ᐅ What should you do if Ikea PLATSA screws break while tightening?

Hello everyone,

I recently noticed that some screws on my Ikea Platsa shelving unit break when tightening. These are mainly the metal dowels that are screwed into the side panels to secure the connections.

Of course, I want to assemble the shelf firmly, but if the screws break during tightening, I’m worried this could affect the long-term holding strength and thus the safety.

Has anyone experienced this before? What could be the causes? And most importantly: what can be done if a screw breaks? Is it possible to get replacement parts, or is there a trick to tightening them to prevent this?

I’d appreciate specific tips or recommendations, as a general answer like “just replace them” doesn’t help much if I don’t know the cause or how to handle the screws properly.

Thanks in advance!

Haubrent schrieb:
These are mainly the metal dowels that you screw into the side panels to secure the connections.

That is interesting because these screws are usually sufficiently sturdy. If they break, there can be several causes:
- Material defects in the screw itself
- Incorrect torque application, for example overtightening
- Incorrect insertion, for example angle issues or screwing into the wrong hole

An important factor is also whether the wood or plastic in the furniture already shows prior damage or deformation. This changes the load on the screw.

Haubrent schrieb:
What can be done if a screw breaks?

The product support from Ikea usually recommends requesting replacement parts. However, it is uncertain whether you can completely remove the broken screw pieces from the hole without damaging it.

So the key question is: Have you tried to remove the remnants of a broken screw? Or are new screws breaking suddenly during assembly?

This could influence the approach to finding a solution.

Carefully unscrew with a screwdriver if any remnants remain stuck.

Request replacement screws from Ikea.

When tightening, do not apply too much force; instead, check by feel.

I would like to add a technical perspective to this topic:

The screws in the Ikea PLATSA system, especially the so-called dowels or metal pins, are usually made of mild steel and are not designed for very high torque. The risk of breakage increases when over-tightening, particularly if the screw is already slightly misaligned or not screwed in precisely.

In case of broken screws, please consider the following:
- Try to carefully remove the broken pieces with small pliers or a screw extractor to avoid damaging the wood threads.
- Follow the correct assembly instructions, as some screws require installation with a torque limit.

Another factor is mass production and quality variation. It is known that Ikea products do not always use the highest quality materials.

Recommendations:
- If possible, request replacement screws directly from Ikea, as they provide the best fitting original parts.
- Alternatively, use metric screws with the same specifications (dimensions, thread type) if available.
- When reusing, avoid forcing screws into damaged holes, as this can compromise the stability of the shelving unit.

Hello,

I once had the same problem with screws breaking on the PLATSA as well. What helped me back then was to screw them in very slowly and carefully, without applying too much force. The screws fit really tight, and if you tighten them too hard, they tend to break.

Also, make sure the holes are clean and free of any debris that could cause the screw to get stuck at an angle.

If a screw does break, usually the only option is to try to pull out the remaining piece with tweezers or small pliers. If that doesn’t work, you can try carefully drilling out the screw with a small screwdriver, provided you don’t damage the hole.

Getting replacement parts from Ikea is straightforward—just contact customer service. They often send replacement screws for free if you have your purchase receipt.

Good luck with it, and don’t get discouraged—the furniture is very flexible, and with some patience, it will work out!