Fill a worn screw hole in chipboard furniture with glue and wooden splinters, then re-drill and refit the screw for a solid hold.
CH-01Take out the loose screw and check the damageUndo the screw fully and set it aside — you'll reuse it later. Look at the hole: if it's just worn round and smooth, this fix will work well. If the hole is torn, oval, or the chipboard around it is crumbling, the repair may not hold and you might need to fix into a different spot instead.
CH-02Clean out the old holeScrape out loose chipboard dust, old glue, and broken fibres using a small flat screwdriver or a bradawl. Blow or vacuum the hole out so it's dust-free. A clean hole lets the new glue bond properly instead of sticking to loose debris.
CH-03Pack the hole with glue and wooden splintersSqueeze PVA wood glue into the hole so it coats the inside. Push in 3-4 wooden cocktail sticks or matchsticks, points first, until the hole feels tightly packed. Add a bit more glue on top to fully coat them — you want no empty gaps left inside.
CH-04For a larger or oval hole, use wood filler insteadIf the hole is too big or too torn for splinters to grip, use a two-part wood filler epoxy instead. Mix a small amount and press it firmly into the hole with a scraper until it's slightly proud of the surface. This sets harder than standard filler and holds a screw better in loose chipboard.
CH-05Let the repair cure fullyLeave the glued splinters or filler to cure for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight if you can. Don't rush this step — if you drill into it too early it will just crumble out again. Check the manufacturer's guidance on the glue or filler tube for exact times.
CH-06Trim flush and drill a new pilot holeOnce cured, use a sharp blade or sandpaper to trim any protruding splinters or filler flush with the surface. Drill a new pilot hole through the centre of the repair, about 1mm narrower than the screw's shaft, to a depth of roughly 15-20mm depending on your screw length. This gives the screw fresh material to bite into.
CH-07Refit the screw and fittingDrive the original screw back in by hand or with a screwdriver, going slowly so it follows the new pilot hole rather than skating off to one side. Stop as soon as it's snug — don't overtighten, as chipboard strips easily. Check the fitting holds firm by gently testing it.
CH-08Tidy upWipe away any dust, excess glue, or filler residue from the surface with a damp cloth. Put spare cocktail sticks, filler, and tools away for next time. Give the repair a final check under light load before you use the furniture normally.