The ErgoDesk Lab

Quick Answer: Remove anything between the magnet and the monitor, then lower the angle or add a bottom ledge so the magnet isn't carrying the whole weight. A case, film, or off-center plate sits between them: Restore full contact. Use Fix A to restore magnet contact It slides down the stand: Take the weight off the magnet. Use Fix B to support the bottom edge It falls when the cable moves: Stop the cable pulling it. Use Fix C to free the cable None of these work, or it's too heavy for the stand: Use Fix D to replace the stand

Quick Answer: Measure the gap under your main screen first. If the portable screen fits there, set it on its own stand in front, tilted back toward your eyes. It fits the gap and the desk has room in front: Use the screen's own stand. Use Fix A to set it in front It fits the gap, the desk is shallow, and it has VESA holes: Hang it on a light-rated arm. Use Fix B to mount it by its VESA holes It fits the gap, the desk is shallow, and there are no VESA holes: Use an edge-grip holder. Use Fix C for an edge-grip holder Not sure it fits at all: Measure the gap and depth first. Start with Step 1

Quick Answer: Slide both screens in toward the pole and tighten the center bracket. If the bar stays bent with the screens off, it has deformed; replace it. The bar rocks at the center joint: The bracket is loose, not the bar. Use Fix A to tighten the bracket It droops under the screens but is straight without them: Cut the leverage. Use Fix B to move the screens in It stays bent with the screens off: The bar has deformed. Use Fix C to replace the bar Not sure which: Run the three checks first. Start with Step 1

Quick Answer: Support the arm, wipe the pole clean, and retighten the height collar as its guide directs. If it still creeps, add a stop collar under it or cut the load. Not sure the collar is really moving: Tape the pole and check after a day. Start with Step 1 to mark the pole The collar slid after the arm was moved or bumped: Reseat and retighten it. Use Fix A to reseat the collar A tight collar still creeps over days: Let it rest on a stop instead of friction. Use Fix B to add a stop collar Heavy screens or arms always fully extended: Reduce the load and the leverage. Use Fix C to cut the load

Quick Answer: Free the cables at the bottom of the screen, then tighten the tilt joint a quarter turn at a time until the screen stays upright. It stays upright once the cables are loose: The cables pushed it. Use Fix A to reroute the cables It tips back once past a certain angle: The tilt hold is too light. Use Fix B to set the tilt hold The head pushes the screen up on its own: A tilt spring is set too strong. Use Fix C to reduce the tilt spring Not sure why it tilts: Go to Step 1 to test it

Quick Answer: Find which joint gives under your pen, then add friction or engage a lock on that joint; if the arm still sinks, rest the display on the desk. The screen tips flatter as you press: The tilt joint gives. Use Fix A to firm up the tilt The whole display sinks while you draw: The spring arm gives. Use Fix B to hold the height It slides or turns sideways with your strokes: A swivel gives. Use Fix C to firm up the swivels Not sure which way it moves: Go to Step 1 to watch it under the pen

Quick Answer: If the gas spring drips oil or hisses while the arm loses lift, stop relying on it and replace the spring or the arm. Oil or hissing, but the arm still holds: Clean it and track the lift. Use Fix A to clean and monitor the spring Oil or hissing, and the arm sinks: The spring is failing. Use Fix B to replace the gas spring No replacement spring exists for your arm: Replace the whole arm. Use Fix C to choose a new arm Not sure the oil comes from the spring: Go to Step 1 to trace it

Quick Answer: Take the monitor off first, then press a fresh, correctly sized hex bit fully into the screw; if it still slips, move to a grip method. The socket is rounded but not destroyed: Get more grip on it. Use Fix A to grip the stripped socket The socket is too damaged to grip: Use an extractor, with care. Use Fix B to remove it with an extractor The screw is out and you need a replacement: Match it exactly. Use Fix C to fit the right screw Not sure which screw this is, or whether it is safe to remove: Go to Step 1 to identify it

Quick Answer: Mark each joint with tape, find the one that moved, and tighten that joint's swivel friction a quarter turn at a time until the gap holds. An elbow or the screen head swung outward: Add friction to that joint. Use Fix A to firm up the swivel A whole arm turned around the pole: Its collar is rotating. Use Fix B to stop the collar turning The screens were touching or a cable pulls outward: Remove the push. Use Fix C to clear frame contact and cable pull Not sure what moved: Go to Step 1 to mark the joints

Quick Answer: Measure each screen's top picture edge from the desk, then raise or lower one arm or its pole collar until both tops match. Each side moves up and down on its own spring: Set each arm's height and tension separately. Use Fix A to set each arm One arm runs out of range, or the arms don't move vertically: Shift that arm on the pole. Use Fix B to move the pole collar Both screens hang from one fixed bar: Neither side can move separately. Use Fix C for fixed-bar mounts Not sure which edges to match: Go to Step 1 to measure and choose

Quick Answer: Set both screens so their top visible edges sit at the same height, then match that layout in your computer's display settings. Both screens can move up and down freely: Set the heights to your target line. Use Fix A to set both heights One stand is already at its limit: Change where that screen's height comes from. Use Fix B to extend the height range Not sure whether to line up tops or centers: Go to Step 1 to choose your alignment line

Quick Answer: Free the cables so they stop twisting the screen, then tighten the rotation friction at the mounting head until the portrait screen stays upright. It stays upright once the cables hang free: The cables were turning it. Use Fix A to reroute the cables It still turns, and the head has a rotation screw or lock: Add friction at the pivot. Use Fix B to tighten the rotation hold It still turns with the hold fully set: The screen's weight sits off the pivot. Use Fix C to recenter the weight Not sure what turns it: Test with the cables free first. Start with Step 1

Quick Answer: Hold a level against the arm's pole in two directions; if it leans, level the desk or reseat the clamp until the pole stands straight. Pole and desktop lean the same way: The desk itself isn't level. Use Fix A to level the desk Desktop is level but the pole leans: The clamp isn't sitting flat. Use Fix B to reseat the clamp Pole stands straight but the arm still swings: The swivels are too free or a cable pulls. Use Fix C to set the swivel friction Haven't checked anything yet: Start with two quick level readings. Go to Step 1 to find the lean

Quick Answer: Raise the spring tension slightly while the room is at its usual cold working temperature, then check the arm still stays put once it warms. Sinks a little when cold, holds when warm: Tune the lift for your working temperature. Use Fix A to retune for the cold Cold air blows straight onto the arm: Remove the draft first. Use Fix B to clear the cold draft Sinks even when the room is warm: Temperature may not be the cause. Go to Step 1 to confirm the pattern

Quick Answer: If the arm still rises at its lowest tension setting, your monitor is below the arm's minimum load, so change the arm height or the mount. Arm sits on a pole and rises to its top stop: Lower the whole arm on the pole instead. Use Fix A to drop the arm on its pole Your arm's maker sells a lighter spring: Fit the lower-range part. Use Fix B to fit a lighter spring No lighter spring, and you need free height adjustment: Change to a mount rated for your monitor. Use Fix C to choose a matching mount Not sure the tension is at its minimum: Confirm that first. Go to Step 1 to confirm the cause

Quick Answer: Free the cables from the arm's clips and raise the monitor slowly again; if it now glides, cable drag was causing the jerks. Smooth once the cables are free: Reroute them with slack at every joint. Use Fix A to reroute the cables Hard to push one way, easy the other: The lift doesn't match the monitor. Use Fix B to rebalance the spring tension Stiff in both directions, then lurches: A joint is held too tight. Use Fix C to ease the joint friction Catches at the same spot, grinds, or hisses: Check for a worn part before adjusting anything. Go to Step 1 to sort out the cause

Quick Answer: If your monitor is attached and the arm springs up when you let go, lower the spring tension a little at a time until it stays put. Monitor attached, arm rises when released: Reduce the lift in small, counted steps. Use Fix A to lower the spring tension Arm flew up when the monitor came off: Leave it at the top and reload it with support. Use Fix B to reattach the monitor safely Not sure, or the arm sinks instead: Run one quick release test first. Go to Step 1 to identify the cause

Quick Answer: Confirm the pole and clamp ratings cover both screens and arms together, then mount the small screen as low above the ultrawide as clearance allows. Your pole is tall enough and rated for both: Add the small screen to it. Use Fix A to add an arm to the pole The pole is too short or the total is over its rating: Give the small screen its own support. Use Fix B to mount it separately Haven't checked the numbers yet: Go to Step 1 to measure and add up the load

Quick Answer: Move the clamp to a straight, flat stretch near a frame rail or leg, and keep the screen's working position over the desk's feet. The clamp overhangs, rocks, or sits across a seam: Reseat it on a straight, flat section. Use Fix A to restore full clamp contact The clamp sits flat, but the corner bends or has no frame under it: Measure where the real support is. Use Fix B to trace the corner's support path The desk shifts or a foot lifts when the screen swings out: Bring the screen back over the frame. Use Fix C to bring the reach inside the feet Not sure which part is moving: Watch the base, corner, frame, and feet in order. Start with Step 1 to find the failing link

Quick Answer: Center the clamp's base and its lower pad on their own plates, both fully on solid desk. Plates spread the pressure but don't raise the arm's limit. Not sure a plate will help your desk: Check the desk, the pads, and the clamp range first. Start with Step 1 Solid desk, no plate yet: Fit a matched pair, top and bottom. Use Fix A to fit both plates Plate fitted, but the base still rocks: It is probably off-center or over an edge. Use Fix B to re-center it Desk already dented, or the arm is near its limit: A plate is not enough on its own. Use Fix C to cut the load