How to Program a FlexiSpot Desk

On this page (9 sections)

1. What do the buttons on a FlexiSpot controller do?
2. How to program a FlexiSpot desk in four steps
3. How do you find your own sitting and standing heights?
4. How do you reset a FlexiSpot controller?
5. How do you save a height on the E6 and EN1 controllers?
6. How do you set a height lock or child lock?
7. What should you do when the memory buttons won't respond?
8. How should you plan your saved heights around your workday?
9. What else should you know about programming a FlexiSpot desk?

To program a FlexiSpot desk, raise or lower it to the height you want, then press and hold the memory button until the controller beeps or flashes. Repeat for each memory button, then press a saved button once to return the desk to that height.

That is the whole routine, and it takes about a minute per slot. This guide walks through the exact steps, the reset procedure, the lock function and the fixes when a saved height stops working.

What do the buttons on a FlexiSpot controller do?

The controller's up and down arrows move the desk, the numbered buttons store heights, and one button saves each setting. Look at the printed icons first, because layouts differ between handsets.

Most programmable FlexiSpot controllers give you four memory slots, each tied to a numbered button. A small display shows the current height in inches or centimeters.

FlexiSpot's E6 dual motor desk has this programmable controller, so you can store a seated height, a standing height and two in-between settings.

The saved-height button and the save button are not the same thing. A brief press recalls a saved height.

Holding the button down starts the programming sequence. Knowing the difference avoids overwriting a height you already set.

Some basic controllers only offer up and down plus one or two memory slots. Count your buttons before planning how many positions you need.

How to program a FlexiSpot desk in four steps

Set the height, hold the memory button, wait for the confirmation, then repeat for the next slot. This works on the four-button controllers FlexiSpot uses on its electric desks.

1. Clear the desk and press the up or down arrow until the display shows your target height.
2. Press and hold the memory button for the slot you want, usually labeled 1 through 4.
3. Wait for the beep or the display flash that confirms the height is stored.
4. Release the button and repeat for your other positions.

Store your seated height first, then your standing height, so the two positions you use most sit on the buttons you reach for.

A quick press of a numbered button is all it takes to recall a height later. The desk travels there on its own, and you don't need to hold the button while it moves.

Which slots should you save first?

Save your seated and standing heights before anything else. Those two positions do most of the work in a sit-stand routine.

Slot 1 for seated and slot 2 for standing is the easiest pattern to remember. Use slots 3 and 4 for a shared desk, a child's height or a perch position between the two.

Our FlexiSpot E6 dual motor desk comparison covers how the four-slot controller stacks up against a rival's handset.

How do you find your own sitting and standing heights?

Set the seated height so your elbows rest near 90 degrees with your hands on the keyboard, then raise the desk until your forearms stay level while you stand. Measure from the floor rather than guessing.

For seated work, sit with your feet flat and shoulders relaxed. Your keyboard should land near your elbow height, which for most adults is around 24 to 27 in from the floor.

The FlexiSpot EN1 frame adjusts from 28.1 to 45.7 in, so check that range against your own measurements before buying.

For standing, the desk top should sit near your bent-elbow height, roughly halfway between waist and shoulder. Save that number once and you won't need to re-measure every time you switch.

People with long torsos often need a taller standing slot than the average. Save one slot for your ideal height and a second, slightly lower one for when your legs tire.

How do you reset a FlexiSpot controller?

Unplug the desk for about 10 seconds, plug it back in, then hold the down button until the desk reaches its lowest point and the display settles. This reset lets the controller relearn its full travel range.

Run the reset after moving the desk, after an error code, or when the desk stops short of a saved height. The exact key combination varies by controller.

On many FlexiSpot handsets you hold the down arrow and the memory or lock button together until the display shows a reset state. Keep the path clear during the reset so nothing blocks the frame on the way down.

If the reset doesn't finish, check the control cable between the handset and the motor box. A loose plug is a common reason a desk won't respond.

Our assembly walkthrough covers the cable routing step that often gets skipped.

Why do saved heights stop working?

The controller has lost its position memory, usually after a power cut or a reset. Re-run the reset, then save your heights again.

A brief power loss can clear the slots, so set your seated and standing heights once more and you're back to one-press switching.

How do you save a height on the E6 and EN1 controllers?

Both the E6 desk and the EN1 frame use a programmable handset with four memory buttons, and the save sequence is the same: reach the height, then hold the button. The main difference is what each product includes.

The FlexiSpot E6 ships as a full desk with a 55.1 x 27.5 in whole-piece maple top on a black frame. Its dual motors raise the top through 23.6 to 48.8 in.

For a shared desk, save a tall and a short setting so two people can switch without re-adjusting.

The EN1 is a frame only. It supports a desktop from 39.3 to 63 in wide and 19.7 to 31.5 in deep, and its controller also holds four memory presets.

Set your heights after the top is mounted so the saved numbers match the finished surface.

On either product, label your slots somewhere you'll see them. A sticky note on the controller edge keeps slot 3 from becoming a mystery.

How do you set a height lock or child lock?

Press and hold the lock combination on your handset until the display shows a lock icon. Most programmable FlexiSpot controllers include this feature so a child can't raise or lower the desk.

The combination varies by model. Look for a lock symbol printed next to two buttons, or check the quick-start card that came with the desk.

Once locked, the up and down arrows stop responding, and saved heights won't recall until you open it.

The lock matters in homes where a toddler can reach the controller. A desk that rises while a child leans on the buttons is a real pinch risk, so lock it when the desk isn't in use.

If the display won't respond after you lock it, you've likely locked the desk rather than broken it. Repeat the same combination to open, then test the up arrow.

What should you do when the memory buttons won't respond?

Start with the power and the reset, then check the cable and the lock state. Most memory faults trace back to one of those four causes.

Work through this order:

1. Confirm the outlet has power and the control cable is seated at both ends.
2. Open the controller if a lock icon shows on the display.
3. Run the full reset so the desk relearns its travel limits.
4. Re-save your heights after the reset finishes.

If the desk still refuses to move, look for an error code on the display. An overloaded desk or a blocked frame can trigger a safety stop, so clear anything under the top and try the up arrow alone.

A converter is a practical fallback when a controller needs repair. The FlexiSpot 36 inch converter sits on an existing desk and raises your monitor and keyboard with a spring lift.

Its top holds up to 33 lb and the keyboard tray 4.4 lb, so a dual-monitor setup fits.

How should you plan your saved heights around your workday?

Save one seated slot, one standing slot and one perch slot, then move between them on a timer. A simple 30-minute rotation keeps you from sitting through the whole morning.

Plan your day in blocks. Start seated for email, stand for calls or focused writing, and use the perch height for reading or video meetings.

The saved buttons make each switch a single press.

People who share a desk should each save their own heights. Four slots cover two people with a seated and a standing position each, and labels stop anyone guessing whose height is whose.

Before you buy, our Sanodesk vs FlexiSpot breakdown covers how each brand handles memory presets, and our Huanuo standing desk review looks at a budget alternative with its own memory system.

What else should you know about programming a FlexiSpot desk?

Program your seated and standing heights as soon as the desk is assembled, then reset and re-save them if the controller ever forgets. The memory buttons only help if the stored heights match how you actually work.

Run the reset after assembly so the desk knows its full range, then save the slots you need and lock the controller if young kids are around. Testing each slot once is enough to confirm it works.

The payoff is a workspace that changes height with one press instead of a minute of button-holding every time.

Frequently asked questions

How do I save a height to a FlexiSpot memory button?

Move the desk to the height you want, then press and hold the memory button for that slot until the controller beeps or the display flashes. The height is now saved.

Repeat for the other buttons so your sitting and standing positions are one touch away.

How many heights can a FlexiSpot desk remember?

The programmable FlexiSpot controllers store four memory heights. That covers a seated position, a standing position, and two in-between or shared settings.

Some basic controllers save fewer, so count the numbered buttons on your own handset.

Why won't my FlexiSpot memory buttons work?

The controller is most likely in a locked or reset state. Open it with the child lock sequence for your model, or run the reset procedure so the desk re-learns its travel limits.

If the display stays blank or the desk won't move at all, check the power cable and control cable connections.

Can I lock a FlexiSpot desk so my kids can't change the height?

Yes. Programmable FlexiSpot controllers include a child lock that disables the buttons until you open them.

The sequence differs by handset, so find the lock icon or the two-button combination printed on your controller before relying on it.

Do I need to reset the desk after moving it?

Yes. After the desk is moved or tipped for transport, run the reset procedure so the controller relearns its full travel range.

Without a reset, the desk may stop short of its highest or lowest point or refuse to move after an error code.