The high-temperature gas cooled reactor employs two sets of reactivity control systems: control rods and absorb balls. The control rod system is used for regular reactor start-up, raising power, holding power, normal shutdown, and emergency shutdown, while the absorb ball system performs the function of ball drop for deeper shutdown. The friction pair of the control rod and absorb ball driver requires effective lubrication in a pure helium medium with strong radiation and high temperature. In pure helium medium, it is impossible to form a protective oxide film on the metal surface. The friction between metal surfaces, that is, the friction between friction pairs intensifies, and even causes the friction pairs to lock up. It is impossible to supplement lubrication during regular operation inside the reactor pressure vessel, which needs extremely strict demands on the reliability and lifespan of lubrication materials and technology. The friction pair of the control rod and absorb ball drivers can be treated with a solid lubricating coating on the surface to reduce wear and prevent meshing, thus preventing an increase in friction coefficient. The coating material does not decompose or deteriorate under the working conditions of the friction pair, and can play a role in lubrication and anti-sticking. During the regular inspection of the 10 MW high-temperature gas cooled test reactor (HTR-10), faults occurred in the control rod and absorb ball drivers. Through recording the fault phenomena, investigating the causes, analyzing and handling the faults, the results showed that the wear of the friction pair of the control rod and absorb ball driver under helium atmosphere would affect the system’s operating performance. After optimizing and improving the solid lubrication coating technology of the friction pair under helium atmosphere, the performance was further improved.