ᐅ The Malm chest of drawers closes with resistance – how can I adjust the drawers to align them properly?

Hello everyone,

I have an issue with my IKEA Malm chest of drawers where the drawers close with difficulty or sometimes get stuck. Upon closer inspection, the drawers appear to be slightly misaligned, which seems to cause them not to close smoothly and easily.

My specific question is: How can I best straighten or adjust the Malm drawers so that they close properly and without effort? What steps or adjustments are possible for this model to achieve optimal smooth operation?

I have considered whether I need to realign or adjust the drawer slides, but I’m uncertain if there are any special tips or tricks for this.

I would really appreciate any helpful and practical advice!

Kloja schrieb:
How can I best straighten or adjust the drawers of the Malm dresser so that they close smoothly and without effort?

Check and, if necessary, adjust the drawer slides. Inspect for any loose screws in the guide system. Often, simply tightening the screws slightly or realigning the slides is enough.

Kloja schrieb:
Which steps or adjustments are possible with this model to achieve optimal smooth operation?

Hi! 🙂

I had the same problem with my Malm drawer – pulling it sometimes feels like a workout, right? 😉

It often helps to pull the drawer all the way out and gently pull the rails apart so they click properly into place. Sometimes the small plastic guides that ensure smooth movement get stuck a bit. Applying a little lubricant, like silicone spray, can also help the rails glide smoothly again.

I also made slight adjustments to the small screws on the drawer slides – sometimes one screw is a bit loose while another is too tight. If you slightly loosen the screws on the slides, you can reposition the drawer so it hangs evenly before tightening everything back up. This usually allows for good fine-tuning.

Good luck, and remember: sometimes patience is the best tool! 😉

tarju41 schrieb:
Check and, if necessary, adjust the drawer slides.

Additionally, I recommend completely removing the drawer first and inspecting the runners for any damage or deformation. In the case of the Malm chest of drawers, the slides are usually ball-bearing types that need to be precisely aligned.

A common practical approach:

1. Check the screws on both sides of the slides and tighten them if needed.
2. Make sure the runners on the cabinet body are exactly parallel.
3. Adjust the drawer slightly to the side with gentle pressure and carefully reinsert it.
4. If the drawer still sticks, removing small burrs along the edge (e.g., with sandpaper) can help if the wood is rubbing at a specific point.

These steps usually result in a noticeable improvement in smooth operation.

Juan31 schrieb:
Check the screws on both sides of the drawer slides and tighten them if necessary.

This approach makes perfect sense. I would like to add that checking the drawer front and its alignment with the side rails is essential. You should also inspect the drawer slides for debris or dust, as these can affect the smoothness of movement.

Additionally, slightly adjusting the plastic stoppers on the slide can sometimes help better align the drawer. Since the Malm dresser is a commonly used model, replacement parts are available at IKEA if, for example, worn glide pads need to be replaced.