ᐅ Malm drawers do not close properly. What could be the cause?

Hello everyone, I noticed that the drawers of my IKEA Malm dressers don’t close properly. They either stay slightly open at the front or close with some resistance. The dressers are neither damaged nor warped, and the drawers don’t run off track. I suspect it might be related to the mechanism or the installation, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have any idea why Malm drawers might not close correctly? Are there any adjustments or common issues with this type of furniture that can be fixed by oneself? Looking forward to any tips or advice!

The cause of Malm drawers not closing properly often lies in the adjustment of the slide rails. With IKEA furniture, the drawer slides may be slightly misaligned, causing them to stick or not close completely. First, check if the drawer slides are clean and ensure no debris is blocking the closing.

Another factor is whether the drawer is properly seated in the slides. Often, it helps to carefully remove the drawer and then reinstall it correctly. Slightly adjusting the drawer front to the left, right, or up and down can also improve closing. For some Malm models, tightening the screws on the runner rails can be helpful if they have become loose.

Also, check if the drawers are not overloaded. Excess weight can prevent them from closing properly.

At the beginning, you mention that the drawers either remain slightly open or close with difficulty. This is typical of incorrect adjustment of the sliding rails or material expansion due to humidity and temperature.

Basically, the Malm drawer consists of two main components: the runners and the drawer front, which can be adjusted using small screws. In some Malm models, the runners are made of plastic, which can slightly deform over time. This causes friction or prevents precise closing.

I recommend the following procedure:

1. Remove the drawer: Pull the drawer out completely and check the runners for dirt, adhesions, or damage.
2. Find the adjustment: Carefully loosen the screws on the drawer front (usually small cross-head screws) and see if you can slightly move the front panel sideways or vertically.
3. Check the sliding mechanism: Make sure the drawer slides on the chest of drawers are firmly attached and not loose.
4. Check the weight: As tarju41 already mentioned, excessive weight can prevent the drawer from closing properly.

If you want, you can describe exactly which Malm chest of drawers model you have (e.g., number of drawers, material of the runners). This helps to give more specific recommendations.

Do you have this problem with all the drawers or only certain ones? This can indicate manufacturing tolerances or installation errors.

I look forward to your feedback so we can provide more targeted help!]

I know that feeling all too well! My Malm drawers have also sometimes stuck, which is really frustrating. 🙂

What helped me was pulling the drawers all the way out, cleaning the runner tracks thoroughly, and then carefully reassembling everything. Sometimes dirt or crumbs got stuck inside. Then I slightly adjusted the drawer front to make sure it fits properly. It’s worth the effort because otherwise it really ruins the whole impression! Good luck! 🙂

TEBILO schrieb:
If you want, you can describe exactly which model of the Malm dresser you have

This is really the most important point. There are now several versions of the Malm. Older models sometimes had metal runners, newer ones often have plastic – which leads to different behaviors.

usron schrieb:
Pull the drawers all the way out, clean the guide rails, and then reassemble everything carefully

You should always keep that in mind; often a simple cleaning of the rails or removing small foreign objects solves the problem.