ᐅ IKEA Malm drawers sticking – how to adjust them properly?

Hello everyone,

I noticed that the drawers in my IKEA Malm sideboard stick in certain spots. The issue is that the drawers sometimes catch or don’t slide smoothly when opening or closing. I have already tried cleaning the drawer slides, but that didn’t help much.

My question is: How can these drawers be better adjusted to ensure smooth opening and closing? Are there adjustment screws or specific methods to optimize the drawer’s alignment or the gap between the drawer and the side panels?

I would appreciate concrete tips tailored to Malm furniture, as I often read that this problem is addressed differently in other models.

Thanks in advance!

The Malm cabinet drawers use a simple metal rail with plastic runners. Jamming often occurs due to altered drawer alignment or dirt in the sliding system.

Here are my specific adjustment tips:

1. Remove the drawer completely.
2. Check that all screws of the sliding rails on both the cabinet body and drawer are securely tightened.
3. Adjust the sliding rails slightly up or down by carefully loosening the screws and tilting them.
4. Clean the runners thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease and dust.
5. Check if the drawer is centered over the runner—if it is crooked, it can be aligned by adjusting the position of the screws.

The system has no dedicated adjustment screws, so these mechanical corrections are the most effective solution. A lubricant like silicone spray is often recommended but can also damage the plastic. It is better to clean dry.

Maria35 schrieb:
The system has no specific adjustment screws, so these mechanical corrections are the most effective method.

I agree with this. To avoid binding, it is important to align the tracks precisely. For Malm, the functionality depends heavily on correct installation, as the system does not allow for fine-tuning.

It is also recommended to check the guide rails for damage. Small cracks or deformations can significantly affect performance.

Pull out the drawer, loosen the screws on the drawer slides, move the drawer, and tighten the screws again.

Make sure that nothing is loose or wobbly.

I know how annoying it is when drawers get stuck – I had the same issue with my Malm dresser. I slowly adjusted the drawer slides a bit and kept opening and closing the drawer until it ran smoothly.

I also made a habit of not overloading the drawers, as that makes the friction problem much worse. Maybe this will help as well.

A small tip: Sometimes it’s enough to slightly lift the runners on the back so the drawer doesn’t stick. Malm isn’t perfectly fine-adjusted from the factory, so a bit of trial and error helps! 😊