A gas-spring monitor arm is supposed to hold your screen exactly where you put it, so it is frustrating when the monitor slowly sinks or drifts down on its own after you set the height. The good news is that this is almost always a tension adjustment, not a broken arm, and it takes a couple of minutes to fix. This guide walks through why an arm sags and how to rebalance it so your screen stays put.
Why an arm drifts down
A gas-spring arm balances the weight of your monitor against an internal spring. When the spring tension is set lower than the monitor’s weight, gravity wins and the screen slowly sinks. This usually happens because the arm was set up for a lighter monitor, you swapped to a heavier screen, or the tension was never adjusted from the factory default. It is a mismatch between spring force and load, not a failure.
The opposite problem
If the arm drifts upward or springs back up when you push it down, the tension is set too high for your monitor. The same adjustment screw fixes both directions: too much tension floats up, too little sinks down. The goal is a balance where the screen stays wherever you leave it.
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sinks down | Tension too low for the weight | Increase spring tension |
| Screen rises on its own | Tension too high | Decrease spring tension |
| Sags only when fully raised | Slightly under-tensioned | Small tension increase |
| Wobbles or tilts | Loose joint screws | Tighten the joint bolts |
How to adjust the tension
Find the tension adjustment screw, usually an Allen or hex bolt on the main spring joint of the arm, and consult the manual for its location and direction. Set the monitor to the middle of its travel, then turn the screw a few turns to increase tension if it sags, testing after each adjustment. Turn clockwise to add tension on most arms, but confirm with your manual. Make small changes and recheck until the screen holds its position.
Check the weight rating and mount
If you cannot get the arm to hold even at maximum tension, your monitor may exceed the arm’s weight rating; check the spec, since a heavy or ultrawide screen needs a higher-capacity arm. Also confirm the VESA screws and the clamp are tight, because a loose mount can look like drift. Tighten all joint bolts if the arm wobbles or tilts as well as sinks.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn the tension screw?
On most gas-spring arms, turning the adjustment screw clockwise increases tension to stop sagging, and counter-clockwise decreases it to stop the arm floating up. Directions vary by brand, so check your manual. Make small adjustments, set the monitor mid-travel while adjusting, and test after each turn until it balances.
What if the arm sags even at full tension?
That usually means the monitor is heavier than the arm’s rated capacity. Verify your screen’s weight against the arm’s minimum and maximum load range. If it exceeds the rating, no adjustment will hold it and you need a higher-capacity arm designed for heavier or ultrawide monitors.
Bottom line
A monitor arm that drifts down almost always needs more spring tension, adjusted with a hex screw on the main joint; one that floats up needs less. Set the monitor mid-travel, make small adjustments, and test until the screen stays where you leave it. If it still sags at maximum tension, your monitor likely exceeds the arm’s weight rating, and you need a stronger arm.
