IKEA assembly instructions PDF: how to find and use them correctly?

You found a MALM chest of drawers on a second-hand site. Or your moving boxes are finally open. Your PAX wardrobe lies in pieces on the floor, but the paper manual has disappeared. Assembling it "by feel" is risky: it is a common way to split the particle board.

Why is my IKEA furniture unstable?

The furniture wobbles or the boards are separating. This is a common problem. The cause is often simple: the cam lock (ref. 110519) is poorly inserted or was not turned 180°.

Check the orientation of the arrow on the part. It must point toward the pin hole. Turn it a half-turn clockwise until you feel firm resistance. The furniture then becomes solid.

How to adjust wardrobe doors that rub?

The gap between the doors is uneven. The doors touch or rub. This is not a manufacturing defect, but an adjustment issue. The hinge (ref. 121215) has three adjustment screws.

The front screw manages the lateral position. The rear screw adjusts the depth. The screw on the mounting plate manages the height. Turn them in quarter-turns and test the closing after each modification.

Where to find an IKEA assembly manual in PDF?

For furniture still on sale, the official IKEA website is the direct source. Enter the product name or its 8-digit reference (e.g., 104.323.25). In the product sheet, go to the "Assembly and documents" tab to open the PDF.

If the product is no longer marketed, it often remains on IKEA's servers. Use this specific command in Google: filetype:pdf site:ikea.com [Name or Code].

Example: filetype:pdf site:ikea.com 101.556.71.

This method forces Google to search only for PDFs on the IKEA domain. It is a reliable solution for vintage furniture. As a last resort, sites like Manuall.fr or Modesdemploi.fr archive community scans.

Why keep your manual after assembly?

The manual is the health record of your furniture. Keep it in your cloud for three reasons:

1. Ordering parts: The 6-digit code for each screw or dowel is found in the PDF inventory list. Without it, identifying the exact part is difficult.
2. Moving properly: Follow the steps in reverse to disassemble without tearing the wood fibers.
3. Reselling: An ad mentioning "PDF manual provided" reassures the buyer about the care given to the furniture.

What tips for durable assembly?

Particle board is unforgiving of mistakes. Here is how to preserve it:

Tools: Avoid electric screwdrivers for final tightening. The wood strips instantly. Use them for pre-assembly, but always finish with a manual screwdriver.

Squaring: Before fixing the back panel, measure the two diagonals of the furniture. They must be strictly identical. If the furniture leans, the back panel will not stabilize anything and your drawers will slide poorly.

Wall mounting: IKEA does not provide wall plugs. For drywall, use metal Molly bolts. For concrete, choose quality nylon plugs. Basic plastic plugs are insufficient for heavy furniture.

Rescue: If a hole is stripped, do not force it. Insert a toothpick with wood glue, cut the excess, and screw back in. The added wood provides grip.

Protection: Assemble your furniture on the packaging cardboard. This protects your floor and prevents chipping the furniture corners.

Finally, check your fasteners. A poorly inserted wooden dowel (ref. 101351) can weaken the entire structure.

Find your manuals and the necessary spare parts below.