
How to Fix a Broken Zipper
- Method 1 of 5: Fixing a Stuck Zipper. Lubricate the zipper with graphite. When your zipper just won’t budge, applying a lubricant can get it moving.
- Method 2 of 5: Addressing a Separated Zipper. Remove buildup from a zipper’s teeth. ...
- Method 3 of 5: Fixing Problematic Sliders. Remove the top zipper stops. You'll probably have to use a lot of force to remove the zipper stops. ...
- Method 4 of 5: Repairing Missing Bottom Teeth. Take off the bottom stop. ...
- Method 5 of 5: Creating Quick Fixes for Sudden Problems. Replace a broken pull with a new pull or a paperclip. ...
How to unstick a zipper and fix a broken zipper?
- Before you do anything else, investigate. Turn the clothing or bag inside out and follow along the zipper lines to see if there is any fabric you can remove by ...
- Next, color the zipper teeth with a graphite pencil. ...
- If you’ve got a pretty significant jam, you’re going to have to up your lubrication game. ...
How to fix a broken zipper without sewing?
What You'll Need
- Bar soap
- WD-40 Lubricant
- Strong thread
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler, tape measure and
- Mirror
- Needle nose pliers and wire cutters
How to get a zipper back on track?
Reseat a Detached Zipper
- Materials List
- Thread the Zipper. Take the zipper pull and feed the ends of the zipper tracks back in. ...
- Test and Confirm the Zipper Can Close Again. Now that you have fed the zipper back in, make sure the zipper pulls naturally and the teeth re-seat correctly.
- Gluing. Tuck the exposed zipper end back into the bag. ...
- Completed! ...
How to fix a zipper that came off track?
Part 2 Part 2 of 2: Adding Top Stops and Square Tabs
- Consider whether top stops or square tabs are best. After removing some teeth from your zipper, you will need to replace some of the teeth with top stops and/or ...
- Squeeze a top stop onto the zipper with pliers. If you want to add a top stop to keep your zipper from coming off the slider at the top, ...
- Push the square tab’s prongs into place. ...

Can a broken zipper be fixed?
You may encounter this problem more often on clothing items that get a lot of wear and tear. Unless you replace the zipper entirely, there's no real permanent fix for this problem.
How do you fix a separated zipper?
How to Fix a Broken or Separated ZipperRemove the Bottom Stop From the Zipper. ... Position the Zipper Pull. ... Realign the Zipper Teeth. ... Reposition the Zipper Pull. ... Thread the Sewing Needle. ... Create a New Zipper Stop. ... Repair Above Damaged Teeth. ... Secure Thread.
How do you fix a broken zipper that came off one side?
8:449:52How to Fix a Zipper On One Side of the Track (Chain) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight that's fixing a slider with the zipper being or the slider being on one one side of the chain.MoreRight that's fixing a slider with the zipper being or the slider being on one one side of the chain.
How do you reattach a zipper pull?
3:0313:54How to Put a Zipper Pull Back On - If You Pulled it Off After Front Fly ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSide just the equal. Amount then i can hold it from the bottom. And the zipper will zip. Up. Okay soMoreSide just the equal. Amount then i can hold it from the bottom. And the zipper will zip. Up. Okay so that's how you fix.
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.
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 .
What is the stitch on the bottom of a zipper called?
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.
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 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 shorten a zipper?
If you want to shorten the zipper to a length you want the process is simple – Cut the zipper to the length you want from the bottom. This will cut off the stoppers as well. Now you need to remove the metal stoppers from the cut off piece with the plier and attach it where you want it.
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 fix zipper on bag?
Don't give up on your bag or garment! You can usually fix the zipper with a few simple steps! First, to get a zipper moving in a way that the teeth line up, sometimes all you need is to rub the teeth with graphite (from a pencil) or some dish detergent. Try these first before you jump into the steps below.
What to do if your zipper is not working?
If the zipper is still not working, you'll need a few basic tools and supplies to set things right again. You can use this method to repair nylon or metal zippers, so pick up that broken zipper from the mending pile and get started!
How to stitch a zipper?
With the zipper partially zipped, bring the needle and thread up on one side of the zipper end where the stopper was. Take the needle down the other side of the zipper and back out on the side where you started. This makes one stitch across the zipper end .
How to check if zipper is zipped?
Once the zipper teeth seem to be aligned, check to see if it zips properly. Pull the zipper slowly and watch to see that it's zipping. Then, zip it all the way to the other end to make sure that the ends line up.
How to get a slider back on track?
In order to get the slider back on track, you need to remove the stopper. If you need to replace the slider with one from a zipper repair kit, you'll still start with this step. The stopper is at the base of the zipper when it is unzipped and it's what stops the slider from coming off.
Can you move a zipper through a slider?
On nylon zippers, you may be able to move one side through the slider, even when the slider is farther away from the end.
Can you know if your zipper is broken?
Your bag or garment is once again ready to use! By working with matching thread and taking care to keep your stitches neat, most people will never even know that the zipper was ever broken.
How to fix a slipping zipper?
Slipping pants zippers are one of the most frustrating types of zipper problems. To create a temporary fix, attach a keyring onto the end of your zipper pull. Zip up the garment and hook the key ring around the button of your pants. 3.
How to fix a zipper that doesn't work?
If the zipper doesn't function correctly, you may be able to close it temporary by forcing both sides of the teeth together. To create a temporary fix, start at the bottom and move your way up until the zipper is closed. If you have buttons to secure your garment, fasten them to help keep the zipper closed.
How to fix zipper teeth?
This is important, as you’ll need to fix all your zipper’s teeth before your zipper will work correctly. Flip the garment inside out and locate the tack at the bottom of the placket layers of the item (this will be on the inside flap covering the zipper). Remove the tack with a seam ripper.
How to use laundry soap to lubricate teeth?
To use laundry soap as lubrication: Pour a small amount of detergent into a small dish. Pour a small amount of water into the same dish. Dip a cotton ball or swab into the mixture. Use the saturated cotton ball to coat the teeth in the solution. Place the cotton ball down and gently attempt to unzip the zipper.
How to stop zipper from closing?
When substances build up around the teeth of your zipper, it can prevent the zipper from staying closed. As a result, you’ll need to clean the teeth and remove stuff that could be preventing the zipper from closing.
How to replace zipper stop?
Use a pair of pliers to clench the stop into place. Press down on the stop 4 to 5 times to secure it. Repeat on the other side of the zipper. If you are only replacing 1 top zipper stop, make sure you place it on the side of the zipper with the tab at the bottom.
What to do if graphite doesn't work?
If graphite or laundry detergent don’t work, you may want to launder the item and try again. Ultimately, washing the item may help remove dirt, grime, and other objects that hinder your ability to close the zipper. After you wash it, apply more lubricant. Consider washing the item by itself.
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 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.
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.
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.
What does it feel like when your zipper is stuck?
When your zipper is stuck it feels like it’s getting caught on something. The zipper might not come down at all, and until you fix it you’re trapped inside your jacket.
How to stop a zipper from breaking?
The best way to avoid breaking your zipper is by making sure you don't use too much force to fasten it. Instead, use steady, consistent pulls to guide the sliders up and down the zip. If you have to start tugging really hard to get the puller to move, stop and reevaluate.
What to use when zip is broken?
Or a safety pin. Alternatively, if you have a safety pin handy, simple pin either side of the zip closed, like this: These aren't long term solutions, but can come in super handy if your zip breaks while you're out and about or if you don't have time to get them repaired.
What to do if zip keeps falling down?
Use pliers. If your zip keeps falling down, it often means that the teeth have either been dislodged or worn away. Start by closely inspecting the zip itself to determine if any of the teeth are simply out are out of alignment. If so, use a set of pliers to slowly bend the rogue teeth back into position.
What is the part of a slider that attaches to a puller called?
The part of the slider that attaches to the puller (on the outwards facing side of the garment), is called the top plate. The part of the slider that faces in the inwards side of the garment is then called the bottom plate.
How to tell which side of a zip is the right side?
To do this, you first need to find the 'bottom' of the zip. The bottom of the zip is, typically, the end closest to the floor when you're wearing the garment. If you can't tell which is the right side, look for the end with a square tab of fabric after the zip finishes. Then, feed the teeth from that end into the slider.
What to do if zip won't move?
You might need to give it a little extra help. Start by using a pencil to coat the teeth surrounding the lodge with a light coating of graphite - this will act as a lubricant to help facilitate a smooth run.
Can you take a zipper to a tailor?
While you can take your garment to a tailor to replace the entire zipper, there is a simple, more affordable hack you can try first (because nobody wants to fork out on a whole new zip if you can easily fix the one you already have). While the slider is still attached to the garment, reach for a pair of pliers.
Introduction
This guide will thoroughly explain how to easily repair a zipper that is broken. No special requirements needed; just needle-nose pliers, scissors, and a needle and thread!
Step 1 How to Fix a Broken Zipper
Take the needle nose pliers and remove the metal or plastic stopper at the end of the zipper.
Step 2
Align both sides of the zipper evenly and slip the zipper back on track.
Step 3
Start zipping up the zipper to make sure it has been aligned properly.
Step 6
Take the scissors and cut off the access thread. Get as close to the knot as you can without cutting it off.
