How do I fix a drawer that sags, sticks or will not close?

Drawer runner repair: find the cause

To fix a drawer that will not close properly, check the cabinet, the runner and the drawer, in that order.

A drawer not closing properly is often blocked rather than broken. Open it fully and shine a phone torch behind it: a ladle, cling film or a belt can slip over the back panel and stop the drawer short.

Next, check the runner screws in the cabinet side. A loose one lets the runner drop, so the drawer rubs or closes at an angle. Tighten it gently with a hand screwdriver.

Then check that the drawer is still on its runners. Concealed runners clip on under the drawer, and an overloaded or yanked drawer can pop off one clip.

If a cabinet door sags instead, that is a hinge job: see our guide to cabinet hinge repair.

Taking a drawer out and putting it back

Most checks are easier with the drawer out. Concealed runners release from underneath the front. Blum's TANDEM runner instructions show how this type works, but that sheet is Blum's guidance for its own runners, so check your runner maker's manual for your model.

1. Empty the drawer. Take everything out so the drawer is light.
2. Release the locks. On Blum TANDEM runners, squeeze the orange handles on the locking devices under the drawer front, as shown in the TANDEM sheet.
3. Lift and pull. Lift the drawer and pull it out, then rest it on a towel.
4. Refit. Pull the runners out, place the drawer on them and push it closed until the locks engage.
5. Test it. Open and close it a few times to check it runs straight.

Adjusting height, tilt and sides

With the drawer back on, you can often correct a crooked or sagging front without tools. On Blum TANDEM runners, Blum's instructions give these adjustments:

• Height: up to 3 mm, tool-free, using the adjustment on the locking device.
• Tilt: a lever raises the back of the drawer by up to 5 mm.
• Side-to-side: turn the adjuster equally on both locking devices. Some device types do not have this.
• Depth: plus or minus 4.5 mm, but only with a specific accessory.

These are one maker's figures; check your own runners' manual.

Make small changes and test after each one. For a soft close drawer adjustment, set height and tilt first so the drawer runs level, then check how it closes.

Several sticky drawers and other small jobs can go on a handyman job list so one visit covers them.

Side-mounted ball-bearing runners

Older carpentry often uses side-mounted runners: metal rails visible on each side of the open drawer. They have no clip-on locking device.

Check the screws on both the drawer and the cabinet; a loose one lets the rails separate and the drawer wobble. Then slide the rail out fully and wipe away grit, rice grains or broken plastic that can make the drawer catch.

Finally, sight along the rail. A bent rail will not run smoothly again and should be replaced, not forced. If a wardrobe sliding door has also jumped its track, see our guide on a wardrobe sliding door off track.

Swollen or damaged cabinets

Sometimes the runner is fine but the cabinet is not, usually under the sink. A slow drip from a trap or tap connection soaks the side panel, the board swells and the runner screws lose their grip, so no adjustment holds.

Soft, puffy or flaking board, or a damp smell, means stop adjusting and deal with the water first. Our guide to a swollen cabinet under the sink covers what to check and what can be saved.

Repair or replace runners

Adjustment is enough when the runner is straight and the drawer just needs reseating or levelling. Replace the runner when a rail is bent, a locking device is cracked, bearings are missing, or the drawer still drops after you have tightened and adjusted everything.

Before you buy, measure the old runner's length and note its type (concealed or side-mounted, with or without soft close) and maker. A runner that is shorter or from a different system will not line up with the existing screw holes or clips. Taking the old part to the shop is the simplest way to match it.

If you would rather hand the job over, quotes depend on the number of drawers, the runner type and whether parts are supplied. The handyman cost estimator helps you plan before you ask.

Questions