Why Does the Office Chair Often Make Noise
There can be multiple reasons why an office chair often makes noise, and targeted troubleshooting and solutions can be applied:
Loose screws The screws at the connection points of the chair's backrest, seat cushion, armrests, and base are prone to loosening under long-term stress, causing friction or collisions that result in a "creaking/squeaking" sound, especially noticeable when leaning back and forth or swaying side to side. Solution: Turn the chair upside down and use a Phillips or Allen wrench to tighten all visible screws one by one, focusing on areas such as the backrest connection steel plate, beneath the seat cushion, and the armrest bases.
Worn or rusty gas lift/height adjustment rod The gas lift (the central metal column) can become dry and friction-prone due to long-term weight bearing or dust accumulation, resulting in a "clicking/squeaking" sound during height adjustment. When sitting and slightly swaying, the entire chair vibrates, with the sound coming from the center. Solution: If the noise is severe, replace the gas lift directly; for minor wear, try spraying a small amount of lubricating oil (such as WD-40) to alleviate the issue.
Cracked or loose five-star base (five-claw base) Plastic/nylon feet may develop micro-cracks due to aging, or metal feet may experience fatigue at the welds. When bearing weight, deformation can cause a cracking sound (a "clunk" when sitting down or getting up). In severe cases, the footrest may deform, posing a safety hazard. Solution: The five-star base must be replaced if cracked; for minor looseness, try tightening the fixing screws.
Lack of oil in the rocking base/reclining pivot The reclining function relies on springs and pivots. A lack of lubrication can cause dry friction, resulting in continuous creaking when reclining or rebounding, located at the metal plate beneath the seat cushion. Solution: Spray WD-40, sewing machine oil, or grease (avoid cooking oil), and move the parts back and forth several times after spraying to allow penetration.
Foreign objects stuck in the casters or damaged bearings Hair, thread, or debris stuck in the wheels, or worn bearings, can cause a "rustling/creaking" sound when rolling, even when turning in place. Solution: Remove the wheels to clean out foreign objects, and lubricate with oil if the bearings are dry; replace the wheels directly if damaged (a pair costs a few yuan).
Broken frame of the seat cushion/backrest The internal frame of mesh or fabric chairs may crack due to aging, producing a wood/plastic cracking sound when bearing weight, posing a safety hazard. Solution: Replace the chair directly to avoid continued use.
Uneven floor An uneven floor can cause the chair's feet to bear uneven weight, resulting in shaking or creaking sounds. Solution: Use pads to adjust the height of the feet so that the chair makes stable contact with the ground.
Prolonged use Long-term use can lead to aging of components or deformation of the seat, possibly accompanied by cracks or unusual noises. Solution: Replace aged components (such as the gas lift or five-star base) and choose high-quality materials to extend the lifespan.
Quickly locate the source of the noise:
- Noise when shaking the backrest empty-handed โ Problem with the backrest screws/connection bracket;
- Noise during height adjustment โ Problem with the gas lift;
- Noise when reclining without leaning back โ Lack of oil in the base pivot;
- Noise when turning in place โ Problem with the wheels or five-star base;
- Noise when twisting the body side to side โ Loose fixing screws on the seat cushion.
