ᐅ How can I adjust IKEA BESTA drawers myself?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought an Ikea Besta cabinet with drawers and noticed that some of the drawers are not properly aligned – they stick when opening or don’t close flush. My question is for anyone experienced with adjusting these drawers:

How can I adjust the Ikea Besta drawers myself to fix these issues? I have already tried wiggling the front, but I don’t know exactly which screws or mechanisms to turn to properly align the drawers and improve their movement. It would also be helpful to know whether the drawer slides can be readjusted or if they need to be replaced.

Any tips on how to avoid mistakes when adjusting them yourself are also welcome.

Thanks in advance for your detailed answers!

The adjustment of the Ikea BESTA drawers is mainly done through three types of settings:

- Height adjustment of the front panel: On the BESTA drawers, there are small adjustment screws located at the bottom or on the sides of the front panel that allow you to change the height of the front. These screws can be turned with a Phillips screwdriver or a hex key.

- Lateral adjustment: Some models offer the option to shift the front panel sideways to align it with adjacent drawers.

- Runner and rail adjustment: Some drawer runners have adjustment screws that change the position of the drawer on the rail, which improves smoothness and the opening/closing function.

It is important to first remove the drawer completely and then adjust the front so that the gaps align precisely with the surrounding surfaces. After that, reinsert the drawer and test its operation. If the drawer still sticks, check whether the runner is properly engaged and undamaged.

Replacing the rails is only necessary in case of damage or malfunction; otherwise, adjusting the screws is sufficient.

Always proceed carefully when adjusting to avoid stripping the screws. I recommend adjusting the two side screws of the front panel alternately and only slightly at a time.

Hello dratara,

I’m happy to help you explain this in more detail, as many people are not familiar with the basic steps for adjusting IKEA BESTA drawers.

First: The most important adjustment for IKEA BESTA drawers is done on the front panel. You will usually find two or three screws there that can be adjusted with a Phillips screwdriver or an Allen key. By turning these screws, you can move the front panel vertically and partly horizontally. This allows you to precisely align the gaps between the drawers.

A tip: Carefully remove the drawer entirely from the cabinet first. This makes it easier to access the screws and protects the mechanism.

The second important point is the drawer slides. For BESTA drawers, these are simple telescopic slides that are also adjustable, often via small set screws or adjustment screws on the carriage. Here you can slightly correct the position if the drawer is too tight or sticks.

A common mistake that is often overlooked: Check whether the slides are properly installed and not bent. Even a slight distortion can significantly affect the drawer’s operation.

Finally, after making adjustments, you should open and close the drawers several times to test the effect of the changes. If problems persist, the side panels of the cabinet may be slightly warped – which can be difficult to fix on your own.

If you like, I can also provide links to the official IKEA assembly instructions or write a step-by-step guide so you know exactly where the screws are.

TEOZAR schrieb:
A classic tip that is often overlooked: check whether the slides are installed correctly and not bent.

That’s a good point. Drawer problems are often caused by incorrectly installed or damaged slides.

I would like to add that with the BESTA series, the telescopic slides are sturdy, but dirty or worn plastic components can affect smooth operation. It is therefore worthwhile to clean the slides before making adjustments. Simply wipe them briefly with a dry, lint-free cloth and, if needed, apply a small amount of silicone spray sparingly to the sliding rails.

It is also important to insert the drawer vertically into the slide, not at an angle, as otherwise the rollers may run crooked and get stuck.

Finally, some precise tips for adjusting the front panel:
- You can usually adjust the front height by a few millimeters using a screwdriver.
- If multiple fronts cannot be aligned perfectly, a fine adjustment using the side screws is recommended.

This helps prevent unsightly gaps between drawers or sticking.

If the drawer still does not operate smoothly after adjustment, it may also be useful to check whether the cabinet is standing on a level floor.

To adjust the Ikea BESTA drawers:

- Completely remove the drawer
- Slightly turn the front screws up/down or sideways until it sits flush
- Check the track and rollers for cleanliness
- If necessary, lubricate with silicone spray
- Slowly and evenly reinsert the drawer

This is usually enough to realign the drawers correctly.