ᐅ Why doesn’t the Malm drawer close properly?

Hello everyone,

I have an IKEA Malm chest of drawers with several drawers, and I noticed that one of the drawers no longer closes properly. When I pull it shut, it usually stays slightly open or it gets stuck, so it doesn’t fully and smoothly slide back into the frame on its own.

I have already checked for any warping of the wood or issues with the drawer slides, but I didn’t see any visible damage at first glance. I also lubricated the rails, but that didn’t help much.

My question is: Why might the Malm drawer not close properly? What are the typical causes, and how can I fix the problem as effectively and permanently as possible without having to replace all the hardware?

Thanks for your advice!

Most of the time, the cause is a misaligned or incorrectly adjusted guide rail. Check if everything is level and straight, and ensure the screws are tight.

Hello Fobusin,

You have described the problem well and have already taken important steps. The issue where the drawer does not close properly and sometimes stays slightly open can have several causes.

First, the Malm series often uses metal drawer slides with ball bearings designed to allow smooth opening and closing. If the rails are not installed perfectly parallel—even a slight deviation—the drawer may stick or not close properly.

Please check the following points step by step:

1. Are the slides moving smoothly? Dust or small debris inside can often be overlooked.
2. Are the metal rails evenly screwed in on both sides and not loosened from use?
3. Is the drawer correctly inserted, and are the slides positioned as intended?
4. Do you see any deformation of the drawer box itself, for example, bent wood on the front edge that could interfere with locking?

Another often overlooked cause: Malm drawers have small stoppers at the back that prevent the drawer from being pulled out completely. If these are not properly in place or are broken, it can also affect the function.

If you have calipers, you can check whether the slides are mounted parallel and at the same height. It is also worth testing whether, when the drawer is removed, the metal slides run smoothly and flexibly.

Could you also mention if the Malm chest of drawers is older or relatively new? And have you tried removing the drawer completely to inspect the slides separately? That would help analyze the issue more precisely.

Thanks in advance for the detailed suggestions @

Domau0 schrieb:
You have described the problem well and already taken important steps.

I bought the chest of drawers about 4 years ago and have only used it normally so far. I haven’t actually removed the drawer yet, but it looks quite straight from the outside without any visible deformation.

Regarding the slides: there might be dust and debris inside, which I will check more thoroughly. The screws seem secure so far and are fastened to the furniture in the usual way.

Is it possible that the threads or screws have loosened due to the weight or movement, even if this is not immediately visible from the outside?

I think the drawer hangs a bit lower or appears misaligned when it’s open, which could be a related issue.

Threaded holes often loosen, especially when the wood has been subjected to repeated stress. You can fill the hole with suitable wood glue and a small piece of wood, then reinstall the screw.

Sometimes the problem is simply caused by small foreign objects such as paper strips or fabrics that have accidentally gotten caught between the drawer and the slide. It is best to check again with a flashlight.