ᐅ Are there any tips for Ikea Hemnes drawers that are difficult to open or close?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my IKEA Hemnes dresser where the drawers are very stiff and only open with considerable effort. The dresser is not overloaded, and the drawer slides appear to be clean, yet the movement is still rough and jerky. I suspect that either the drawer runners are not properly adjusted or there might be an issue with the assembly. Does anyone have good tips on how to make the Hemnes drawers slide more smoothly and easily? Are there any proven tricks or necessary maintenance tasks that should be done specifically?

I look forward to helpful advice, ideally with solutions that do not require complete replacement parts. Thanks in advance!

First, check whether the drawers are properly seated in the metal slides and if all screws are tight. Sometimes cleaning the slides lightly and applying a small amount of silicone spray can help. Also, inspect the drawer bottom rails to ensure they are clean and not warped.

Hello, a few more details would be helpful: How old is the chest of drawers? Have the drawers warped over time, or was it like this right after assembly?

The Hemnes series uses metal runners with plastic strips that can be adjusted to some extent. Often, it helps to completely remove the drawers and check the rails for damage or deformation.

A common issue: The side guiding strips can swell easily due to moisture, especially if the furniture is placed in more humid rooms. This narrows the sliding path.

Recommended procedure:
- Remove the drawers
- Inspect the runner rails and lightly sand any rough edges with fine sandpaper if noticeable
- Check plastic gliders for wear
- Use special furniture glide lubricants for lubrication (no greases or creams)

Additionally, I recommend fine-tuning the fastening screws of the rails—even the slightest misalignments can cause stiffness. Did you assemble the chest yourself or have it professionally installed? That might help to better assess the cause.

Hey, I had exactly the same problem with my Hemnes and solved it like this: I treated the rails with a little silicone spray – after that, the drawers slid like butter! 😍

It’s also important that the drawers are properly aligned, otherwise they will stick. If you feel comfortable, check if the rails are slightly bent or damaged.

Keep your chin up, it’s easy to fix! Let me know if you need more tips!

Paunon schrieb:
First, check if the drawers are properly seated in the metal runners and if all screws are tightened.

Thanks, that makes sense. I will check tomorrow if anything is loose.

Domau0 schrieb:
The side guide rails can easily swell due to moisture, especially if the furniture is placed in more humid rooms.

That could apply to my case, as the dresser is in the bedroom, which unfortunately isn’t always well ventilated.

Davidleo schrieb:
I treated the slides with a little silicone spray – after that, the drawers ran like butter!

Did you spray the silicone directly on the metal runners or on the plastic gliders? I’ve heard different opinions about that.

Thanks again to everyone for the quick help so far!

Hello, I would like to add:

- Avoid WD-40 or similar lubricants, as they can damage plastics and cause long-term problems.
- Silicone spray on the tracks and sliders is ideal because it doesn’t stick and provides good lubrication.
- Also, make sure the drawers are not loaded unevenly on the inside, as this can make pulling them difficult.
- If the drawers are made of wood, you can apply a thin layer of wax (e.g., furniture wax) at the contact points with the track.

I have personally maintained several drawers in Hemnes furniture over the years this way, and it usually helps without needing to replace parts.