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Monitor Arm Problems and Fixes (2026)
Common monitor arm problems: sagging, drifting, stiff joints, and mounting issues, with practical fixes.
Monitor arms are mechanical devices, and most problems are mechanical too. Sagging, drifting, and stiffness all have known causes and fixes. Here are the common ones.
The monitor sags or will not stay up
This is almost always gas-spring tension set too low for the monitor's weight. Increase the tension following the manufacturer's procedure, usually a hex screw on the arm, until the monitor holds position. If maximum tension still cannot hold it, the monitor exceeds the arm's capacity and you need a heavier-duty arm.
The arm drifts down slowly over hours
Slow drift means tension is marginally too low, or the mechanism has settled. Bump the tension up slightly past the point where drift stops. If drift returns quickly after adjustment on an older arm, the gas spring may be worn and the arm may need replacement.
Joints are too stiff to adjust
Some stiffness is normal on new arms and eases with use. Check for transit locks or shipping screws that were meant to be removed. Do not force joints; if an arm advertised as gas-spring will not move smoothly, verify the tension is not set far too high, which can lock the mechanism.
The clamp does not fit the desk
Measure your desk thickness and compare against the clamp's rated range. If the desk is too thick, a grommet mount through a cable hole often works instead. If too thin, usually on glass desks, add a reinforcing plate top and bottom to spread the load safely.
Questions, answered
How often should I adjust the tension?
Once at installation, then rarely. Revisit it if you change monitors or if seasonal temperature swings noticeably affect the gas spring's behavior.
Can a gas spring be repaired?
Generally no. Gas springs are sealed units. If adjustment cannot fix sagging or drift, replacement of the arm is the practical answer, which is why buying from brands with long warranties pays off.