ᐅ Kallax doors make a rattling noise when opening and closing – any tips?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Kallax shelf unit from IKEA and installed the doors. I noticed that the doors make a fairly loud clicking noise when opening and closing. The sound usually occurs when the doors hit the hinges or the closing mechanism.

I have already tried adjusting the hinges slightly, but the problem remains. The doors fit securely and evenly, yet the clicking is quite annoying, especially late at night.

I’m curious if anyone here has experience with this typical "Kallax clicking" and knows how to reduce it effectively—without having to buy replacement parts right away. Are there any tips on minimizing the noise?

For example, I’m interested in:
- Is the clicking more related to the installation or to the furniture type in general?
- Do rubber buffers or other damping elements help?
- Are there any tricks with lubricants that are safe to use?

I would really appreciate any helpful advice.

Thanks in advance!

Budeniz schrieb:
The doors fit snugly and straight, but the clicking noise is still annoying, especially late at night.

Hello Budeniz,

this is a common issue with many IKEA Kallax units and is often due to the simple hinge design used in affordable furniture. The hinges usually don’t have built-in damping, so the doors inevitably make noise when they close.

What can help are small rubber bumpers or felt pads placed at the contact points of the door, specifically on the inside of the frame where the door hits when closing. These absorb the impact and noticeably reduce the clicking sound.

I also recommend lightly treating the hinges with silicone spray or a special furniture lubricant—never use oil, as it attracts dust and causes grime buildup.

When adjusting, make sure the door is not too tightly fitted, as that can actually increase the impact noise. Sometimes just a minor adjustment is enough to significantly lower the sound level.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, there are even soft-close hinges available as replacements. They are a bit more expensive but provide much greater comfort over time.

I hope this helps you out 🙂

Marlenepa schrieb:
Hinges usually don’t have built-in damping, so doors inevitably make noise when slammed.

That’s not entirely accurate. Many Kallax doors do use simple hinges, but the clicking noise can also result from installation errors or material stress.

Before resorting to any bumpers or dampers, you should definitely check whether the doors sit flush within the frame and if the hinges are properly attached. Otherwise, even minor inaccuracies can amplify resonance and clicking sounds.

It’s also worth checking if the door’s opening angle has been properly adjusted, as a door moving too quickly can increase the clicking effect.

So, I would first recommend a thorough inspection of the door and hardware installation before adding external damping elements. The goal is to address the root cause, not just mask the symptoms.

Install rubber buffers on the door stops.
Slightly loosen the hinges and adjust them.
Use silicone spray instead of oil.

Budeniz schrieb:
Are there any tips on how to minimize noise?

Sorry, but the "Kallax clicking" is almost a design feature of IKEA – cheap, simple, minimalist.

Most people here are looking for an eternal solution for a system that isn't designed to operate silently. Sure, dampers or soft-close mechanisms are better, but honestly: who wants to pay extra for those on a Kallax shelf unit?

In the end, you end up paying more for noise reduction than for the furniture itself. A few rubber bumpers or felt strips help, yes, but it will never be perfect. The main reason: the plastic parts, the thin hinges, and the simple push-button latch are made the way they are – practical, functional, and inexpensive – not sound-absorbing.

So you have to weigh it up: do you want fast and affordable, or quiet and comfortable?

My theory: the clicking is not a "problem" but the logical consequence of the Kallax concept itself.