Home DIY How to Stop a Swivel Chair from Swiveling?

How to Stop a Swivel Chair from Swiveling?

By Albert G. Croley
1.5K views 2 mins read

Do you often have the habit of sitting down in a chair and accidentally spinning around when you don’t want to?

 If so, you’re not alone! Lots of people have this problem.

However, the good news is that there are easy ways to stop a swivel chair from spinning, and you don’t need to call anyone to fix it.

In fact, you can stop it yourself by following these simple steps. So, let the journey begin –

Key Takeaway
Accidental spins can be unprofessional, distracting, or noisy. A stable chair improves focus and comfort.
Some chairs have built-in locks. Otherwise, you can use furniture pads, wedges, or tape for friction.
Locking or stopping swiveling won’t affect features like height or tilt. Your chair will still be comfortable and functional.

Why You Need to Stop a Swivel Chair From Swiveling?

While swivel chairs are great for movement, there are times to lock them in place. Such as the following –

  • Professionalism – During important meetings (like Zoom calls), a spinning chair can create an unprofessional image. So it’s better to lock them up.
  • Classroom Control – In a classroom setting, swiveling chairs can be distracting for both teachers and students.
  • Squeaky Sounds – A swivel chair that squeaks when turned can be disruptive and annoying in an office environment. Hence, stopping the swivel keeps things quiet.

Reasons for Having a Stable Chair in the Workplace

Sometimes a little less spin can be a good thing so let’s find out why you might consider locking that swivel mechanism –

Reasons For Stopping Your Office Chair From Spinning
Reasons for Stopping Your Office Chair from Spinning
  • Stability: Your desk chair should have a stable base, not a spinning distraction. So locking the swivel keeps you focused and prevents accidental spins during important tasks.
  • Space: Swivel chairs are fun, but unwanted spins can disrupt your workflow and personal space. For that, it’s better to lock it down for focus and avoid awkward video calls or document disasters!
  • Motion Sickness: Not everyone has a stomach of steel. A swivel chair may cause motion sickness or dizziness. Hence, for those prone to motion sickness, a spinning office chair can be a one-way ticket to sickness.
  • Stop mobility: Mobility is fantastic, but not when it’s your chair’s wheels taking the lead. It can limit your leg position and cause balance problems.
  • Safety of your child: If your workspace happens to double as a family space, ensuring the safety of your little ones is non-negotiable. Stop the chair from spinning to create a child-friendly zone. It’s a win-win – you get a focused work environment, and your kids avoid the temptation of a twirling chair adventure.

Is Swivel Chair Necessary for You to Have?

It’s an old debate about why we prefer swivel chairs.

Undoubtedly, it’s more functional than any other sitting arrangement. Any swivel chair offers mobility, spinning, comfort, height adjustment, and many more.

Besides, spinning the chair improves your posture, supports your task, helps you focus, and most importantly, increases productivity.

Moreover, it is designed with a built-in swivel base. And the core function of it is to rotate your chair smoothly in a 360-degree range.

So, as a versatile option, you can face it in a different direction, with the base connected to the main frame of the chair.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Stop a Swivel Chair from Swiveling

Locking the spin of your chair can be a game-changer, especially when you need to focus or stay in a specific position. However, there is a correct method to lock it properly. So, let’s get going –

Things You Need to Stop Your Chair from Swiveling

Stopping your chair from swiveling without tools is like going to war without a weapon. So, go through a modest selection and gather your tools.

  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Pliers
  • Lubricating Oil (Optional)

With these tools, you can easily tackle the situation of stopping the swiveling of the chair.

Step 1: Remove the Swivel from the Office Chair

Firstly, go for the swivel base so that you can make it less prone to swiveling.

It’s the approach where the base plate needs to adjust. Tighten the bolt and see the result. This might be less effective, but it works like a locking system. 

So, identify the base. To explore the bottom of the chair, turn the chair down.Next, make sure you have enough space to move and access the swivel base.

How To Remove The Swivel From An Office Chair
Remove the Swivel from an Office Chair

Now take the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the swivel base. Turn the chair down and look for the holes. Remove all the screws on the base that keep the main frame of the chair attached.

Afterward, gently push it and detach the base, where you will see the internal components that we call swivel mechanisms.

Step 2: Set Up a Chair Locking Mechanism

The locking mechanism is the key to making the swivel chair stable without swiveling. That means this mechanism allows the user to lock the swivel base in place. So, what are they?

Setting Up A Locking Mechanism
Setting Up a Locking Mechanism

It could be the knobs, foot pedals, or levers.

Few chairs come with built-in locking mechanisms. Otherwise, you need to set it up separately.

Step 3: Finalize and Confirm the Lock on the Chair

Remember? You removed screws from the swivel base?

Now reattach the base using all these screws. Make sure it’s securely fastened in the place where it should be.

Finalizing And Confirming The Lock
Finalizing and Confirming the Lock

It should be strong enough to support your modified swivel mechanism.

Now let’s test the modified functionality. Turn the chair upright. Now try swiveling. It is supposed to stop.

Congratulations! You have successfully disabled it.

Diy Techniques To Prevent Chair Turns
DIY Techniques to Prevent Chair Turns

Problems You Might Face While Fixing Chair Swiveling

Some chairs might not have a built-in lock, and finding the right size wedge or pad for your chair base could require a bit of trial and error. 

But don’t worry; these are minor hurdles, and with a little creativity, you’ll have your chair tamed in no time –

Fixing Chair Swiveling
Fixing Chair Swiveling

Properly Dealing with the Swivel Chair Mechanism

Most of the issues with the swivel chair are related to its mechanism. Some of these can be solved with some simple fixes. For example, if the chair doesn’t recline, then tighten the screw that holds the spring.

Making noise or being difficult to operate?

Tighten the screw on the arm. On the other hand, if the chair is making a noise, then tighten the blots to keep every part fit.

In the same way, you can solve other issues, like if the recline is not moving or wobbling.

What If Your Chair Keeps Turning Even after Locking?

If it is happening, that means, there is a fix you skipped or didn’t complete the step properly.

Well, what can you do?

In this case, inspect the chair again. Figure out the model of your chair. Look for screws at the base, tighten them, and lock them to engage the lock.

You can tighten screws with a bracket to keep your chair stable. Check the rubber wedge if you are using it. Hammer it again with a gentle push, and let it create friction to stop the range of motion. Lastly, wrap tape around the wedge and the pole of the chair, this will keep the wedge in place.

Repairing a Swivel Base for not Responding to Fixes

Can you imagine, after all the hard work, that your swivel base is not responding to a fix?

No, right. It is worse than a nightmare.

In such cases, you can solve this problem as follows:

  • Replace Swivel Base: Based on the size, model, correct dimension, and weight limit, get a new swivel base. Take the new base, position it in place of the old base, and screw it.
  • Repairing Damages: Check for other damages. If the swivel base is not responding after the fix, it means there is another repair task you need to fix.
  • Broken gas cylinders: Unexpected sinking or leaning to one side also happens. In this situation, you can replace the broken gas cylinder to solve the problem.

Maintenance after Stopping the Swivel

Locking the swivel or using friction methods won’t affect other features like chair height or tilt. You’ll still enjoy a fully functional (and finally stable) chair.

Now remember one thing, swivel stopping can give you the best result when you do proper care and maintenance.

Here is the list you should review:

  • Clean the chair regularly
  • Tighten screw and bolt (Periodically inspect)
  • Check the gas lift cylinder
  • Lubricates moving parts regularly
  • Weight limit awareness

Tips to Keep Your Chair Securely in Place After the Lock

  • Place a non-slip rug or mat under the chair for added traction.
  • Tighten screws, oil joints, and ensure the lock mechanism works smoothly.
  • Sit evenly to avoid unintentional swiveling, even with the lock engaged.
  • Consider placing a rubber pad under the chair for extra friction and stability.
  • If your chair has removable casters, consider upgrading to ones designed for stability and reduced swiveling.

Wrapping Up

There you have it – all the tricks and tips on how to stop a swivel chair from swiveling without breaking a sweat!

By following these easy DIY fixes, you can simply reclaim control over your chair and create a more stable, productive workspace.

So, the next time you sit down to work, you can do so without an unexpected spin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do chairs swivel?

Swivel chairs allow you to easily turn around without getting up, reach things behind you, and stay focused on your work.

How do I stop my chair from rotating?

If your chair doesn’t lock, you can try placing a wedge or furniture pad under the base to create friction.

Can a swivel chair be made stationary?

Yes! Locking the swivel or using friction methods can make it practically stationary.

What is the disadvantage of a swivel chair?

The main disadvantage of a swivel chair is the potential for unwanted movement, which can be pretty distracting or uncomfortable.

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