My DSLR lens is getting caught between 35 and 45 mm?

I have a Nikon D5000 and I've had it for about a year. My lens just recently started sticking at about 37mm, i don't know what's going on, i took the lens off the camera body and looked in, i didn't see anything wrong. What is going on? Is it a matter of cleaning? If so, how?

Well it's abnormal, that is for sure.

Did you drop the camera, let your little sister play with it, get it wet, or other common abuse?

If so, the lens is damaged. You can either have the lens fixed or just live with it if it otherwise works. This is an entry-level lens, so it is not very expensive to replace; probably cheaper than the repair bill.

However, if you bought the camera from an Authorized US retailer and sent in your warranty card into Nikon, you have a 5yr warranty on the lens. If you didn't it' has a 1yr warranty (or no warranty if you bought it gray market). This is for US warranty, if you are in a different country, your warranty may differ.

Awboater is correct, so check with Nikon. I've taken lenses in for small problems, and the local Nikon Authorized Service center took care of it for me. The lens never was sent out and was back in my hands within a few days, as good as new.

The only time I've had a lens stick when zooming or focusing is when it's been dropped or seriously crushed. If the zoom ring is out of round, then there will be flat spots causing this problem.

You didn't specify which lens you have, but if I remember Nikon had the same problem with the 18-70mm, it's a small screw inside the lens that get lose and because of it, it block the lens from working properly. If were you I would take it to the repair, warranty should cover it.