Mastering the Reset: A Simple Guide on How to Reset Your Standing Desk

Let’s face it—standing desks are a game-changer until they suddenly stop working. Maybe your sit stand desk won’t go up, or it’s stuck mid-height with a mind of its own. Don’t stress. These hiccups are common and easily fixable once you understand the basics of how to reset a sit stand desk.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through real-world fixes for jammed, unresponsive, or glitchy desks. We’ll break it down into four key areas:

• Fixing a Jammed Desk
• Troubleshooting Standing Desks
• Resolving Desk Height Issues
• Quick Fixes for Sit-Stand Desks

1. Fixing a Jammed Desk

The most common complaint we hear: “My sit stand desk won’t go up.”

When this happens, chances are your desk is jammed or needs a quick reset. Here's what you should try:

Step-by-step reset for most electric desks:

• Hold the down arrow on your hand controller until the desk reaches its lowest position.
• Once it hits the bottom, keep holding the down arrow for 10–15 seconds.
• If your desk starts to bounce slightly or displays an “RST” code, you’re in reset mode.
• Release and press down again—your desk should dip slightly and then return to normal.

This method works for most electric standing desks, especially ones with memory presets. If nothing happens, check your manual—some models require holding both arrow buttons at once or pressing a reset key.

Common signs your desk needs a reset:

• The height number on the screen blinks or disappears.
• You hear clicking or no motor sound at all.
• One side of the desk moves while the other doesn’t.

2. Troubleshooting Standing Desks

Resetting a sit stand desk isn’t always about jamming—it could be a sign of something deeper.

Here’s how to troubleshoot like a pro:

Check your power connection:

• Ensure the plug is fully inserted into the wall and control box.
• Test the outlet with another device. Sounds basic, but you’d be surprised.

Inspect cable connections:

• Look underneath and confirm the motor cables are tight and not bent.
• Loose wiring can simulate a system fault.

Review the controller display:

• Most digital panels show error codes like “E01” or “ASR.”
• Look these up in your manual or manufacturer’s website for tailored instructions.

Pro tip: Don’t yank or reset too many times in a row. Desks have built-in safety timers to avoid overheating. If the motor feels warm, unplug it and wait 15 minutes before retrying.

If you’re using a dual-motor model like the Deskup, make sure both legs are moving evenly—uneven movement often triggers an automatic stop.

3. Resolving Desk Height Issues

Sometimes your sit stand desk isn’t stuck—but it’s not stopping where it should either.

If your standing desk won’t go up all the way, or stops too early, it’s likely a calibration issue.

Here’s how to re-calibrate your desk height:

• Reset the desk fully using the “hold down arrow” method.
• Once reset, press and hold the “1” memory preset and up arrow simultaneously for 5 seconds.
• This tells your desk to relearn height limits.

Still no luck? It might be the anti-collision system acting up. Many desks detect resistance (like a chair or wall) and stop rising. Clear the space and try again.

Other reasons your desk might not reach full height:

• Uneven flooring causing tilt.
• Misaligned legs or faulty sensors.
• Power dips during movement—use a surge protector if needed.

This applies whether you’ve got a simple setup or a larger L-shape sit stand desk that spans multiple corners. Larger frames are more sensitive to calibration.

4. Quick Fixes for Sit-Stand Desks

Not every issue needs a deep reset or engineer. Sometimes it’s the small stuff.

Try these quick fixes:

• Cycle the desk power: Unplug everything for 60 seconds, then plug back in and try again.
• Clean the legs: Dust and debris can mess with smooth travel. Wipe down the lifting columns.
• Inspect the hand controller: Buttons may be stuck or worn. A faulty controller can mimic a motor issue.
• Avoid overload: Don’t exceed your desk’s weight limit—most are around 120–140kg. Heavy monitors, books, or printer trays can add up quickly.

Resetting sit stand desk tip: If you're in a commercial office, make sure desks are on separate circuits—grouped desks on one breaker can interfere with consistent voltage delivery.

Also, consider using an under-desk cable tray to tidy your cables. Clean cabling helps avoid accidental disconnections during desk movement.

Wrapping Up: Take Control of Your Desk

Resetting a standing desk sounds more dramatic than it is. Most times, it’s a 30-second job. If your standing desk won’t go up or you’re staring at a dead controller, follow the steps above before calling support. Nine times out of ten, you’ll be back in action without needing a replacement part.

At Deskup, we design all our electric desks with a simple reset process built in. If you’re stuck, reach out—we’re local, we’ve got the parts in stock, and we’ve reset hundreds of units across Australian homes and offices.

Key takeaways:

• Use the down arrow reset method to clear most jams.
• Check your cables, controller, and outlet before assuming a motor fault.
• Calibrate height limits if your desk stops too low or too high.
• Keep your desk clear, clean, and within its weight limit for smooth operation.

Still having issues?
Browse the full range of standing desk solutions or get in touch with the team to figure out the right model for your workspace.