1. Common Power Recliner Problems

Electric recliners make life more comfortable — until they stop working. The good news? Most issues are easy to diagnose and often fixable without replacing the entire chair.

Here are the most common symptoms reported by our clients:

• Chair won’t open or close — completely unresponsive
• Motor makes noise but nothing moves
• Remote light is blinking or off
• Only works in one direction (opens but doesn’t close, or vice versa)
• Footrest or backrest is jammed or stuck halfway

If any of these sound familiar — you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through how to safely troubleshoot each one.

2. Safety First — Before You Start

⚠️ Before checking anything under your recliner, always unplug the chair from the wall outlet.
Never handle electrical components while they are connected to power. Always wear gloves if working near wiring or motors.

Take your time. If anything looks damaged, frayed, melted, or corroded — don’t force it. Note the problem and move to the next step in the guide. We’ll show you what to do next.

3.1 Check the Power Source

The first and most overlooked cause of a power recliner not working is… the power. Let’s rule that out first:

• Make sure the chair is plugged directly into a wall outlet (not a power strip or surge protector).
• Try plugging in another device (like a lamp) into the same outlet to confirm it works.
• Check your breaker panel — sometimes recliners trip a breaker without you noticing.

If the outlet is dead or unstable, the recliner’s power box won’t receive consistent voltage and will shut down as a safety measure.

3.2 Inspect the Power Adapter

The power adapter (also called the transformer or power supply) is the small black or gray box between your chair and the wall outlet. It converts electricity into the low voltage your recliner needs to operate safely.

Things to check:

• LED Light: Most adapters have a small light — is it green, red, blinking, or completely off?
• Heat: A warm adapter is normal, but if it’s hot to the touch — it may be faulty.
• Noise: Buzzing or clicking sounds are early signs of power supply failure.
• Cable damage: Check both ends of the adapter for fraying or chew marks (especially if you have pets).

If the light is off, or flickering — the adapter may not be supplying consistent voltage. If possible, test the chair with a known working adapter.

3.3 Check the Wiring and Connectors

Loose, unplugged, or damaged wires are one of the most common reasons a recliner stops responding. The wiring under your chair connects the power adapter, motor, remote, and switch box.

Here’s what to do:

• Gently tilt the recliner forward (you may need help) to access the bottom frame.
• Inspect all connectors — they should be snug and fully clicked in.
• Look for signs of corrosion, bent pins, or dust buildup.
• If a cable is dangling or barely connected — that could be your culprit.
• Check for frayed insulation or pet bite damage.

Carefully disconnect and reconnect each plug to ensure good contact. If any plugs look burned or melted — stop and consult a technician.

3.4 Use a Multimeter for Continuity Check

If the power adapter and connections all look good — it’s time to test the actual electrical continuity of your system. This tells you whether electricity can flow through a wire or component without resistance or a break.

You’ll need: A basic digital multimeter (around $10–$20 at hardware stores).

Steps:

1. Unplug the recliner completely.
2. Set your multimeter to continuity mode (🔔 symbol).
3. Place one probe on each end of the wire or plug you’re testing.
4. If the meter beeps or shows 0–1 ohms — the connection is good.
5. If there’s no sound, or you see “OL” or very high resistance — the wire is broken or the component is dead.

This test is especially useful for checking the cable from the adapter to the recliner or the motor wires themselves.

3.5 Troubleshoot the Remote

If your power recliner still doesn’t respond, the issue could lie in the remote control. Whether it’s wired or wireless, the remote acts as the command center for your chair’s functions.

Start here:

• Look for an LED indicator — is it blinking, solid, or off?
• Check for visible wear, sticky buttons, or a damaged cord (for wired models).
• Try pressing buttons while watching the recliner closely — any small movement or sound?
• Remove the batteries (if wireless), wait 10 seconds, then reinsert.
• Some remotes have a reset pinhole — press it with a paperclip if available.

If the LED blinks rapidly, it often indicates a connection or motor issue. A solid light usually means the remote is powered and communicating. No light? You likely have a power or wiring failure.

3.6 Listen for Motor Problems

If the remote appears to be working and power is flowing, the next thing to inspect is the motor unit itself. Many recliner failures come from internal motor issues that cause the chair to “freeze” in one position.

What to look (and listen) for:

• Buzzing or humming noise: Power is reaching the motor, but it may be jammed or seized.
• No sound at all: Either the motor is dead or isn’t receiving power.
• Clicks or stuttering: Gears may be damaged or something is blocking movement.
• Vibration only: Motor is spinning but the drive shaft is disengaged.

While testing, gently place your fingers on the motor casing to feel for vibration or heat. If the motor is making noise but nothing moves, it’s likely a mechanical failure inside the gear assembly.

3.7 Look for Mechanical Jams

If your power recliner makes a sound but doesn’t move — or gets stuck halfway — you might be dealing with a mechanical jam. This is usually caused by an obstruction, misaligned components, or wear and tear in the moving parts.

What to check:

• Is the footrest stuck halfway open or refusing to close?
• Are the hinges rusty, bent, or misaligned?
• Do you see anything blocking the track under the chair (toys, cords, pet hair)?
• Try manually moving the mechanism slightly to see if it’s locked or just tight.
• Lubricate moving parts with a furniture-safe grease if they feel stiff or dry.

If something looks bent, cracked, or off track — don’t force it. Document the issue and move on to the fix section below.

5.1 Replacing the Power Adapter

If your continuity tests failed, or the LED indicator is off or blinking strangely — it’s time to replace the adapter.

Good news: this is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes.

Steps:

1. Unplug the recliner from the wall.
2. Disconnect the old adapter from the recliner’s input cable (usually a round 2-pin or flat plug).
3. Match the voltage and amperage (usually 24V, 2A or 3A) — check the label.
4. Connect the new adapter and plug it in.
5. Watch the LED and test the recliner again.

Make sure you use a UL-listed or certified adapter from a reputable supplier — cheap units may cause damage or overheating.

5.2 Repair or Replace Damaged Cables

If your recliner worked fine yesterday and now does nothing — a damaged wire could be to blame. This is especially common in homes with pets (or overzealous vacuums).

Check the following:

• Look for bite marks, crushed spots, or exposed copper.
• Pay attention to bends near connectors or under chair legs.
• Try gently wiggling the cable — if movement restores power briefly, that’s your issue.

Repair or replace?

• Minor cuts: Use electrical tape as a short-term fix. Not ideal.
• Moderate damage: Cut and splice the wire using heat-shrink tubing + solder (or crimp sleeves).
• Severe or near-plug damage: Replace the entire cable.

Replacement cables are often universal and cost less than $15 online. Match the plug type and connector shape before ordering.

5.3 Replace or Reset the Remote

If your recliner is powered and the motor is fine, the last thing to test is the remote control. If the LED doesn’t respond, the buttons feel soft or unresponsive, or the unit only works intermittently — it may be time to replace or reset it.

For wired remotes:

• Inspect the wire for damage or loose connections.
• Wiggle the cable while pressing buttons — if the chair moves briefly, replace the remote or connector cable.

For wireless remotes:

• Replace the batteries (always use fresh, same-brand AA or AAA).
• Try resetting: hold the top and bottom buttons for 10 seconds (brand-specific).
• Re-pair with the receiver (check manual or hold reset button with a paperclip).

If replacing, match your current remote’s connector type or wireless brand. Universal replacements are available online — just double-check model compatibility.

5.4 Replace or Test the Motor

If your power recliner gets electricity and the remote works, but nothing moves — your motor might be dead.

These small electric motors power either the backrest, footrest, or both. If they hum but don’t move, or do nothing at all, it’s time to test or replace.

How to test the motor:

• Unplug the recliner and disconnect the motor cable.
• If you have another recliner, swap the motor temporarily to see if it works.
• Use a universal 24V adapter (same specs) to test the motor outside the chair.
• No sound or motion? The motor is likely burned out.

Replacing the motor:

1. Locate and unscrew the old motor (typically two mounting screws).
2. Disconnect wiring clips — take a photo to remember placement.
3. Install the new motor in the same orientation and reconnect all plugs.
4. Plug in the chair and test full range of motion.

Many recliners use OKIN, Kaidi, or Limoss motors. Be sure to match the model number and connector shape. Universal replacements work in most cases.

5.5 Fixing Mechanical Jams

If you’ve checked the electronics and everything seems fine, but the recliner still won’t move — you may be facing a mechanical jam.

Common causes include:

• Obstructed tracks or hinges (debris, coins, kids’ toys)
• Bent metal arms or linkage rods
• Dry or corroded moving parts
• Misaligned gear assemblies or actuator brackets

What you can do:

1. Unplug the chair for safety.
2. Flip the chair to access the underside.
3. Clear all visible debris from tracks and joints.
4. Apply a silicone-based lubricant (NOT WD-40) to moving metal parts.
5. Manually move the frame slightly to loosen the jam (no force).

If something appears bent or broken, don’t force it. Take pictures and consult a technician. Some recliner frames use high-tension springs — unsafe to adjust without proper tools.

6. When to Call a Professional

You’ve tried everything: replaced the adapter, checked the wiring, tested the motor. If your recliner still refuses to move — or worse, makes scary grinding sounds — it’s probably time to bring in a professional.

Here are signs that it’s safer (and smarter) to call a certified repair technician:

• You hear clicking, buzzing, or grinding when pressing the remote
• The recliner jerks, shudders, or moves unevenly
• There’s a strong burning smell or melted plastic near the motor
• The mechanism is bent or cracked
• You’ve already replaced parts, but the issue keeps coming back

Electric recliners may look simple, but they’re complex machines with motors, sensors, and high-torque linkages. Trying to force or guess your way through a repair can lead to injuries or irreversible damage.

At Furniture Doctor Austin, we specialize in in-home diagnostics and repairs for all types of electric and manual recliners. Our technician will assess your chair, identify the root problem, and offer an expert fix — often the same day.

7. Conclusion & Final Tips

Power recliners are a modern comfort we quickly take for granted — until they stop working.

In this guide, you’ve learned how to:

• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, and remote control problems
• Replace adapters, motors, cables, and remotes
• Free up jammed mechanisms safely

If you made it this far — well done. That means you’re not just a casual Googler — you’re serious about keeping your furniture in shape. And we respect that.

But if you’re still stuck (literally or figuratively), remember: calling a professional isn’t giving up — it’s moving forward smarter.

A working recliner isn’t just about mechanics — it’s about comfort, health, and peace of mind.

Furniture Doctor Austin is here to help. Whether it’s a minor tune-up or a full motor replacement, we’ve got the tools, experience, and heart to bring your favorite chair back to life.