how to fix an office chair that won't stay up

Office chairs take a lot of strain on a daily basis, so it's common for them to start showing signs of wear and tear after a few years. One of the first things to go on an old office chair is the height adjustment.

If you have an office chair that won't go up or down, this is the problem. Usually, the culprit is a faulty gas cylinder or lift mechanism.

Instead of replacing the entire chair, you may attempt to get a new gas cylinder and replace it yourself. Alternatively, opt for a professional chair repair service.

Replacing a faulty gas cylinder

Replacing the gas cylinder is relatively straightforward, but you must make sure you buy a replacement that exactly matches the old one, otherwise it won't fit. Take the old one with you when you go and buy the new one to ensure you get the correct size.

Once you've purchased a suitable replacement, you can fix an office chair that won't go up or down by taking the following steps.

Step 1

Turn the chair upside down and remove the base. The base is usually held in place with a retaining clip or bolts. The retaining clips can be removed with a pair of sharp-nosed pliers and the bolts with a spanner. Make sure you keep all the small parts in a safe place.

Step 2

Using a wrench, remove the gas cylinder from the column. You may need to use some lubricant (such as WD40 or Q20) and give it a twist or a tap if it's being stubborn.

Step 3

Take the gas cylinder to an office supply store that sells replacements and buy a new one that matches the old one.

Step 4

Install the new cylinder. This is generally done by inserting the tapered end of the cylinder into the column and rotating it into place. If the new part comes with specific instruction, pay attention to those as each gas cylinder might be slightly different.

Step 5

Reconnect the chair's base and place it upright. Test the new cylinder by adjusting the height to check if it's working properly.

Faults in the lift mechanism

Sometimes, the cause of an office chair not going up or down is a fault in the lift mechanism, rather than the cylinder itself. In this case, the problem usually lies with the lever not pressing the button on top of the gas cylinder that allows the chair to move up and down.

You can sometimes fix this type of fault yourself just by moving the lever back into proper alignment. Otherwise, it's best to take your chair into a repair centre and let a professional investigate.

Office chair sales and repairs with K-Mark

K-Mark has been manufacturing high-quality, ergonomic office chairs for nearly 20 years. All our chairs come with extensive guarantees and can be customised to include fabric, armrests and bases of your choice.

We also provide a professional office chair repair service. This includes realignment, general servicing of all mechanisms, upholstery repairs or re-upholstery, valet servicing and servicing of castors.

At K-Mark, we manufacture an extensive range of high-quality office chairs – and our chairs are used by leading corporations across the country. We also offer a professional office chair repair service, ideal if your office chair won't go up or down or has another mechanical problem. Contact us for more information or to discuss your needs.