The Best, Most Reliable Way to Remove a Stripped Screw — Plus 4 Other Options That Can Work

There can be a lot of frustrating things about home repairs and DIYs, but sometimes it’s the small stuff that gets you. Literally: One thing that has not infrequently stopped me in my tracks on a repair or a project is a stripped screw. Figuring out how to remove a stripped screw can be the difference between actually finishing my project and getting derailed for the whole day.

There are lots of recommendations for how to remove a stripped screw, and a lot of them can work (some better than others!). Usually, the best method depends on the context: A stripped screw in a lightweight flat-pack piece of furniture will need a lighter touch than one that’s lodged deep into a stud in your wall. Even so, there are a few methods you can try. Here’s how you can remove a stripped screw from nearly any surface.

You don’t necessarily need to buy anything new to help remove a stripped screw. Take inventory of the tools you have available. Here are some that you might find useful.

• A rubber band
• Super glue and a disposable Allen wrench
• A screwdriver in a different size or shape
• A drill
• Pliers

You’ll use different tactics depending on how much of the screw head is sticking out from the surface you’re trying to remove it from. Here are some options that can work if you’re able to get the screw a bit away from the surfaces it’s lodged in.

Removing a stripped screw with pliers is one of the best, most reliable options, as it relies on gripping the outside of the head rather than trying to gain purchase on the stripped surface of it.

1. Using a pair of pliers, grip the screw around the head.
2. Turn the screw left, or counter-clockwise, to twist it out of its hole.

Locking pliers like these can help make the job a little easier, as they won’t require you to maintain a tight grip.

Sometimes, you don’t have a lot to work with. In those cases, creativity might be your best bet. Note that this method is not a great pick for screws that are installed on an upright surface like a wall.

1. Dot a bit of Gorilla glue in the screw head. Place the Allen wrench on top. Be careful not to spill any on the surface you’re working on.
2. Hold the wrench in place with tape while the glue cures (approximately 24 hours).
3. When the glue has cured, hold the Allen wrench and twist it to the left, counter-clockwise, to pull the screw from its hole.

If the screw is sitting flush to the surface you’re trying to remove it from, you won’t be able to grip it with pliers. Instead, try one of these methods.

For screws that aren’t too stubborn, sometimes all you need is a little extra traction for your screwdriver or drill to grab on. A rubber band thick enough to fit your bit can be just the trick.

1. Place the rubber band over the screw head.
2. Insert the screwdriver or drill bit into place over the rubber band.
3. Maintaining enough pressure to keep the rubber band in place, turn the screw or drill bit counter-clockwise until the screw is all the way removed.

1. Using a bit made for metal, drill a small hole in the center of the stripped screw.
2. Fit a Phillips head bit into your drill and place it into the head of the stripped screw.
3. Reverse your drill to try to pull the screw out by using the new hole in its head as leverage.

Another option: Use an extractor bit with your drill, which works by using tiny teeth or threads to grip the head of the screw enough to remove it.

The difference between flathead screwdrivers and Phillips head screwdrivers is that flatheads have one linear slot while Phillips head screws have an X-shaped slot. Sometimes, a Phillips head screw is too stripped for a Phillips head screwdriver to gain traction, but there’s enough space for a flathead screwdriver to fit.

1. Insert the flathead screwdriver into the screw head so it fits into one of the slots.
2. Turn left, or counter-clockwise, until the screw is removed.

You might need to use a bit of force from a hammer to drive the screwdriver into the screw before you can get a good grip on it. Be gentle with this method; you don’t want to create further damage in the surface you’re working on.