Kind sir, your presentation was clear and straightforward. I've rarely seen a more helpful video and I am now ready to replace the entire mechanism as well as the cord. Much thanks and gratitude!

If, instead of this the shade in this video, you have a "flat" roller shade with a continuous, beaded-and broken-loop, I can help. I'm not talking about an according shade like in this video. Instead, think a "big rolling pin with a long rectangular fabric wrapped around it" shade. Anyway. If you're wondering how in the world to get a separated continuous loop chain (the kind with little beads lacing the entire length), this video helped me unlock the mystery. (Thank you @NoTop442). 1. Take the roller shade down. (I can't remember how, but you essentially spin a plastic retainer on the non-sprocket side so it "releases" the large plastic captured barrel pin so it can compress.) 1.5 Set your shade down. Keep it rolled up. 2. Position the open mouth where the chain went upwards (you'll see the tiny teeth/sprocket mechanism). 3. Hold the big rolling pin side (shade side) really tight with your one hand. 4. Feed the tip of your chain into a side of it. You'll figure out in the next step which is the correct side through a little trial/error. 5. Now "force" the black mouth to spin around the held-in-place shade side with your other hand. This will feel wrong. But you must have faith. And you must have clamp hands to do this. Gloves might help. Or if you're a lobster. Note that the black "mouth" piece can only spin one way. Mine spun clockwise, but yours might go the other way depending on what side it's on. This action "threads" the chain around the sprocket. Now you have to somehow mend your chain back together with pliers, jb weld, a TIG welder, or a prayer to the God of Thunder, Zeus. Not sure which of these will be most effective. But have faith in yourself. If Elon Musk can land rockets backwards within 3 feet of some crosshairs on the ground, you too can fix your broken roller shade chain. Pray for me. UPDATE: I might be a genius. Or a blacksmith. Or both. You're probably wondering, "Christian, how did you reconnect the chain so it's a continuous loop again?" I shall answer your request, medically and mechanically. -1. Locate the unhealthy female bead on the end of the chain. 0. Hold the _next_ healthy, adjoining bead tight with some lineman pliers or the like. 1. Spread the unhealthy female bead's orifice open a tad bit more than it's currently dilated state with a mini awl (think metal stabber). PS: This widening is what lead to the failure in the first place when apparently I put too much force on the chain. 2. Insert the male ball tip into the female bead. Pass the forceps please. (Seriously forceps would be perfect here. But I had the dexterity to do it bare handed. Remember: I'm a professional.) 3. Once inserted, balance the whole structure so the male doesn't slip out. He can only last so long. (I had to). Recall that you're still holding the healthy bead with lineman pliers or the like. 4. Now in your other hand grab some needle nose and clamp the tired female shut, closing the tiny seam on the side of the bead. Here comes the magic that mere pedestrians would never think of. Surely not you. But I'm a blacksmith. And possibly a god. See metal "remembers." And that poor, weary female bead has memory to "stay" open, even though you're currently clamping her down with some needle nose. How do we make metal stop remembering? Heat. Keep clamping the broken female with your needle nose. Now you can let go of your lineman pliers. Switch to a lighter, or a mapp gas plumbing torch if you're as incredible as me. (You probably never will be. Sorry. It's a gift.) Heat that female/male combo up. Make her forget the pain of her unhealthy state. Make her one again with her partner. A union of foreverness if you will. Once done, a quick oil quench with some olive oil or motor oil or just use water like a hack. It's really up to if you want to be mediocre, or a human speciman. Congrats. You have successfully mended a chain. And a broken marriage. If you enjoyed this tome, please let me know with a reply comment stating your experience with my expertly crafted instructions. I think I spent more time writing this than the actual fix.

how do you glue the continuous cord together

The string came off in the process of trying g to do this. Now I have a blind that I have no idea how to redo the string. 😢

The most important first step is not shown--how do you get the blind out of the bracket in the window? How to do this is not straightforward, and is the first step in repairing the cord. How do you do this?

How old are shades ? Wondering if the cord breaks often?

Terrible how-to. Starts AFTER blind is already pulled down, and AFTER the 1st (tricky) cover is already off. The rest of video is basically a still photo in the middle somewhere with some words , and not showing actual successful completion.