How to Replace Vertical Blind Hangers – Fix a Broken or Fallen Slat
Updated: Aug 29
If one of your vertical blind slats has fallen down, don't assume there's a problem with the complete blind or headrail.
One of the most common causes is simply a broken top hanger.
The small plastic hanger fitted inside the top of each fabric slat can become brittle with age. Eventually the hook or slot can snap, allowing the slat to fall from the headrail.
Fortunately, replacing a vertical blind hanger is one of the easiest blind repairs you can do.
First – Is It the Slat Hanger or the Headrail?
Before ordering anything, identify which part has actually broken.
There are two different components that are easily confused.
The slat hanger
This is the plastic strip fitted into the hem or pocket at the top of the fabric vane.
It hangs onto the hook/stem coming down from the headrail.
If this plastic hanger has broken, it can normally be replaced very easily.
The headrail carrier or truck
If the broken part is actually inside the headrail, or the hook/stem coming down from the headrail has snapped, that's a different repair.
Replacing individual carriers inside an existing vertical blind track can involve dismantling and correctly reassembling the headrail.
Unless you're a patient and experienced DIYer, we would normally consider replacing the headrail rather than dismantling an old track to replace individual carriers.
Why Do Vertical Blind Hangers Break?
Age is probably the most common reason.
The plastic can gradually become brittle and eventually the hanging point snaps.
Often the rest of the blind is still perfectly usable, making replacement of the hanger a much more economical option than replacing the blind.
Make Sure You Buy the Correct Size
Before ordering replacement hangers, measure the width of your fabric slats.
The two common sizes are:
89mm / 3.5 inch vertical blind slats
127mm / 5 inch vertical blind slats
Replacement hangers are available for both sizes, so don't assume they're all the same.
How to Replace a Vertical Blind Hanger
Step 1 – Remove the Slat
Carefully unhook the affected fabric slat from the carrier on the headrail.
Step 2 – Remove the Broken Hanger
Look at the top hem of the fabric.
The plastic hanger normally sits inside a pocket running across the top of the slat.
In most cases, the old hanger will simply slide out sideways.
Step 3 – Slide In the Replacement
Take the correctly sized replacement hanger and slide it into the same pocket.
Make sure it sits properly across the top of the slat.
Step 4 – Check the Direction of the Fabric
Before rehanging the slat, look at the other slats.
For the neatest appearance, you want all the top hems facing the same direction.
It doesn't make much difference mechanically, but having one slat fitted the opposite way can look untidy.
Step 5 – Rehang the Slat
Hook the replacement hanger onto the carrier hanging from the headrail.
Check that the slat hangs at approximately the same height as its neighbours and turns correctly with the rest of the blind.
That's normally the entire repair.
Got a Double-Slot Hanger? You May Not Need a New One
Here's a useful trick that's easily overlooked.
Some vertical blind hangers have two hanging slots rather than one.
If the plastic around the first slot has broken but the second slot is still intact, you may be able to reuse the existing hanger.
Simply cut away the damaged section containing the broken first slot and hang the slat using the remaining good slot.
The repaired slat will hang slightly shorter than the others, but in many installations the difference is small enough that it isn't particularly noticeable.
It's certainly worth trying before throwing the hanger away.
What If the Fabric Has Torn Instead?
Occasionally the hanger may be intact but the fabric at the top of the slat has failed.
This is a different situation.
If the fabric has deteriorated sufficiently for the hanger to pull through it, consider the condition and age of the other slats as well.
Fabric can deteriorate with age and prolonged exposure to sunlight. If one slat has perished, others of the same age may eventually follow.
In that situation, replacing the fabric slats/vanes may make more sense than repeatedly repairing individual damaged tops.
One Slat Has Fallen – Do I Need to Replace All the Hangers?
Usually, no.
If one hanger has snapped and the others remain in good condition, simply replace the damaged one.
However, if several hangers have become brittle and are breaking one after another, they're probably of a similar age.
In that situation it may be worth replacing several — or keeping a few spare hangers available for future repairs.
What If the Slat Hangs But Won't Turn?
That's probably a different problem.
If the hanger is intact and correctly attached but one or more slats aren't rotating properly, check the carrier and headrail mechanism.
If several slats won't turn, don't start replacing top hangers unnecessarily.
See our guide to Why Your Vertical Blinds Won't Turn and How to Fix Them for the likely causes.
What If the Bottom of the Slat Is the Problem?
If your problem is a missing bottom weight, broken bottom chain or slats that aren't hanging correctly at the bottom, see our guide to Replacing Vertical Blind Weights and Chains.
The top hanger, bottom weight and bottom chain perform different jobs, so identifying which component has actually failed will help you order the correct replacement.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
One slat has fallen down | Broken top hanger | Replace hanger |
Plastic hanger hook/slot snapped | Brittle hanger | Replace hanger |
First slot of double hanger broken | Second slot still usable | Cut off damaged section and use second slot |
Hook from headrail has snapped | Carrier/truck problem | Consider headrail repair/replacement |
Several slats won't rotate | Headrail/control problem | See our turning troubleshooting guide |
Fabric has torn around hanger | Deteriorated slat | Consider replacement vanes |
Bottom of slat isn't hanging correctly | Weight/chain problem | Check weights and bottom chain |
A Simple Repair That Can Save a Blind
A broken vertical blind hanger can make a perfectly serviceable blind look as though it needs replacing.
In reality, if the plastic hanger inside the top of the fabric has snapped, the repair can take only a couple of minutes.
Remove the slat, slide out the old hanger, slide in the correct 89mm or 127mm hanger replacement, make sure the top hem faces the same direction as the other slats and hang it back onto the headrail.
And if you have a double-slot hanger with only the first slot broken, check whether you can use the second slot before replacing anything at all.
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