ᐅ How can I fix loose screws in Ikea Metod cabinets?

Hello everyone,

I have several Ikea Metod cabinets in my kitchen, and the screws on the hinges and mounting points are slowly becoming loose. The problem is that they keep loosening again, which causes the doors and shelves to no longer hold properly or to sag. I suspect that the material might have stretched a bit or the drill holes have become enlarged.

I would like to know the best way to repair these loose screws so that they fit firmly again and the cabinets remain stable. Are there proven methods to re-secure the screws without having to disassemble the entire front or the cabinet piece?

Which tools and aids should I use for this, and how can I prevent the screws from loosening again later? If there are any special tips for the cabinet material or the types of screws used in Ikea Metod, I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi KISEBI,

I’m familiar with this problem – these screws can sometimes be really tricky. 😅 My advice: If you notice the screws are only a bit loose, it often helps to fully remove the screw and then fill the hole inside with a small piece of wood or a toothpick combined with wood glue. Once the glue is dry, you can screw it back in, and it holds very well.

If you don’t have wood glue, some wood filler or wood putty will also work. The important thing is to seal the hole on the inside so the screw has something to grip.

A small warning: Don’t tighten too much, or you might damage the material even more. Good luck – and don’t worry, this is usually quite easy to fix!

Wood glue into the hole, insert a few toothpicks, let it dry, then back the screw out. This is how you secure the screw permanently.

KISEBI schrieb:
I would like to know the best way to fix these loose screws so that they hold firmly again and the cabinets remain stable.

Regarding the repair of loose screws in Ikea Metod cabinets, a multi-step approach is recommended:

- First, remove the screw completely and inspect the drilled hole. Metod cabinets are usually made of particleboard or a similar engineered wood product, which can easily become stripped if overloaded.

- To address this, filling the hole with gap-free curing wood glue combined with small wood shims or toothpick pieces is effective. Alternatively, wood filler putty can be used.

- The filling material should dry completely, ideally for 24 hours, before reinserting the screw with moderate torque.

- For particularly damaged holes, inserting a wooden or plastic dowel after appropriate adjustment can also be helpful.

- It is important not to overtighten the screws, as this can damage the material again. A torque of about 2 to 3 Nm (18 to 27 in-lb) is usually sufficient.

- Do not use general-purpose adhesives or similar products, as they do not stabilize the screw connection.

- Pay attention to the type of screw: usually, Phillips or Torx screws are used. The proper screwdriver prevents damage to the screw heads.

You may also want to check the hinges to ensure they distribute mechanical stress evenly. Any further questions? Which exact screws are affected?

Parbo schrieb:
The filler material should be allowed to dry completely, ideally for more than 24 hours, before the screw is reinserted with moderate torque.

I can confirm that. Don’t screw in too early; then the fixation holds really well.