How to Remove a Stripped Screw

A stripped screw is difficult to remove because the indents on the screw head are smoothed away. The screwdriver or drill bit has nothing to grip. The harder you press on the screw, the more it strips. But when you know how to remove a stripped screw, it's a simple matter to have the screw out in just a few minutes.

These methods for removing a stripped screw use basic tools or materials commonly found around the house or shop—screwdrivers, pliers, rubber bands, steel wool, or abrasive powder. To remove a stripped screw, few gadgets work better than an inexpensive screw extractor tool.

Learn how to remove a stripped screw with or without a drill, plus what to consider when removing a stripped screw from wood, metal, or plastic.

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Watch Now: 4 Ways to Remove a Stripped Screw or Bolt

01 of 10

Use a Different Driver

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Turn out a stripped Phillips head screw with a manual flat-head screwdriver. Angle the blade to force it into the screw head. After about 1/4-inch of the screw has been exposed, clamp locking pliers to the sides of the screw head and turn the screw the rest of the way out.
02 of 10

Use Pliers

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Clamp locking pliers to the sides of the screw head or to the shank and turn to remove the stripped screw. Using pliers bypasses the stripped screw head for a positive grip on the screw.

Use standard locking pliers to grab the screw head from the top or from the side. Turn the adjustment screw so that the pliers lock tightly to the screw. Turn the screw counter-clockwise until it releases from the material.

Tip

For screws flush or embedded in wood, groove out a couple of shallow indentations next to the screw head for better grip.
03 of 10

Add a Rubber Band

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Improve turning friction by placing a rubber band between the screwdriver and the stripped screw head. The rubber band is sticky enough to add grip, plus it fills in gaps on the screw head.

Double up the rubber band for large screws or use one layer for smaller screws. Lay the rubber band over the screw. Press the tip of the screwdriver into the rubber band and turn counter-clockwise.
04 of 10

Use a Larger Driver

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Change out the properly sized driver bit or screwdriver to one that is slightly larger in diameter. A larger bit or screwdriver tip fills the void on the stripped screw head.

Lean hard into the drill or screwdriver. Turn counter-clockwise. Old, rounded-down drill bits or screwdrivers are beneficial because they have flatter tips, so there is more surface contact between the tip and the screw head.

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05 of 10

Use a Manual Screwdriver

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Use a manual screwdriver to remove the stripped screw instead of using an electric drill and driver bit. A manual screwdriver gives you more torque and control than an electric drill. It's easier to lean into the screw and add pressure without the risk of further stripping the screw.
06 of 10

Add Steel Wool

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Place a small section of steel wool and turn the stripped screw through it. The steel wool improves friction on the screw head.

Tear off a coin-sized piece of steel wool. Flatten it, then place it on top of the screw head. Insert the tip of the screw through the steel wool and press down while turning counter-clockwise.
07 of 10

Tap With a Hammer

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Tap a manual screwdriver into the screw head with a light hammer. This seats the tip of the screwdriver slightly deeper into the screw for better grip.

Use a manual screwdriver that is properly sized for the screw. Tap the back of the screwdriver handle with a hammer three or four times. Do not remove the screwdriver from the screw or dislodge it. Turn the screw to remove it.
08 of 10

Cut a Slot

The Spruce

Cut a slot into the screw head with an electric tool. The tip of a flat-head screwdriver can be inserted into the groove to turn the screw.

Use a rotary cutting tool or a multi-tool fitted with a metal blade. Turn on the tool. Wearing safety glasses, hold the tool parallel with the material and cut a shallow groove in the screw head. Place the tip of a flat-head screwdriver in the groove, press hard, and turn counter-clockwise.

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09 of 10

Add an Abrasive

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Add a powder or liquid abrasive to the screw head. This adds friction to the screw for increased grip when turning the screw.

Drop a pinch of non-chlorinated cleaning powder or fine sand to the screw. Apply the tip of the screwdriver or driver bit to the screw and turn the screw out. For a finer abrasive, add one or two drops of grip friction drops.
10 of 10

Use a Screw Extractor

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Use a screw extractor kit to remove a stripped screw by drilling forward into the screw. Next, use a second bit with reverse threads to extract the screw. A screw extractor kit or a set of left-hand drill bits are best for removing a stripped screw from metal.

Choose a bit that is smaller than the diameter of the screw shank. Place the end of the drill bit in the center of the screw head, along with a drop of cutting oil. Drill slowly to form a hole. Remove the drill bit from the drill and switch to an extractor bit. Switch the drill to reverse and extract the screw.

Drilling into the screw with left-hand drill bits is much like using a screw extractor—except this is a one-step process. Turn the drill on REVERSE and drill into the screw. Continue drilling. The screw will eventually turn out.

Tip

Apply a drop of cutting oil on the screw before drilling with either method. For stubborn or rusted screws, add penetrating oil to the screw and let it sit for about 30 minutes before removal.

Removing a Stripped Screw From Wood, Metal, or Plastic

For efficient removal and to avoid damage, it's important to consider the type of material the screw is stuck in: wood, metal, or plastic. Different materials may require different techniques and supplies.

Remove a Stripped Screw From Wood

Wood is softer than metal but harder than plastic, so be mindful of the surface when removing screws.

Cover the area surrounding the screw with tape to prevent damage..
Use a screw extractor or left-hand drill bit to remove a screw below the surface.
Use extractor pliers to remove a stripped screw that's flush or above the wood surface

Remove a Stripped Screw From Metal

Rust is sometimes an issue when removing a stripped screw from metal. Metal is strong enough to tolerate removal methods that cannot be used with wood or plastic.

Apply penetrating oil to help remove a rusted stripped screw in metal.
Use a screw extractor or left-hand drill bit to remove a badly stripped screw from metal.
Tap the stripped screw with a small hammer to break up the rust.

Remove a Stripped Screw From Plastic

With stripped screws in plastic, rust is less of a concern. But plastic is so soft that many abrasive materials cannot be used with it.

Be gentle when removing a stripped screw from plastic to avoid gouges.
Use a rubber band or duct tape to improve friction rather than using abrasive materials like steel wood or abrasive cleaners.
Use a lubricant when removing stripped screws from plastic, but make sure that the lubricant and plastic are compatible.

Removing a Stripped Screw

Most stripped screws can be removed. In some cases, improving the friction is enough for the screwdriver or drill bit to grab the screw and turn it out. Stubborn stripped screws can be removed by cutting a groove in the screw and turning the screw with a flat-head screwdriver. Stripped screws that defy other methods can be removed with a screw extractor kit or with left-hand drill bits.

FAQ

How do I fix stripped screw holes?

To fix a stripped screw hole in wood, either add a longer or a wider screw, as appropriate. If that doesn't work, use a screw hole repair kit with a metal screen that improves the screw's grip. Thread repair liquid provides mild holding power. Creating new threads with a tap-and-die set is the best way to fix a stripped screw hole in metal.
What's the best way to get a stripped screw out?

The best way to get a stripped screw out is to improve friction with a rubber band or an abrasive like steel wool. Using a larger screwdriver can be helpful. With a cross-shaped Phillips head screw, turning with a flat-head screwdriver provides added grip. Gripping the screw head or shank with pliers is the best way to remove a stripped screw that is exposed at least 1/8- to 1/4-inch above the surface.
How do I remove a stripped screw with duct tape?

To remove a stripped screw with duct tape, tear off a section of duct tape about 2 inches long, apply the tape over the screw head, place the tip of the screwdriver over the screw head, and turn counter-clockwise. The adhesive side of the duct tape should be facing the screw.