ikea drawer not sliding smoothly
Kristina Davis

Why is my IKEA drawer not sliding smoothly? You may have this question if you have just joined the IKEA community by ordering a cabinet, desk, or another furniture piece with drawers.

When you have an IKEA malm drawer not sliding smoothly, know that so many things can go into causing this issue. Similarly, you may notice that the IKEA drawer won’t close all the way.

Why does all this happen? Does this mean you have bought a faulty piece of furniture?

IKEA drawer not sliding smoothly could be due to misaligned slides, broken parts, damaged rollers, or even dust and dirt. 

Learn What to Do When IKEA Drawer Not Sliding Smoothly

inspecting the drawer

When you face any trouble with IKEA drawers not sliding properly, it could be due to an issue with the slides, and you have to take them out to fix them.

Here is how to proceed: 

Take Out the Drawer

First of all, you need to remove the drawer. For this, try a flathead screwdriver to pull apart the parts if they are not coming loose on their own.

Using extra muscle could be necessary if you cannot pry them apart using a hand tool.

A good idea is to use a chisel to push it between the wood pieces to keep them from touching. Any flat, readily available instrument will do, too. 

Remove the Slides

removing the drawer slides

Once you have finished taking the drawer out, you can begin taking out the slides. They are securely fastened in their individual positions by many screws on both sides.

Loosen those screws and examine the slides for any possible damage, dirt, or misalignment. 

Assemble Everything

Once you have taken your slides apart and thoroughly examined their constituent parts, you may now reassemble them.

Here, you must exercise caution because a single misstep might undo all your hard work. Be sure to reassemble the way you have taken those slides apart.

Connect the slides to the drawers once everything else has been set up. Before going to the next step, be sure to check for resistance as you slide them in and out to avoid breaking them.

If you see any loose screws, do not fret; just tighten them with a dependable flat-head screwdriver.

The more attentive you are, the higher the chances of you fixing any issue with the slides.

Tip: Use screws designed to hold onto just one board at a time to not disturb the visual harmony of your drawers. 

Put the Drawer Back Together

putting back the drawer

After you have put the slides back together and tested them to be sure they are in good working order, you can proceed.

If you follow the directions, you can rest assured that your drawer will be secure and stable from every angle.   

An Important Consideration

Once done, test the smoothness and movement of every drawer by squeezing the handles and pulling them open and shut. You can also take out your favorite screwdriver and give any loose screws a decent tightening if you find any. 

Finish it All Up

Now that the procedure is finished, you may put your finished product to the test.

Take a minute to appreciate your hard work by sliding each and every drawer in and out before putting things back where they belong.

And do not fear, this will not be a one-drawer solution. With these methods, you can take apart and fix any cabinet in your home.

Tip: If you are repairing a cabinet or other complex piece of furniture, take it apart into manageable sections before moving on to the next. 

Different Reasons for Hemnes Drawer Not Sliding Properly

hemnes drawer is not sliding

If you notice your IKEA Hemnes drawer not sliding smoothly or any drawer just won’t close properly, know that it could be for so many reasons.

But, in most cases, you can solve it by focusing on the following issues: 

Check the Rollers

The rollers the drawer moves on can get damaged over time, causing the drawer to no longer slide smoothly.

Extreme wear and tear or a lack of routine maintenance can make this happen. So, check it regularly to avoid any issues in this regard

Avoid Overfilling

drawer with full of stuffs

It might be annoying if a drawer becomes stuck or difficult to slide but it could happen if it is overcrowded. Overfilling the drawer or placing heavy items within can lead to this problem, but it is easy to fix.

Check for Warping

If the track your drawer moves on has gotten warped over time, the contents of the drawer may become stuck or the drawer may no longer line up properly.

When the drawer or track is subjected to humidity or high temperatures, this can occur. 

Notice any Misalignment

Aligning your drawers correctly is essential for a smooth closing experience. Make sure all of the drawers are lined up properly before attempting to close them.

A smooth drawer installation requires the drawer’s bottom to be flush with the cabinet’s face.

To accomplish this, remember the following:

  • Make sure the drawer’s height is uniform on both sides.
  • Use a water bubble level to check the horizontal and vertical levels of a surface. 

Look for Any Blockage

inspecting if there is a blockage

If there is any blockage, it could impede the drawer’s motion.  The drawer may become jammed or refuse to move at all as a result of this problem, leaving you frustrated and unable to get to any of your personal documents.

Do not freak out if this happens to you. Relax, and look around for any blockage.

Examine the area thoroughly because the culprit could be as inconspicuous as a paper clip or a scrap of paper.

If you find anything stuck, carefully get it out of the drawer or desk frame so you do not break anything.

Tip: Do not use force to remove any blockage or unclog the drawer because it could cause more harm than good. 

Find and Replace Broken Parts

A malfunctioning part could be to blame if the drawer still does not open and close properly after looking for more common issues.

Now, you should check for any obvious signs of damage or wear and tear on both the drawer and the frame. You should get new components if you find any that are damaged.

If the bottom drawer of your IKEA Hemnes desk is malfunctioning because it is on the older side, it may be time to replace it.

Tip: You can hire a carpenter to remedy the problem if it can be fixed, or you can try fixing it on your own if the damage is small. 

Lubricate Drawer

putting lubricant to the drawer slides

Drawers may become difficult to open and close due to increased friction caused by wear and tear on the frame channels.

Simply, add some silicone-based lubricant to the drawer slides of your Hemnes desk drawer to make opening and closing the drawer easier. Rubbing paraffin wax or candlesticks may also help.

Using a silicone-based lubricant in the drawer channels will minimize friction and make the drawers slide more easily.

Tip: Sticky drawers are often caused by dirt and grime that can be loosened with a little WD-40 or a similar substance. 

Look for Loose Screws

The smooth operation of your drawers may be compromised if you forget a screw or do not tighten it enough when putting them together.

Find the source of the problem—perhaps a few loose screws in the back of the drawer—and tighten them with a power tool.

The stainless-steel bars and rolling ball in the drawer slides of an IKEA Hemnes desk can be damaged by rough or frequent use. Replace them.

Similarly, if a drawer will not open or gets jammed, it may be necessary to replace the runners or slides.

If the sphere that does the rolling is missing, you will need to get a new pair of runners and slides. 

Takeaway

IKEA drawer not sliding smoothly can be quite frustrating and annoying. But, in so many cases, the issue is not all that serious. In fact, if you can identify it, you can often fix it on your own.

Mostly, it may help to remove any dirt from the tracks and rollers and check the alignment of the tracks to see if that resolves the problem.

Damaged or worn rollers may necessitate replacement. Moreover, make sure the drawer is not too heavy by inspecting its contents.

But, keep in mind that drawer or track replacement may be necessary if the problem persists.