ᐅ Why does my BILLY bookshelf squeak when it is loaded?

Hello everyone,

I recently got a Billy shelf unit from IKEA, and it squeaks every time I put weight on it, for example when placing a book or loading the shelves with some weight. The noise usually comes from the connection points between the shelves and the side panels, but it’s not constant—it only occurs under load or when I cause slight movements.

I’m curious about the exact reason for this squeaking. Is it caused by the design, the materials, assembly errors, or possible changes due to moisture? Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the noise?

I would appreciate expert comments and tips, thank you!

The squeaking is probably caused by friction between the wooden or particle boards, which can shift slightly. Check if all screws are tightened. Sometimes a drop of oil or silicone spray on the joints can help.

The cause of squeaking in BILLY shelves is often due to friction between the engineered wood panels and the shelf supports or guide profiles. Since the shelves are made of particleboard with a melamine coating, loading can cause slight movements between the shelf components, which generate the noise.

Moisture can cause the panels to swell slightly, affecting the fit and increasing friction. Ideally, the room air should be dry, and screws should be occasionally tightened to keep the parts stable. Applying paraffin-based wax to the surfaces where the shelf rests can also help reduce friction.

Ryker66 schrieb:
Sometimes a drop of oil or silicone spray on the joints can help.

I understand that can be helpful, but I would be careful not to use too much oil, so the entire shelf doesn’t end up feeling artificially greasy.

I’m familiar with this issue because I have a similar shelf myself. At first, I was also annoyed by the squeaking, but after a while, it settled down—probably because the parts adjusted slightly.

It might also be a matter of load: if the shelf is never overloaded and the shelves are not constantly bearing weight, the noise often stays minimal.

The cause of the squeaking is indeed mechanical. The BILLY shelves are made from laminated particleboard, which can expand and contract slightly depending on temperature and humidity. The panels especially respond to pressure and weight with minimal deformation, causing friction at the contact points.

An important factor is the assembly: if the shelves and cam locks are not fitted perfectly, the problem worsens. I recommend carefully reviewing the assembly instructions and possibly easing the connection points by placing thin felt pads or specialized furniture glides between the contact surfaces to reduce friction and therefore the squeaking.

Hey, it’s great that you’re looking into the problem in such detail! 🙂

I had the same squeaking issue with my BILLY bookshelf and just treated it with wax. Candle wax works really well: I rubbed a piece of wax onto the shelf board, especially where the squeaking occurred. After that, it was quiet!

You just have to be careful not to use too much, or the shelf can become slippery. But the squeaking was gone, and I was really relieved! If you haven’t tried this yet, you might want to give it a shot!