Reclining chairs are either mechanically or electronically controlled, which leaves a lot of leeway of malfunctions to happen for sometimes no fault of your own.
Some problems with your recliner may only be able to be fixed by a professional but some can be easily fixed by yourself, saving you the inconvenience of calling someone out and also saving you a few bucks.
If you’re having trouble closing or reclining your reclining chair, then we’ll be taking you through a guide to help you tackle these problems by yourself
How do you fix a recliner that won't recline?
If you’ve got an electric reclining chair, then make sure that it’s plugged into an outlet before concluding that there is something electrical problem inside the chair that’s making it not recline for you when you press the buttons.
The best option would be to call the manufacturer and explain the problem and they may recommend you to call in an electrician as it may be an issue with the wiring.
Mechanical recliners can sometimes stop recycling because a cable has come loose, broken, or maybe because a bolt has come loose or stiffened.
What to do
The first step to take is to turn your recliner chair upside down (grab someone to help you if it’s heavy) and make sure it’s balanced. Find the area where the bolts and the springs are and using an adjustable wrench remove the bolts.
Then detach the springs and then also remove the bolts that are holding the springs to the footrest as well.
The next stage is to put your new springs underneath the chair and tighten them with the bolts. Don’t attempt to use the used springs as this could be a recipe for disaster.
The video below is a great visual guide to help you fix the reclining problem on your recliner chair.
How do I make my recliner easier?
If you’re having some difficulty trying to recline your chair, then this could be that the tension is too high and you are not strong or heavy enough to be able to recline the chair.
If you’re a smaller build, it’s recommended to decrease the tension of the recliner so it won’t take as much effort to recline the seat back.
If you find that the recliner moves back too easily or maybe the backrest is too far back and is uncomfortable then you should increase the tension.
Taller or people with a strong build will need more back support and could face backache or problems if the tension is not high enough on the recliner.
You can adjust the tension on your recliner by the adjustment mechanism that is located beneath the seat which can be accessed when the footrest is extended.
Turn the wheels or the wing nuts of the mechanism clockwise to increase the tension on your recliner and anticlockwise to decrease the tension.
Make sure to regularly check the adjustments by sitting in the chair and checking the tension and see if it’s suitable and comfortable for yourself.
You may be able to adjust the mechanism with your fingers, but if it’s too tight then you may get a firmer grip with some small pliers.
Do quarter or half turns of the components on the mechanism so you don’t increase or decrease it too much. You’ll also need to repeat the process on the mechanism on the opposite side of the chair.
If you can’t find any adjusting mechanism on your recliner then you may not be able to adjust the tension to suit your body weight.
Why is my recliner not closing?
Some recliners don’t close or have trouble closing because there is a misalignment or there are spring tension issues, which may need replacing. Blockages in the mechanism frame like loose bolts, screws may also cause the recliner to be faulty.
If the mechanism on the chair is dry and is having trouble moving, then try lubricating the area to enable the components to easily move so the chair can recline. However, if the mechanism is too worn down then it may need replacing entirely.
If you’ve got an extremely padded recliner, then this excess material and padding can also get in the way and affect the chair’s ability to recline back. If possible, try removing some of this padding so the mechanism can complete the reclining action.
The best way to find out what the issue is with your recliner is by turning it upside down and taking a look at the mechanisms underneath.
Ensure all the components are not too loose and if they’re too tight or dry then spray some lubrication on them so they can move with each other and try and check each component for its functionality by trying to move the foot or backrest backward or forwards to see if it moves.
If you need some visual help to solve the issues you’re having trying to close your recliner, then watch this video below.
Why won’t my electric recliner go down?
Your electric recliner might not be going down because something is blocking the mechanism from being able to complete its action. Go on your hands and knees and take a glance underneath the chair to make sure no objects or materials are blocking the mechanism.
Another issue could be to do with the wiring system that powers the chair, maybe a cable has broken or come loose or maybe there is an issue with the controller which signals the chair to move.
If your electric recliner seems to be stuck and won’t go down, then try unplugging the chair from the outlet and then plugging it back in to see if this sparks something in the system to make it move again.
Unless you’re an electrician, then the best thing to do would be to call out a recliner chair repair expert or an electrician to come to sort the problem for you as you don’t want to be messing around with wires and cables which could cause further damage to the chair.
