Hello everyone, I have a problem with an IKEA Malm dresser, specifically: the drawer no longer closes properly. It stops about 2 cm (1 inch) before fully closing and gets stuck there, so I can’t push it any further.
I have already checked if something is blocking it – nothing is visibly obstructing. The drawer slides also don’t appear to be bent. However, the sticking only happens on one side, the right one.
Has anyone experienced this issue? Are there common causes or repair methods when a Malm drawer doesn’t close correctly? I would appreciate any helpful tips.
I have already checked if something is blocking it – nothing is visibly obstructing. The drawer slides also don’t appear to be bent. However, the sticking only happens on one side, the right one.
Has anyone experienced this issue? Are there common causes or repair methods when a Malm drawer doesn’t close correctly? I would appreciate any helpful tips.
dra47 schrieb:
It stops about 2 cm (1 inch) before fully closing and gets stuck thereThat sounds frustrating, especially when you’ve already checked that nothing is obviously blocking the way. I once had a MALM drawer where the runners had shifted slightly, preventing the drawer from closing completely. It’s really annoying.
My advice would be to carefully check if the drawer slides are still properly aligned and whether any screws have come loose. Sometimes it’s the small details that cause the problem.
I completely understand how irritating this is and hope you find a solution quickly! 🙂
To address the issue effectively, I recommend the following steps:
1. Fully extend the drawer to expose both sliding rails.
2. Check if the metal rails on both sides run parallel and are not bent.
3. Inspect for loose screws and tighten them if necessary.
4. Examine the inside of the rails and the rollers for dirt or foreign objects.
5. After reinserting the drawer, close it slowly and with gentle pressure.
Often, the causes are hidden in slight misalignments or minimal wear on the sliding mechanism. For MALM, the sliding rails are relatively sturdy, but if the drawer runner shifts even slightly out of position, it can quickly cause jamming.
In summary: careful inspection, adjustment, and cleaning usually help. If the rollers or rails are damaged, replacing the parts is advisable, and IKEA generally provides replacements as spare parts.
1. Fully extend the drawer to expose both sliding rails.
2. Check if the metal rails on both sides run parallel and are not bent.
3. Inspect for loose screws and tighten them if necessary.
4. Examine the inside of the rails and the rollers for dirt or foreign objects.
5. After reinserting the drawer, close it slowly and with gentle pressure.
Often, the causes are hidden in slight misalignments or minimal wear on the sliding mechanism. For MALM, the sliding rails are relatively sturdy, but if the drawer runner shifts even slightly out of position, it can quickly cause jamming.
In summary: careful inspection, adjustment, and cleaning usually help. If the rollers or rails are damaged, replacing the parts is advisable, and IKEA generally provides replacements as spare parts.
Liduta schrieb:
Often, the causes lie in slight misalignments or minimal wear marks on the sliding mechanism.I will definitely check that. One question: How exactly can I identify a misalignment? I pulled out the drawer, and the runners look fine to me, but I’m not sure how to objectively determine if there is a misalignment.
Also, do you think it’s possible that a runner could be slightly out of position without it being immediately visible to the naked eye?
Thank you in advance for your assessment; it really helps to get support when dealing with uncertainties.
A misalignment of the drawer rails is usually noticeable when the rails are not perfectly flush with the side panel of the cabinet or when the height of the rails on both sides is not the same.
Check if a rail is slightly tilted forward or backward and whether the back of the rail is properly seated in the track. This does not need to be measured precisely with a spirit level, but visually the rail should run parallel.
A slight movement is often caused by a loose screw. Run your finger along the rail to see if it wobbles. If it does, gently tighten the screws and test again.
This is a common reason why a drawer gets stuck shortly before closing.
Check if a rail is slightly tilted forward or backward and whether the back of the rail is properly seated in the track. This does not need to be measured precisely with a spirit level, but visually the rail should run parallel.
A slight movement is often caused by a loose screw. Run your finger along the rail to see if it wobbles. If it does, gently tighten the screws and test again.
This is a common reason why a drawer gets stuck shortly before closing.
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