ᐅ Kallax shelves creak, especially after moving – is this normal?

Hello everyone,

I recently reassembled my Kallax shelving unit after a move, and I noticed that the individual shelves often creak and make cracking noises when stepped on or even just walked over. This didn’t happen before, or at least not as noticeably. Does anyone have experience with whether this creaking is normal after a move or when reinstalling the shelves?

I’m wondering if the transport or reassembly caused tension or slight misalignments that might be causing the noise. The shelf is placed on a relatively level laminate floor and isn’t overloaded, only filled with books.

Are there any tips on how to reduce or fix these noises without taking the shelf apart? Or would it be advisable to carefully check the shelves again for alignment or material fatigue?

I’m grateful for any suggestions!

The cause of the creaking in your Kallax shelves after moving can be varied. Generally, the noise occurs where different materials rub against each other. IKEA typically uses particleboard with a melamine-coated surface for Kallax, which can slightly shift or snap back and forth at the frame joints or the shelves themselves.

I recommend the following steps:

1. Check if all shelves are properly seated in the designated grooves or slots – sometimes the shelves shift slightly during transport.

2. Inspect if any shelves wobble slightly at the edges. Even small gaps can cause creaking sounds.

3. Insert small strips of felt or foam rubber between the shelves and the inside of the frame. These reduce friction and minimize noise.

4. Check if there is a slight height difference under the unit that puts pressure on certain panels.

5. As a last step, you can apply special furniture wax or silicone sprays to the contact points to reduce friction.

Are there also temperature fluctuations or changes in humidity in your room that might cause the wood to expand or contract?

Squeaking after moving in is often normal. Simply align the shelves accurately and, if necessary, place small felt pads underneath. Sometimes tightening the screws on the shelf a bit more firmly also helps.

kaubi schrieb:
I recommend the following approach first: Check whether all shelves are properly seated in the intended groove or recess.

That’s a good point. Due to the material, even minimal deviations can cause audible noises. Environmental conditions also play a role, since engineered wood products like particleboard absorb and release moisture, leading to expansion.

Basically, creaking is not a defect but friction caused by adjustment. Regularly checking and, if necessary, readjusting the shelving after moving is therefore appropriate.

Oh yes, the Kallax sometimes creaks for me too, especially after I’ve recently moved it – that’s kind of normal, the shelf just needs a little time to settle in 😉 I placed some felt pads between the shelf board and the frame, and since then it has improved a lot. Give that a try, it doesn’t cost much and saves the need for a vise-like investigator effort :-)

joodu schrieb:
The shelf is placed on a relatively level laminate floor and is not overloaded, only filled with books.

Thanks for the additional information. Laminate flooring is generally a good base, but if it is slightly uneven, it can cause minor movement stresses. One tip: check the stability of the Kallax feet. Are there plastic glides? Sometimes replacing them with felt pads or non-slip pads can help. This reduces slipping and minimizes noise.

Have you tried gently moving the assembled shelf or tightening the joints? The screws might be a bit loose.