Are you looking for a way to stop your office chair from squeaking?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What causes squeaky chairs
- Supplies you need
- How to stop your office chair from squeaking in 7 steps
- And much more!
Squeaky office chairs can be an annoyance to not only the person in the chair, but others around them as well.
If you find your office chair squeaking, the good news is there are some steps you can take to remedy the issue.
What You Need to Know About Squeaky Office Chairs
A squeaky office chair can be caused by several things.
If all of the nuts and bolts are tightened in the chair, it could be an issue with the spring that allows the chair to lean.
If neither of those things are the issue, the wheels could be causing the squeaking.
Repeated use causes the parts to wear down and the resulting friction can cause squeaky wheels.
Supplies You’ll Need to Stop Your Office Chair from Squeaking
- Screwdriver and/or Wrench- You’ll need this to loosen the nuts and bolts of the chair
- Lubricating oil- This will be used to apply to the nuts and bolts as well as other metal parts of the chair
- Cotton cloth- Use this to pat the oil dry on the parts. You can also apply the lubricating oil to the cloth and apply to the necessary parts
- Silicone spray- For the wheels of the chair
How to Stop a Computer Chair from Squeaking (7 Steps)
Step 1: Check the Bolts and Screws
The first thing you should do to fix your squeaky office chair is turn the chair over and check the nuts, bolts, and screws.
Over time, they can become loose. If that happens, you might get some squeaking out of the chair.
If you find a loose screw or bolt, tighten it and try the chair again to see if that fixes the problem. If not, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Apply Oil
Look for the working mechanisms of the chair while you have it turned over.
Apply oil to these areas as well as to all of the nuts, bolts, and screws. Once the oil is applied, pat it dry with the cloth.
Check the chair again to see if that fixes the squeak. If not, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Remove Screws and Apply Oil
If neither of the first two steps worked, you’ll have to do a little more work.
Start by removing the nuts, bolts, and screws of the chair. You may want to do a small section at a time so you don’t forget where everything goes.
Once the screws are removed, apply the oil to them. You can pat them dry or allow them a few minutes to dry.
When they are dry, put them back where they belong. Try the chair again and see if that fixes the squeak.
Step 4: Apply More Oil
If your office chair is still squeaking at this point, you’ll want to enlist the help of a friend.
Have them sit in the chair so you can try to pinpoint the cause of the squeak easier.
Apply oil to the areas the squeaking sound is coming from.
Have your friend adjust the chair and swivel it as you apply the oil so you can check for other areas that might be contributing to the noise.
Step 5: Fix the Springs
The springs in the back of the chair allow you to lean. If leaning is what causes the squeaking, you’ll need to fix the springs.
To do this, locate the tension spring in the seat. It can be found in the turn-knob housing on the chair.
Loosen and remove the turn knob. Once you have it out, apply oil to the housing and the knob.
Pat the oil dry and replace the knob.
Step 6: Oil the Wheels
The wheels might be the culprit of the squeak since repeated use can cause friction. Turn the chair over and go wheel by wheel, applying the silicone spray.
Once you have each wheel sprayed down, flip the chair upright and roll it around the floor to spread the silicone over the entire wheel.
Try the chair out again. If none of these fixed the squeaking issue, it might be time to get a new one—or just find a way to deal with the noise!
Step 7: Sit Gently
Once you get the squeaking fixed, you don’t want it to start all over again. Flopping down into an office chair can cause it to wear down quickly.
By sitting gently in the chair, you spare the joins and bolts some added pressure. This will reduce the rate at which they loosen and break down
2 thoughts on “How to Stop Your Office Chair From Squeaking (7 Steps)”
After following the suggested steps, my office chair has stopped squeaking. Thank you.
Thanks for letting us know, James. We’re thrilled that these tips helped you!