaches to the top of the vane to create a stronger, more secure connection point.
- For vinyl vanes, this clip adds durability and helps keep the vane firmly attached to the headrail.
These reinforcements can extend the life of your blinds and help prevent sagging or falling vanes.
Need to order replacements? Use #PC0500 to order a Vertical Vane Louver Hanger or #VC010-WD to order a Plastic Vane Clip at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
|
Fabric Vanes Vertical Vane Louver Hanger |
Vinyl Vanes Plastic Vane Clip |
Fix Headrail Tilt (Paramount Track)
If your vertical blind uses a Paramount® headrail and does not tilt fully in both directions, follow the steps below to troubleshoot. A Paramount headrail can be identified by its convex-shaped end cap, part #7700800, available at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
Check for vane interference. Inspect the shade to see if the edges of any two vanes are hitting each other while tilting. This can happen if the shade was not fully traversed (moved to the open or closed end) before the tilt was attempted, or if vanes were bumped out of alignment.
Realign the vanes. Tilt the vanes back to the open position. Then, traverse the carriers fully to the closed position so the vanes are stacked tightly together. After that, attempt to tilt them closed again. This step helps re-synchronize the tilt mechanism with the vane alignment.
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Inspect for mechanical damage. If the issue continues, examine the track for damaged components:
Broken carriers (order replacement using #7700821 at parts.hunterdouglas.com, and for the lead carrier guide use #7700826)
Damaged scissor arms (order replacement using #7700821 at parts.hunterdouglas.com)
Worn or jammed tilt mechanisms (order replacement using #7700821 at parts.hunterdouglas.com)
Replace Carriers
Carriers are the internal components that glide along the headrail and hold each vane in place. When you use the wand or cord to open, close, or tilt your vertical blinds, it's the carriers doing the work behind the scenes.
Over time, especially with daily use, these small but critical parts can wear out. If they become damaged, stuck, or misaligned, your blinds may not operate smoothly—or at all.
When Should You Replace Carriers?
You may want to order new carriers if:
Your vanes are not spacing evenly across the window
Some vanes don’t tilt properly or hang crooked
The headrail makes a grinding or clicking noise when operated
One or more vanes won’t move when you open or close the blind
You’re replacing a damaged track and want to refresh internal parts
Replacing worn carriers can restore smooth operation, extend the life of your blinds, and improve how they look and function day-to-day.
How to Identify the Right Carrier
First, identify the type of headrail on your vertical product. This will help ensure you order the correct carrier components.
| Paramount | Permalign | PermaTrak |
Paramount
Carrier Assembly 3 ½” – Use #7700821 at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
Carrier Guide Assembly 3 ½” – Use #7700826 at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
PermAlign
Regular Draw – Use #HS0503A at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
Center Draw – Use #HS0509A at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
PermaTrak
Regular Draw – This part #HR0603 is not currently available to order at parts.hunterdouglas.com, we recommend contacting your installer or dealer.
Center Draw – This part #HR0609 is not currently available to order at parts.hunterdouglas.com, we recommend contacting your installer or dealer.
Lead Carrier Guide – This part #7702801 is not currently available to order at parts.hunterdouglas.com, we recommend contacting your installer or dealer.
Install Swing Arm Tilt Support (Paramount)
If your vertical blind uses a Paramount headrail and is wider than 70 inches, it may need one or more tilt rod supports (also called swing arm supports). These small plastic parts help prevent bending or sagging in the tilt mechanism and keep your vanes tilting smoothly across the entire width of the blind.
Why You Might Need One:
Over time, wide vertical tracks without support can start to bow or flex in the middle. This can lead to:
Vane misalignment
Difficulty tilting all vanes evenly
Loud or strained movement when tilting
Premature wear on the tilt rod inside the track
Adding a tilt rod support reinforces the center of the track so that the tilt mechanism can operate more smoothly and reliably.
Need to tilt rod supports? Use #1003650 at parts.hunterdouglas.com.
How to Install the Support:
Snap the swivel arm onto the base.
Align the tabs with the channel in the headrail, without locking yet.
Center the support between idle and center stacks.
Press upward to lock the base into the headrail.
Repair Service Availability
Other than uninstalling the headrail and vanes, reinforcing vertical vanes, fixing headrail tilt for Paramount tracks, replacing carriers, and installing a swing arm tilt support, we recommend contacting your dealer to discuss the product’s condition and whether parts are still supported for repair services.
Older products, discontinued styles, or tracks that require parts no longer available may not qualify for repair, but your dealer can often recommend alternative solutions. We no longer have original parts for the PermaTilt® Wand. However, it is possible to convert a PermaTilt Wand to a cord and wand control instead. We also have limited stock available for vertical specialty shape tracks, so availability may vary.
For Somner® and Vertical Solutions® vertical blinds using the PermAssure® Safety Wand, where you walk the wand to either side to traverse the blind open or closed. Twisting the wand rotates the vanes for light control. When the vanes are closed, a light gap will be present where the lead vane contacts the traveling wand. This is expected and inherent to the product’s design. Attempting to over-close the vanes past this point can cause them to interfere with the wand, which may lead to the vanes tenting outward, especially at the bottom, increasing the visibility of the light gap.
For questions about installation, operation, or care, see our article Where can I find installation and user guides for my shade? for details on finding the right instructions and resources for your product.
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.