ᐅ Malm drawers keep falling out – what am I doing wrong?

Hello everyone,

A few weeks ago, I bought the IKEA Malm chest of drawers set and have noticed several times that the drawers often come completely off their tracks and practically fall out when pulled open. This happens even when I don’t overload the drawer or pull it out abruptly.

I assembled the drawers following the instructions, and the runners also appear to be correctly installed. Still, the problem is that sometimes when opening, the drawers come completely off the track and rail, and then I can only put them back in with difficulty and sometimes even some force.

I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong during assembly or operation. Are there any common assembly mistakes with the Malm drawers that could cause them to slip out? Should I perhaps position the end stops on the runners differently, or could the runners be defective?

By the way, I use the drawers for clothes—nothing unusually heavy. I would really appreciate any tips or experiences on how to permanently fix this problem.

Hello Kendu59,

It sounds like the drawer slides may not be properly engaged, or the stop mechanisms might be missing or incorrectly positioned.

Kendu59 schrieb:
Do I maybe need to reposition the endless stops on the slide differently

This is often where problems stop. The endless stops (small plastic or metal catches on the rail) prevent the drawer from being pulled out too far. If these are misplaced or damaged, the drawer can come completely out.

My advice: Check whether the slide is fully engaged and if the stops are installed in the correct direction. Sometimes it also helps to remove the slides entirely and reinstall them carefully according to the instructions.

Also, look out for damage to the slides or worn mounting clips that could be causing the issue.

Please let us know if this helps.

Hello Kendu59,

I had a similar issue with a Malm chest of drawers, and a thorough inspection revealed that the problem was related to the proper locking of the drawers.

The Malm drawers have small side latches inside that secure the drawer when it is fully pushed in. If these latches are not aligned correctly during insertion, the drawer may close but can come off the track when pulled out.

Here is the approach I recommend:

1. Completely remove the drawer from the rails
2. Check for any deformations or missing plastic stops on the runners (these endless stops must be firmly and securely in place)
3. Test fitting a drawer with a lighter load to rule out any influence from weight (clothing generally should not be an issue)
4. Ensure the runners are mounted perfectly parallel to the chest – even slight misalignment can cause the drawer to come off

Finally, when pulling out the drawer, make sure to pull it straight without any sideways force. This helps prevent the drawer from jumping off the rails.

What type of runners do you have installed? (Metal with plastic stops, or fully metal?) A technical drawing or the exact model used could be helpful here.

Looking forward to your response.

Thank you for the detailed responses so far.

@laureo:
I have double-checked the rails, and in my opinion, they are installed correctly. All clips and stoppers are present and positioned as expected. I didn’t notice any incorrect installation of the stopper, but I will definitely remove them again and closely verify whether I have followed the assembly instructions exactly.

@GUSTAVO56:
The point about the orientation of the drawer during insertion and removal is interesting. I have always pulled the drawer straight out, but perhaps I am unintentionally applying some lateral pressure. Metal runners are installed, with plastic stoppers.

Regarding the parallel installation: The dresser is level, but I still need to measure whether the side rails are mounted at the exact same height, especially on the bottom drawer. A loss of parallelism could be a reason.

That’s all for now. I will take a closer look tonight and report back.

Hello Kendu59,

I would like to provide you with a structured guide to analyze and solve the issue "Malm drawers falling out – what am I doing wrong?" step by step:

1. Check the installation of the drawer slides:
- Verify on both the left and right sides that the rails are mounted at exactly the same height.
- Use a spirit level or a ruler if necessary.

2. Inspect the stop mechanisms:
- Are the stops firmly clicked into place and not brittle or damaged?
- The stop prevents the drawer from being fully removed. Incorrect positioning can cause the drawer to fall out.

3. Check the drawer’s internal clips:
- The drawer has small plastic tabs on the sides that must snap into the slide.
- They should make a distinct “click” sound when the drawer is pushed in.

4. Handling:
- Avoid pulling the drawer out unevenly.
- Always pull it straight and apply consistent pressure.

5. If applicable, check for debris or damage on the slide rails.

Summary:
Proper installation of the slides and stops, along with careful handling, are essential. The most common cause is an improperly seated stop or uneven mounting height of the slides.

If you can provide more details about the installation situation, it is worth double-checking the drill holes for any misalignment. Every millimeter counts here; otherwise, the slides will not hold correctly.

I hope this structured approach helps you!

Check if the guide rails are properly engaged and the stoppers are correctly installed.

Sometimes it is enough to insert the drawer slightly deeper into the guide. This helps the mechanism lock in better.

Lift the drawer slightly when pulling it out to prevent it from falling out.