An office chair that squeaks with every movement is irritating when you work from home and even worse on a video call, when the microphone faithfully passes every creak to your colleagues. The cause is usually simple: loose bolts, dust in the tilt mechanism or dry rubbing joints.
You can sort it out in half an hour without calling anyone. Turn the chair over, tighten the fixings and apply lubricant exactly where the noise comes from.
What you will need
Important: Keep lubricant off the seat, fabric or leather armrests and the floor: it makes laminate and tiles slippery. Work in a well-ventilated room.
Step 1
Turn the chair upside down
Rest the chair seat-down on a desk or on a folded blanket so the wheelbase points upwards. This gives you a clear view of the tilt mechanism, the seat fixings and the point where the gas lift enters the base.
If the armrests get in the way, unscrew them: reaching the bolts becomes much easier.
Step 2
Check and tighten the bolts
Go over every bolt and screw under the seat and on the backrest. A loose fixing lets metal parts move, and that is a very common source of squeaks. Tighten them with a spanner or screwdriver, but do not overdo it or you may strip the thread in a plastic or plywood seat.
Check that the bolts sit straight. One driven in at an angle is best removed and screwed back in properly.
Step 3
Locate the noise
Ask someone to rock the backrest, or sit down and slowly lean back, swivel, raise and lower the seat. Listen for where the squeak comes from: the tilt mechanism, the backrest joint, an armrest or the gas lift. That tells you which lubricant to use.
Step 4
Lubricate the metal joints
For the tilt spring, backrest hinges, adjustment lever pivots and metal joints, use WD-40 Smart Straw. Flip the straw up and apply short bursts straight into the gap. The formula creeps into crevices, displaces moisture and lubricates the rubbing surfaces.
Work the mechanism a few times to spread it and give it a few minutes.
Step 5
Treat the gas lift with silicone
If the squeak comes from the gas lift shaft or where it enters the base, use WD-40 Specialist Silicone. It is safe on rubber O-rings and plastics and does not attract dust. Apply a thin coat to the shaft, then raise and lower the seat several times.
Step 6
Wipe off the excess
Before turning the chair back over, wipe away any runs with a dry cloth. Leftover lubricant can mark clothing or carpet. Stand the chair on its castors and check that the noise has gone.
Tip: While the chair is upside down, clear hair and dust from the castors. A light coat of
WD-40 Specialist Silicone on the castor axles makes the chair roll more quietly and kinder to the floor.
What next
Check the fixings every six months and lubricate again at the first sign of a squeak. The same WD-40 Multi-Use will also look after door hinges, locks and drawers in your home office.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».