Metal cabinets can start to squeak and creak over time. The noises can be annoying, and make your cabinets seem cheaply made. Luckily, there are several methods you can try to stop metal cabinet squeaks and restore them to smooth, quiet operation.

Why Metal Cabinets Squeak

Metal cabinets and their doors are assembled from multiple pieces that rub and slide against each other. Over time, the metal parts can shift slightly out of alignment. Screws can also loosen up. This allows the parts to rub together inconsistently, which creates squeaking and other noises.

There are a few common causes of metal cabinet squeaks:

Loose hinges – Cabinet door hinges can gradually work loose, allowing the door to shift and rub when opened.
Weak or loose hinge screws – Screws securing hinges to cabinets can strip out or loosen over years of use. This allows movement and noise.
Loose cabinet parts – Shelves, drawers, and other internal parts can shake and vibrate, causing rattling noises.
Loose cabinet body – Screws securing cabinets to walls can become loose. This allows the entire cabinet to shift and creak.
Dry, worn glides – On metal drawers and shelves, nylon or rubber glides can dry out and wear down over time. This allows metal-on-metal squeaking.
Weak or broken latches – Door latches and hinges wear out over time. Loose latching allows doors to shift and rub.

The good news is that these issues can usually be fixed using some basic DIY methods. With a little investigation and elbow grease, you can stop annoying metal cabinet squeaks.

How to Diagnose the Source of the Squeak

Start by opening cabinets doors one at a time, and listening closely to isolate exactly where the squeak is coming from.

Try to determine if the noise happens when:

Opening or closing the cabinet door
Opening a specific drawer
Pressing on a certain cabinet panel or shelf

Reproduce the squeak a few times to pinpoint the location. Maximize your chances of diagnosing the issue correctly by:

Having someone else open/close doors and drawers while you listen
Trying cabinets empty and loaded with dishes or contents
Holding and releasing pressure on shelving and surfaces

If the squeak appears in multiple places, you may need to systematically tighten components all over the cabinet. Focus first on the loudest and most annoying squeaks.

Common Squeak Locations

Some common sources of metal cabinet squeaks include:

Door Hinges – Listen for a squeak when opening or closing doors. Try holding the door steady while having someone else rotate just the hinge.
Door Latch – Notice any squeak when the door latches or pops free from the latch.
Drawer Guides – Squeaks when opening or closing drawers indicate worn glides or loose runners.
Shelves or Internal Parts – Squeaks from inside the cabinet suggest loose hardware or components shaking.
Entire Cabinet – Whole cabinet noises when opening doors suggest the box itself is loose on the wall.

Now that you’ve identified the location(s), you can target your repairs.

How to Stop Hinge Squeaks

One very common source of door squeaks are the hinges themselves. Follow this process to stop hinge squeaking:

Step 1 – Tighten Hinge Screws

Use a screwdriver to tighten all screws securing the hinges to the cabinet frame and door. Don’t over-tighten, but make sure screws are snug.

If screws are severely loose or stripped out, replace with new screw anchors or use wood glue and toothpicks to re-secure hinges before tightening screws.

Step 2 – Lubricate Hinge Joints

Apply a small amount of lubricant like WD-40 or sewing machine oil to the hinge knuckle where the leaves pivot. Open and close the door a few times to work lubricant into the joint.

Step 3 – Adjust Door Position

If tightening screws doesn’t stop the squeak, the door itself may be slightly out of alignment. Loosen the hinge screws and nudge the door up/down or left/right until squeaks stop.

You can also use plastic shims to align the door within the cabinet frame. Retighten screws once aligned.

Step 4 – Replace Hinges

For stubborn, ongoing hinge squeaks, you may need to replace old worn out hinges with new ones. Use exact same style hinges, or head to the hardware store to get advice on compatible replacements.

Install new hinges in original locations. You may need to drill new screw holes. Fill old holes with wood putty.

With these steps, you should be able to permanently remedy hinge-related door squeaks.

How to Fix Drawer Slide Squeaks

For noisy drawers, the slide glides are often the culprit. Here is how to quiet squeaky drawer slides:

Step 1 – Clean Drawer Runners

Remove the drawer and wipe down the tracks inside the cabinet and the glides on the drawer. Remove any dirt, grime, or debris that could be interfering with smooth gliding.

Step 2 – Lubricate Contact Points

Use a lubricant like dry PTFE spray, dry silicone spray, or graphite powder to lubricate the tracks and drawer glides. Reinsert drawer and open/close several times to distribute lube.

Step 3 – Adjust or Tighten Runners

Make sure drawer runner clips are properly aligned and haven’t come out of their tracks. Tighten any loose runner screws attaching runners to the cabinet frame.

Step 4 – Add Felt Pads

Adhesive felt furniture pads added to contact points between the drawer and cabinet can help absorb vibration and muffle squeaks.

Step 5 – Replace Runners

For stubborn squeaky drawers, replacement of the entire sliding mechanisms may be needed. Upgrade to smooth ball-bearing runners for a long-term fix.

Quieting noisy drawers may take some trial and error, but these tips should help improve sliding and eliminate squeaks.

How to Stop Cabinet Wall Squeaks

If the entire cabinet unit is squeaking when opening doors, the box itself may have come loose. Follow these tips to tighten up a creaky cabinet:

Step 1 – Tighten Wall Screws

Use a drill and screwdriver bit to tighten any visible mounting screws securing the cabinet to the wall through the back panel or frame.

Step 2 – Tighten Toekick Screws

Lay on your back and reach up underneath the cabinet. Tighten any accessible screws, especially ones attaching the cabinet “toekicks” at the base.

Step 3 – Use Shims

Open the cabinet and check for gaps between the cabinet and wall. Insert thin wood or plastic shims in any gaps and tap into place to take up space and stabilize the cabinet.

Step 4 – Add Wall Anchors

For stubborn wall squeaks, drywall anchors inserted into the wall behind the cabinet can provide additional stability. Use toggle bolts or molly bolts to “sandwich” the cabinet snugly to the wall.

Step 5 – Add Cabinet Brackets

Specialized right-angle cabinet brackets attached to the wall studs can securely hold the cabinet and prevent movement or vibrations.

With the cabinet firmly anchored against the wall, noises and shifts when opening and closing doors should be minimized.

How to Fix Shelf and Interior Rattles

The interior of a metal cabinet should not rattle and shake. Here is how to quiet shelves, dividers, racks and other internal parts:

Step 1 – Tighten Shelf Brackets

Use a screwdriver to check that all shelf brackets or pins are fully tightened. Tighten any loose shelf support screws into the cabinet walls.

Step 2 – Tighten Hardware

Check for loose screws on other internal hardware like drawer dividers, racks, latches and handles. Tighten any loose parts.

Step 3 – Cushion Parts

Apply self-adhesive felt pads or rubber bumpers to stabilize shelves, drawers, racks, etc. from vibrating and rattling against each other.

Step 4 – Adjust Shelves

Make sure shelves and parts are properly seated in tracks or brackets. Reseat loose components. Shim shelves that may be warped or bowed.

Step 5 – Replace Broken Components

Severely damaged or defective parts like warped shelves, broken latches or missing drawer glides will need full replacement to prevent noises.

Take your time and systematically check, tighten, and cushion everything inside the cabinet to achieve rattle-free operation.

How to Lubricate Squeaky Metal Cabinets

For metal-on-metal friction in hinges, glides, and contact points, lubrication can help minimize squeaking. Here are some top options:

WD-40

WD-40 is a lightweight, low-viscosity spray lubricant that can work into hinges and joints quickly. Avoid overspray. Reapply periodically.

Sewing Machine Oil

Sewing machine oil has tacky properties to cling to metal surfaces while staying fluid to lubricate joints. It’s ideal for hinges.

Silicone Spray

Silicone-based sprays can coat surfaces to reduce friction and allow smooth, quiet sliding action. Use dry silicone sprays on cabinet hardware.

Graphite Powder

Graphite powder can work into tight spaces to lubricate sliding drawer runners and tracks. It reduces friction for quiet gliding.

White Lithium Grease

Thicker white lithium grease provides heavy lubrication for worn metal parts. Use a small amount on stubborn, grinding squeaks.

Candle Wax

Rubbing candle wax on squeaky hinges and glides can minimally improve lubrication. It’s a quick, simple DIY fix for minor squeaks.

Avoid using harsh lubricants like motor oil or grease inside cabinets, as it could damage finishes. Always follow product instructions for proper usage on cabinet hardware.

When to Call a Professional for Metal Cabinet Repairs

While many squeaks can be fixed DIY, certain issues are best left to cabinet experts:

Broken weld points or cracked frames on built-in cabinets
Severe damage or rot on base cabinet floors and walls
Warped or broken doors that need major repairs
Replacing concealed Euro-style hinges
Major adjustments to cabinet box alignment
Fully replacing fixed cabinets or shelving units

Know your limits on structural repairs. For complex cabinet work, a professional carpenter can restore damaged components and achieve quiet operation.

Preventing Future Metal Cabinet Squeaks

Regular maintenance helps avoid squeaks in the long run. Try these proactive measures:

Lubricate – Periodically lubricate cabinet hinges and glides to keep parts moving smoothly.
Tighten – Check for loose screws/brackets on cabinets, doors, and shelves every couple years.
Adjust – Realign any sagging doors and make minor adjustments as needed.
Upgrade – Replace worn parts like hinges periodically to prevent damage.
Install solidly – Ensure cabinets are secured firmly to studs in walls, with extra braces and anchors if necessary.

With diligent preventive care, your cabinets should stay quiet and squeak-free for years before needing repairs again. Invest some periodic effort to stop annoying noises before they start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Metal Cabinet Squeaks

What is the most common cause of squeaky metal cabinets?

The most frequent source of metal cabinet squeaks are the hinges, especially when screws work loose over time. Cabinet doors shifting in worn out hinges is the #1 cause of noises.

What is the easiest DIY way to fix a squeaky cabinet door?

Start by tightening the hinge screws securing the door. A tube of lubricant like WD-40 can also be sprayed directly onto hinges and latches to quickly quiet a squeaky door.

Why do newly installed cabinets start squeaking right away?

Improper installation is usually the reason for immediate cabinet squeaks. Hinges are likely misaligned and parts unsecured. Have an installer check for gaps, tighten everything fully, and make adjustments.

Can you stop cabinet squeaking by just lubricating the hinges?

Lubricating alone may temporarily reduce squeaking, but the root cause is usually loose or misaligned hardware. For a permanent fix, hinges and other components should be tightened and aligned along with lubricating.

At what point should you replace cabinet hinges to fix squeaking?

If hinge screws are badly stripped, joints are worn out, or alignments can’t be made to stop squeaks, replacement of the hinges is likely the best option for a long-term solution.

Conclusion

Squeaky, creaky metal cabinets can be extremely frustrating, but are usually repairable. With some investigation and a few simple tools, you can likely resolve the noises yourself without replacing the entire cabinet. Focus on proper hinge tightening and alignment, lubricating contact points, securing the cabinet box firmly, and adjusting interior components. Stopping cabinet squeaks just takes some diligent troubleshooting and TLC for your cabinets. With the right repairs, you can restore them to quiet, smooth operation once again.

How to Stop Squeaky Metal Drawers

Metal drawers that squeak and scrape can be just as irritating as noisy cabinet doors. The abrasive sounds of metal sliding against metal make drawers feel cheap and flimsy. Luckily, with some investigation and maintenance, squeaky metal drawers can be restored to smooth and quiet functionality.

Common Causes of Squeaky Drawers

Here are some of the most frequent causes of bothersome drawer squeaks and noises:

Worn or dry glides – Plastic/nylon glides attached to the bottom of drawers wear down over years of use. This allows metal-to-metal contact and squeaking.
Loose hardware – Screws can work loose on drawer slides, handles and internal parts. Movement creates noise.
Debris – Dirt, crumbs and debris caught in tracks and runners interferes with proper gliding.
Improper alignment – Runners may be dented, bent out of shape, or improperly aligned, causing the drawer to shift and rub.
Loose drawer front – On some drawer cabinets, the front panel can separate slightly and vibrate against the drawer box.
Overloaded drawer – Excess weight in the drawer can put strain on the glides and cause them to squeak under the heavy load.
High humidity – Moisture in the air can cause wood drawers and cabinets to swell and bind.
Damaged runners – Severely warped, broken or missing drawer slides will require replacement.

While drawer squeaks originate from a variety of sources, they generally come down to issues with worn, dirty or misaligned hardware that needs to be corrected.

How to Fix Squeaky Metal Drawer Slides

To stop drawers from squeaking and scraping, follow this full troubleshooting process:

Step 1 – Remove the Drawer

Pull the drawer fully out until it releases from the slides. This will allow you to thoroughly inspect the slides on both the drawer and inside the cabinet.

Step 2 – Clean the Hardware

Use a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits to thoroughly clean gunk, grime and debris from the drawer runners and drawer glides. Debris can interfere with smooth sliding.

Step 3 – Lubricate Contact Points

Spray or wipe a dry lubricant like silicone or Teflon spray onto the runners and glide contact points. Reinsert the drawer and open/close repeatedly to distribute the lubricant.

Step 4 – Tighten Screws

Check all slide screws securing them into the cabinet and drawer. Tighten any loose screws to eliminate extra movement. Be careful not to strip the screw heads.

Step 5 – Adjust Alignment

If slides are bent or binding, carefully bend them back into proper shape. Insert plastic shims if needed so the drawer runs straight without rubbing.

Step 6 – Replace Glides

If plastic glides are severely worn down or missing, attach new drawer glides with adhesive or small screws. Nylon or felt glides work well.

Step 7 – Replace Entire Slides

For broken or malformed slides that cannot be adjusted, you may need to install entirely new drawer slide hardware for a permanent fix.

With some cleaning, lubrication, adjustment and replacement of worn parts, squeaky metal drawer slides can be restored to smooth and quiet function.

How to Fix a Noisy Drawer Box

If lubricating the slides doesn’t fix the squeaks, the drawer box itself may be rattling or vibrating against the cabinet. Here are some tips:

Tighten all hardware like handles and divider screws inside the drawer. Remove unnecessary interior clutter.
Install adhesive felt pads on the rear of the drawer box to cushion where it contacts the cabinet back.
Adjust the drawer front if it is slightly out of alignment and rubbing on the slide channels.
Add cushioning pads between stacked drawers to prevent rattling together.
Apply paste wax or silicone lube to the wood drawer sides for smoother gliding in the channels.
For severe cases, you may need to disassemble the drawer box and rebuild it with tighter joinery, stronger joints, and proper squaring.

Slowing down your opening and closing of squeaky drawers can also help. Slamming and aggressively pulling drawers puts more strain on components and causes louder noises. Gentle use alongside repairs will lead to quiet operation.

When to Call a Professional for Drawer Repair

While many noisy drawers can be remedied with DIY fixes, some scenarios may require bringing in a professional:

Severely warped or broken wood drawers with damage beyond basic repairs
Replacing concealed modern drawer slide

How to Stop Squeaky Metal Cabinets