ᐅ IKEA Malm drawers won’t open – any tips?

Hello everyone, I have several IKEA Malm dressers and I’m currently facing an issue where some of the drawers either do not open or are very difficult to open. It feels like the rails or mechanisms are sticking or blocking, but visually there is nothing unusual to see. I have already tried lifting the drawers slightly or applying more force, but that only causes them not to move at all or eventually to become misaligned. Are there any known causes for this behavior with Malm drawers? And most importantly: What tips or tricks do you have to get the drawers working properly again without having to completely remove them or cause any damage? I would really appreciate concrete advice!

The most common issue is dirty or bent tracks. First, check if the plastic guides on the outside of the drawer body are clean. Sometimes, fully extending the drawer and cleaning the guide rails is sufficient. Slightly adjusting the tracks can also help.

Hello! I am very familiar with the problem of sticking Malm drawers. It is often caused by the drawers being installed incorrectly or the drawer slides not being properly aligned. The drawers have small plastic rollers or strips on the inside sides that need to fit precisely into the guide rails. If the strips are slightly warped or if the weight inside the drawer is very unevenly distributed, this can cause sticking. My advice is to fully pull out the drawer and check if the rollers move freely, possibly helping them with a bit of silicone spray (not oil). Please do not use WD-40, as it can damage plastic! It is also a good idea to check the screws on the drawer slide, because if they are loose, the rails can shift.

Ethan schrieb:
Pull the drawer out completely and check if the rollers move freely

Thanks, that sounds reasonable! Do you think I can simply pull the drawer out completely, or should I be cautious because of any locking mechanisms? In my case, it’s sticking so badly that I’m worried it might get damaged. Also, is manually adjusting the runners complicated, or do I need any special tools?

Hey, don’t panic! 😊 Malm drawers have a pretty simple locking mechanism that is usually released by lifting the front slightly when pulling them out. Just give it a try: with the front slightly raised, pull the drawer out – most of the time it works perfectly! If it gets stuck, avoid pulling too hard and instead try gently. For adjustment, you basically only need a Phillips screwdriver. Sometimes a little patience and a gentle touch to slightly move the runners up or down is all it takes. 🙂

I believe that before giving any advice on lubrication, the exact cause of the blockage should be analyzed. Are the rails installed evenly? Are there manufacturing tolerances that might be causing these problems? Additionally, is the load in the drawer evenly distributed, or is it overloading the system? I think it is important to also consider quality and materials here. Simply trying things without a proper assessment could cause more harm than good in the long run.