Why is my office chair tilt lock not working? And how do I fix it?

The tilt mechanism of an office chair is a luxury. It enables you to recline your chair to a certain degree. And the forward tilt pushes you forward to a 90-degree angle so that you can type more efficiently on your computer. It also offers rocking features that can break the monotony of sitting down for a long time. 

Then one day you suddenly find that you can’t recline the chair back or the tension is lacking. It means that the tilt lock is jammed. And it’s imperative to have it repaired because using a chair with a malfunctioning tilt lock can result in not only discomfort, it can also cause serious injuries. 

And it may be due to several factors. But you need not panic, it’s easy to troubleshoot. It’s not a lost cause. And we’ll show you how to deal with instances like this.

3 easy ways to fix a jammed tilt lock

You would be happy to hear that, it’s not rocket science! 

You can easily resolve this issue. And here are 3 different ways to do that. Each solution will be dependent on the cause.

Problem # 1: Chair not moving 

Solution: Adjust the tension knob

You will need the best office chair for long hours of work but what happens when your chair will have a tilt tension knob that controls the stiffness of the backrest. Before doing further troubleshooting, this is the first thing that you should check. Perhaps, you’re not yet fully acquainted with the features of your new chair and you’ve yet to learn how it works. 

By loosening the tension knob, you might already be able to recline the chair back. But if the knob is already loose and yet the char is still immovable, you might have a problem with the lever or the springs.

Problem # 2: Damaged or worn out springs

Solution: Replacement of the old spring

One of the reasons why the tilt lock is not working anymore is because it can be either damaged or worn out. So if you have an old office chair, chances are, you need to replace the springs.

The springs give tension and avoid unnecessary spasms. So if the tension is close to none, it is likely broken.

To be able to get the damaged spring, you have to disassemble the four bolts. This Is what’s keeping the seat in place. 

As soon as you have access, take out the old spring and replace it with a new one. But determine first if your chair has a liner or a radial spring so that you can buy a suitable replacement. 

But keep in mind that you have to properly position the new spring. Otherwise, it can still result in the same problem. 

Also, make sure that there isn’t any dislodged foreign object. This is also likely to happen whenever you’re replacing parts. 

Problem # 3: Damaged lever

Solution: Replacement 

Examine the lever closely. In some cases, the issue arises from some sort of alterations to the lever. It can be a crack or a dent. 

But you can also check if the lever is in the right position or if it is dislodged. A mere deviation may result in the tilt lock not functioning at all. 

If this is the case, you can use a long screwdriver to pivot the lever back to the proper alignment. But if it already has even a slight crack or damage, a replacement is warranted.

Tips on how to prevent damage to the tilt lock

While some issues may be inevitable, you can do something to prevent or delay any damage to the knob, lever, and even the springs.

• Be acquainted with your office chair

As with all things new, you need to know how the chair works and what are all its parts and features. 

And what better way to do that than by reading the instruction manual? You will see all the information that is necessary for keeping the chair in its present form.

By doing your due diligence, you’ll prevent causing damage to the chair and its parts.

Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of reading small print manuals, you can also turn to the net or YouTube for some tutorial videos. 

• Pick the right spoon for dessert

Before attempting any troubleshooting, make sure that you analyze the problem first. You might have bought a replacement lever or spring when all the chair needs are for the tension knob to be loosened. 

So remember this.

If there is a problem with the spring, there will be zero tension. And if a damaged lever is an issue, you will not be able to recline the chair back.  

And lastly, if you cannot move the chair at all, check for the tension knob.

Don’t panic, it’s not rocket science

it’s pretty simple, right? 

The next time your tilt lock malfunctions, do not panic or buy a new chair right there and then. 

And detecting the cause of the problem is also very easy, so you’re less likely to mess it up.