How to Fix a Cabinet Drawer That Does Not Close All the Way

Drawers that will not close completely in furniture and cabinets may be weighted down by too many items inside, or there could be damage to the steel or plastic slides that enable the drawer to move in and out. A middle drawer that will not close all the way may have something blocking the back of the drawer. This can happen when items fall out of adjacent drawers and into the path of the drawer that will not work properly. Try these simple repair techniques to fix the drawer.

Screwdrivers
Pliers
Spray lubricant

Instructions

- 1
  Pull out the drawer as far as it will extend so you can empty its contents.
- 2
  Lift the drawer by the front edges to disengage the drawer slides from the inner slides in the cabinet or furniture.
- 3
  Remove any items inside the back of the furniture or cabinet that extend into the glide space for the drawer. Check the inner slides in the cabinet or furniture for stuck items, such as socks or a glove, that may be caught on one of the slides. This will prevent the drawer from closing all the way.
- 4
  Tighten the slide on each side of the drawer with a screwdriver. Loose slides will not engage with the interior slides to move smoothly in and out. Tighten the interior slides as well, if either is loose.
- 5
  Adjust the drawer slides with pliers if the channels on each slide are dented. Grip the channel with the pliers and bend the slide gently to its correct shape.
- 6
  Spray a silicone-based lube on the drawer slides before reinserting the drawer into the cabinet or furniture. Push the drawer all the way in and pull it out again, repeating several times until the action is smooth.

What Are the Different Types of Drawer Glides?

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