ᐅ Why is my BILLY bookshelf squeaking even though it was assembled correctly?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled a BILLY shelf from IKEA. The assembly was done entirely according to the included instructions, all screws are tight, the shelves are properly placed, and the unit is completely stable. However, the shelf creaks with every movement or when it is bumped lightly.

My question is: Why does my BILLY shelf creak despite correct assembly? Could it be due to wood friction, or are there small uneven surfaces causing this noise? I have already tried adjusting the shelves, but that didn’t help. Are there any tips to eliminate or prevent such noises?

Looking forward to your insights – thanks in advance!

nikusu schrieb:
Despite correct assembly, all screws are tightened properly, yet the shelf creaks with every movement

Hello nikusu,

This is a common issue often encountered with BILLY shelves, even when the assembly appears to be flawless. The creaking usually results from wood-on-wood friction between the shelves and the frame. Even if everything fits correctly, tiny wood fibers or slight fitting inaccuracies can cause it.

I recommend first removing the shelves slightly and gently sanding the bearing surfaces with fine sandpaper or wiping them with a dry cloth. Sometimes, applying a bit of wax or a dry lubricant—such as candle wax—to the metal pins that support the shelves can help (a dry lubricant prevents staining from oils or greases).

Also, check if the back panel is properly finished and free from small uneven spots that might cause the shelf to grip slightly. Such tension can produce noise.

If none of this works, attaching felt pads to the shelves can help reduce friction.

I hope this helps 🙂 Feel free to share what you’ve tried.

emmaju schrieb:
a common issue that often occurs with BILLY shelves

Exactly, just apply some wax or candle wax to the support area of the shelves. Alternatively, place small felt pads underneath; this effectively reduces the squeaking.

nikusu schrieb:
Why is my BILLY shelf squeaking despite correct assembly? Could it be due to wood friction or perhaps small unevenness?

Hello nikusu,

I’d like to take a more systematic approach since you’ve already done a lot correctly.

1. Wood friction and fittings: Your suspicion is absolutely right. BILLY shelves are made of particleboard with a veneer finish. These materials react to humidity and temperature changes, causing slight expansion or contraction. This can create minor friction noises.

2. Screws and connections: Even if the screws are tight, there is often minimal movement in dowels or joinery elements—these small movements can cause creaking or squeaking.

3. Check the back panel: The thin back panel can produce noises under tension if it doesn’t fit perfectly or presses against other parts as the wood shrinks.

What I recommend:

- Step 1: Remove the shelves and lightly sand all contact surfaces to smooth out any rough spots.

- Step 2: Apply a light coating of wax to all metal pins at their support points, as emmaju described.

- Step 3: Inspect the back panel carefully—sometimes loosening or realigning it slightly eliminates faint squeaks.

- Step 4: Finally, attach felt pads under the shelves to dampen any remaining noise.

These steps have helped me with several BILLY shelves.

Best regards!