ᐅ Malm drawers don’t close properly – what can be done?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my Ikea Malm dressers: some drawers do not close properly; they get stuck or do not sit flush within the frame. I have already checked if something is blocking the drawer slide, but everything looks clean. Sometimes the drawer catches when closing, and I have to adjust it several times before it fully closes. The dressers are not old and have not been overloaded. Could this be due to the assembly or the slides? What could be the cause, and especially: how can the problem be fixed without completely removing the drawers or buying new slides? Thanks for any tips and experiences!

Blagamalie schrieb:
Sometimes the drawer ‘sticks’ when closing, and I have to adjust it several times before it closes completely.

This sounds like a misalignment of the drawer slides or possibly some dirt that isn’t immediately visible. I would first recommend thoroughly cleaning the slides – that means gently wiping them with a dry cloth and, if necessary, using a bit of isopropyl alcohol to remove grease and dust. Then check if the slides are straight and properly installed, especially whether the screws are tight and nothing is bent.

A common issue with Malm dressers is that the slides inside the cabinet are not exactly parallel, causing sticking points. In this case, you should slightly loosen the screws, realign the slides, and tighten the screws again.

If the problem persists, replacing the slides or fine-tuning with small washers often helps.

chenlen schrieb:
First, I would recommend thoroughly cleaning the tracks – this means gently wiping them with a dry cloth and, if necessary, some isopropanol.

This is an important tip that I can confirm. Often, problems are not caused by a defect right away, but by dust deposits or residues from packaging materials that accumulate in the sliding tracks. Be careful not to use too much liquid, as this can cause the tracks to rust.

Another note: also check the roller or the plastic parts on the tracks. If a roller is damaged or misaligned, the drawer may stick when closing. These small components can sometimes be replaced; Ikea offers spare parts.

Simply remove the drawer and check all the slides for damage and distortions. Most of the time, the problem is caused by bent tabs or warped slides. Then clean everything and reinstall.

Sometimes it helps to make sure the drawer is inserted straight when putting it back in.

Blagamalie schrieb:
Sometimes the drawer gets stuck when closing

Oh, I know that feeling! Often, it helps to completely remove the drawers and then treat the sliding tracks with some wax or a dry lubricant—like a leftover piece of candle. This improves the glide significantly and, unlike grease, won’t wear off quickly.

And yes, small screws tend to loosen on Ikea furniture. After a few months, I always check mine again—it doesn’t take much time.

Good luck, and don’t let it frustrate you! 🙂

Drawers not closing properly? Just check the slides to make sure all screws are tight. Then adjust the front so the drawer closes flush.

With Malm, this is often quite simple using the adjustment screws on the side or underside of the front.