It can be quite frustrating if your office chair won’t stay up. Sitting in a position that is just too low can also be very uncomfortable and can cause a lot of back and shoulder pain.
But don’t worry, you probably won’t have to buy a brand-new office chair just yet. This type of problem is quite common in modern ergonomic office chairs and it is pretty easy and quite affordable to fix.
In this guide, we are going to tell you what went wrong in your chair and we share the best tips for fixing your chair so you can keep using it for longer and enjoy a comfortable sitting position when you work in front of a desk or computer.
Table of Contents
Why Isn’t the Desk Chair Staying Up?
Most modern office chairs are designed with a pneumatic cylinder. This cylinder controls the chair height through pressurized air. While these pneumatic systems are very convenient for office and desk jobs, they usually don’t last too long.
Over time and with excessive wear and tear, the seals of this chair will start to give out or weaken and the cylinder will no longer be able to contain or maintain the pressure because the nitrogen gas will keep leaking out.
The gaming chair might lift up when no one is sitting on it because it can still have a bit of air inside, but it will sink down when you sit down on it because the cylinder can’t contain pressure anymore. The air leaks out and the chair drops down when pressure is applied to it.
Fixes for an Office Chair That Won’t Stay Up
There are a few different ways to fix an office chair that won’t stay put. Some of these methods are affordable but might not look quite as good while others will offer better results. Here is a quick look at the best ways to fix a desk chair that won’t stay up so you can work.
Option 1 – Install a New Pneumatic Cylinder
The best way to fix an ergonomic office chair that keeps sinking is by replacing the pneumatic cylinder. Pneumatic cylinders are sold in loose replacement kits that usually include a completely new cylinder, tools required for the job, instructions, and a cylinder warranty.
An office chair cylinder replacement kit is very quick and much easier than you might believe. Loose pneumatic cylinders are also compatible with 95% officer chairs which makes it easy to find one that is going to suit your swivel chair. But it is still better to buy the same brand or to take the old metal cylinder to a store so you can find a suitable replacement.
Remove the current chair gas cylinder lift and fit it in the new extendable cylinder. You may need a rubber mallet to get the new cylinder installed.
With your brand new chair gas lift cylinder in place, your entire office chair should be fully functional again and it isn’t likely to start sinking for the next 6 years since these cylinders are quite sturdy and durable.
Option 2 – Get an Emergency Chair Saver Kit
A chair saver kit is a more affordable alternative to a pneumatic gas cylinder kit and it is easier to install but it won’t last as long. A chair saver kit consists of a set of inserts or fittings that you can snap onto the cylinder piston of your old pneumatic cylinder lift. You can keep snapping on plastic spacer rings until your chair reaches the right height so you can sit comfortably.
These kits are very affordable and can restore your chair’s functionality in no time at all. The kits are also universal and will fit just about any ergonomic office chair or traditional office chair.
chair saver kits usually don’t last too long and once installed, you won’t be able to adjust the height of your chair anymore. These are however a great quick fix if you need to get back to work quickly.
Option 3 – Make Your Own Plastic Tube Spacer
Installing a plastic tube spacer is another temporary solution that will cost you next to nothing.
Get a length of straight PVC tube or straight pipe that can fit around the air cylinder’s piston section but won’t go over the entire cylinder diameter.
Position your tall office chair at the preferred height and measure the length of the piston part of the pneumatic cylinder using a tape measure. Cut the PVC pipe into shorter pieces so it will be the same length as the height you need to increase. Now create a vertical cut along the length of the pipe. You can now slide the pipe over the piston section.
Once in place, the piece of pipe should keep the seat in a proper position even when you ease into your seat. With this pipe method, you will no longer be able to adjust your seat height but you can keep working until the gas cylinder you ordered is delivered.
Option 4 – Install a Hose Clamp With Some Duct Tape
This might not be the best-looking chair fix but it can be a good solution for fixing your ergonomic chair if you run into an emergency.
Grab a hose clamp or a jubilee clamp and some duct tape. You can now position the seat at the preferred height and tie the clamp around the piston at that height. Take the duct tape and secure the clamp in place so it won’t loosen and slide down on the piston.
If the clamp keeps sliding then and won’t keep your body weight up, then you can also grab some sanding paper and scuff the piston so you can get a firmer grip on the clamp.
This cheap option will keep your computer chair up for a while so you can keep working until you have the time to slip out and find a replacement cylinder.
Option 5 – Consider Chair Leg Risers
Chair leg riser extensions are chair accessories that fit underneath the chair legs and will raise your overall chair height. Chair risers can come in different shapes and there are risers that are suitable for different chair leg types (circular or square).
This might not be the best option for an office chair frame with wheels or castors since you will need to remove the castors to fit the risers. It can be a good option if you cannot find a compatible gas cylinder or if you want to convert your office chair into something with chair legs that won’t slip out from underneath you when you sit down.
You can also try other DIY methods like installing a Jubilee clip or layers of duct tape on the cylinder tube. But these methods are only temporary fixes that won’t hold up for very long. It is better to invest in chair accessories and do a more permanent fix or you will soon find yourself at the wrong height again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible to Fix a Sinking Chair?
In most cases, it is possible to fix your sinking office chair. There are quite a few DIY methods in our guide that you can give a try.
While trying these methods, you should keep in mind that it might not work if your chair is significantly damaged.
It is also important to consider why your office chair keeps sinking. Is it a mechanical issue with your chair? Or is the chair simply not designed to handle your body weight? Office chairs usually have indications and will inform you of their maximum body weight limit. If you are heavier than this limit then the chair is likely to break down again shortly after fixing it. In this case, it might be best to look for an office chair replacement.
Some of these methods can also affect your comfort level or the appeal of the chair. If none of these methods work then you are better off buying a new office chair that might have a design that is better equipped to handle your body.
Is It Unhealthy to Sit in a Sinking Office Chair?
This might depend on the level the chair sinks to. If you can sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a 90-degree angle after the chair has sunk then this sinking height isn’t unhealthy at all. In fact, this is the perfect sitting position.
But if the chair sinks too low and your knees form a smaller bend than 90 degrees then the chair is too low.
Sitting in this low position is unhealthy for your body because the nerves in your hips become pinched which cuts off blood circulation to your feet. Your shoulders will also need to be lifted unnecessarily high so you can reach your desk which can cause your muscles to become tensed and may cause a forward text neck position. In this position, the pressure on your spine is also increased which can cause terrible upper and lower back pain.
Final Thoughts
These are all great fixes if your office chair won’t stay up. Most of them are only temporary fixes that can help you get by until you can locate a replacement gas cylinder and fully restore your chair.
We do hope that you enjoyed this guide. But if you feel like your chair is beyond repair then it might be better to visit ChairsWiki and look for a brand new office chair to replace your old broken chair. This handy site is stacked with reviews on all the latest and best office chairs and our guides will help you locate a chair that suits your sitting needs to perfection.
