How to Fix Every Zipper Issue

Here are some tips on how to deal with every problem a zipper might have: whether it's stuck, the teeth don't close, the zipper won't stay up or the slider or zipper pull broke off.

Lifehacker: Tips and downloads for getting things done.

[carlbrown]

This literally fixed every zipper problem, but mines.

[mickibabe]

This video doesn’t have my zipper

One of the sides is completely out of the slider...

[natashamillard]

Thank you! The plier idea worked! Although I pressed on the top and bottom rather than the sides. The effect being that the feed was pressed tighter together so that the teeth are now being picked up properly. Saved a good jacket for which my daughter is very thankful!

[nikko]

Thanks for a video that spared me a lot of panic, frustration, and probably damage. I used the graphite pencil hack and a rather gentle application of plyers on the stuck zipper on my kinda old, and unused for awhile briefcase. The zipper was really stuck. Now, I keep a couple of pencils on hand should I need to troubleshoot again.

[CrispyBacon]

Thank you so much. It's winter here and was in need of one of my jackets and never found the time to take it to get repaired. So glad I watched this video, was a quick and simple fix.

[Ashley-yvgb]

I can’t like this video enough!!! I am now happy dancing (the Macarena) in my kitchen because my favorite hoodie is zipped and staying zipped after a year and several months of being swept aside. Just a couple squeezes with the pliers is all it took. Don’t give up guys and please for the love of happiness, share this with everybody. The longing of this very moment could have been not so longingly long if someone out there shared it with me. But I am forever grateful the moment happened. God bless

[Jrhoney]

Short and to the point. Excellent for a DIY video. Well done.

[Walker]

Not every zipper problem lol I was looking for backpack zipper

[brandyrosales]

I tried this on a bag I broke while on vacation and it actually worked! I used both graphite and a bit of older oil with a qtip. I'm so glad I tried this, I was going to throw out my perfectly good bag 😃 thanks for the tip!

[rashadakhalil]

OMG.
You’re awesome.
I replaced my zipper pull in 30 seconds.
I work in a fabric shop.
You can’t even imagine how many people I am going to help.

[jaygrollman]

Yes! This saved me from having to buy a new coat before a last minute trip. Tip: if you're putting on a new zipper (or your old one) make sure you put it on the right way! I got mine wrong the first time and almost ruined the whole thing!

[Jason-qetp]

Well I just wasted 10 minutes of my life rubbing a pencil on the zipper

[saidarshithbasana]

Worked perfectly for me. Thank you so much. I was struggling with my pant zipper and your pencil tip worked.

[MikeOnTheInterwebs]

Was looking for multiple hours for a new jacket because the zipper on mine broke and I was just going to buy a new one. Watched this video for 2 minutes and using the pliers to make sure the zipper caught the teeth fixed my issue (zipper was remaining open when I zipped up the jacket). Took me 5 seconds with the pliers, saved me $300 and saved the planet many materials. Thank you.

[littlemisspadreisland]

The voice on this woman! I could listen to her for hours and hours and hours. ❤️ please make an audio book or ASMR channel

[BintAlAbla]

Well, this worked for me, many thanks. My eldest son got his hair stuck in the zipper and I had to cut him free. The graphite trick worked, I was able to move the zipper slightly up and down, removing bits of hair, then it unzipped. Perfect. Thank you!

[alijarvis]

Wow. Was about to get a cushion cover zip replaced but first watched your video. In one squeeze of a plier it was fixed! Thank you!

[icns]

Thank God for Youtube! Fact is, it's videos like this that makes it such a great service!🙌👍

[privateportall]

So you missed problem no. 1 what if the slider is only on one rail? How to re-attach?

[bonron]

Perfect video tutorial for fixing common zipper issues! Short and to the point. Well done!