How to Remove a Stripped Screw

Use a Different Driver

Remove a stripped Phillips head screw with a manual flathead screwdriver. Angle the blade into the screw head. Force the blade down hard. After about 1/4-inch of the screw has been exposed, clamp locking pliers to the sides of the screw head. Turn the screw the rest of the way out.

Use Pliers

Bypass the stripped screw head and grip the screw with a pair of locking pliers. Turn the adjustment screw on the pliers, then clamp down on the screw either from the top or the sides. Turn the screw counter-clockwise until it releases from the material.

Add a Rubber Band

Put a wide rubber band between the screwdriver tip and the stripped screw head. The rubber band adds grip and fills in gaps on the screw head. For large screws, double up the rubber band. For smaller screws, use one layer.

Use a Larger Driver

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.

Use a Manual Screwdriver

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.

Add Steel Wool

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.

Tap With a Hammer

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.

Cut a Slot

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.

Add an Abrasive

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.

Use a Screw Extractor

Using a screw extractor kit is the best way to remove a stripped screw if other methods aren't working. A screw extractor kit has two special drill bits: one with forward threads and another with reverse threads. Use the first drill bit to drill a hole in the screw. Then, switch to the reverse drill bit to remove the screw.

Add Duct Tape

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