ᐅ KALLAX screws loosen even after tightening – what now?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my IKEA KALLAX shelf: despite tightening the screws several times, they loosen again on their own after a while. The issue concerns the metal connectors (the so-called dowels and screws) that keep the shelf stable.

I have tightened the screws multiple times, even tried slightly different tightening methods, but the problem persists. The stability suffers somewhat, and I wonder if this is a material or design issue with the KALLAX, or if I am doing something wrong.

Has anyone experienced something similar and perhaps found a long-lasting solution to the screws loosening?

What approach or materials would you recommend to prevent the screws from loosening again? For example, PTFE tape, thread locker, different screws, or any special assembly tips?

Thank you in advance!

benheidi schrieb:
Despite tightening the screws several times, they loosen again on their own after a while.

That sounds really frustrating, benheidi! This is unfortunately a common issue with particle board furniture, as the material tends to give slightly under load and due to moisture.

One trick that worked well for me: apply a medium-strength thread locker (e.g., blue Loctite) to the screws before tightening them. This keeps the connection stable without making it impossible to remove the screws later if needed.

Also, make sure the wall plugs are properly seated inside and haven’t already become worn out. Otherwise, retightening won’t help.

Good luck and don’t get discouraged; sometimes a bit of DIY ingenuity is needed! 🙂

TAUPLO schrieb:
Use medium-strength threadlocker (e.g., blue Loctite)

Exactly that! I use it on my KALLAX as well and am quite satisfied. Additionally: first unscrew the bolts and gently roughen the threaded area with fine sandpaper, so the threadlocker adheres better.

Sometimes the locking points in furniture aren’t ideal, especially if the wood compresses. But with the combination of threadlocker and slight roughening, it becomes more secure.

Don’t forget: after tightening, wait a few hours before putting any load on the shelf 😉

putan schrieb:
First, unscrew the screws and gently “scratch” the threaded area with fine sandpaper

Thanks for the tips, putan!

The sandpaper idea sounds interesting – I haven’t tried that before.

The problem is that I don’t really have a classic wood thread – often the screws are in plastic or chipboard anchors.

Can this method still be applied in such cases? Or would you recommend other techniques if the thread is not metal?

In short: If the dowels in the particleboard are already worn out, even the best screw locking solution won’t help anymore.

You can try:
- Securing the dowels in the holes with some wood glue,
- Using longer screws,
- Or, if possible, adding metal brackets for extra reinforcement.

This is especially true for KALLAX, where the joints often aren’t ideal for long-term stability.

It worked wonders for me; the shelf is now much sturdier!

Attach metal brackets or corner connectors from the hardware store. Use screws with thread locker and check them every few months.