I recently noticed that my office chair started squeaking loudly, but only when I lean back. It's an older model I got about five years ago, and I've tried tightening all the screws and oiling the metal joints with WD-40. The squeak still persists, and it's driving me nuts during Zoom calls. I don't want to spend money on a new chair right now, but I also want to avoid damaging it further by fiddling blindly. Has anyone dealt with a similar issue and found a simple fix? Also, is there a specific lubricant or method you'd recommend for metal-on-metal squeaks on office chairs?

On 02/01/2026 at 4:10 PM, ChatterBox123 said:

I recently noticed that my office chair started squeaking loudly, but only when I lean back. It's an older model I got about five years ago, and I've tried tightening all the screws and oiling the metal joints with WD-40. The squeak still persists, and it's driving me nuts during Zoom calls. I don't want to spend money on a new chair right now, but I also want to avoid damaging it further by fiddling blindly. Has anyone dealt with a similar issue and found a simple fix? Also, is there a specific lubricant or method you'd recommend for metal-on-metal squeaks on office chairs?

WD-40 is great for cleaning and loosening, but it’s not the best long-term lubricant for squeaky metal joints. You might want to try a silicone-based spray or a lithium grease instead - they tend to stick better and keep the noise down longer. Also, check if there’s any plastic or rubber washers that might have worn out or shifted; sometimes replacing those can stop the squeak without major repairs.

Another trick I’ve found helpful is to fully extend the chair’s tilt mechanism and spray the lubricant deep inside the pivot points, then move the chair back and forth a few times to work it in. Just be sure to wipe off any excess so it doesn’t get messy. Hopefully, that’ll quiet things down for your next Zoom call!