Moen Shower Handle Won’t Stay in Place [5 + Easy Solutions]

The steadiness and sustainability of the shower handle assure you’re going to have a comfy shower time. But when the handle becomes loose or doesn’t stay put, you’d neither be able to control the flow of the water nor the water temperature. 

The Moen shower handle won’t stay in place if the threads inside are stripped or the cartridge is defective. Another reason is the lubrication used in the cartridge can cause the shower handle self-close according to Moen. Moreover, if your faucet has a handle connector, there’s a chance that the metal washer is missing or the connector is damaged. 

We think fixing a loose shower handle is one of the easiest DIY plumbing jobs you’d ever do. So, without any further ado, let’s show you how it’s done in a jiffy. 

Note: You can also read how to deal with the Moen Shower handle stuck.

Moen Shower Handle Won’t Stay in Place [5 + Easy Solutions]

Now, let’s start troubleshooting and make your handle work like new again. Here’s the part that guides you on how to fix loose moen shower handles. Consider one after another serially to make troubleshooting easier. 

Reasons	Solutions
The shower handle is loose	> Tighten the handle screws accordingly
Excess silicone-based lubrication	> Wipe out and clean excess lubricant
Threads inside the handle are stripped	> Cover the head with plumbing tape’s ⅔ layers or replace the screws
A Metal washer is missing	> Replace the damaged parts
Wron-out, corroded, broken parts	> Replace the damaged parts
The shower Catridge is defective	> Replace the cartridge with a new one

1. The Shower Handle Is Loose

Below the handlebar, there’s a very small but long screw that holds the bar on top of the valve and cartridge. If the screw isn’t tightened enough, the handle would get loose and won’t stay put in position. 

Besides, there might be a few other screws holding the handle on the wall. When they’re kept loose, the handle moves automatically due to water pressure and causes leakage too. 

Another thing that can happen is the main screw has fallen off and is lost. For that, your handle isn’t staying steady. 

Solution:

• Take a very thin Allen key (commonly  7/64 ) and tighten the screw below the bar. 
• If the handle still fails to stay steady, reinstall the handle after shutting down the main water line. 
• If the main screw beneath the handlebar is lost or broken, take the handle to a hardware store and find a new suitable screw.

2. Excess Silicone-based Lubrication

You can often see plumbers use WD40 or similar lubes while installing a new cartridge, valve, or handle. When the lube’s used too much, inner surfaces get way too much slippery. So, extra lubrication also causes a loose shower handle. 

Solution:

• Turn off the main water line. And unmount the handle, cartridge, and other related parts. 
• Identify where the lube is used more than needed. Take a small towel and wipe the areas. Make sure you don’t fully remove the lube. Otherwise, the handle would become rough. 

3. Threads Inside The Handle Are Stripped

Your shower handle is a part of the main valve system. Screws attaching the handle and the handle head have threads that allow the required movement on your command. Stripped threads make everything loose and your handle may move automatically. 

Solution:

• If the screw thread is stripped, you need to buy a new screw and tighten the handle. 
• If the handle thread is stripped, cover the head with plumbing tape’s ⅔ layers and attach the handlebar. 

4. Metal Washer Is Missing

 A metal washer in a shower handle is a flat, circular piece of metal that is placed between the handle and the valve stem. The washer helps to distribute the force of the handle over a larger area, which helps to prevent the stem from becoming damaged. 

The washer also helps to create a watertight seal between the handle and the stem, which prevents water from leaking from the shower. If the metal washer of your Moen shower handle is missing the handle won’t stay in place.

Solution:

Here’s how you can install a new metal washer if it’s missing from your shower. Follow the below steps accordingly.

• First, determine the size and type of washer needed for your specific Moen shower model. You can find it in the user manual.
• Purchase the replacement washer from a hardware store or from Moen.
• Remove the old washer by unscrewing the bolt or screw that it is attached to.
• Place the new washer onto the bolt or screw in the same position as the old washer.
• Finally, tighten the bolt or screw to secure the new washer in place.

Note that there are various types of metal washers available, including steel, aluminum, zinc, copper, brass, and iron.

Ensure to choose the right type and size of the washer for your specific application to ensure proper function and safety.

5. Worn-Out Or Corroded Parts

After using a handle set for quite a few years, the interior gets ground due to consecutive movements. When the inner parts get thinner, the whole construction gets looser. 

Apart from that, old existing leakages can allow several oxidation reactions and create rust. Heavy rust buildup makes metal corrode sooner or later. 

Solution:

• Rub the rust-affected areas with 1:1 vinegar solvent using a toothbrush first. 
• Try tightening the joints by covering the inner surfaces with plumbing tape after clearing the rust. 
• If the handle is still loose, consider replacing the corroded parts ASAP. 

6. The Cartridge Is Defective

A damaged or broken cartridge makes the handle lose and causes leakage, temperature mismanagement, etc. Usually, the cartridge can last more than a couple of decades.

But it can be dead shortly for many reasons like hard water, corrosion, extreme water pressure, etc. 

Solution:

Our experience says almost 9 out of 10 cartridges require replacement when they’re damaged. So, we’d suggest replacing the cartridge with a compatible or universal model for a better shower experience. 

Replacing your Moen shower cartridge procedure may vary depending on the model you use. So, take professional help to replace the cartridge on your Moen shower. 

The average cost of replacing a shower cartridge is between $200 and $400. The actual cost can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of cartridge, the labor costs in your area, and the cost of parts.

Things To Consider While Fixing Moen Shower Handle

• It’s better to turn off the bathroom’s water supply while fixing any bathroom fitting. 
• Don’t try to overtighten anything. Overtightened handle blocks the water. 
• For Moen handles, a 7/64 Allen key would be perfect to remove the top screw. 
• If you need to install a new shower handle, try to purchase a compatible one with a valve, not too heavy or large. Because a shower handle is too heavy always moves downwards.

Now, the big question is what would you do if none of the tricks above tightens your loose handle? The answer is simple, replace it. 

What If None Of The Solutions Work

Cartridge-system single handles can be found at a very reasonable price these days. You can pick one that suits your bathroom interior and shower system quite easily.

Furthermore, you should also change the cartridge along with the old handle if you need to. Don’t try to install a new handle over an incompatible cartridge. 

FAQs:

Summary

After today’s discussion, we think you won’t ever ask why is my Moen shower handle loose We’ve pointed out every possible reason why a Moen shower handle can’t stay in place.

With that, you’ve also got to know how you can deal with the problems individually. 

However, there’s no way but to replace the old shower handle if the handle can’t be fixed. But we understand that you can’t be in a condition of spending hundreds of bucks anytime.

That’s why we suggest trying out each method to deal with the issue first. Meanwhile, you can check Moen shower faucet won’t turn on.