Your chair squeaks? Mine also used to squeak however I managed to fix it. Therefore I can guide you on some practical ways on how to fix a squeaky gaming/office chair.
If you look at this problem closely there are only 2 solutions to this problem.
1. Either you sit straight on the chair without moving an inch.
OR
2. You replace the chair with a new one.
Unfortunately, both of these are not viable options. How can you play a game and not move? What’s the point of having killer neck support in your chair if you can’t use it?
Plus, that chair cost you a fortune; changing it might rip open your pocket.
Well, there is a third option you can consider and that is to fix the damn squeaky chair.
In this article, we present you with the ultimate guide to solving your squeaky problem.
Why does a Gaming Chair Squeak?
Chairs provide a squeaking sound because they have multiple moving parts.
- Reclining features: These start making noises within a few days of use
- Height adjustment: Since most of this piece is metal, they get rusted with time and make noise
- Armrests: These are the weakest parts of the chair and may start squeaking right away if they are adjustable.
- The five swivel wheels of most office chair start squeaking after few weeks of use.
These parts can be squeaking individually or in combination, leading to an unbearable noise. Even new chairs can start squeaking right after you buy them. In such cases, the noise may not be for rusted hardware mechanisms.
Thankfully the noises originating from such a chair can be fixed.
How to fix the Squeaking:
Before you start fixing the irritating noise, you first need to identify the source of the noise.
Generally, the noise generates from either of these parts:
- Wheels
- Bolts and screws
- Backrest
- The lift mechanism
Once the source has been spotted, let’s go on to fixing the problem.
Step 1 – Check Nuts bolt and Screws
If nuts and bolts are causing the squeak, you need to take a hard look at the source. So turn the chair over and look at the hardware.
In case you assembled the chair, you will know of its critical parts. Grab a screwdriver or wrench and start tightening those nuts and bolts.
Pro tip: Retighten the parts that appear strong as well.
Since you sit on the chair regularly, the small items get pressurized. So regular checking can keep it in good shape.
Once done, set the chair upright and see if the squeaking continues.
Step 2 – Oiling the mechanism
You need to apply lubricant on all the nuts, screws, and bolts of your chair. The oil helps to loosen the joints.
It’s best to use a WD-40 spray or even oil. Or, if you are confused, just pick out the best lubricant oil from the departmental store.
Now, this step can get messy. So be cautious. Put some lubricant/oil on a cotton ball and rub it on the problem areas for better results.
If the parts are lubricated regularly, the squeaking should stop if friction was causing it.
Step 3 – Check and remove the Rust
For this method, you can use the lubricant from the last step. However, if a lubricant is not available, you can use everyday household items like a brush, steel wool, and vinegar to clean rusted nuts and bolts.
Dip the steel wool or brush in vinegar to scrub off the rusted metallic joints of your chair. Or you can remove the parts from the chair entirely and clean them before putting them back.
This method is essential for metallic chairs. When you are at it, take a close look at the swivel or the chair’s height adjustment lever.
However, if the parts are entirely damaged, replace them with new ones.
Step 4 – Use the Glue
Yes, you heard it right! Glue is excellent for fixing your squeaking chair. But you have to use wood glue and not ordinary glue.
Wooden glue joins the chair limbs in a much effective manner.
Begin by finding out the weak source and then apply the glue. Once you have used it properly, please wait for it to dry and harden before sitting on the chair.
However, this process only works on wooden chairs and not metallic ones.
Step 5 – Check the Chair’s backrest
Does your chair squeak when you lean on it? God, it’s annoying when that happens!
That squeaking noise maybe for the tension building up in that area. It can also be due to the spring ends touching the housing ends.
To fix this, you will need to take out your lubricant from the shelf and apply it to the tension spring inside the turn-knob housing of your chair.
Release the seat tension turn-knob and spray it with oil directly.
Step 6 – Fix the Spring
Your chair’s spring may be the cause of evil. So, instead of lubricating it, you may require to seal it with a Teflon thread seal.
Use a nail remover to remove all the screws and nails. Once you have reached the springs, attach the Teflon tape and rub them together.
The rubbing reduces the pressure between the springs that may be causing the squeak.
Step 7 – Quick Wheel check
Nowadays, a variety of wheels are used on a chair. However, standard wheels are inserted within the chair’s body using a metal post on the wheel’s top. With time those metal posts wear out and loosen, and thus the wheel axles start squeaking.
In such a case, you need to flip over the chair and take off the wheels. Place them on a paper towel and put silicon oil or any other lubricant on it. Give proper attention to the metal posts to ensure that the oil reaches the post housing.
7. A swelling wood liquid
Often shrinking dowels lead to squeaking chairs. So, if your squeaking noise is due to the loosened legs, you need to remove them and apply the wood swelling liquid directly on the dowels.
Once the process is complete, rejoin the legs properly. This method is an improvement over the glue technique.
Most often, lubricating the joints and the hardware reduces the squeaking. However, at times, the sound may continue. In such cases, it often originates from the lift piston. So you may have to tear it down and fix it.
How to stop a chair from squeaking?
A squeaking chair is uncomfortable for the user and others in the room (if it’s an office or home office). Fortunately, there are ways to fix it.
All the steps listed above should help you reduce the squeaking noise originating from your chair. But first, start with lubricating the joints and bolts. Often, greasing these joints go a long way to reduce the noise.
Besides machine and silicon oil, you can use beeswax. Beeswax contains essential oils that help to hydrate and protect the hardware mechanism of your chair. It also contains petrochemical and other solvents, which evaporate quickly. This is the perfect solution for your wooden squeaking chair.
How to fix a squeaky Wooden Chair?
Begin by checking the loose legs, dowels, nails, and screws of your wooden chair. If it’s necessary, apply wood glue and wait for it to dry.
Don’t forget to rub off the extra glue that might ooze out of the chair’s hardware with a wet rag. If this step does not work, you may have to replace some parts of your chair or need new screws to hold the prices together.
How to use the lubricant on your chair?
While using a lubricant, you have to be very careful. If it gets on your chair’s upholstery or even the carpet, it can lead to a nasty stain. So before getting started, lay out a towel or cover the chair’s seat with a plastic sheet.
Apply the oil right on the joint’s axles and where the moving parts touch each other. Get hold of a nozzle or a syringe to apply the lubricant precisely. Don’t over-use the lubricant; one to two drops should be enough.
Gravity and capillary action take the oil deep within the cranks and reduces the friction between the parts.
A squeaking chair is not the end of the world. Sure, it does get annoying. Thankfully with regular attention, you can take care of the issue.
So don’t get baffled by these steps. These are relatively easy, and once you get the hang of it, you can lubricate your chair at frequent intervals.
Even the best ergonomic chairs squeak a bit sometimes, nothing to worry about.
So have your WD-40 ready to take care of any squeaky situation.
Hope this article was helpful in giving you solutions in fixing a squeaky chair.
