How to Fix an Office Chair That Leans Back? Read It, Fix It

An office job requires you to spend the entire day sitting on your chair. That one chair needs to be comfortable because you’ll be sitting there for a whole day.

A leaning chair, though, can ruin everything. Your back can suffer severe harm from a chair that leans backward too much.

An office chair begins to lean back because of broken or damaged casters, a shift in the chair’s tilt tension, a bent or loose seat plate, missing screws, lack of lubrication, and a defective tilt lock.

To solve these issues:

1. Replace damaged casters
2. Change the tilt tension
3. Fix the seat plate
4. Check out missing screws 
5. Lubricate the chair and replace the tilt lock.

Therefore, it is better to understand how to repair a leaning office chair.

Buying a new one is not always an option because it might be expensive for you. Continue reading to learn how to fix an office chair that leans back.

Why Office Chair Lean Backward?

Various issues cause your chair to lean back, such as:

• Broken or damaged casters
• Tilt tension adjustment issue
• Loose seat plate 
• Missing screw
• Lubrication issues
• Faulty tilt lock

7 Easy Methods on How to Fix an Office Chair That Leans Back

Here are 7 easy methods to fix an office chair that leans back in no time. Let’s begin!!

Method # 1: Fix Any Damaged or Broken Casters 

Typically, the chairs’ casters are all positioned at the same height and touch the floor uniformly.

Uneven weight distribution causes the caster to shatter or become damaged over time. Consequently, the chair will eventually sag backward or sideways.  

How to Fix a Faulty Caster?

1. Initially, place the chair horizontally on the ground.
2. Afterward, to remove the chair’s caster wheels, use a screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, or a socket wrench. The type of connections of screws determines the tool selection.
3. You might need to apply WD-40 or elbow grease. It will lessen the resistance between the casters and the sockets.

1. Place the new casters in a socket after removing the old ones. After that, tap the caster into the socket using a rubber mallet. Make sure to press it lightly. So as not to damage the socket.

1. Finally, set the chair in its original position and sit in it to ensure the back isn’t leaning.

Replacing the casters also allows you to select better components that roll effortlessly, endure longer, and do not become stuck on the carpet and other bumpy surfaces. 

Method # 2: Alter the Tilt Tension

The tension adjustment settings of the chair can degrade or weaken over time. It is because of regular use and pressure against the mechanisms of the chair.

For Tilt Adjustment

• First, sit in the chair with your back against the backrest and your feet firmly pressed on the floor.
• After that, lean back to see how far the chair will recline.
• Most office chairs have tilt knobs. Mostly it is present on the chair’s left-bottom side. You can also consult the user’s manual to find the correct location of the knob. 
• To tilt the chair back into a comfortable and practical posture, tilt the chair back slowly while seated and depress the knob. Release the knob once you’ve reached the exact tilt and angle. 
• Try out this process, then tweak it till you get the results. 

Method # 3: Lock the Seat Plate Firmly

Office chairs with the hydraulic system have seat plates.

Loose, damaged, or broken seat plates also cause leaning-back problems. When a seat plate is damaged or smashed, repair or replace it.

To Tighten the Seat Plate

• To check the seat plate, turn your chair on its side.
• The seat plate is a thin steel frame placed underneath the chair’s cushion. It is usually black.
• If any screws have come loose, you can tighten them with a screwdriver.
• If any screws are missing, replace them with new ones of the appropriate size.
• Next, put the chair on its back and check if it still leans backward.
• You may need to purchase a new chair if it is still leaning. You can replace the plate as well. 

Method #4: Check for any Missing Screws

The chair’s hefty duty can cause fasteners to pop out. You may experience learning problems as a result of that loose screw.

Additionally, the screw can be lost because of its small size. To fix this issue, maybe you can find some screws at home.

However, if you can’t find the screw, you can purchase another at a repair shop.

Remember that the screw size must match the other screws’ sizes. If not, the screw will not set perfectly.

Method # 5: Lubrication of Chair

Lack of lubrication and issues like rusting of chair steel parts also result in leaning back of the chair.

Rusting increases friction and alters the smooth movement of the chair.

Lacks of smooth leaning movement of the chair results in backward leaning.

Therefore, it is crucial to lubricate the chair’s components regularly. You can use any suitable lubricant for this purpose.

Method # 6: Check the Tilt Lock

Sometimes tilt lock also causes leaning back issues. When You move or turn the tilt lock, It may get jammed. As a result, the chair leans backward instead of remaining in its original posture.

You have two options for fixing the tilt lock issue: repair or replacement.

Method # 7: The Quick Fix for Leaning Backward Office Chairs 

If the above solution does not work, then you can also follow this complete method to adjust your chair from leaning back.

• Firstly, open each part of your office chair.
• Reposition the back and arms of the chair.
• Then, replace the wheels. You can swap out the outdated ones with the new wheels.
• Afterward, put everything together.
• Now, Search for any missing screws, bolts, and nuts.
• If missing, then secure all the screws.
• Finally, place the black plate under your chair’s seat once more.
• Verify whether it’s operating or not.

Conclusion 

I hope by now you better understand how to fix an office chair that leans back in some easiest methods, that I have mentioned above.

Your office chair should lean back for comfort, but if it does so excessively, there is a problem.

I’ve covered several issues of chairs that contribute to the back leaning of chairs as well as solutions to these problems. 

You’ll notice that your work will be more effective and of higher quality; once your office chair is working at its best.