ᐅ IKEA MALM drawers often come off the runners – how can they be secured?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my IKEA Malm dressers, specifically with the drawers: they keep falling out when I use them frequently or store somewhat heavier items. It seems others experience this as well, judging by various online comments. My question is: how can I securely fix the Malm drawers so they don’t accidentally fall all the way out?

I’m not looking for simple tips like “open carefully,” but for practical and lasting solutions or retrofits that prevent the drawers from falling out.

What are your experiences? Are there proven fixes or add-ons that are easy to implement?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I recommend checking the stops on the sliding rails, as they are often damaged or missing.

Alternatively, there are so-called drawer locks that can be installed to prevent the drawer from being pulled out completely.

You can usually find such products at hardware stores or online.

sanjon schrieb:
I recommend checking the stoppers on the drawer slides, as they are often faulty or missing.

That is definitely a good first step. The IKEA MALM drawers have small plastic stops on the slides designed to prevent the drawer from being pulled out completely. However, these stoppers are often the issue: they can be worn, bent, or even break over time.

A helpful approach is to fully remove the drawer and carefully inspect the slides on both sides. Especially with older furniture, material fatigue can occasionally occur.

sanjon schrieb:
Alternatively, there are so-called drawer locks you can install to prevent the drawer from being pulled out completely.

Here’s a tip from me: there are retrofit kits with metal or plastic locks that can be screwed onto the guide rails. These are very sturdy and can reliably prevent the drawer from falling out. Installation usually requires just a screwdriver and can be done in a few minutes.

However, if your MALM has specific variations in its assembly (for example, modified suspension or newer models with different slides), it would be helpful to know the exact year of manufacture or model so I can provide more precise recommendations.

Additionally, it’s worth considering the drawer’s load: if you store very heavy items, the system might reach its limits as the MALM is generally designed for household items.

If you have more details, feel free to share!

Hey Doplo7, this is a great topic because many people know the problem and often find it frustrating! 🙂

I had the same issue and simply attached small rubber buffers to the sliding rails – really simple, but they hold up well and prevent the drawer from sliding all the way out. It’s not an expensive solution and works perfectly!

I also checked the stops, as Filippo already mentioned, and made some adjustments – those parts are really prone to problems!

Keep at it, you’ll handle this great! If you want, I can send you some tips later on which buffers or safety devices I used. 🙂