ᐅ How do I fix Ikea Hemnes drawers that are sticking?

Hello everyone,

I own an Ikea Hemnes dresser with several drawers, which unfortunately have started to stick or catch when being pulled out or pushed in. It’s not a complete break or obvious scraping of the slides. Rather, it feels like certain spots or edges on the drawer slides are no longer running smoothly.

All the drawers are in regular use, and I suspect that due to the weight or frequent use, the mechanism (wooden rails combined with metal runners) may have shifted or worn down slightly.

I’m particularly interested in how to specifically identify these issues with Ikea Hemnes drawers, how to get the drawers moving smoothly again, and whether there are simple repair methods I can perform myself with basic tools.

I use the dresser daily, so I’d prefer to avoid fully disassembling it or ordering replacement parts if there’s an easier way.

Also, does anyone have experience with caring for the wooden components of the Ikea Hemnes to prevent edge wear or fraying that might cause the sticking?

Thanks for your advice!

With Ikea Hemnes drawers that stick, the issue usually comes down to irregularities in the wooden or metal runners.

A systematic inspection of the sliding rails for dirt or deformation is the first step. It can help to carefully smooth the rails with fine sandpaper, for example grit 240.

Additionally, I recommend waxing or oiling the wooden rails to reduce friction.

In most cases, it is not necessary to remove the entire mechanism; adjusting the sliding rails and maintaining the surfaces is sufficient.

SONLIS schrieb:
It can help to gently smooth the rails with fine sandpaper (e.g., grit 240).

That's exactly what I did! I just grabbed a piece of sandpaper and lightly roughened the spots that felt a bit rough – after that, the drawers slid perfectly! Definitely give it a try; it’s really satisfying when everything runs smoothly again!

Remove the drawers and check if the runners are securely fixed. Tighten any loose screws. Then, lightly rub the runners and drawer sides with candle wax. This works well with Hemnes.

SONLIS schrieb:
Usually, it is not necessary to remove the entire mechanism; adjusting the sliding tracks and maintaining the surfaces is sufficient.

Thanks for this advice! Is it really that easy to adjust the sliding tracks of the Hemnes drawers? Do they mean the wooden rails or the metal guides? In my case, it seems the problem is mainly with the wooden strips on the drawer sides, where the drawer actually rests. Would it be advisable to remove the entire strip there and readjust it? Or am I overdoing it?

Ganesh43 schrieb:
Is it really that easy to adjust the runners on Hemnes drawers?

On Hemnes models, the wooden runners are usually fixed in place, but they can sometimes be slightly loosened and realigned.

Important: Check whether the runner itself or the supporting surface is uneven. Any unevenness should be sanded down. Adjustment is done by lightly loosening and then re-screwing the runners so they are parallel.

The metal runners under the drawer (usually ball-bearing) are typically factory-set and should not be adjusted without reason, as this can cause the drawer to catch.

So: Inspect the wooden strips, sand them lightly if needed, and refasten as necessary. Metal parts should only be cleaned and lubricated.