ᐅ What should I do if screws don’t hold properly in Billy shelves?

Hello everyone, I have the following problem: with my IKEA Billy shelves, the screws do not hold properly. They are either too loose or loosen again after a short time, making the shelves unstable. I have already made sure to tighten the screws correctly, use the right tools, and follow the instructions. Still, the screws keep loosening, especially at the joints between the shelves and the side panels.

Can anyone give me specific advice on how to make the screws hold permanently? Are there any tricks or alternatives that can be used without having to buy new shelf boards? What could be causing this issue, and how can I prevent the screws from stripping or loosening in the pre-drilled holes? I would be very grateful for any tips – thank you in advance!

Hello! 🙂 That sounds really frustrating when the screws don’t hold, even though you’re doing everything correctly. A little tip from me: sometimes the issue is simply the material, which in Billy shelves tends to be rather thin and not very strong. It often helps to fill the screw holes with some wood glue and small wooden dowels or toothpick pieces before screwing in the screw. This gives the screw more grip.

Also, I would always try to screw in the screws neither too tight nor too loose. Finding the right balance is important so the wood doesn’t become brittle. Maybe this helps? Good luck! 🙂

Hello Ronkar36, I have carefully read your description and would like to provide you with a step-by-step explanation on how to significantly improve the durability of the screws in Billy shelves.

1. Cause: The often simple particleboard used in Billy shelves cannot handle excessive stress at the screw holes. This is why screws tend to loosen quickly.
2. Preparation: If you notice that the screw holes have already become too large, you can fill them slightly with wood shavings (e.g., mixed with wood glue) or use smaller wooden dowels fixed with glue.
3. Installation: Screw in slowly and straight, not too deep, to avoid damaging the material.
4. Alternatives: If you need replacements, it is also possible to use stronger knock-in nuts (also called insert nuts). These distribute the forces better and ensure longer durability.

In summary: Avoid right- and left-hand threads, use appropriately sized screws, and properly prepare the holes. Hope this helps!

Karsten45 schrieb:
Sometimes it’s simply the material, which in the case of Billy shelves is rather thin and not very strong.

That is correct. The chipboard used in Billy shelves is not designed for tightly fastening screws. Such screws are typically used in solid wood or thicker plywood.

My advice: First check if the holes are already worn or enlarged. If so, repair methods such as wooden dowels or wood glue are recommended; otherwise, continuous stress may cause the material to tear out. Using special shelf connectors or brackets can also improve stability. For long-lasting durability, the material and fastening system should be matched to the specific shelf.

Apply wood glue, insert a small piece of wood or a toothpick into the hole, and then screw in the screw. This significantly improves the hold.

If nothing holds, try using larger screws or screws with more threads per inch. It is also important to screw them in correctly—not too loose and not too tight. With Billy shelves, the material can give way especially quickly.