What to Do When You Have a Missing Puzzle Piece

You’re on the final stretch. You’ve sorted, assembled, and admired your progress—and then it hits you. There’s a piece missing. You check under the table, under the box lid, even in your pet’s food dish (no judgment, Oliver has done this to me more than once). Still nothing. So now what?

First, take a breath and know you’re not alone. While it’s rare, missing pieces do happen—and in most cases, it’s due to a manufacturing issue, not anything you did wrong. It’s also not something Puzzle Warehouse can detect or control. We carry thousands of puzzles from over 100 different brands, and once they arrive from the manufacturer, we don’t open the boxes or verify the contents. We rely on the puzzle companies' quality control processes to ensure every box is complete.

That said, manufacturers are getting better and better at preventing missing pieces. For example, Buffalo Games has implemented advanced technology to physically count every piece as it’s packed. That means each 300, 500, or 1000-piece puzzle has been scanned and confirmed before it leaves their facility. With this kind of technology becoming more common, the odds of getting an incomplete puzzle are lower than ever.

Still, we know it’s disappointing when it happens. So what should you do if you suspect a piece is missing?

Step 1: Double-Check Your Workspace

We’ve all been there—convinced a piece is gone forever, only to find it stuck to a cat paw, wedged into the carpet, or hiding under the edge of the box. Before reaching out to the manufacturer, do a thorough sweep of your puzzle area. Check the floor, chair cushions, clothing, pets, and yes—under the table. It’s amazing where those pieces can sneak off to!

Step 2: Identify the Manufacturer

Look at the puzzle box for the brand name and any product information (like a title or item number). Every manufacturer handles missing pieces differently, so this will determine your next steps. If you're not sure who made your puzzle, Puzzle Warehouse product pages usually list the brand just below the puzzle name.

Step 3: Check Out Our Missing Pieces Resource Page

We’ve had a helpful page on this topic for years, and it’s still one of our most-visited support links.  On that page, we’ve compiled direct links and contact instructions for most of the brands we carry. Some offer piece replacements, others may send an entirely new puzzle depending on availability and company policy.

Step 4: Contact the Manufacturer

When you reach out, be ready to provide:

• A photo of the completed puzzle showing the missing piece
• Proof of purchase (a receipt or order confirmation)
• The title or product number of the puzzle

Be patient—response times can vary by company. Some may respond quickly and ship a replacement piece, while others may take longer or offer a replacement puzzle instead.

Can Puzzle Warehouse Replace the Piece?

Unfortunately, we don’t have loose pieces or access to extra parts. Since we aren’t the manufacturer, we can’t verify or fulfill replacement piece requests ourselves. That’s why our Missing Pieces page is your best bet—we’re happy to help you connect with the right contact!

A Final Note of Encouragement

We know a missing piece can feel like a big letdown, especially after hours of work. But it doesn’t have to ruin the whole experience. Some puzzlers choose to get creative—framing it as-is with a note about the mystery piece, turning it into a story, or even crafting a replacement piece for fun. Others simply move on to their next puzzle adventure (we’ve all got a few in the queue, right?).

And remember, if you do get a puzzle with a missing piece, let the manufacturer know! Feedback helps improve quality control, and your report might help prevent it from happening again in the future.

Happy puzzling—missing piece or not!