why is my zipper not closing

by Rosamond Nader Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

First, you need to look at the problem. To fix zipper teeth that won't stay closed, you can tighten the zipper slider or replace it. If the zipper teeth are broken or it's missing a tooth, it might be time to replace the whole zipper. And if the zipper feels stiff and isn't sliding, try to fix it by using a candle.

Full Answer

How to fix a zipper that will not close?

How to Fix a Zipper if it Zips but Doesn't Close

Completely unzip the zipper.
Examine the teeth of the zipper. When you zip up a zipper, the teeth on either side lock together. ...
Check to see that the zipper is not misaligned. ...
Spray or rub lubricant on the teeth. ...
Pull the misaligned side of the zipper slowly through the slider until there is no bulge and both sides are even.

More items...

Can you fix a zipper without replacing it?

You can fix your jeans zipper if the slider is not aligning without removing the entire fastener. However, if the zipper is plastic, you cannot do anything about it except replacing it. This method is applicable only for metal zippers. Unlike cutting jeans to make shorts, fixing a zipper without replacing it can be as easy as A-B-C.

How to fix every common zipper problem?

Here’s how to fix every common zipper problem

A stuck zipper. If your zipper is not budging, try using a pencil – simply run the pencil lead over the teeth of the zipper to unzip it.
Teeth won’t stay closed. If a zipper is not closing, try using a pencil or bar of soap to smooth out the teeth, by running it gentle along both sids ...
Zipper won’t stay up. ...
The zipper pull broke off

How to quickly fix a zipper with missing teeth?

The quick fix is to crimp the zipper slider so it is tighter and grabs the zipper teeth once again.Here’s how: Get a pair of end nippers and a pair of needle nose pliers. Buy a new zipper stopper and a new zipper slider. Remove the old stopper and slider. Slip on the new slider. Attach the new stopper.

How do you fix a zipper that is not closing?

0:473:15Fix a Zipper that Doesn't Close - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this side of the slider here at the mouth. And by clapping the hair at the mouth. It's going toMoreAnd this side of the slider here at the mouth. And by clapping the hair at the mouth. It's going to make the teeth engage with each other. So as you slide up it should close this gap here.

What causes zippers to stop working?

There are several reasons a zipper won't stick together. Either the head has been broken, and the teeth are misaligned, some of the zipper stitching has slipped, causing the teeth to be misaligned, or the head and pull tab have broken or warped, causing the teeth to malign when you pull the tab of the zipper.

How do you get a zipper back on track?

5:317:38How to fix a zipper on one side of the track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou are going to take needle nose pliers. And you're going to pinch this and the bottom backMoreYou are going to take needle nose pliers. And you're going to pinch this and the bottom back together because we were talking about the clamshell we'll use these pliers the clamshell is opened.

What is zipper problem?

0:011:31How to Fix Every Zipper Issue - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto the teeth if a zipper isn't closing properly or separates. After it zipped up a graphite pencilMoreInto the teeth if a zipper isn't closing properly or separates. After it zipped up a graphite pencil may also do the trick by lubricating the teeth. And smoothing out any burrs.

What is the best lubricant for zippers?

Petroleum jelly or colorless lip balm.

What can I use to lubricate a zipper?

To help unstick your zipper, you can add lubrication to the zipper teeth using chapstick, crayon wax, the end of a graphite pencil, petroleum jelly, and other waxy products or lubricants. For all of these uses, make sure to do a spot test to ensure that the material you're using won't permanently stain the fabric.

What to use on a zipper that is hard to zip?

Graphite works as a lubricant, making it easier to zip up stubborn zippers. Rub a graphite pencil along the inside of the zipper and the teeth.

How do you fix a zipper that won't zip on jeans?

A temporary, short-term solution for a zipper that won't stay done up is to spray the closed zipper with a strong hold hairspray. The hairspray acts as glue, holding the zipper teeth together. This process needs to be repeated each time you open the zipper, or wash the item. This fix works best on short zippers.

How to tell if zipper is misaligned?from ehow.com

When you unzip the zipper all the way, you may notice that one side of the zipper bunches up a little between the slider and the stop bottom. If this is the case, the zipper is misaligned. Even if you zip the zipper up and it seems to stay closed, over time the teeth below the slider will work their way apart.

What happens when a zipper moves back and forth?from ehow.com

When this happens, the zipper moves freely back and forth, but the zipper teeth won't close together. This most often happens with closed-end zippers such as those found on purses and duffel bags. Advertisement.

What happens when you zip up a zipper?from ehow.com

Examine the teeth of the zipper. When you zip up a zipper, the teeth on either side lock together. Sometimes, missing or broken teeth can cause a misalignment in the zipper and prevent closure. In many cases, it is difficult to replace or repair zipper teeth.

How to fix misalignment on zipper?from ehow.com

To understand how to fix a misalignment, you first need to know the parts of a zipper. The piece that you move back and forth with your hand is the slider. The teeth are the little metal or plastic pieces that lock together. The square piece at the end of the zipper is the stop bottom. Advertisement.

What is the best lubricant for zippers?from ehow.com

Spray or rub lubricant on the teeth. YKK, the world's largest zipper manufacturer, makes a lubricant specifically designed for zippers, but mineral oil works just as well. Other items that may serve as a good lubricant include graphite from a pencil, dish detergent or bar soap.

Can you fix a zipper that won't zip?from ehow.com

Video of the Day. Before you toss that purse or bag in the back of your closet, it is possible you may be able to repair a zipper that won't zip. It just takes a few minutes, some mineral oil and some patience. To understand how to fix a misalignment, you first need to know the parts of a zipper.

Who is Liz Frazier?from ehow.com

Liz Frazier has been producing Web content, instructional articles and trivia for websites such as TopTenz.net and RealDealTechnologies.com since 2008. Her writing interests lie primarily in the areas of politics (specifically public administration and elections), the military, education and forced migration.

What is the stitch on the bottom of a zipper called?from sewguide.com

If your zipper do not have the metal stoppers, or you do not want to reattach it, you may have to use the hand sewing needle and thread to make stopping stitches at the bottom of the zippers – basically a bar tacking stitch across the zipper teeth. The sliders are called sliders for a reason.

What to do if zipper pull tab is broken?from sewguide.com

A Pull is not absolutely necessary to close the zipper but it makes it easy to close. If the pull is broken you can replace the whole slider with the pull, ofcourse .

How to get zipper stop off?from ehow.com

Pry the flathead screwdriver under the zipper stop. It should pop right off with a little force.

How to move zipper tab down?from ehow.com

If it does, and all of the teeth align, then add another zipper stop to the bottom by placing both halves in the correct spot and tapping them lightly with the end of the screwdriver so the two parts of the zipper stop join together.

Why won't my zipper stick together?from ehow.com

What to do if your teeth don't align?from sewguide.com

If the teeth does not align and if it does not close properly, you will have to use the plier to lessen the gap; do the adjustments mentioned above. After this try to get the slider up and now everything will be as it should be.

How to fix zipper that comes off pants?from sewguide.com

After you have got the slider up and moving and the teeth is aligned properly, use instant glue to fix the place where you cut it out.

Stuck Zippers

Your zipper may not close if it becomes stuck. Getting your slider to move over a stuck zipper may require some maintenance. First, you should inspect the teeth to see if anything has become caught in them. Sometimes, loose threads or fabric may get into your fastener. Further, grime or dirt in the teeth can also cause an issue.

Loose Slider

Your zipper may not close properly if the slider is loose. A slider may loosen over time due to wear and tear. To fix it, use pliers to pinch the slider until it’s tight enough for the zipper to work. Be careful not to pinch it too tightly, though. Otherwise, it will become stuck.

Broken Teeth

Missing or broken zipper teeth can prevent your fastener from working. In this case, you may need to replace the entire zipper with a repair kit. While you can use pliers to put bent teeth back in place, you’ll need a new chair if the teeth are altogether missing.

Broken Slider

The most important element to any zipper is the slider. You need something to pinch the teeth together to engage the mechanism. Using your hands won’t work. If your slider breaks, it may be challenging to use it to close the teeth. Whether due to wear and tear or an accident, your slider may lose its pull. Or it may crack.

What to do if zipper pull tab is broken?

A Pull is not absolutely necessary to close the zipper but it makes it easy to close. If the pull is broken you can replace the whole slider with the pull, ofcourse .

How does a zipper work?

The zipper has two sides with teeth and both have to be in perfect alignment for it to work properly. When you pull up the pull tab of a zipper, the slider is moved over the teeth, and the teeth on either side of the zipper interlock and creates the continuous chain.

What to do if your teeth don't align?

What to do if zipper comes down too soon?

If the zipper still comes down all too soon, Use the easy quick fix of tying the pull tab to the pant button with a small ring or a plastic band. Easy quick fix idea.

How to repair zipper slider?

There are three gaps in the zipper slider which you can adjust for fixing this problem. Side gaps on either side of the slider have to be narrowed with the plier. Then the up and down position has to be narrowed.

How to put teeth on zipper?

You can keep masking tape on the side edges (not touching the teeth at all) as pulling tabs. First get one edge up the slider. After this do the other side of the slider.

How to tighten a slider?

These gaps should be forced down with a plier for the slider to work properly. Gently coarse the slider tight. Do not make this too tight on the first try. Make a small adjustment, test the slider, then if further tightening is needed, do it

How to get a zipper to zipped?

This step is common, so you may have already tried it. If you haven't, try pinching the fabric below the zipper to squeeze the garment into its zipped position. Do this while gently coaxing the slider of the zipper upwards. This step can help if the issue is caused by the teeth trying to pull away from each other.

How to get graphite out of zipper?

Rub a graphite pencil along the inside of the zipper and the teeth. Make sure to hit all of the zipper, trying to get into the teeth as much as possible, as well as the back of the zipper. Move the zipper up and down a few times to help get the graphite in place.

How to make zippers easier to pull up?

Rub the zipper with wax. You can use wax paper, paraffin wax, or even candle or crayon wax. Basically, the wax will lubricate the zipper, making it easier to pull up and down. You'll need to lubricate both sides for this step to work. For the wax paper, tear off a small sheet of wax paper.

How to fix a zipper that is stuck on something?

Coax the zipper. Even if the zipper is structurally sound, sometimes some coaxing is needed. Gently unzipping the zipper further and then trying to zip it back up will sometimes solve the issue, especially if the zipper just caught on something.

How to clean a zipper?

Try dish detergent. Dish detergent can be used to clean out your zippers. However, be sure to test the detergent on an inconspicuous place first. If it doesn't affect the color of the garment, scrub the detergent into the zipper, using a brush. Wash it out, and see if it helps your zipper be less sluggish.

How to fix a zipper that is hard to close?

1. Try a bar of soap. One simple solution for a zipper that's hard to close is a bar of soap. It doesn't really matter what kind you use. Anything you have on hand is fine. Rub the soap on the teeth of the zipper with the zipper open. Once you've rubbed some in, zip it up and down to get it lubricated well.

How to fix a zipper that won't zip?

Apply vinegar. The issue could be caused by tiny pieces of debris getting in the zipper. That debris can cause the zipper to not zip as easily. Applying vinegar can help take care of the problem by cleaning it out, allowing it to zip more readily.

Remove the Old Zipper Slider

Start by taking off the stopper at the bottom, which keeps the zipper from sliding off the garment, using your needle nose pliers. Then, carefully pull off the old slider, and inspect the level of damage it has.

Tighten It if Necessary

If your zipper slider looks crimped and distorted, you might just need to quickly adjust it to fix the zipper. Use your pliers to carefully bend it back to its original shape, without applying too much pressure. You might be able to complete this step without taking off the slider completely, too, depending on how badly it’s misshaped.

Put in the New Slider

If tightening it up isn’t working, it’s time to install your new zipper slider. Dispose of your old one and pop on the new, making sure it’s in the same direction and on the same side. Then, you’ll need to attach the stopper back on using your pliers.

How to fix a zipper that breaks off?

The good news is that this is pretty much the easiest fix out there. You can turn a paperclip, a keyring, or even a telephone wire connector into a zipper pull. Just slide it through the tab on the slider et voila—you have a new zipper pull. Sure, it’s not exactly the most stylish solution, but at least you’ll be able to get in and out of your clothes.

How to fix loose zippers?

That said, there are two simple temporary fixes. The easiest is to slide a key ring through the zipper pull and over your pants button. This keeps the zipper up in a simple way. If you’d prefer a little more flexibility, you can also try a rubber band. Keep Your Loose Zippers Up With a Key Ring.

How to fix a zipper slider that is not working?

First, double-check to make sure a piece of cloth or thread isn’t stuck in the zipper. Next, look at the individual teeth. If any of them are sticking out, grab a pair of pliers and move them back into place so they’re all straight. If the teeth are straight and clean, ...

How to get zipper slider off?

To get the slider off, use some pliers. Once that’s done, reattach the new zipper slider by sliding it back onto the teeth. That’s it, you’re done. Advertisement. Replacing the slider is usually pretty simple, and should take only a couple minutes of time.

How to fix a zipper that won't come down?

The best way to fix this? Grab a graphite pencil and rub the pencil tip on the teeth. Try it again and it should work. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to move on to a lubricant.

What happens when a zipper pull breaks off?

The zipper pull broke off. When the pull breaks off a zipper, it makes it incredibly hard to zip the zipper up. The good news is that this is pretty much the easiest fix out there. You can turn a paperclip, a keyring, or even a telephone wire connector into a zipper pull.

How much does it cost to replace a zipper on pants?

While you can do it yourself with some pliers, scissors, and thread, replacing the zipper on a pair of pants is only around $5-$10 at most tailors. Advertisement.

How to get zipper stop off?