ᐅ What can I do if screws are stripping or pulling out in a BILLY unit?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my BILLY shelving unit from IKEA: the screws keep pulling out, especially when I move the shelf a few times or place some heavier books on it. The screws in question are those that attach the back panel and sides, so they aren’t supposed to carry heavy loads.

My specific question is: what can I do if the screws in a BILLY shelving unit keep pulling out? Are there ways to repair the shelf or improve the durability of the screw fittings? Maybe you have tips on which screws to use or tricks during assembly to prevent this from happening repeatedly.

I have considered filling the holes with wood glue and wood shavings, but I am not sure how durable that would be. Other reinforcements are also welcome; I just want the shelf to stay stable and prevent the screws from “pulling out” of the wood.

I’m looking forward to your experiences and advice!

Hello Keore,

I’m familiar with the problem of stripped screws in BILLY shelves, especially when the wood is thin and the shelf is moved or loaded frequently.

This issue usually occurs because the holes are too large or have been worn out, causing the screws to lose their grip. A good method is to first fill the old holes with wood glue and small wood shavings or even toothpick pieces, then let it dry. After that, you can reinsert the screws, which restores stability.

Alternatively, wood filler or repair putty products work well, as they are often harder and hold the screw securely. However, it’s important not to overtighten the screws, as this can further damage the wood.

Sometimes replacing the screws with slightly larger ones designed for thicker materials—such as coarse-threaded chipboard screws—helps.

I also recommend, if possible, replacing the screws with dowels or threaded inserts. These provide significantly better hold and prevent stripping.

Ultimately, handling is crucial: if the shelf is moved frequently, tightening the screws more often helps maintain stability.

Best regards!

gregto schrieb:
Alternatively, so-called wood pearl fix or repair putty products work well; they are often harder and hold the screw securely.

I would generally question that statement, because many wood filler materials may be hard but also brittle, which can cause microcracks when driving in a screw, potentially weakening the material over time.

To me, it seems far more important that the screw is properly sized for the material and the load. Many BILLY shelves come with relatively short, thin screws that provide little grip in chipboard.

gregto schrieb:
Sometimes replacing them with slightly larger screws suitable for thicker materials helps — for example, chipboard screws with coarse threads.

In my opinion, this is the key point, especially since the chipboard in BILLY shelves is not solid wood quality but rather porous.

Another option that is rarely discussed is using so-called threaded inserts (e.g., metal sleeves or threaded bushings) that are anchored inside the hole and provide much better grip for the screw.

It’s important to add: The advice to “not overtighten” is well intentioned, but often precision — particularly proper pilot hole drilling and slow screwing — is more effective than simply controlling the applied force.

So my recommendations would be:
1. Drill pilot holes with the correct diameter
2. Use stronger screws or threaded inserts
3. Only for shelves under little or no load, occasionally perform minor repairs with wood shavings and glue

Who here has long-term experience with this?

I want to add this because the issue of screws pulling out from BILLY shelves is often underestimated.

The main problem really lies in the material quality of the particleboard. Once the screws are repeatedly loosened and tightened, the holes expand and the particleboard loses its grip. A lasting solution therefore requires reinforcing these areas.

My recommendation:

1. Remove the old screws and clean out the holes completely.
2. Fill the holes with wood glue mixed with wood chips (or small wood pieces of similar material). This creates a new, uniform filler.
3. After drying, you can reuse the old screws or—better yet—use slightly thicker particleboard screws.
4. For heavily stressed areas (especially shelves and side joints), I recommend inserting wooden dowels or threaded inserts that screw into the hole and then hold the screw like a metal thread.

One last tip: Especially with BILLY, if you move or rearrange the shelf often, it makes sense for added security to attach small angle brackets on the inside. This helps distribute the load and relieves stress on the screws.

In my experience, these measures are the most effective way to fix the problem permanently.