How to Fix Desk Drawers That Are Not in Straight

Desk drawers that do not fit straight inside the furniture will not slide in and out properly. Crooked desk drawers may also make your work space look sloppy. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including drawers that jump the tracks, loose slides or too many items packed inside the drawer. A few simple adjustments with common hand tools can fix the drawers so they slide straight in and out of your desk.

Simple adjustments help the desk drawers slide straight.

Step 1

Pull the drawer out of the desk and tilt upward at an angle to remove.

Step 2

Redistribute some of the items in a drawer that has pulled off the slides inside the desk. Transfer some of the heavier items to other drawers, especially supplies that you do not use every day. The drawer may be overloaded, causing mechanical problems with the slide mechanism.

Step 3

Spray lubricant from a can onto the drawer slides, on either the bottom or each side of the drawer.

Step 4

Replace the drawer in the desk and move it in and out several times to work the lubricant into the slides inside the desk. If the drawer is still crooked, remove it from the desk and continue troubleshooting.

Step 5

Tighten the screws holding the slides inside the desk walls.

Step 6

Loosen the screws holding a drawer slide on the side that is not hanging straight when the drawer is flush with the desk. For example, if the drawer tilts downward to the right, loosen the screws in the right-hand drawer slide.

Step 7

Push and hold the slide in the opposite direction of the problem position. For example, if the drawer hangs downward and to the right, push up on the right-hand slide and hold it. Drawer slides are typically made with oval loops for screw holes. This enables you to adjust the position of the slide for a better fit in the desk.

Step 8

Tighten the screws while holding the slide in the new position.

Step 9

Replace the desk drawer and push it closed.