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Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by John Norton
A recliner motor replacement is a job most owners can handle themselves, and it is far cheaper than scrapping a chair over a part that costs less than a hundred dollars. I spent more than ten years selling, assembling, and repairing power recliners, and about half the chairs brought to me with a dead motor turned out to have a healthy one.
When the motor really has failed, the swap is straightforward work. The chair gets unplugged and tipped onto its side, and the new actuator has to match the old one in voltage, stroke, and plug style. Get those three right and the job takes about thirty minutes. If the chair is dead but the motor is healthy, start with my guide to an electric recliner that stopped working, because it covers the power supply and reset first.
Table of Contents
How do you know the motor has failed?
Start at the wall and the transformer, because a chair with no power looks exactly like a chair with a dead motor. Plug a lamp into the outlet and check the black power brick for an indicator light. A lit light means power is reaching the chair, while a dead light points to the outlet, transformer, or cord.
On a dual-motor chair, swap the two motor leads at the control module. A fault that follows the motor confirms the motor, and a fault that moves to the other channel points to the control box or wiring. Then listen while a helper presses the button: a healthy actuator whirs steadily, a hum without movement usually means a stall or an obstruction in the scissor arms, and silence means no power is arriving at all.
Which replacement motor fits your chair?
A replacement motor has to match the original in voltage, stroke, and connector style, and almost every power recliner uses a 24 volt DC actuator with brand-specific plugs.
Read the label first, because numbers like JLDQ-11, MD140, or 1.28.000.131.30 identify a family of actuators that share mounts and plugs. Photograph the label and connector before ordering. If the label is gone, push the rod in and measure from the rear mounting hole to the front fork hole, extend it and measure again, then subtract the two numbers to get the stroke.
Count the pins as well, since most chairs use a five-pin round plug for the hand control and a two-pin flat plug for power. For an Okin JLDQ-11 chair, this Okin JLDQ-11 actuator kit is the exact style I would start with, and the Fromann Deltadrive kit covers the very common 1.28.000.131.30 mechanism. If the label is worn off, a generic 24 volt kit works with many frames, but only after you confirm the stroke and plugs.
What tools and parts do you need?
The job needs a socket set, hex keys, a screwdriver, a tape measure, zip ties, and a blanket for the floor. Most frames use 10mm and 13mm bolts, so a small socket set and hex keys cover nearly every chair. Add your phone for photos of the wiring and a headlamp for the dark underside.
Lift chairs are heavy, so ask someone to help you tip the chair and keep it stable on a hard surface, never balanced on its front edge.
How do you replace a recliner motor step by step?
Replacing the motor is a six-step job that goes quickly once the old part is out.
- Unplug the chair from the wall and let the transformer sit for a minute.
- Tilt the chair onto its side on a blanket and photograph every plug and cable route.
- Remove the cotter pin or bolt from the rear mount and front fork, then slide the actuator out.
- Disconnect the hand control and power plugs, then move any reusable bracket onto the new motor.
- Fit the new actuator, insert the mounting pins, and secure them with fresh cotter pins.
- Reconnect the plugs in the same order, route the cables clear of moving arms, and add zip ties.
The mistake I see most often is forcing the fork onto a pin that is slightly misaligned. Leave the bolts finger tight until both ends line up, then tighten them once the actuator sits square. Check that the cables cannot rub on the scissor arms, because a rubbed cable is why many replacement motors fail a second time. If the mechanism feels stiff, my guide to fixing a recliner mechanism covers the springs, cables, and handles.
How do you test a new recliner motor?
Test the new motor through a full cycle before anyone sits in the chair, then repeat it with weight on the seat. Run the footrest out and back with the chair empty and listen for grinding, clicking, or a strained motor, then sit down and run the same cycle, because a motor that works with no load can still stall under a person.
Stop immediately if the mechanism binds, since forcing a stuck actuator can strip the gear housing. These units are rated for short bursts, and the common 24 volt actuators run at about a ten percent duty cycle, which means two minutes on and eighteen minutes off rather than one long continuous run.
If the footrest still will not lock or close, the linkage is the next suspect, and my guide to a recliner that will not close covers the next checks.
What does a recliner motor replacement cost?
A replacement actuator usually costs between about $65 and $160, while a shop repair adds labour. The motors I checked ranged from about $64 for a Kaidi unit to $93 for the Fromann Deltadrive kit, and specialty parts shops list most actuators between roughly $80 and $170.
Call the manufacturer first with your model and serial number, because a covered actuator is often free under warranty and a paid part can void that coverage. My store-floor rule was simple: if the estimate climbs past about half the price of a comparable new chair, replacement beats repair. If the motor is fine, my guide to a recliner that will not recline covers the manual linkage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace a recliner motor myself?
Yes, this is a realistic home job if you can tip the chair safely and match the new part to the old one. Unplug it, photograph the wiring, and allow about forty minutes.
How do I find the model number on my recliner motor?
The model number is stamped on the motor housing, usually on the side that faces away from the frame. Tilt the chair and photograph it before you order.
Why does my recliner motor click but not move?
A clicking motor usually means the gear housing is slipping or the linkage is blocked, so check for fabric or a bent arm in the scissor mechanism first. If the mechanism moves freely by hand and the motor still clicks, the actuator is failing.
Is it worth replacing the motor in an old recliner?
It is worth it when the frame, upholstery, and mechanism are still sound and the part costs well under a new chair. Skip the repair when several systems have failed at once or when the frame is cracked.
