ᐅ What should you do if the screws in BILLY cabinets strip out due to the material?

Hello everyone, I am currently facing the problem that the screws in the side panels of my IKEA Billy shelf keep pulling out. This seems to be due to the material, as the particleboard is relatively soft and does not provide very stable support. Now I’m wondering what the best way to solve this issue is without making major changes or significant modifications to the shelf. Are there certain types of screws, wall plugs, or other methods that can help prevent pulling out in the Billy shelf due to the relatively soft material? I would really appreciate tips and experiences, especially practical solutions that remain stable in the long term.

Use longer screws with a thicker diameter and apply wood glue inside the drilled hole. This helps the chipboard hold together better.

Hello, the issue with BILLY is actually quite well known, as the sides are made from relatively thin particleboard. Damage mainly occurs with frequent assembly and disassembly. I recommend first filling the screw holes with a specialized wood repair kit (e.g., wood filler or wooden dowels), then applying appropriate wood glue before reassembling and using light-duty dowels. Alternatively, you can use so-called threaded inserts or metal thread sleeves, which can be pressed into the wood and are much more durable. It is important to be careful with the tightening torque to avoid stripping.

Hey, great that you brought up this topic! Imagine, I had the same problem and then used threaded inserts – they are a real game changer! 🙂 You can definitely manage it, and your BILLY will be super stable again. The important thing is: Don’t get discouraged, every step makes the shelf more stable!

It is interesting that everyone here relies on wood glue, dowels, or threaded inserts. But let’s consider this question: Didn’t IKEA intentionally choose the material to reduce costs? The material is not solid wood but particleboard, which by definition is less load-bearing. Simply using different screws only shifts the problem, doesn’t it? Perhaps it makes more sense to focus less on the fastening method and instead assess whether the piece of furniture is actually suitable for its intended purpose.

I completely understand how frustrating it is when screws keep pulling out. I experienced the same. It feels like you’re constantly repairing and never have real peace of mind. But honestly, sometimes it helps to start small and stabilize things step by step. A bit of patience and exchanging ideas here in the forum really gives strength. 🙂 Maybe a combination of repair paste and careful tightening does help after all.