ᐅ What to do if IKEA HEMNES cabinets don’t close properly?

Created on: 19 Oct 2020 08:43
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PINNAU
Hello everyone, I currently have a problem with my IKEA Hemnes cabinets that is really frustrating: the doors on some models no longer close properly, there is always a gap, or they don’t latch correctly. I have already checked if the doors are flush and if the hinges are properly aligned, but somehow this hasn’t solved the issue. Has anyone had similar experiences or smarter tips on how to fix this problem permanently? I think it might be related to the installation or the hinges, but I don’t want to start adjusting things blindly without knowing what to watch out for. Thanks in advance!
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ronti
19 Oct 2020 16:37
Have you checked if the cabinet carcass itself is warped? This can also cause doors to be misaligned. Place a straight edge along the edges to see if everything is straight. Warped panels are best corrected by adjusting the back panel or by adding additional back panel elements.
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PINNAU
20 Oct 2020 07:55
Thanks to everyone so far, this has already been very helpful!
GALEO4 schrieb:
In my opinion, the problem usually arises because the cabinets are not level; the floor or the wall can be slightly uneven.

That’s a good point! My cabinets are actually placed directly against a wall that isn’t completely straight. I hadn’t focused on that before, so I will definitely measure it.
ronti schrieb:
Have you checked whether the cabinet box itself is warped?

At least one of the cabinets does feel warped. I suspect this happened during transport or assembly. I will try to fasten the back panel more securely—I had some difficulties with that during the build.

Could it be possible to get replacement hinges of better quality? IKEA only offers the standard set.
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TANNAU
20 Oct 2020 09:14
Replacement hinges from IKEA are identical. If you want higher-quality ones, you need universal hinges that can fit with some adjustment. If the cabinet is warped, however, that is not a hinge issue but a matter of correcting or aligning the frame.
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Wesley
20 Oct 2020 10:42
Hey PINNAU, I understand the frustration with Hemnes doors – those small gap issues can be really annoying! Sometimes it’s just minor things that make a big difference, like carefully loosening and realigning the door handle or adjusting the hinges a bit more so the door fits better against the frame.

If the floor is uneven, sometimes attaching small felt pads under the cabinet helps improve stability. This way, the doors align more smoothly and close without any complaints.

Keep at it – it’s worth the effort!