ᐅ Malm drawers frequently come off their tracks – how can I secure them properly?

Hello everyone,

I have a rather annoying problem with my IKEA Malm dressers. The drawers regularly fall out completely when I pull them out too far, or sometimes even only halfway. This happens despite normal loading and without applying force. I am interested in how to securely close and fix these drawers so that they don’t accidentally slip out. Are there any specific mechanisms to check or retrofit? Or are such problems with Malm drawers common and possibly a design flaw?

I am looking for practical tips or repair options that help keep the drawers secure and stable, even when fully extended. Thanks in advance for your experiences and recommendations!

Hi,

first check if the soft-close dampers or drawer runners are installed correctly and intact. Often, it also helps to carefully align the drawer or slightly lift it upwards when sliding it in.

Most of the time, IKEA includes a locking mechanism that just needs to be properly adjusted.

Hello Roosevel62,

I can completely understand your problem, as the Malm drawers are known to sometimes come out if handled incorrectly or if parts are worn. Here is a step-by-step guide for safe use and maintenance:

1. Check the rails: Inspect whether the metal drawer slides or plastic guides are bent, dirty, or broken. They may need cleaning or replacement.

2. Test the stop mechanism: Most Malm dressers have a type of detent that usually prevents the drawer from being pulled out completely. These plastic or metal clips can become damaged over time.

3. Add retrofit safety devices: There are additional safety accessories you can install afterwards, such as screw-on plates or small stoppers on the slides.

4. Also, always lift the drawer slightly when opening to prevent it from falling out.

5. If the construction is severely damaged, it might be worth replacing the entire slide mechanism.

Conclusion: First, understand how the stop mechanism works, then repair or secure it accordingly. This will keep the drawer stable.

I hope this helps!

SauDietmar schrieb:
There are also additional safety devices that you can install afterwards, such as screw plates or small stoppers on the drawer slides.

This is a really important tip. I would like to add that many Malm drawers actually come equipped with a so-called "anti-fall mechanism," which is often used incorrectly or overlooked.

I recommend the following procedure:

- Make sure that when inserting the drawer, the slides are engaged evenly and fully inserted.

- Do not pull the drawer straight out; instead, remove it with a slight upward movement to activate the safety catch.

- If the safety catch no longer engages, carefully inspect the small hooks or plastic tabs on the slide — these should not be bent or broken.

- If available, you can order replacement parts from IKEA or third-party suppliers. A new mounting mat (self-adhesive rubber pads inside the slide) can also reduce rattling and increase stability.

- Also pay attention to the weight distribution of the drawer. Overloaded or unevenly packed drawers are more likely to fall out.

And don’t worry, this issue is quite common with Malm, especially with frequent use. So it’s not a complete design flaw but rather a minor weakness in usage.

If you like, I can gladly provide some photos and exact model numbers to help with ordering replacement parts.

Roosevel62 schrieb:
Are there any special mechanisms you can check or retrofit? Or are such problems common with Malm drawers and possibly a design flaw?

I understand how frustrating this can be! It has happened to me quite often as well, and it definitely makes using them feel unsafe.

What helped me was attaching small felt pads to the edges of the drawers to give them a bit more "grip" when pulling them in and out. I also reduced the maximum weight and sometimes pulled the drawers more gently so the locking mechanism wouldn’t be overloaded.

Even more important: If you have children at home, I would definitely consider the top drawer a "child safety" concern – it can sometimes come out more easily and could pose a risk of injury.

Hang in there; these problems are annoying, but with a bit of patience you can usually get them under control :-)

PeoDaniel schrieb:
Don’t just pull the drawer straight out; instead, pull it out with a slight upward movement to activate the safety lock.

I find this tip particularly important. Many users underestimate how precisely the mechanism works.

I’d like to add to the instructions:

1. Lift slightly when opening to properly engage the anti-drop mechanism.
2. Check that the runners are clean and free of dirt – often cleaning them with a dry cloth is already helpful.
3. Don’t overload the drawer, especially with large, heavy items, as this puts strain on the slides.
4. If the safety locks are worn out, you can order original IKEA replacement parts or use compatible retrofit kits.

If you want to do repairs yourself, make sure to reinstall the drawer slides correctly – usually there is a mark or a small notch that must click into place properly.

This way, you can largely prevent the Malm drawers from falling out permanently and make daily use more comfortable.