How to Remove Stripped Screws | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares some tricks of the trade for backing out stripped screws. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)

Shopping List for How to Remove Stripped Screws:

Tools List for How to Remove Stripped Screws:

Steps for How to Remove Stripped Screws:
1. Try removing the stripped screw with the proper size manual screwdriver.
2. If the screw head is protruding from the surface, grip it with self-locking pliers and twist out the screw.
3. Use a cordless drill, set in reverse, and left-handed bit to drill a small hole into the head of the stripped screw.
4. With the drill still set in reverse, use a screw extractor to back out the screw.
5. If the screw head has snapped off, use a hollow-boring screw extractor to drill out the entire screw. Fill the resulting hole with a tapered wood plug.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Remove Stripped Screws | Ask This Old House

[SenhorRomantico]

Nothing short of outstanding. No wasted time with blah, blah, blah and options offered based on severity of the problem. Perfect. Thanks!

[softballninja]

This was so helpful. After I got the drill bit it only took me a couple minutes and saved me a huge headache.

[ArmoredSoul]

So so helpful! These types of extractors are a little harder to find nowadays, but they're still around and they're AWESOME. Especially if you're a renter trying to fix a muck up from a previous tenant!

[Figaroblue]

What a fantastic, quick, and easy video! Thanks!

[adsensedd]

I don't why, but watching This Old House makes me feel so relaxed. Maybe it's the wonderful homes they work on and the wise old blokes sharing tips.

[gieselawash]

You just saved me an entire day Grandma trying to put together a cedar planter and guess what ??? stripped a screw.. Happened to have this special drill bit- never new how to use it. So thanks so much

[Nettsinthewoods]

Very nice simple and informative video. Thank you so much!

[tracymurphy]

Had a stripped screw and nothing I tried was working to remove it. Watched this video and saw the suggestion for pliers. I thought “no way this is going to work but what have I got to lose?” and sure enough, pliers worked like a charm. Thank you!

[yoshy_]

Explaining unclear, now my computer motherboard has hole in it

[DavidLarsenDr]

Super helpful, thank you! Had to buy a stripped-screw removal bit from the local hardware store, but with the tips in this video it worked like a charm :)

[hardwarehenrietta]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video, well done .

[susansiroky]

Very helpful video. Thank you!! I was able to remove 6 screws following your technique. You saved me
$$$ - I don’t have to hire a handyman. So grateful!

[derkcas]

Thanks for the info! I'm glad you said the extractor "usually works" because it doesn't always work 😬

[keithhgallop]

Always this old house comes with good ways to do things! I use to watch as a kid growing up everyday! Thank you old timers for showing a youngster after freaking out how to get something down lmao

[tomjoht]

worked great! I used a flathead, pounded a little with a hammer to set it, and it came out. for another stripped head screw, I couldn't turn the screwdriver so used the vice grips to turn it while pressing down to keep pressure on it. thanks for making the video!

[johnnyBrwn]

I'm so made I didn't think of this. Been here working on this screw for HOURS!!!

[drealeonetti]

That little Grab-It 2 headed thingy for the drill is the bomb!!!! Works like a charm!!!! YAYAYAYYAYYAYA!

[Urahara]

Of course if you still have the head, there's always the option to bust out the trusty dremmel and use a cutting disk to cut a flat head slot.

[gnarmarmilla]

man, much love to you guys...thanks. If ya'll don't have any money but you have some super glue or epoxy, another method is to glue your screw driver tip to the stripped head and then carefully remove it when it is dry. Don't torque too hard because it will just pop off. Then you can easily pop the screw off when it's done .

[josephnorcalusa]

Helpful information, thank you for sharing!!