Unzip the zipper fully to identify where it’s stuck
Inspect the tracks for debris, broken teeth, or a bent zipper slider
Remove lint, thread, or fabric from the zipper teeth using tweezers or a seam ripper
Clean the zipper with a dry cloth; if needed, wipe with a small amount of rubbing alcohol and let dry
Lubricate the zipper lightly (use graphite pencil, zipper lubricant, or a tiny amount of soap); avoid oil
If teeth are misaligned, gently realign them with your fingers and slowly unzip/zip
If a tooth is bent, remove pressure and carefully straighten with needle-nose pliers
If a tooth is missing or damaged, replace the damaged section or sew in a new zipper
If the slider won’t move, check for a bent slider; gently reshape it with pliers
If the slider is too wide, squeeze the sides of the slider slightly with pliers
If the zipper fabric is caught, hold the fabric taut and carefully move the slider back and forth
If the zipper pull is detached, reattach or replace the pull tab/slider
If the zipper pull is stuck at the top, verify the end stops (stops at the zipper ends) are intact
If the zipper end stops are missing or loose, reattach or replace the end stop with a zipper repair kit
If the zipper is separating at the bottom, tighten or re-stitch the bottom seam and check alignment of the end stops
If the zipper is split along the seam, re-sew the seam to restore alignment
If teeth won’t engage after cleaning and alignment, replace the zipper slider or the zipper entirely
Test by slowly zipping and unzipping several times after each fix