Why Is My Ottoman Bed Not Closing? (Common Causes & Fixes)

If your ottoman bed won't close, won't stay down, is stuck open, or the gas lift has stopped working, it's almost always one of a few simple causes. Here's how to diagnose and fix each one.

Just assembled it? If the bed is brand new and has never closed properly, the cause is usually a setup issue — struts fitted the wrong way round, the wrong mounting holes, or a transit clip left on — rather than wear. Start with newly assembled ottoman bed won't close instead.

Ottoman bed gas lift not working

The gas lift (the pair of gas struts/pistons) is what raises the base and lowers it gently. When it stops working you'll notice the base drops too fast, won't hold up, or won't lift at all. Gas struts lose pressure over a few years — they're an inexpensive, easy replacement. Match the Newton (N) rating printed on the old strut when ordering a new one. See our full gas strut replacement guide.

Ottoman bed pistons stuck or seized

If the pistons feel stuck or seized — the base jams partway, judders, or won't move smoothly — check that the strut brackets at each end aren't bent and that nothing in the storage well is fouling the arm. A genuinely seized strut won't free up and should be replaced (always replace both sides as a pair so the lift stays balanced).

Why won't my ottoman bed close?

If the base won't seat flat when you push it shut, check these in order:

• Bedding is snagging — loose duvets, sheets or storage bags caught in the hinge or strut path. Tuck everything fully inside the well.
• The base is overloaded — too much weight, or weight piled at one end. Redistribute it evenly and keep within the storage limit.
• The frame is out of level — an uneven floor or loose bolts can rack the frame so it no longer lines up. Tighten all fixings and check it sits flat.

Ottoman bed stuck open

A base stuck open — it lifted fine but now won't come back down at all — is a different fault from one that closes badly. Work through it in this order:

1. Clear the well completely. The most common cause is something tall propping the base from underneath. Take everything out before diagnosing anything else.
2. Check both struts are still attached. If one end has popped off its ball joint, the base will sit at an angle and jam. Reseat it before forcing anything.
3. Look for a bent bracket. A strut arm fouling a bent bracket will lock the mechanism partway. This usually follows a heavy load or a knock during a house move.
4. Test the mattress weight. Press down firmly at the foot end with the well empty. If it closes with real effort, the mattress is too light for the strut rating — see the next section.

Do not force a stuck base shut. A gas strut under load stores real energy, and forcing it bends brackets or tears the mounting plate out of the frame — turning a free fix into a replacement.

Ottoman bed not going down (won't stay closed)

If the base rises back up or won't go down, the usual cause is a mattress that's too light for the strut rating — the struts overpower it and push the base open. A heavier mattress, or replacement struts with a lower N rating, fixes it. Also check nothing in the storage well is propping the base from underneath. If it's the opposite problem — the base won't stay up — see ottoman bed won't stay up.

Mattress too heavy to lift

The opposite problem: a mattress far heavier than the strut rating means the gas lift can't raise the base. Replacement struts with a higher N rating solve this.

How to close an ottoman bed safely

Technique matters more than strength, and doing it properly avoids most of the faults above:

1. Check the well is clear and nothing is sitting proud of the frame edge.
2. Stand at the foot end, square on, not at the side.
3. Take the weight with both hands and lower steadily — let the struts do the work rather than pushing against them.
4. Keep hands on the outer rail, not inside the frame, as it seats.
5. Keep children and pets clear until the base is fully down.

For the full walkthrough see how to close an ottoman bed safely.

Related reading

For more fixes, read ottoman bed problems and their solutions. Want to understand the mechanism itself? See how do ottoman beds work. Wondering whether the struts are rated correctly for your mattress? See can you put any mattress on an ottoman bed.

Still stuck?

Our UK support team can help — contact us or message us on WhatsApp. Shopping for a better-built frame with reliable dual gas struts? Browse our ottoman storage beds with a 5-year guarantee — and don't forget code WELCOME10 for 5% off orders over £360.