ᐅ Malm drawers often come off their tracks – how can I secure them properly?

Hello everyone,

I have the following issue: The drawers of my Malm dresser often come completely out when pulled, which is quite annoying and affects the stability of the drawer. I suspect this is because the drawer slides or locking mechanisms are not engaging properly, or perhaps the drawer is loaded too heavily.

My question: How can I securely fix the Malm drawers so that they no longer come out uncontrollably when pulled? Are there mechanical solutions that can be easily retrofitted? Any experience, installation tips, or recommendations for suitable replacement parts would be very helpful!

Thank you in advance!

Hi Silas, first check if the drawer slides are clean and undamaged. Often, properly reassembling the drawer and pulling it out slowly helps. If the locking mechanism is faulty, you can order replacement clips from IKEA and install them. Otherwise, a small stopper made of foam rubber can also help prevent the drawer from falling out completely.

Hello Silas,

Your concern is actually a common issue with Malm dressers. Technically speaking, the drawers are based on rail slides with an integrated locking mechanism that is designed to prevent them from falling out. However, over time, wear and tear, excessive weight, or uneven loading can cause these mechanisms to fail.

As a first step, I recommend removing the drawers along with the rails and carefully checking if all the plastic clips or metal brackets are still intact. If you find that the brackets or locking mechanism are damaged or worn out, you can order replacement parts from IKEA — they offer common replacement rails for the Malm dresser with an improved locking function.

As an additional tip, you might consider attaching small screws to the rails to act as stops. However, you should be careful not to impair the function of the rails, as this could reduce smoothness or make the drawer harder to pull out.

How are your drawers loaded? Are they lightly or heavily loaded? This can be crucial, as excessive weight puts a lot of strain on the mechanism and may cause it to slip out.

I look forward to your reply so I can assist you further.

Hello Silas,

I completely understand your frustration. The Malm drawers are really practical and attractive, but them falling out is a genuine nuisance. As Surela already explained in detail, it’s usually due to the slides being worn or damaged. This can be managed well with some maintenance and replacement parts.

Besides checking the mechanical components, I also recommend taking a look at the contact surfaces inside the dresser. Sometimes dust or small particles accumulate there, preventing the drawers from closing precisely. Cleaning these areas can make a big difference.

It can also help not to overfill the drawers or to distribute heavier items evenly so the pressure on the slides remains low. If you’re handy, you could also install small rubber or felt stoppers inside to prevent slipping.

I wish you good luck fixing the problem. If you like, please share how it goes!

Hello Silas! 🙂

I’ve experienced the same issue with my Malm drawers – that slipping out is really annoying, especially when handling heavy items. A little trick I use: I attached narrow strips of hook-and-loop tape inside the sides of the drawer. They provide enough grip to prevent it from sliding out so easily but still allow you to pull the drawer without much effort.

It might sound a bit makeshift at first, but it has worked well for me, protecting the old slides and keeping the drawer in place. Maybe give it a try if you want an easy fix without complicated DIY. 😉

Also, a few drops of silicone spray on the drawer slides often help to reduce jerking and sticking. It might make opening smoother.

Good luck! 🙂