ᐅ How can I adjust Ikea HEMNES drawers if they are sticking or rubbing?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled my IKEA Hemnes drawer chest and noticed that some of the drawers rub when opening and closing. The drawer slides seem to be installed correctly, yet there is noticeable resistance and sometimes the drawers squeak. My question is: how can I secure or adjust the IKEA Hemnes drawers to eliminate the rubbing?

I am particularly interested in whether the metal slides can still be adjusted or if it might help to modify the drawer front or the side panels. I would appreciate any advice on the exact procedure, recommended tools, and any useful tips for the best possible solution.

Thanks in advance!

yannbu schrieb:
How can I fix or clamp the IKEA HEMNES drawers so that the scraping noise disappears?

Hey! I know that scraping problem—it’s really annoying when the drawers don’t slide smoothly 😅. With HEMNES, it’s often the case that the drawer slides have a bit of play, and with some fine adjustment you can get them running more smoothly.

Here are a few tips that worked for me:
- Pull the drawer completely out and check the slides for any damage
- Slightly twist or tilt the runners to realign the profile
- Sometimes it helps to loosen the screws on the slides a bit, adjust their position slightly, and then tighten them again
- If the front or sides are scraping, you can gently sand the affected areas with fine-grit sandpaper—just take it slow and test frequently

Don’t worry about light self-adjustments; HEMNES units are quite sturdy. Hope this helps you out a bit! 😊

yannbu schrieb:
I am particularly interested in whether it is still possible to adjust the metal runners or if it might help to make some modifications to the drawer front or the side panels.

Regarding the issue of rubbing with IKEA HEMNES drawers, the following points can be noted:

- The metal drawer slides do allow for minimal adjustment. This is done by loosening the screws and sliding the rails along the pre-drilled holes. This way, the height and alignment of the drawer can be adjusted.
- It is important to remove the drawer completely to ensure the best possible control of the slide mechanism.
- Rubbing can be caused by uneven load or warping of the side panels. In this case, I recommend checking the drawer front and side panels for any damage or deformation. If necessary, gentle sanding or refinement with a sanding block may help.
- During assembly, pay attention to clean alignment and check the drawer slides for any foreign objects or dirt.

For further details, measuring the gap dimensions at the sides can provide insight into which side is tighter and therefore needs to be adjusted.

In conclusion: systematic adjustment and refinement can successfully resolve rubbing issues in most cases.

cassandra schrieb:
The metal sliding rails do allow for minimal adjustment. This is done by loosening the screws and shifting the rails along the pre-drilled holes.

Exactly, that’s a very important point. I would add the following:

- Before loosening the screws, be sure to mark the current position of the rails. This will help you estimate how much adjustment is reasonable.
- Clean the rails thoroughly, as even small dirt particles can prevent smooth sliding.
- Also check if the drawers themselves are warped. Especially with wood, slight deformations can occur due to moisture.

If the rubbing is coming from the bottom edge, it might help to slightly lift the drawer or lightly oil the sliding tracks to reduce friction.

I have also noticed with my HEMNES drawers that a slight lateral misalignment can sometimes be the cause, which can be fixed by adjusting the guides.

Good luck with the adjustment!

yannbu schrieb:
How can I fix or clamp the IKEA HEMNES drawers so that the scraping noise disappears?

Loosen the screws on the drawer slides slightly, align the drawer, and then tighten the screws again.

If the drawer front is scraping, gently remove some material using fine sandpaper.

Cleaning the drawer slides and applying a light oil can also reduce scraping.