How to Fix a Snap Button on a Jacket: Loose, Broken or Pulled Out

To fix a snap button (snap fastener) on a jacket, first find out what failed. A snap that pops open too easily has a worn socket spring. One snap maker tightens it with pliers, while Sailrite replaces the snap. A snap that won't close, or has lost its cap, needs new parts, set with a snap setter and anvil. On a leather jacket, take extra care: a misplaced hole in leather is permanent.

This page covers diagnosis and the quick fixes. For a full snap swap, see how to replace a snap on a jacket. Both are part of our leather repair at home series.

Key takeaways- A snap has four parts: cap and socket on one side, stud and post (or eyelet) on the other.- Too loose: the socket's spring has weakened. Tighten it gently, or replace it; sources disagree.- Won't close: often a broken spring, so replace the socket.- All four new parts must be the same size and the same metal.- On leather, pre-pierce the hole and use longer posts.

The four parts of a snap

Inside the socket, a small wire spring grips the stud each time you close it. With use, it loses strength.

What's wrong with your snap?

Fix 1: A snap that pops open too easily

Sources disagree here.

• Tighten it (Ata Buttons). A snap maker squeezes the socket's inner prongs inward about 1 mm with needle-nose pliers, tests it, and repeats in 0.5 mm steps. It warns that over-tightening can break the spring.
• Replace it (Sailrite). Sailrite says a snap that comes apart too easily has a spring that has lost its stiffness, and that all four parts should be replaced with similar new ones.

Try the gentle squeeze first if you like, but stop if the socket starts to deform.

1. Open the snap and find the socket, on the inside of the top flap.
2. With needle-nose pliers, squeeze the inner prongs inward a tiny amount.
3. Close and open the snap to test it.
4. If it's still loose, squeeze a little more. Don't overdo it.

If it still won't hold, replace the snap (Fix 4).

Fix 2: A snap that won't close

Check that nothing is caught in the socket and that the stud isn't bent. Ata Buttons says a snap that won't close at all usually has a broken spring, and the socket piece needs replacing. If you have just set a new snap and it won't close, re-set it with a firmer strike.

Fix 3: A snap pulled out of the leather

If a snap tore out and damaged the material, Ata Buttons says to patch it first, then fit a new snap. Leather repair guides back a hole or tear with thin leather or fabric glued to the inside. See how to repair holes in leather.

Once the repair has cured, set the new snap through it. If the original position is too damaged, Ata Buttons warns that on leather a misplaced hole is permanent, so think about whether a professional should place it.

Fix 4: Replace the snap

This is the short version. The full step-by-step guide is how to replace a snap on a jacket.

1. Remove the old snap. Prong snaps: bend the prongs back from the inside with needle-nose pliers. Riveted snaps: Sailrite drills off the rolled rivet with a bit slightly larger than the rivet.
2. Match the size. Measure the cap. Ata Buttons gives 15 mm (24L) and 17 mm (28L) as common jacket sizes. All four parts must be the same size. Don't mix nickel-plated brass and stainless steel parts.
3. Mark the center of the snap on both flaps. Ata Buttons says misalignment is the most common reason DIY repairs fail.
4. Set the cap and socket. Push the cap post through from the outside and fit the socket over it, with about 1 mm of post showing. Put the cap face down on the anvil and strike the setter to spread the post over the socket.
5. Set the stud and post on the other flap the same way, until the metal spreads over the stud.
6. Test it. Open and close the snap five times.

Snaps on leather jackets

• Pre-pierce the leather with a punch rather than forcing a prong through, which can split it.
• Use longer posts or prongs for thicker leather. Ata Buttons suggests longer-prong 15 to 17 mm snaps on leather. About 1 mm of post should show above the socket before you set it.
• Know your snap line. Leather suppliers sell Line 24, the smaller Line 20 and the smaller Segma, plus 10 mm glove snaps. Match the old snap.
• Use a setter and anvil, with a rawhide or poly mallet and a hole punch.

For scale, Leather Collection's biker jacket leathers are 0.8 to 1.3 mm thick, depending on style.

Can you fix a snap button without a tool?

Partly. Ata Buttons suggests sew-on snaps, which need no metal setting, or setting a snap with a hammer and a nail set in an emergency. It calls the hammer-and-nail method less precise than a proper snap kit. On leather, where a crooked hole stays, a setter and anvil are the safer choice.

Common mistakes

When to take it to a professional

Ata Buttons suggests a professional for leather jackets, where a misplaced hole is permanent, and for designer pieces where a mismatched snap finish would show. You can find repairers through leathershopnearme.com.

Leather Collection lists no snap or other repair service. When you order its custom leather jackets, you choose the leather, style, color and fit. On its custom vests, you also choose the closures: buttons, zippers, snaps or ties.

Related guides

• If the zipper is the problem rather than the snaps, see how to replace a jacket zipper.

FAQ

Can snap buttons be replaced?

Yes. Remove the old snap, then set a new four-part set of the same size with a setter and anvil. Sailrite says to replace all four parts.

How do you fix a loose snap button?

Squeeze the socket's inner prongs inward a tiny amount with needle-nose pliers, then test. Sailrite instead replaces worn snaps.

Can I reuse a snap button?

We found no source that reuses a set snap. Setting spreads the post over the socket or stud, and Sailrite replaces all four parts with new ones.

What tool do you use to attach snap buttons?

A hand setter and anvil with a mallet, plus a punch for the hole.

How do you fix a popper button?

If your popper is a metal snap with a cap, socket, stud and post, the same fixes apply: tighten the socket, or replace the set.