ᐅ KALLAX drawers are crooked – what could be the cause?

Hello everyone, I noticed that the drawers in my KALLAX shelving unit don’t fit properly – they seem crooked and don’t open and close smoothly. I assembled it following the instructions exactly and didn’t skip any steps. So I’m wondering: what could cause KALLAX drawers to sit unevenly? Could it be due to the assembly, manufacturing defects, or the adjustment of the drawer slides? Maybe someone here has had a similar issue and can offer advice on how to fix it. Thanks in advance!

Hello Chenje, thank you for your detailed description! The issue with KALLAX drawers often comes down to the precise alignment of the rails. It is important that both the rails themselves and the recessed screws are installed perfectly straight. Sometimes the position shifts when attaching the front panel, causing the drawer to sit crooked. Additionally, you should check whether the carcass sides are truly flat and not warped – this can also affect the drawer alignment. Have you carefully checked whether all screws are tight and correctly fastened?

Hello! To thoroughly analyze the issue, we should go through a few steps: 1. Check whether the drawer slides are installed parallel and at the same height within the cabinet. Even slight deviations of a few millimeters can cause misalignment. 2. Make sure the screws are fully tightened, but avoid over-tightening the assembly – sometimes too much pressure can warp the material. 3. Inspect the drawer front: Is it straight? Sometimes the problem isn’t in the cabinet, but the front itself may be slightly warped. 4. Check the floor on which the shelf stands – an uneven surface can also affect how the drawers fit. How exactly did you install the drawers? Were metal or plastic slides used?

Jeanbar schrieb:
It is important that both the rails themselves and the countersunk screws are perfectly aligned.

Thanks, I will double-check that carefully.

Surela schrieb:
Make sure the screws are fully tightened, but avoid overtightening during assembly – sometimes too much pressure can cause the material to warp.

I'm fairly certain I didn’t over-tighten, but maybe there is still some imbalance somewhere.

Surela schrieb:
How exactly did you assemble the drawers? Were metal or plastic runners used?

I used the original metal runners from IKEA, no plastic parts. The floor is level, so that can be ruled out. I will check all the screws and the alignment of the runners again and get back to you.

Also check if the drawers slide perfectly into the guide rails. Sometimes the drawer doesn’t slide in properly, which can make it appear crooked.

Regarding the situation: The KALLAX system is designed for easy assembly, but side panels made of particleboard can warp easily due to incorrect loading or moisture. Even if the assembly was done correctly, this can happen afterwards. To identify the cause: Check the vertical alignment of the side panels using a spirit level, and make sure the screws for the drawer slides are positioned exactly at the specified height. Any imbalance will inevitably cause the drawers to sit crookedly. Uneven screw spacing can also be a factor. Such deviations are best detected using a precise caliper.