ᐅ Malm Dresser only Squeaks when Pressure is Applied – Possible Causes?

Hello everyone, I have the following issue with my IKEA Malm dresser: When I apply pressure to the drawers, for example when opening them or gently pushing or pulling them, the drawer squeaks. The noise only occurs when I actually put force on the runner or the drawer bottom, so it doesn’t happen during normal opening without pressure. My question is: What could be causing this squeaking? Could it be the drawer runner, the assembly, or maybe a specific area that has deformed over time? I have read before that wood on wood, metal on metal, or dry runners can cause such noises. Tips for accurately diagnosing or identifying the cause would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Hello Bradli, your problem sounds like a classic case of friction, which often occurs with furniture that has drawers. The Malm dresser typically uses metal rails with ball-bearing slides. Squeaking that happens especially under pressure usually indicates that a component of the drawer slide is no longer properly lubricated or has shifted slightly. There are two main possible causes: first, dust or dirt in the track can interfere with the sliding mechanism. Second, a screw might have loosened, causing the slide to sit unstably, which leads to rubbing and noise when pressure is applied.

If I were you, I would first check whether the drawer moves smoothly without pressure. If it does, then gently press the drawer into the slide and observe if the rail is slightly misaligned or overly stressed when it locks in or under load. If you want, you can fully extend the rail and check for wear marks or discoloration on the contact surfaces.

As a second step, I recommend treating the rails with a suitable lubricant. Silicone spray is preferred here because it does not attract dirt. Please avoid oily lubricants, as they attract dirt and will worsen the problem over time.

Finally, the dresser itself can also be a factor: if the drawer sticks slightly when closing and causes pressure, it will squeak. Since the Malm dresser is mainly made of engineered wood, slight warping can occur due to moisture. Is your dresser placed in a very humid or fluctuating environment?

How about the assembly on your end: Did you build it yourself or was it already assembled when you bought it?

TYRELL schrieb:
If I were you, I would first check whether the drawer slides smoothly without any pressure.

Yes, exactly: opening it works smoothly without any squeaking.

TYRELL schrieb:
Is the dresser placed in a very humid or fluctuating environment?

The dresser is located in a relatively dry room without significant humidity changes.

I assembled it myself and have re-checked all screws; nothing is loose.

I will try your tips, especially regarding cleaning and silicone spray.

Are there any other ways I could check directly on site to pinpoint the exact cause of the squeaking? For example, how can I test whether the guide rails or the bearing surfaces are responsible?

Oh, Malm! I know that all too well! 🙂 It’s great that you described the problem so precisely! I once had a Malm dresser that squeaked quite loudly, and the worst part was that it only happened under pressure!

A little tip from me: sometimes it helps to pull the drawer all the way out, then move the runners slightly back and forth at the front and back to feel where the squeaky spots are.

Then: apply some silicone spray! 🙂 That often works wonders, really.

Keep at it, you’ll get it fixed! Good luck!

Hello, one possible reason for the squeaking could actually be the alignment of the drawer. A slight misalignment can cause certain pressure points on the runner to rub together unintentionally.

Additionally, I would also check the support rails inside the dresser. These are sometimes made of plastic and can cause noise under load if they are worn or loose.

Also, check if all screws are tightened evenly, as uneven assembly can put the runner in an unfavorable position.

If possible, you can try opening and closing the drawer several times with light pressure, listening carefully to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. This might also help with targeted troubleshooting.

Hello Bradli, from my experience, the squeaking of the Malm dresser often comes from the metal drawer slides, as they are prone to small debris or lack of lubrication.

A little tip: if you apply some talcum powder or baby powder to the slide and the contact area of the drawer, you can often reduce the squeaking. It acts like a dry lubricant and lowers friction.

Please avoid using oily substances, as they can cause the slides to become dirty.

Have you tested whether the noise occurs only when the drawer is fully closed or also when it is partially open?