Sleep Number® mattresses may change shape as they settle or with regular use. What is normal—and which troubleshooting steps apply—depends on your bed model. First, identify whether your mattress has a Sleep Number® setting, then follow the steps below for your bed.
Quick answer
If your mattress looks uneven, sagging, lumpy or lower on one side, first identify your bed type. If your mattress has a Sleep Number® setting, check the firmness and air connections. If it does not, allow time for the mattress to expand and settle, then check its position and materials. Deep sagging, visible damage or a shape that does not improve may need additional support.
Start here: What do you see?
Before you begin, identify your mattress type. If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, follow the adjustable-air steps. If your bed does not have a Sleep Number® setting, skip instructions about firmness, hoses, pumps and air chambers and follow the settling, positioning and material checks.
- One side is lower than the other? If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, increase the firmness and check the hose connections. If it does not, check that the mattress is centered and supported evenly, then allow time for it to settle.
- Does your bed have a Sleep Number® setting and lose air overnight? Check the hoses, caps and pump connections. The bed may have an air leak.
- Do you feel a dip, divot or “hammock” effect? If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, increase the firmness. For any mattress, check its position and inspect accessible materials for shifting or compression.
- Do you see a lump, ridge or bulge? Check the mattress position and inspect any accessible foam or comfort layers. If your bed has air chambers, also check their alignment.
- The foam or cover looks worn, torn, or compressed? You may need a replacement part or support review.
What’s normal
- Temporary unevenness after delivery, setup, moving, or reassembly.
- Small fabric wrinkles or waves on the top cover.
- Slight changes in feel when the room is very cold or warm.
- A mattress with a Sleep Number® setting may look less full when set to a lower number and no one is in bed. A mattress without a Sleep Number® setting may look uneven while it expands or settles after delivery, setup, moving or reassembly.
What’s not normal
- For beds with a Sleep Number® setting, one side will not inflate or hold air.
- For beds with a Sleep Number® setting, the mattress loses air overnight or drops far below the selected setting.
- Deep sagging, a large dip, or a “sink hole” feeling that does not improve.
- A lump, ridge, bulge, or chamber that feels out of place.
- Foam, side rails, comfort layers, or the cover are torn, compressed, or no longer laying flat.
How to fix it
Choose the steps that match your mattress. Beds with a Sleep Number® setting can use the firmness and air-system checks. All mattresses can use the positioning, settling and material-inspection steps.
1. If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, increase the firmness and let the mattress fill
- Set each adjustable side to 100 to fully fill the air chambers.
- Wait a few minutes, then smooth the top surface with your hands.
- If the mattress looks better at 100 but changes again at a lower setting, the lower setting may be causing the mattress to look less full.
2. For beds with a Sleep Number® setting, check for air loss or a side that will not inflate
- Make sure the hoses are connected securely to the mattress and pump.
- Check that the hoses are not bent, pinched, or pulled loose.
- If one side fills and then slowly deflates, the issue may be an air leak and may need support.
3. Check mattress position on the base
- Make sure the mattress is centered on the base.
- Check that the mattress is not hanging over the edge or pushed tightly against the headboard or footboard.
- If you have a Split King or FlexTop™ mattress and see a large gap, the mattress sections may need to be realigned.
4. Inspect accessible mattress materials and components
- If your mattress cover opens, unzip it carefully and check that accessible foam rails and comfort layers are flat and aligned. If your bed has air chambers, check their placement too.
- Look for foam that is folded, shifted, compressed, torn, or not sitting inside the cover correctly.
- If you see a large bulge, ridge or damaged mattress component, stop using the affected area and contact support. For beds with air chambers, also contact support if a chamber appears damaged or out of place.
5. Give a new, recently delivered or recently moved mattress time to expand and settle
- If the bed is new, recently delivered, moved or reassembled, allow 24–48 hours for the mattress materials to expand and settle.
- Cold rooms can make materials feel firmer or look uneven until they warm up.
- If the shape does not improve after 48 hours, continue to the next step.
6. Check whether you need a replacement part or service
- If the cover, foam or another mattress component looks damaged, a replacement part may be needed. For beds with a Sleep Number® setting, also inspect accessible air chambers and hoses.
- If the mattress is too heavy to move safely, ask another adult for help or contact support for service options.
- If you already tried these steps and the issue came back, contact support and mention what you checked.
Still need help?
Contact support if the mattress does not expand or settle as expected, has deep sagging, shows visible damage or is too heavy to adjust safely. If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, also contact support if one side will not inflate or the mattress loses air overnight. Share your bed model, the affected area and whether the issue is sagging, unevenness, air loss, a lump or a gap.
|
Call Customer Support Mon - Fri: 8AM - 8PM CT, Saturday: 8:30AM - 5PM CT Call 1-800-472-7185 |
Chat Support Available 7 days a week: 6AM - 11 PM CT Click/tap the "Chat" icon in the lower right corner of your device screen. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Sleep Number mattress look uneven?
Your Sleep Number mattress may look uneven because it is still expanding or settling, it is not centered on the base, or its materials have shifted or compressed. If your bed has a Sleep Number® setting, a low setting, loose hose connection or air loss may also cause unevenness.
Can I replace mattress foam, the cover or another component?
Some parts may be replaceable depending on your bed model and warranty. Contact support with your model and purchase information to confirm available options
Why does my new mattress look uneven or compressed?
A new mattress may need 24–48 hours to expand and settle after delivery or setup. Keep it centered and evenly supported on the base. If its shape does not improve, or you see deep sagging or damage, contact support.