Rule out the usual hiding places first. If the piece really is gone, check the set piece by piece
and leave with the element ID LEGO asks for, or a link to buy the part.
LEGO counts 541 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 547; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.
Before you call it missing
Builders who report a missing piece often find it in one of these places. Tick each one off as you look.
Technic Steering Ball Joint Large ReceptacleDark Bluish GrayPart 92911Element 4610380×1
Technic Wedge Belt Wheel [aka Pulley]Dark Bluish GrayPart 4185Element 6321744 or 4587275×4
White
25 pieces
Hub, EV3 Brick [Complete Assembly]WhitePart 95646c01Element 6261688 or 6187080×1
Technic Beam 1 x 11.5 Double Bent ThickWhitePart 32009Element 6271161 or 6004157×4
Technic Beam 1 x 15 ThickWhitePart 32278Element 4542578 or 4227533×6
Technic Beam 1 x 7 Bent (4 - 4) ThickWhitePart 32348Element 6278132 or 4509912×6
Technic Beam 3 x 5 L-Shape ThickWhitePart 32526Element 6632144 or 4585040×4
Technic Tooth 1 x 3 with Axle Hole [Rounded Underside]WhitePart 41669Element 4173941×4
Tan
16 pieces
Technic Axle Pin without Friction Ridges LengthwiseTanPart 3749Element 4666579 or 4186017×8
Technic Gear 12 Tooth BevelTanPart 6589Element 4565452 or 45145561 spare in the box×2
Technic Pin Long without Friction RidgesTanPart 32556×6
Yellow
14 pieces
Technic Beam 1 x 3 ThickYellowPart 32523Element 4153707×4
Technic Bush 1/2 Smooth with Axle Hole Semi-ReducedYellowPart 32123bElement 6271167 or 32123241 spare in the box×10
Green
4 pieces
Technic Beam 1 x 3 ThickGreenPart 32523Element 6007973 or 4158868×4
Dark Tan
2 pieces
Technic Axle 3 with StudDark TanPart 6587Element 6031821 or 6013821×2
[No Color/Any Color]
2 pieces
Activity Booklet - Cover and Inventory Card - Set 45544[No Color/Any Color]Part 45544bc×1
Sticker Sheet for Set 45544-1[No Color/Any Color]Part 42806×1
Chrome Silver
1 piece
Technic Steel Ball 18 mmChrome SilverPart 99948Element 6114171 or 6079570×1
Trans-Clear
1 piece
Storage Bin Lid, Dacta [For New Style Trays]Trans-ClearPart 54190×1
Tick each piece as you find it, or mark it missing.
When a piece really is missing
Ask LEGO
LEGO takes requests for pieces missing from a new set through its customer service site. The form asks for
the set number and each piece's element ID, the number printed beside the piece in the parts list at the back
of the instructions. This checker lists both.
Mark a piece missing and your list links it to an eBay search for that part, which also covers pieces from
older or second-hand sets.
Keep a record
Copy or download your missing list (the CSV opens in any spreadsheet), or print the whole checklist and tick
pieces off on paper. Your marks stay in this browser, so you can check a big set over several sittings.