After using a gaming chair or office chair for some time, you may occasionally notice issues such as squeaking, height adjustment problems, loose armrests, or screws that are difficult to install. These issues do not necessarily mean that the chair is damaged. In many cases, they may be caused by loose screws, incorrect assembly, or simply the chair’s normal structural design, and can often be resolved with a few simple checks and adjustments.
This guide covers some of the most common chair problems and provides practical troubleshooting steps you can try at home.
A quick safety note: Before you begin, place the chair on a flat, open surface. If any step involves disassembly, tapping parts with a tool, or applying lubricant, we recommend wearing protective gloves and keeping children and pets away from the work area. If you notice broken components, cracked welds, a visibly deformed gas lift, or a serious risk of the chair tipping over, stop using the chair and contact customer support.
1. The Chair Makes Squeaking, Clicking, or Other Unusual Noises
If your chair makes a slight noise when reclining, rocking, or changing your sitting position, the sound often comes from the tilt mechanism underneath the seat.
The tilt mechanism contains locking components and moving parts, so a small amount of mechanical noise during normal use is relatively common.
If the noise is loud or occurs frequently, try the following:
- Check the screws around the tilt mechanism, seat, backrest, and armrests.
- Use the correct Allen key or screwdriver to retighten any loose screws.
- Apply a small amount of lubricant, such as WD-40, to metal joints, moving connections, or screw connection points.
- Wipe away any excess lubricant.
- Sit in the chair and test the reclining and rocking functions again.
2. Gas Lift Problems
A newly installed gas lift may need some downward pressure before it starts working properly. When lowering the seat, sit in the chair and pull the height adjustment lever upward with a little extra force if necessary. On some new chairs, the lever may feel slightly stiff during the first few uses.
When raising the seat, make sure you are not sitting on the chair.
If you have been using the chair for some time and it gradually sinks while you are sitting, first check the connection between the gas lift and the tilt mechanism.
Try the following steps:
- Separate the upper seat assembly from the chair base.
- Remove the gas lift from the tilt mechanism.
- Check whether the gas lift is tilted, bent, or visibly damaged.
- Reinstall the gas lift and tilt mechanism.
- Place the chair on a flat surface and test it again.
Sometimes, the gas lift may not be fully seated in the tilt mechanism. Removing and reinstalling it can help correct the connection and improve how the chair supports weight.
If the chair continues to sink after reassembly, the gas lift may be worn out or faulty. In this case, please contact customer support to discuss the next steps.
3. How to Remove the Gas Lift and Chair Base
A gas lift is generally not secured with screws. Instead, it is pressure-fitted into the tilt mechanism and the five-star base. Because of this, the connection can become quite tight after the chair has been assembled and used for some time.
You may need:
- A rubber mallet or similar tool
- A thick towel or soft cloth
- Protective gloves
- Safety glasses
Removing the Gas Lift from the Tilt Mechanism
- Place the chair on a stable, open surface.
- Remove the screws securing the tilt mechanism to the seat.
- Separate the upper seat assembly from the base.
- Wrap the head of the mallet or tool with a towel to help protect the chair components from scratches.
- Gently tap around the outer edge of the connection where the gas lift enters the tilt mechanism.
- Rotate the component as you work and tap evenly from different directions.
Removing the Gas Lift from the Five-Star Base
Turn the five-star base over and tap evenly around the edge of the connection point between the gas lift and the base.
Do not strike the middle of the gas lift directly, and do not use excessive force.
If you notice any dents, cracks, bending, or other visible damage to the gas lift, stop immediately.
4. Bent Armrest Bolt
An armrest bolt or mounting hole may occasionally become slightly bent or misaligned during transportation, making it difficult to install the armrest correctly.
If the deformation is minor, you can try the following:
- Do not force the screw into the mounting hole.
- Insert a screwdriver or another sturdy tool into the bolt hole.
- Slowly and gently adjust the angle of the hole or metal mounting point.
- Check that the holes are reasonably aligned.
- Reinstall the armrest and tighten the screws gradually.
Avoid repeatedly bending the metal back and forth, as this may weaken the material.
If the metal connection is cracked, a welded joint has come loose, or the part is severely deformed, stop the installation and contact customer support.
5. The Chair Tips Forward or Feels Unstable
Chairs with reclining functions are generally designed to remain balanced when the user is seated around the center or toward the back of the seat.
Sitting too close to the front edge for extended periods, or leaning too far forward while moving the chair, may shift your center of gravity and make the chair feel unstable.
To reduce the risk of tipping forward or sideways:
- Sit with your hips fully supported by the seat cushion.
- Avoid putting your full body weight on the front edge of the seat.
- Do not lean excessively forward while moving the chair.
- Make sure all casters remain in contact with the floor.
- Do not stand on the chair.
After assembly, also check that the five-star base, gas lift, tilt mechanism, and seat have all been installed in the correct orientation.
If you notice a cracked base, a detached caster, a bent gas lift, or a seat that remains visibly tilted after assembly, stop using the chair and contact customer support.
6. The Tilt Mechanism Screw Holes Do Not Line Up
When installing the tilt mechanism, fully tightening some of the screws before the others are in place can make the final screw hole difficult to align.
Do not force the screw into place. Instead, try reinstalling the tilt mechanism using the following steps:
- Loosen the screws that have already been tightened.
- Reposition the tilt mechanism underneath the seat.
- Insert all screws a few turns first, but do not fully tighten them.
- Make sure each screw has entered the correct threaded hole.
- Gradually tighten the screws in a diagonal pattern.
Some mounting holes are intentionally designed slightly larger to allow a small amount of adjustment during installation.
If a screw becomes difficult to turn within the first few rotations, remove it and realign the parts. Forcing a misaligned screw may damage the threads.
7. The Armrests or Backrest Feel Loose
Loose or wobbly armrests and backrests are often caused by screws that were not tightened evenly during assembly.
Check the following areas:
- Screws connecting the armrests to the seat
- Screws connecting the backrest to its mounting brackets
- Screws securing the plastic side covers
- Bolts around the tilt mechanism
When retightening the screws, alternate between both sides and tighten them gradually and evenly.
Avoid overtightening, especially where screws connect to plastic components or threaded inserts, as this may strip the threads or crack the plastic.
If all screws are secure but the armrest or backrest still moves excessively, check the metal connection points and welded joints. If you notice cracked welds, separated metal parts, or structural damage, stop using the affected component and contact customer support.
Routine Chair Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance can help prevent many common chair problems.
We recommend performing a quick inspection every one to three months:
- Check and retighten the main screws
- Remove hair, dust, and debris from the casters
- Inspect the five-star base for cracks
- Check the gas lift for bending, oil leakage, or dents
- Test the height adjustment and reclining functions
- Apply a small amount of lubricant to noisy metal joints when needed
- For chairs with powered features, check that the cables and connectors are secure
Always use an Allen key or screwdriver that matches the size of the hardware. Using the wrong size or a badly worn tool can damage the screw heads and make future disassembly or maintenance more difficult.
If your chair develops a problem and you need to contact customer support: eu@dowinx.com, we recommend preparing the following information in advance:
- Your order number
- The chair model
- Clear photos of the affected area
- A short video showing the problem
- When the issue started and how the chair was being used when it occurred
Clear photos and videos can help the support team identify the problem more quickly and determine which parts need to be checked.
