ᐅ IKEA Malm dresser drawer not closing properly – what could be the cause?
Created on: 4 Mar 2021 08:37
K
KeeganHello everyone,
I have an IKEA Malm dresser, and I noticed that one of the drawers no longer closes properly. The problem is that the drawer either gets stuck somewhere or simply doesn’t fully latch at the end. The dresser is perfectly level on the floor, I have checked and cleaned the drawer slides, but the issue remains the same.
Could this be due to incorrect alignment of the drawer or perhaps a warped component? Are there common causes that typically lead to this problem with the Malm dresser?
I would appreciate any expert advice, including tips for better diagnosing the issue so I can fix it myself. Thanks in advance!
I have an IKEA Malm dresser, and I noticed that one of the drawers no longer closes properly. The problem is that the drawer either gets stuck somewhere or simply doesn’t fully latch at the end. The dresser is perfectly level on the floor, I have checked and cleaned the drawer slides, but the issue remains the same.
Could this be due to incorrect alignment of the drawer or perhaps a warped component? Are there common causes that typically lead to this problem with the Malm dresser?
I would appreciate any expert advice, including tips for better diagnosing the issue so I can fix it myself. Thanks in advance!
Hello Keegan,
I’ll briefly explain the possible causes of your problem with the IKEA Malm chest of drawers and how you can check it yourself step by step to get the drawer to close properly again:
1. Check the drawer slides on both sides of the drawer for any damage. Often, a loose screw or a bent metal part causes scraping.
2. Make sure the drawer slides are properly seated in the cabinet and not misaligned. Especially with the Malm, the slides are hooked in and must fit precisely.
3. Verify that the drawer moves straight along the slides. If it runs crooked, it can catch at the back and fail to engage properly.
4. Pay attention to the small plastic stops at the end of the slides that ensure the drawer locks into place. If these are broken or displaced, the closing function won’t work correctly.
5. Finally, a slightly warped drawer front can also obstruct movement, for example due to moisture or mechanical stress.
Summary: The problem is usually caused by the slides, bent parts, or faulty stops. It is important to carefully and systematically check everything to identify any misalignments.
I hope these steps help you resolve the issue!
I’ll briefly explain the possible causes of your problem with the IKEA Malm chest of drawers and how you can check it yourself step by step to get the drawer to close properly again:
1. Check the drawer slides on both sides of the drawer for any damage. Often, a loose screw or a bent metal part causes scraping.
2. Make sure the drawer slides are properly seated in the cabinet and not misaligned. Especially with the Malm, the slides are hooked in and must fit precisely.
3. Verify that the drawer moves straight along the slides. If it runs crooked, it can catch at the back and fail to engage properly.
4. Pay attention to the small plastic stops at the end of the slides that ensure the drawer locks into place. If these are broken or displaced, the closing function won’t work correctly.
5. Finally, a slightly warped drawer front can also obstruct movement, for example due to moisture or mechanical stress.
Summary: The problem is usually caused by the slides, bent parts, or faulty stops. It is important to carefully and systematically check everything to identify any misalignments.
I hope these steps help you resolve the issue!
Keegan schrieb:
Could this be due to incorrect alignment of the drawer or perhaps a warped component?Hello Keegan,
let’s approach the problem a bit more analytically to get to the root cause. A Malm dresser is characterized by simple yet precisely installed drawer slides that define the drawer’s movement.
Typically, I would first check the following points carefully:
1. Horizontal and vertical alignment of the drawer: Even slight inaccuracies during installation or prolonged use can cause the drawer to stick sideways. It’s best to remove the drawer completely and check the tracks and slides for any skewing.
2. Drawer slides and stop mechanisms: The drawer guide works with plastic stoppers and metal rails. If any of these stoppers are broken or misaligned, the drawer will not operate correctly, preventing smooth closing.
3. Drawer front and body: Warping from temperature and humidity is rare but possible. Especially with engineered wood materials, a bowed front panel can hinder smooth sliding.
4. Load and installation: Overloading the drawer can cause skewing. Also, an uneven floor or a warped dresser base can cause problems.
I would recommend testing the dresser on a different, perfectly level surface.
For better understanding: the Malm drawer guide consists of two main components: the slides themselves with a side hook mechanism and the end stops that ensure secure locking. Check carefully if everything is intact in these areas.
One question: does the problem occur with all drawers or only a specific one? That can help narrow down the cause.
SUDAN schrieb:
Pay attention to the small plastic stops at the ends of the drawer slides that ensure they lock into place. If these are broken or misaligned, the closing mechanism won’t work properly.Thanks for these helpful tips! I just took another close look at these plastic stops: one of them is indeed a bit loose and slightly damaged.
Even after removing the drawer, I noticed that the slides are slightly bent on one side, which probably explains why it’s getting stuck.
PLOMA schrieb:
Does the problem occur with all drawers or just a specific one? That can help narrow down the cause.It actually only affects the lowest drawer. I suspect that the load on that one is simply greater.
I will try to replace the plastic stops and straighten the slides. If that doesn’t solve the issue, I’ll get back to you. Thanks for the support so far 🙂
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