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!

Hey @yogibright217, I totally get the frustration with squeaky chairs during calls - been there! Since WD-40 didn’t do the trick, you might want to try a silicone-based lubricant or even a white lithium grease. They tend to last longer and don’t attract dust like WD-40 can. Also, sometimes the squeak comes from the plastic parts rubbing against metal, so a little grease there might help too.

One trick I’ve used is to loosen the screws slightly, apply the lubricant, then tighten them back up. It lets the lube spread better in those tight spots. Just be careful not to overtighten afterward, or you might crack some plastic parts. Hopefully, this helps you keep your chair quiet without splurging on a new one!

On 02/03/2026 at 8:20 AM, yogibright217 said:

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!

Hey @yogibright217, I totally get how annoying that squeak can be, especially during calls! Since WD-40 didn’t do the trick, you might want to try a silicone-based lubricant or even white lithium grease. They tend to stick better and provide longer-lasting lubrication on metal parts without attracting dust like WD-40 sometimes does.

Also, sometimes the squeak isn’t just from the joints but from plastic washers or bushings wearing down. If you’re comfortable, check if any rubber or plastic parts are cracked or compressed - they might need replacing or a bit of grease too. It’s a cheap fix compared to a new chair and could save you from more noise during meetings!

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?

Sometimes the squeak when leaning back comes from the tension mechanism or the plastic parts rubbing against metal, not just the screws or metal joints. Since you already tried WD-40 (which can evaporate and stop lubricating), you might want to try a silicone-based spray or a white lithium grease. They tend to last longer and don’t attract dust as much. Also, check if there’s any worn-out plastic bushing or washer around the pivot points - those can cause noise even if everything’s tight. If you find any, replacing those small parts can make a big difference without needing a whole new chair. Zoom calls are stressful enough without squeaky chairs stealing the show!