ᐅ What should I do if my Ikea Brimnes drawer isn’t sliding smoothly?

Hello everyone, I recently bought an Ikea Brimnes bed frame with drawers. Unfortunately, I noticed that one of the drawers no longer opens and closes properly – it sticks on one side and doesn’t slide as smoothly as it did at first. I have the feeling that the drawer slide is not running correctly anymore or might be slightly bent. Can anyone offer advice on what I can do if my Ikea Brimnes drawer isn’t working properly? What could be the causes, and how can I check or fix it myself? Thanks in advance!

It’s really frustrating when issues like this come up with furniture you have to assemble yourself. I once had a similar problem with another Ikea dresser, and in my case, it was actually due to slight warping of the rail, which was made worse by the weight inside.

Annile schrieb:
I feel like the rail isn’t running quite right anymore or might be warped.

I would recommend first removing the drawer completely and inspecting the rails for any visible damage. Sometimes small crumbs or dust can accumulate, preventing the drawer from sliding smoothly. If you’re unsure about how to remove it, just let me know—I’m happy to help.

To address the problem systematically, I recommend the following steps:

- Completely pull out the drawer and check if the drawer slides are bent or dirty.
- Visually inspect for any obstructions or loose screws on the guide rails.
- If necessary, lightly smooth the rail with fine sandpaper if there are any rough edges or rust.
- Check whether the drawer body itself is warped, as this can also cause it to jam.
- If worn out, replace the slides as needed; sometimes the Ikea spare parts department can be helpful.

It is important not to use force in order to avoid causing additional damage to the furniture.

I’m basically wondering whether Ikea uses metal or plastic runners as standard in the Brimnes series. That makes a difference when it comes to durability and troubleshooting.

Annile schrieb:
I have the feeling that the runner is not running quite smoothly anymore or might be deformed.

If they are plastic drawer slides, material fatigue or poor assembly could also be to blame. Who assembled it for you? Did you do it yourself or was it delivered pre-assembled? Assembly errors can also cause such issues.

Also: How heavily loaded is the drawer? Excessive weight often leads to faster wear of the runners.

Thanks for the initial tips, they are already very helpful. About the assembly: I put everything together myself but tried to follow the instructions very carefully. The drawers are moderately loaded, not overloaded. They definitely have plastic slides, which I noticed when unpacking. Visually, I can’t see any major damage to the rail itself; the sticking mainly occurs shortly after inserting the drawer.

By now, I have removed and reinserted the drawer a few times, but the sticking has only improved slightly, not completely disappeared.

One more thing I’m considering: Is there a special lubricant that can be safely used here? I would prefer not to use anything that could damage or dirty the plastic slides. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Use a silicone spray, which is ideal for plastic guides. Avoid oil or grease, as they attract dust and reduce smoothness.