ᐅ What to do if Ikea Hemnes drawers stick and are difficult to open?

Hello everyone,

I’ve been having an issue with my Ikea Hemnes chest of drawers for some time now. Some of the drawers stick or can only be pulled out with noticeable resistance. This mostly affects the lower drawers, which feel quite stiff to open.

I have already checked for any foreign objects or dirt in the drawer slides, but there is nothing unusual to be seen. The drawers are properly aligned, and at first glance, the slides seem to be in good condition.

I’m mainly interested in the possible causes for Hemnes drawers that no longer slide smoothly. I’m also looking for proven methods or tips to restore quiet and smooth operation without having to remove the entire drawer or replace parts.

Do you have any experience with this issue or special tricks that have worked well for you? Thanks in advance for your support!

Hello Cyprian46,

First of all, thank you for your detailed and precise description of the problem; it really helps with the assessment!

With Ikea Hemnes drawers, it is common to see that while the drawer slides are quite sturdy, dust, fibers, or small particles can accumulate over time. This alone can significantly affect the smoothness of operation. Also, the plastic drawer guides do not always run perfectly smoothly, especially if they have shifted or become slightly bent.

As a first step, I would recommend carefully removing the drawers and thoroughly cleaning the slides with a dry cloth or a small brush. Technically, you can also use a little silicone spray to reduce friction, but it should be applied very sparingly – just a small amount is enough.

Furthermore, make sure that the drawers are not overloaded, as this puts additional strain on the slides.

If the slides are slightly bent, gently realigning them by hand or with a small tool can often help.

If you like, I can provide a step-by-step guide on how to safely remove and maintain the drawers; it’s not as complicated as it sounds!

To add to Jukin’s point:

I would also highlight that the load and alignment of the drawers are key factors. Ikea often uses side-mounted metal runners with plastic rollers in Hemnes drawers. Over time, the rollers may stop rolling smoothly due to dirt or slight deformations and instead get stuck sideways.

I recommend checking the runners carefully to ensure they are seated evenly and inspecting the rollers both in the drawer and on the runners for damage. If any rollers are broken or heavily worn, they can be replaced. Ikea offers spare parts that can be ordered specifically.

In this context, it is also worth testing the drawer’s load: sometimes an incorrectly installed bottom panel causes warping or angle deviations that affect the sliding action.

If the drawers are mounted too tightly in the front frame, recalibrating the fit when reinstalling can help—allowing slightly more clearance to prevent sticking.

In short: clean the runners, check the rollers, monitor the load, and if necessary, realign the drawer.

Jukin schrieb:
As a first step, I would recommend carefully removing the drawers and thoroughly cleaning the runners with a dry cloth or a small brush.

Removing them is not a problem for me, by the way. In my case, the drawer seems to create slightly more friction along the side edges than I am used to with other furniture. Could this be due to insufficient lubrication or perhaps a tolerance issue during manufacturing?

JONSON schrieb:
Sometimes an incorrectly installed bottom panel causes warping or angle deviations that affect the drawer’s movement.

That sounds plausible. I will check the bottom panels for warping. Do you have any tips on how to identify this as precisely as possible? Is there a specific joint or area to inspect closely, or is it more about assessing the overall condition?

Thanks so far, I will start with cleaning and checking and share my findings here.

Honestly, Hemnes is a great design, but when it comes to the drawer slides, they can sometimes be a bit tricky – let’s just say, it’s not a high-end system 😂

My advice: Before reaching for heavy-duty lubricants, try simply rubbing the slides with some dry graphite powder. It’s often less sticky than oil or silicone spray. Sometimes, common household solutions can work better.

And yes, just like JONSON said: If the drawer is even slightly misaligned, it will stick. No magic needed, a little patience with adjusting often solves the issue with Hemnes.

Using a basic spirit level and a small angle gauge, you can also check the sides to see if the front is really level. That really worked wonders for me over time.

For those who plan to use them: Please don’t overload the drawers, or you’ll put unnecessary stress on these good pieces of furniture.

In summary:

- A common cause of sticking and noisy sliding in Ikea Hemnes drawers is dirt in the runners or on the plastic rollers.
- Regular maintenance by cleaning with dry cloths or brushes is recommended.
- A light, quick-drying lubricant, such as silicone spray, can improve function where friction points occur.
- Proper inspection of the drawer installation, including the bottom panels for warping, is essential. A simple spirit level and a square can be sufficient for this check.
- Damaged or worn parts, such as the rollers, should be replaced in detail.

These steps provide the foundation for a sustainable solution to the problem without excessive effort.