RV Day / Night Shade Troubleshooter


Installation and Mounting Problems

I’ve lost my mounting hardware or the brackets are bent.

We currently carry two types of mounting brackets for RV Day/Night shades. Please match up your brackets based on the dimensions and overall look of the part.

Lifting & Lowering Problems

My shade won’t go up and down anymore.

Normally, this indicates a problem with the string inside the shade. The strings may be broken or frayed. When the strings are broken or are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string. Next, find out how much string you will need. If your string continues to break or fray, it is probably being pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the shades. Check all of the cord guides and end caps that the string passes over for sharp edges and grooves.

This can also be a problem with the spring or cord retainers. Check to see if the spring in the top rail of the shade has become stretched out. If so, it needs to be replaced.

Also, if there is not proper tension on the cord retainer devices, the shade will not operate properly. Adjust the tension as needed.

My shade goes up and down unevenly.

This may indicate a problem with the string inside the shade. The strings may be broken or frayed. When the strings are broken or are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string. If your string continues to break or fray, it is probably being pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the shades. Check all of the cord guides and end caps that the string passes over for sharp edges and grooves.

This may also be a problem with the cord retainers. If the tension is not set evenly, the shade will not go up evenly. Make sure the cords are each attached to the retainers and haven’t come loose. Then, relax the cord retainers screwed to the wall and reset them evenly. If this does not correct the issue, the string may be getting hung up inside the shade somewhere. Inspect all cord guides and end caps that the string passes through. Examine the spring to make sure it is not stretched out.

My shade seems to catch when I try to raise and lower it.

This is most likely a frayed string in the shade. When the string frays, it gets caught in the holes in the fabric. When the strings are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string.

If all of the strings are in good condition, the problem lies in either a cord guide, end cap, or filler strip. Over time, those pieces can get cut by the string, forming gouges, sharp edges, and grooves. When operating the shade, the string may be getting stuck in one of these grooves. Check all of the cord guides, end caps, and filler strips that the string passes over. If any of those pieces are worn down, rotate them or replace them.

My shade won’t stay in the position that I want it to and/or it creeps up or down once positioned.

Try adjusting both of the cord retainers equally. You may wrap more string around the retainers to create greater tension. If that doesn’t provide enough tension to hold the shade in place, the internal spring may need replacing. Check to make sure the spring is not stretched out.

There is a free-hanging string at the bottom of my shade.

The string may be detached from the cord retainers. If the cord retainer is intact, you can reattach the string to the cord retainer. If the cord retainer is cracked or broken you will need to replace the cord retainer before reattaching the string.

My string is broken and/or pulled out of my shade.

If the string is broken, it’s time to replace it. Please follow these measuring instructions to select the correct thickness of the string. If the string has pulled out the shade, check to see if it is broken or frayed.

Fabric Problems

Several things can go wrong with the fabric of on a Day/Night Shade. The fabric can tear or become soiled, and cleaning won’t work. It can separate along the adhesive line. Or, it can shrink and pucker due to exposure to moisture. The pleats can relax over time and give the fabric a flat appearance. In extreme cases, the string can actually cut through the fabric. Whenever there is an issue with the fabric, it is time to replace the entire shade. We do not carry fabric at Fix My Blinds or have a referral for replacement fabric.

RV Shades & Long-term Storage

Recreational vehicles are often stored for long periods of time between adventures. When storing your RV, be sure to raise the Day/Night shades all the way up into the complete open position. This helps the pleats keep their shape and prevents as much dust and dirt from accumulating on them.

Need Replacement Shades

If your RV Day/Night shades are beyond repair, we recommend RecPro for purchasing new Day/Night shades.

RV Day / Night Shade Troubleshooter

RV Day / Night Shade Troubleshooter

Installation and Mounting Problems

I’ve lost my mounting hardware or the brackets are bent.

We currently carry two types of mounting brackets for RV Day/Night shades. Please match up your brackets based on the dimensions and overall look of the part.

Lifting & Lowering Problems

My shade won’t go up and down anymore.

Normally, this indicates a problem with the string inside the shade. The strings may be broken or frayed. When the strings are broken or are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string. Next, find out how much string you will need. If your string continues to break or fray, it is probably being pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the shades. Check all of the cord guides and end caps that the string passes over for sharp edges and grooves.

This can also be a problem with the spring or cord retainers. Check to see if the spring in the top rail of the shade has become stretched out. If so, it needs to be replaced.

Also, if there is not proper tension on the cord retainer devices, the shade will not operate properly. Adjust the tension as needed.

My shade goes up and down unevenly.

This may indicate a problem with the string inside the shade. The strings may be broken or frayed. When the strings are broken or are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string. If your string continues to break or fray, it is probably being pulled over a sharp or jagged surface inside the shades. Check all of the cord guides and end caps that the string passes over for sharp edges and grooves.

This may also be a problem with the cord retainers. If the tension is not set evenly, the shade will not go up evenly. Make sure the cords are each attached to the retainers and haven’t come loose. Then, relax the cord retainers screwed to the wall and reset them evenly. If this does not correct the issue, the string may be getting hung up inside the shade somewhere. Inspect all cord guides and end caps that the string passes through. Examine the spring to make sure it is not stretched out.

My shade seems to catch when I try to raise and lower it.

This is most likely a frayed string in the shade. When the string frays, it gets caught in the holes in the fabric. When the strings are fraying, it is time to replace them. We recommend replacing ALL of the lifting cords at the same time for the best results and function of your shade. First, determine what diameter of string your shade accepts. RV Day/Night shades commonly use 1.2mm or 1.4mm string.

If all of the strings are in good condition, the problem lies in either a cord guide, end cap, or filler strip. Over time, those pieces can get cut by the string, forming gouges, sharp edges, and grooves. When operating the shade, the string may be getting stuck in one of these grooves. Check all of the cord guides, end caps, and filler strips that the string passes over. If any of those pieces are worn down, rotate them or replace them.

My shade won’t stay in the position that I want it to and/or it creeps up or down once positioned.

Try adjusting both of the cord retainers equally. You may wrap more string around the retainers to create greater tension. If that doesn’t provide enough tension to hold the shade in place, the internal spring may need replacing. Check to make sure the spring is not stretched out.

There is a free-hanging string at the bottom of my shade.

The string may be detached from the cord retainers. If the cord retainer is intact, you can reattach the string to the cord retainer. If the cord retainer is cracked or broken you will need to replace the cord retainer before reattaching the string.

My string is broken and/or pulled out of my shade.

If the string is broken, it’s time to replace it. Please follow these measuring instructions to select the correct thickness of the string. If the string has pulled out the shade, check to see if it is broken or frayed.

Fabric Problems

Several things can go wrong with the fabric of on a Day/Night Shade. The fabric can tear or become soiled, and cleaning won’t work. It can separate along the adhesive line. Or, it can shrink and pucker due to exposure to moisture. The pleats can relax over time and give the fabric a flat appearance. In extreme cases, the string can actually cut through the fabric. Whenever there is an issue with the fabric, it is time to replace the entire shade. We do not carry fabric at Fix My Blinds or have a referral for replacement fabric.

RV Shades & Long-term Storage

Recreational vehicles are often stored for long periods of time between adventures. When storing your RV, be sure to raise the Day/Night shades all the way up into the complete open position. This helps the pleats keep their shape and prevents as much dust and dirt from accumulating on them.

Need Replacement Shades

If your RV Day/Night shades are beyond repair, we recommend RecPro for purchasing new Day/Night shades.

Child Safety Concerns

I’m afraid my child or pet will become tangled in the cords on my blinds.

Please visit the Window Covering Safety Council to see the latest recommendations for corded window coverings.