Skip to content
Chair & Posture
Menu

Fix

How to stop an office chair squeaking

Published

Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

In short

Most squeaks come from loose bolts or a dry tilt mechanism. Find the noise by testing one movement at a time, tighten every bolt you can reach, then lubricate the moving part that squeaks: silicone spray suits plastic and metal sliding parts, and a light grease suits metal pivots and springs. Clean castors of hair and fluff. If the noise comes from inside a sealed gas lift or mechanism, contact the maker.

Products for this job

Compare all 7 products
Man in white shirt and glasses reclining in chair, viewed from above
Photo: Ron Lach on Pexels

A squeaky chair is distracting on calls and maddening in a quiet room. The good news is that most squeaks are easy to fix once you know where they come from. Office and gaming chairs have only a few moving parts: the tilt mechanism, the bolts that hold it together, the castors, the swivel at the top of the gas lift and the armrests. This guide shows how to track down the noise by movement, and what to do for each part.

Find the squeak by movement

Test one movement at a time and listen closely. Each movement points to a different part.

forearm roughly levelthigh roughly levelfeet flat123456
  1. 1Seat height (gas lift)
  2. 2Seat depth slide
  3. 3Lumbar height and depth
  4. 4Back angle and tilt tension
  5. 5Armrest height
  6. 6Headrest
The adjustment points of a task chair, with a seated outline: feet flat, thighs and forearms roughly horizontal.
When it squeaksLikely part
Leaning backTilt mechanism, springs, back bolts
Sitting down or shifting weightSeat bolts, seat plate, gas lift top
SwivellingGas lift bearing, base joint
RollingCastors
Leaning on armsArmrest bolts or adjusters
Creaking in the backrestBack bracket bolts, plastic covers
Where the noise usually comes from

Tighten everything first

Loose bolts are the most common cause of creaks, especially on a chair that has been moved or sat in daily for months. Tighten before you lubricate, because oil on a loose joint only hides the problem for a short while.

  1. 1

    Turn the chair on its side on a soft surface.

  2. 2

    Use the Allen key that came with the chair, or a matching one, on every bolt you can reach.

  3. 3

    Start with the four bolts holding the seat to the mechanism, then the backrest bracket, then the armrests.

  4. 4

    Tighten firmly but do not force; stripped threads in plastic or soft metal are hard to fix.

  5. 5

    Sit and test the same movement again before moving on.

Lubricate the right part with the right product

Silicone spray is a good general choice for chairs. It leaves a dry, slippery film that suits plastic against metal and does not attract much dirt. Use it on tilt pivots, sliding seat rails and the top of the gas lift where it meets the mechanism.

A light grease, such as white lithium grease, suits metal springs and metal pivots inside the tilt mechanism, where it stays put longer. Apply a small amount with a cotton bud rather than spraying into the mechanism. Avoid oils that stay wet and sticky on exposed parts, as they collect dust and hair. General-purpose water-displacing sprays can quieten a squeak briefly but are not designed as long-term lubricants. Wipe off any excess so it does not mark clothes or floors.

Gaming chairs with a separate recline lever often squeak at the side hinges where the backrest meets the seat. Remove the plastic hinge covers if they unclip easily, check the hinge bolts are tight, and apply a little grease to the pivot. Keep the recline lever and its cable dry.

Note:Do not try to open the tilt mechanism or gas lift. Both contain springs or gas under pressure. Lubricate only the parts you can reach from outside.

Castors, swivel and arms

Castors pick up hair, carpet fibre and dust that wraps around the axle and makes them squeal or drag. Pull each castor out of the base (most just pull out with a firm tug), clear the axle with tweezers, wipe the stem and refit. If a castor is cracked, replace it; most use a standard 11 mm stem. See our castors guide.

A squeak when swivelling often comes from where the gas lift meets the base or mechanism. A little silicone spray around the top of the cylinder can help. Armrest creaks usually come from loose bolts or the height adjuster; tighten and spray lightly.

When the squeak will not go

If the noise is deep inside the tilt mechanism or gas lift and nothing above helps, the part may be worn. Gas lifts are easy to replace; our gas cylinder guide explains how. Tilt mechanisms are often replaceable too, but check the warranty first. Many chairs in our guides carry three to five years, and some makers include free replacement parts within that period.

See well-built ergonomic chairs →

Frequently asked questions

Why is my office chair so squeaky? Usually loose bolts or a dry tilt mechanism. Tighten first, then lubricate the moving part that squeaks.

What lubricant should I use on an office chair? Silicone spray for plastic and sliding parts, and a light grease for metal springs and pivots.

Why is my gaming chair so squeaky? Gaming chairs often squeak at the recline hinges and tilt mechanism. Tighten the side hinge bolts and lubricate the hinge pivot.

Is WD-40 OK for chairs? It can quieten a squeak briefly, but a silicone spray or light grease lasts longer.

What you need

Sources