Replace a missing drawer runner screw
Replace a missing drawer slide screw. Match the original fixing, seat the head flush and test the empty drawer for scraping or misalignment.
- Estimated time
- 20 min
- Skill level
- Beginner
Before you start
Pull the empty drawer halfway out and look for a rail that lifts or shifts at a fixing point. This repair assumes the runner is straight and the original screw hole still grips. Check how the drawer releases and photograph the slot or hole used by the original screw.
Tools and materials
- Matching screwdriver
- Replacement screw matching the original
Step-by-step instructions
Remove the empty drawer
Follow the drawer’s release method to expose the cabinet runner.
Identify the screw
Compare with an intact fixing in the same runner and match its head, length and thread.
Seat the replacement screw
Hold the runner in its original position against the cabinet. Start the matching screw by hand in the original hole and tighten gently until the runner stops moving. If the screw does not start cleanly, check the thread and position before forcing it.
Check clearance
Make sure the screw head sits flush, then refit the drawer and test it empty.
Check the result
Run the empty drawer fully in and out. The replacement head should clear the moving parts without clicking or scraping. Close it slowly to check that both sides stop at the same point, then add a few light items and test again.
Troubleshooting
If the screw spins or the cabinet around the hole is crumbling, the fixing needs repair before the drawer goes back into use.