Inadequate bowel preparation (IBP) prior to colonoscopy remains a common problem. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the risk factors associated with IBP. We searched multiple databases for studies that assessed risk factors for IBP after adjustment and reported the data as adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model, and pooled adjusted ORs for risk factors reported in ≥3 studies were constructed. 154 studies with 258,257 participants were included. We analyzed 48 unique risk factors. Sociodemographic predictors of IBP were Medicaid insurance, obesity, current tobacco use, age≥65, Black race, low education level, male gender, and unmarried status. Comorbidity-related predictors of IBP were any psychiatric disease, cirrhosis, ASA class≥3, poor functional status, constipation, diabetes, prior abdominopelvic surgery, and hematochezia. Medication-related predictors of IBP were tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), antidepressants, opioid, non-TCA antidepressants, and calcium channel blockers. Preparation/procedure-related predictors of IBP were brown liquid rectal effluent, any incomplete bowel preparation (BP) intake, lack of split-dose BP, increased BP-to-defecation interval, any non-adherence to dietary instructions, increased BP-to-colonoscopy interval, any BP intolerance, prior IBP, and inpatient status. While afternoon colonoscopy was a predictor of IBP, subgroup analysis of prospective studies revealed no significant association. Our meta-analysis focused on adjusted risk factors to provide precise estimates of the most important risk factors for IBP. Our findings could help develop a validated prediction model to identify high-risk patients for IBP, improve colonoscopy outcomes, reduce the need for repeat colonoscopies, and reduce associated healthcare costs.