How to shorten the electric carnival Xiaomi: detailed instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi electric carnivals (Mijia Smart Curtain or Aqara Curtain Motor series) have become a popular solution for automating curtains in smart homes. However, the standard profile length (usually 1.4-3 meters) does not always fit individual window dimensions. Shortening the eaves is a challenge that many users face, but the wrong approach can lead to loss of warranty, engine damage or system malfunction.

In this article, we will learn how to safely trim Xiaomi electric carnival with the specifics of its design, while maintaining the functionality of smart control. You will learn what tools you need, where you can cut the profile, and how to avoid typical errors. And also what to do if after shortening the curtain begins to “chew” or the engine makes extraneous sounds.

What Xiaomi Electric Carnival Models Can Be Shortened?

Not all Xiaomi e-carnits are shortenable, and the table below shows the current models (2026) and their trimming capabilities:

⚠️ Note: Models with a plastic profile (for example, some versions of Yeelight) are not recommended to shorten - this can lead to deformation of the guide when the engine is heated. It is also impossible to trim the eaves with an integrated battery (for example, Aqara Battery Curtain Motor), as this violates the tightness of the body.

Before starting work, check your model’s serial number in the Mi Home or Aqara Home app. If the specifications indicate Non-cuttable, you should not risk it.

Preparation of tools and materials

To shorten the electric eaves Xiaomi you will need:

• 🔧 Metal knife (with a small tooth) or Bulgarian with a cut-off disk on aluminum.
• 📏 Line or roulette (accuracy up to 1 mm).
• 🖊️ Marker or pencil.
• 🔨 Filler (for processing edges after pruning).
• 🧲 Magnet (to collect metal shavings).
• 🔌 Screwdriver cross (for dismantling the engine, if necessary).
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⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal scissors – they deform the profile, which will lead to jamming of the curtains. Also avoid gas welding or soldering iron for processing edges – high temperatures can damage internal plastic elements.

If your eaves are equipped with an obstacle sensor (for example, in the Aqara T1) models, after trimming, it may need to be reconfigured through the application.

Step-by-step: how to shorten the profile

The pruning process depends on the type of cornice, but the general scheme looks like this:

1. Dismant. Remove the cornice from the mounts, disconnect the engine (if it is removable). In Mijia E1 models, the engine is mounted on the latches — carefully tuck it in with a screwdriver.
2. Marking. Measure the right length with a margin of 5 to 10 mm for the edge treatment. Use a marker for the exact cutting line.
3. Pruning. Set the profile in the vise (or squeeze between two boards) and smoothly saw with a hacksaw. Don't put too much effort -- aluminum is soft, but it can bend.
4. Edge treatment. Remove the burrs with a file and round the sharp corners. In plastic-inserted models (such as the Xiaomi Smart Curtain 3), you may need to trim the internal channel.
5. Put the engine back, check the curtains, apply the silicone lubricant to the guide if necessary.

🔹 Critical point: In two-way models (two engines), you can only trim the profile from the side without electronics. If you mix the sides up, you have to reconfigure the engine synchronization through the app.

After trimming, start calibration in the app:

Settings → Device → Calibration → Start

If the curtain moves in jerks, repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a careful pruning, you can run into problems.

• 🔄 The curtain is chewed in the middle, and it's caused by an uneven cut or shaving inside the profile, so you can re-treat the edge with a file and blow the guide with compressed air.
• 🔊 The engine is buzzing, but it's not moving. Cause: overload due to a deformed profile. Solution: check the geometry with a guideline (must be perfectly straight).
• ⚡ The cornice doesn't respond to commands. Cause: contact damage during engine dismantling. Solution: check connectors (in Aqara models, they are often oxidized).
• 📏 The curtain doesn't reach the edge. The reason is: wrong calibration after pruning. Solution: manually install the pacing limiters in the app.

⚠️ Warning: If the engine starts to overheat after trimming (the body is hot to the touch), immediately disconnect it from power! this is a sign that the profile is too narrow for the curtains to move smoothly. In this case, you will have to either lengthen the cornice to the minimum permissible length, or replace the guide with a wider profile.

Xiaomi Smart Curtain 3 models may need to update the engine firmware after trimming, because the new versions of the software have changed the speed algorithm. Check the firmware relevance in Settings → Update.

💡

If you cut the profile shorter than 1 meter, install additional mounts in the center - this will prevent sagging of the guide under the weight of the curtains.

How to shorten the cornice with the preservation of the guarantee

Officially, Xiaomi does not recommend shortening the cornices on its own, which is considered a mechanical intervention and voids the warranty.

1. Contact the service center: Some authorized Xiaomi partners provide a trimming service for a fee (about 1,000-1,500 rubles), while the warranty is maintained if the work is performed by a certified craftsman.
2. Buy a shortened version. The official Mi Store sometimes has cornices 0.8-1.2 meters long (for example, the Mijia Smart Curtain Motor Mini).
3. Use adapters. For Aqara models, extension/short profiles (ZNMS12LM) are sold, which allow you to adjust the length without trimming.

If you decide to cut yourself, keep:

• 📄 Check of purchase (to prove the date of acquisition).
• 📷 Photo of the original profile before cropping.
• 🔧 Video of the process (in case of disputes with the service center).

In 2023, Xiaomi began offering a "Warranty+" program that covers damages when self-assembled, and ask a consultant if it applies to your model.

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Self-pruning only disqualifies the guarantee in the event of a breakdown related to this intervention, for example, if the power supply burns, it will be replaced under warranty.

Alternative ways to fit the cornice under the window

If pruning seems risky, consider these options:

• 🔄 Install the travel limiters. In the Mi Home app, you can set virtual limits on the curtains so that they don't go outside the window.
• 🧲 Use magnetic curtains. There are magnets for curtains on the market (e.g., for example, IKEA DIGNITET), They hold the curtain in the right position, preventing it from moving out.
• 🔧 If the difference in length is small (up to 20 cm), you can move the brackets closer to the center of the window, hiding the extra part of the profile behind the curtain.
• 🛠️ Order 3D-And you can make decorative pads on AliExpress or in local workshops that will close the edge of the cut and give the cornice a complete look.

For models with solar panels (for example, Aqara Solar Curtain Motor), pruning is strictly not recommended - it disrupts the work of the photovoltaic cells, in which case it is better to choose a cornice of a different length or use adapters.

Frequent questions about shortening Xiaomi electric carnivals