A faulty zipper can render your favorite pair of jeans unwearable. Whether the zipper is stuck, misaligned, or missing a pull tab, knowing how to fix a zipper on jeans or any piece of clothing can save you time and money. Instead of tossing them aside for a dodgy zipper, learn how to fix it yourself. We're sharing insight into the most common repairs so you can get your denim back in working order.
How to Fix the Most Common Problems with Zippers on Jeans
- Stuck zipper: Fabric or debris may be caught in the teeth, preventing movement.
- Misaligned teeth: One side of the zipper isn’t tracking properly, making it impossible to zip up.
- Broken pull tab: The metal tab that you use to zip up has snapped off.
- Zipper won’t stay up: A loose or worn slider causes the zipper to slide down on its own.
You'll Need
- Tweezers
- Needle-nose pliers
- Dish soap or graphite pencil or crayon
- Clear nail polish (optional)
- Extra-strong jeans thread (optional)
- Sharp sewing needle (optional)
- Seam ripper (optional)
- Sewing machine with zipper foot (optional)
- Replacement zipper slider (if needed)
- Keyring (for a temporary fix)
How to Free a Stuck Zipper
- Check for fabric caught in the closed zipper teeth and gently pull it out using a pair of tweezers.
- If no fabric is visible, rub a light coating of graphite pencil, vaseline, a crayon/candle, or a small amount of dish soap along the teeth to lubricate them.
- Slowly move the zipper up and down to work it loose.
How to Fix Misaligned Teeth
- Using needle-nose pliers, carefully bend any individual teeth to realign them.
- If the slider has moved past misaligned teeth, gently pull it down to the base and zip up again.
- If realignment doesn’t work, replace the slider with a new one.
How to Fix Worn Teeth
- Fully unzip the zipper.
- Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the worn teeth, focusing on areas where the zipper won’t stay closed.
- Let it dry completely before zipping up your jeans.
- The coat of polish adds a slight thickness to the teeth, helping them catch properly.
How to Replace a Broken Pull Tab
- Use a keyring or a small paperclip as a temporary zipper pull.
- For a permanent fix, swap the broken pull tab with a new one by sliding it into place.
- Squeeze it closed gently with a pair of pliers.
How to Keep a Zipper from Falling Down
- If the zipper keeps sliding down, attach a small keyring to the pull tab and loop it over the jean button before fastening.
- If the slider is worn, replacing it may be necessary to restore grip on the teeth.
How to Fix the Zipper Slider
- If the slider is loose and not gripping the teeth properly, use needle-nose pliers to gently squeeze the sides of the slider together.
- Test the zipper to see if it catches the teeth correctly.
- If the slider is too damaged, the simple solution is to buy a replacement zipper slider at a craft store, remove the old one with a pair of pliers and slide a new one onto the teeth.
How to Replace the Entire Zipper
- Remove the original zipper fabric with a seam ripper (or small sharp scissors).
- Measure the original with a fabric measuring tape to cut the correct size zipper.
- Pin the tape in position.
- Find a matching thread color.
- Stitch in the new zipper tape by hand or with a sewing machine (you'll need a zipper foot). Add a second seam parallel to help keep the zipper flat.
- Align the other half and make sure the zipper tracks match up with the existing seam.
FAQ
What if my jeans zipper keeps separating?
If your pants zipper separates after zipping up, it’s likely due to a worn-out or broken slider. Replacing the slider should fix the issue.
How can I prevent my jeans zipper from breaking again?
Avoid forcing a stuck zipper—use lubrication or tweezers to gently free rogue fibers. When washing jeans, zip them up and close the jeans button to prevent torquing. If your jeans fit tightly, be mindful not to stress the zipper when putting them on.
What should I do if my zipper teeth are missing?
If a missing or broken zipper teeth at the very top or bottom, you can sew a new zipper stop above the missing teeth to prevent the slider from moving past the gap. If the missing or broken teeth are missing in the middle, the entire zipper on a pair of pants will need to be replaced. For toucher items or if unsure, a tailor can replace a clothing zipper for you.
