ᐅ Why do Malm drawers stick even when everything is installed correctly?

Hello everyone,

I recently got an IKEA Malm desk with drawers and assembled the drawers according to the instructions. However, I am having issues with the drawers sticking or not opening and closing smoothly. I have properly aligned and screwed in the metal side rails and checked that nothing is bent. The drawers themselves are straight and were assembled precisely according to the plan.

My question is: Why do Malm drawers stick even when everything is assembled correctly? Are there any possible causes I might have overlooked that could lead to friction or jamming, even though everything appears to be as it should?

I look forward to your insights and tips on what else I can check or adjust to get the drawers working smoothly again.

Hello DANIGU,

Your question is very well formulated, and unfortunately, the problem is not uncommon with Malm drawers.

Often, jamming occurs despite correct installation due to slightly impatient or too fast assembly, where, for example, the slides are not exactly parallel to each other. Even a minimal misalignment of the drawer itself is enough to cause it to jam. Sometimes it helps not to fully tighten the screws on the slides right away, but to first loosen them slightly, then slide the drawer in and out, and finally tighten the screws.

Additionally, differences in the material—such as slightly warped side panels due to moisture or manufacturing variations—can also cause friction. That’s why all parts must be properly aligned and able to move freely.

Maybe these initial tips will help you to investigate further! 🙂

Tevin schrieb:
Often, jamming occurs despite correct assembly due to slightly impatient or rushed installation, where, for example, the rails are not installed exactly parallel to each other.

This is exactly where I want to start, DANIGU. Malm drawers are guided by rectangular metal rails, which, if not installed perfectly square, immediately cause friction or misalignment. I will go through the potential causes step by step:

1. Checking the alignment of the guide rails: Always use a spirit level or, even better, a square measuring tool to ensure both sides are installed exactly parallel and at the same height. A deviation of just a few millimeters can be enough to cause the drawer to jam.

2. Inspecting the drawer sides: Even minimal warping of the particleboard, caused for example by humidity or tension in the wood, leads to increased friction. Pay special attention to the lowest rear panel connections here.

3. Assembly of the drawer front: With Malm, the front is mounted separately. Be careful that it is not installed too deep or crooked, as this can push the drawer backward and cause the rails to misalign.

4. Screw tightening torque: Over-tightening can deform the rails, while under-tightening allows them to wobble. Ideally, use a moderate torque that secures the rail firmly without bending it.

My advice: Completely disassemble the drawer and rails, check every component, then slowly reassemble step by step, checking the drawer’s movement in between.

Hello DANIGU,

I’d like to add a brief tutorial on the topic of "Malm drawers sticking":

1. First, you should adjust the drawer slides precisely: Pay attention not only to the horizontal alignment but especially to their parallel positioning relative to each other. If they are installed unevenly, it creates a narrowing gap that causes sticking.

2. Check the drawers themselves: Tensions in solid wood or particle board can arise even from slight changes in moisture. Inspect all edges – are they straight? Also, are the wooden dowels positioned correctly? If they are too tight, they can warp the wood.

3. The drawer base or underside should also be smooth and flat; sometimes leftover glue or wood splinters remain there, which can catch on the metal slides.

4. Inspect the runners for dirt or foreign objects; dust or wood shavings can cause the drawer to catch.

5. Calibration after installation: Sometimes the metal slides need slight adjustment – you can achieve this by loosening the screws a bit and gently shifting the slide before tightening again.

In summary: even if the installation was done “correctly,” minimal discrepancies are often the key cause of sticking. This precise adjustment is essential.

DANIGU, check if the metal slides are clean and straight. Usually, it helps to completely remove the drawer and clean the sliding rails.

Then loosen the screws on the slides, insert the drawer, align the slides, and tighten the screws.

Sometimes the front panel is mounted just slightly crooked, causing it to jam.

Hey DANIGU, I had the same problem once – usually the issue occurs when there’s too much tension in the wood somewhere or the drawer is slightly misaligned.

Tip: Take some lubricant (for example, a dry silicone spray) and carefully spray it onto the runners – this helps immediately! It was a huge relief for me 🙂

Stay patient, it’s worth it! Good luck! 🙂