Massage Chair Repair: Get Your Comfort Back

As with any piece of electronic equipment that experiences glitches, the recommended first step is to restart the machine. Consult your massage chair’s manual and follow the reset instructions.

If the problem persists once you’ve reset your massage chair, it’s time to troubleshoot. Luckily, most massage chair manuals come with a helpful troubleshooting resource section.

Be aware that, if you are not familiar with machine repair, dismantling any part of your massage chair may void the warranty if you proceed without first contacting the retailer or manufacturer. Here are a few clues that may point to specific problem:

Symptom: The massage chair is making a clicking or popping noise, and the footrest does not close completely.

Problem: The scissors may be bent, broken, or loose.

Solution: The nut that holds the scissor parts together may need t be tightened; if a scissor is bent or broken, it may need to be replaced.

Symptom: The massage chair appears crooked.

Problem: The seat pad may have been worn down through repeated use.

Solution: Replacing the seat pad will likely solve this problem.

Symptom: The massage chair motor runs, but the mechanism doesn’t move.

Problem: Inadequate space between the massage chair and the wall may have put undue stress on the internal framework, causing the T-bar to become disconnected or the scissors to bend.

Solution: If the T-bar has become disconnected, it can be reattached; if the scissors are permanently bent, the part will need to be replaced.

Symptom: The airbags do not inflate during a massage session.

Problem: The tubing for the air pump may be broken or disconnected.

Solution: A disconnected air pump is easy to reattach, but a broken one will need to be replaced.

If any of these problems sound familiar, consult your massage chair’s manual for recommended next steps. Some repairs may be quite simple for a handy massage chair owner, involving a loose screw or a tube that needs reconnection. However, if you do not feel comfortable handling a repair at home, consult a certified technician or the original manufacturer for guidance.

When your massage chair needs repairs, the best course of action is to contact the original manufacturer for guidance. Top-name brands like Infinity and Kyota have excellent customer support and service departments, so you can be confident you’re in the best hands. A customer service representative can help you troubleshoot, provide technician resources or guide you if a replacement is the right solution.

You can also contact the original retailer for advice. Though massage chair retailers are not typically equipped to handle repairs, their customer service teams will likely be able to point you toward a nearby certified technician.

A massage chair rule of thumb: Always source repair parts from the original manufacturer. If your massage chair model is discontinued, check with the original manufacturer to see whether there are any comparable models with parts that could fit your massage chair.

If neither of these solutions is viable, check your warranty terms, and contact the original retailer to see if you can order a replacement chair. Do not source your own parts from Amazon or Ebay! It’s tough to verify whether you’ve found the correct parts for your massage chair model online, and there’s no absolute guarantee that the right parts will be delivered. When in doubt, always consult the retailer or original manufacturer.

If you have repeatedly addressed small repairs yourself or have already had a technician service an issue and the problem persists, it may be time to replace your massage chair. If you are within the warranty and the type of issue is covered, you can get a replacement massage chair at no extra cost to you.

Here are some reasons to replace your massage chair:

1. A part is no longer manufactured
   As discussed in the previous section, if a comparable part cannot be found, it’s best to replace your massage chair. “Close-enough” parts found online will not be close enough, and will cost you unnecessary money and time.
2. Issue persists after repeated fixes
   If you or a technician has addressed an issue multiple times, it may be unfixable. It’s best to replace the whole massage chair rather than continue to pay for repeat fixes.
3. Permanent wear and tear on upholstery 
   Small tears in fabric upholstery can be repaired, but issues like large rips, stains, or leather damage are harder to address at home. Damaged upholstery can also expose the internal mechanisms to further wear and tear, so it’s best to replace the whole massage chair to avoid having to pay for costly internal repairs down the line.
4. Overuse
   The recommended use time for a massage chair is 15 minutes, though some models allow for up to 40 minutes. Give your massage chair 10-minute breaks between sessions. Overuse could result in irreversible wear and tear on parts.

There are some issues that even a handy massage chair owner can’t fix. Here’s when to call in backup:

1. Heat isn’t working
   Heated massage chairs utilize heating elements or coils that are complicated to service at home. Heating issues are best addressed by a professional technician.
2. Frayed or damaged cord
   Attempting to repair a damaged cord at home is potentially dangerous, resulting in electrocution or other injury. A technician familiar with electronics can help.
3. Motor isn’t making noise
   There could be multiple reasons a massage chair motor has gone silent: upholstery could be jammed in the mechanism, or a part may have come loose or worn down. An experienced technician can quickly diagnose the issue.
4. Air pump replacement
   Replacing a faulty air pump involves acquiring new parts, which is best left to the original manufacturer or a certified massage chair technician. As previously mentioned, sourcing parts yourself from a third-party vendor is not advised.

While a certified technician is your safest bet when diagnosing and servicing your massage chair, there are a few simple fixes you can perform at home. Before attempting any diagnostics or repairs, always be sure your massage chair is unplugged.  

1. Squeaky parts 
   A squeaky massage chair is usually a quick fix. Turn the massage chair on its side, identify the squeaking parts and apply a spritz or dab of white lithium grease (like WD-40). Squeaking is most likely to occur at pivot points: between the footrest and seat, seat and backrest, or footrest extension.
2. Loose scissors
   Scissors are the jointed metal “arms” inside a massage chair that allow the massage mechanism to function. Sometimes the joints can loosen and make a clicking or popping sound. Carefully turn the massage chair on its side and use a wrench to tighten the nuts holding the arms together; always loosen the outer nut before tightening the inner nut. Once the inner nut is tightened, you may tighten the outer nut.
3. Small upholstery tears and stains
   For any small cosmetic tears, an upholstery repair kit will do the trick — just be sure you have thread to match before you begin. Most food or oil stains on fabric upholstery can be treated with dish detergent and water; for topical leather stains, DIY solutions like lemon juice, cream of tartar or rubbing alcohol can work well. Larger rips or blemishes are best left to professionals. Check your warranty terms to see if cosmetic damage is covered.

High-quality massage chairs are designed with longevity in mind, and are built to deliver years of satisfaction. Massage Chair Store understands that a massage chair is an important investment, and our excellent warranty program is designed to give you peace of mind once you make your purchase. All of the brands we carry come with a guarantee of world-class customer support and service, all included in your purchase.

When you shop with Massage Chair Store, our team of certified massage chair specialists are here to guide you and ensure that your massage chair continues to deliver the highest-quality comfort.