Stripped Screw Stuck? Here’s The Easiest Way To Get It Out

What is a Stripped Screw?

A stripped screw is a screw that has lost its original shape, usually due to over-tightening or forcing the wrong tool into its head. This causes the ridges in the screw head to become worn down and smooth, resulting in nothing for your screwdriver or drill bit to grip onto. Without those gripping surfaces, applying rotational force just causes the tool to slip in the screw head, spinning freely without actually turning the screw itself. A stripped screw can look flattened on top, have rounded edges, or even have an indentation where a tool has dug into the soft metal of the screw head. A severely stripped screw may have no defined edges remaining on its screw head at all.

The most common causes of stripped screw heads are using the wrong size screwdriver or drill bit, poor quality screws that strip easily, corroded screw heads, over-torquing the screw, or applying force at an angle instead of straight vertical pressure. Whatever the cause, a stripped screw loses functionality and becomes very difficult to remove with standard tools. Special methods are required to extract stripped screws while avoiding further damage.

Why Do Screws Become Stripped?

Screws can become stripped for a variety of reasons:

Over-tightening - Applying too much torque or force when driving a screw can cause the head to strip. Excessive tightening can shear off the ridges that allow the screwdriver to grip the screw head.
Wrong screwdriver used - Using the incorrect size or type of screwdriver is a common cause of stripped screws. If the screwdriver head is too small or too big for the screw, it can slip and damage the head. Always match the screwdriver to the screw head.
Low quality screws - Cheap screws made of soft metal are more prone to getting stripped. Quality screws made of hardened steel are less likely to be damaged by the screwdriving process.
Corrosion - Rust, corrosion, or other buildup on a screw head can cause it to become stripped more easily. The corrosion fills in the grooves of the screw head, preventing the screwdriver from getting proper purchase.

Preventing Stripped Screws

One of the best ways to deal with a stripped screw is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to help avoid stripped screws:

Use the right screwdriver- Make sure your screwdriver exactly fits the head of the screw. The right size and type of screwdriver will allow you to apply adequate downward force without damaging the screw head. Avoid improvising with a close-fitting flathead screwdriver.
Don't overtighten- It can be tempting to really crank down on a screw, but this risks stripping it. Tighten screws just until snug. Let the threads do the work.
Use high quality screws- Opt for screws made of hardier metals like stainless steel, especially for applications that will undergo a lot of vibration or load. Softer screws like those made of zinc alloy strip more easily.
Lubricate threads- Putting a few drops of oil on the screw threads reduces friction as you drive the screw in, lowering the chances of stripping. Choose lubricants like WD-40 or machine oil.

Removing Stripped Screws with a Rubber Band

One simple method for removing a stripped screw is to use a rubber band for extra grip and friction. This works best for screws that are only mildly stripped and still have some purchase remaining for a screwdriver tip.

To use this method:

Place a rubber band over the head of the screw, stretching it so it lays flat covering the entire head of the screw.
Push your screwdriver tip down firmly into the screw head, so the rubber band is sandwiched between the tip and the screw head.
Turn the screwdriver slowly while maintaining steady downward pressure. The rubber band fills in the stripped areas to provide grip as you turn the screw.
Take care not to twist the rubber band. Keep the screwdriver tip pressed down in the center of the screw head as you turn.
Turn back and forth gently if needed, allowing the rubber band to catch and turn the screw a bit at a time.
Once the screw turns, keep turning slowly and maintain pressure. The rubber band's friction and grip will allow you to back the stripped screw out.

This simple rubber band trick works surprisingly well to remove mildly to moderately stripped screws. The rubber band provides just enough extra grip and friction for the screwdriver to gain purchase on the screw head and turn it out. Take your time and apply steady pressure for best results.

Using Vice Grips or Pliers

Vice grips or pliers can be used to grip the head of a stripped screw and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. This method works best if the screw head is not completely rounded off or damaged.

To use vice grips or pliers:

Select a pair of vice grips or pliers with a good grip strength. Make sure the jaws open wide enough to fit around the screw head. Needle nose vice grips or pliers work especially well for gripping into the indentations of stripped screws.
Center the vice grip or plier jaws onto the stripped screw head and clamp down tightly so they get a firm grip. You want the screw head to be nestled in the jaws.
With the vice grips or pliers tightly gripping the screw, slowly turn counterclockwise to back the screw out. Apply steady pressure and use a rocking motion if needed to help break the threads free.
Keep turning the vice grips or pliers counterclockwise until the stripped screw is fully removed. Take care not to strip the head any further.
If the screw won't budge with the vice grips or pliers alone, you can try lightly tapping the jaws with a hammer while turning to help jar it loose. Just be careful not to damage the material the screw is threaded into.

Vice grips and pliers are simple tools many people already have handy for backing out stripped screws. Just take care when clamping them down not to damage screw heads further. If the screw head is very rounded off, other methods like screw extractors may be needed.

Drilling Out the Screw

Another method for removing a stripped screw is to drill it out using a left-handed drill bit. Here's how to do it:

First, switch to a left-handed drill bit in your drill. A left-handed bit will grab and twist out the stripped screw as you drill. Regular right-handed bits will just drill into the screw and make it harder to remove.
Center the drill bit in the middle of the stripped screw head. You want to drill directly into the screw to help "bite" into it. Press the drill straight down and let the left-handed flutes grab and twist the screw.
Drill slowly into the screw while applying firm pressure. Keep the drill bit in position as you drill to ensure you're drilling into the center of the screw. Drill deep enough to loosen the screw and penetrate the length of the shank.
Once the screw is drilled-out, you can use pliers to grip the remaining shank and twist it out. The drilled-out portion should allow you to get a good grip with the pliers to unscrew what's left of the screw.
If any remnants of the screw shank are still stuck in the hole, use the pliers to remove them. You want the hole to be completely clear before replacing with a new screw.

Drilling out the screw can be an effective method when other options have failed. Just be sure to use a left-handed bit and drill directly into the center of the screw for best results. Take it slow and let the drill do the work of biting into and removing the stripped screw.

Using a Screw Extractor

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A screw extractor is a specialty tool designed to remove stripped screws. It works by gripping what remains of the stripped screw's head and allowing you to unscrew it.

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To use a screw extractor:

Select an extractor bit that matches the screw size. Screw extractor kits often include multiple sizes to handle different screw diameters.
Hammer the extractor bit into the center of the stripped screw head. The extractor has a tapered end that wedges into the damaged screw head. Hammer it in straight and deep enough to get a good grip.
Attach a wrench, pliers or drill to the square shank end of the extractor bit. The extractor is designed to turn counterclockwise to back the screw out.
Turn the extractor counterclockwise slowly and steadily. Apply firm pressure. The ridges on the extractor will grip and turn the screw.
Once the stripped screw begins turning, keep turning counterclockwise to completely back it out.
Take care not to over-torque or break the extractor bit. If needed, apply penetrant lubricant to help loosen the threads.

Screw extractors are extremely helpful for removing screws with damaged heads. Just be sure to start with the right size and hammer it in properly so it gets a good bite. Then be patient in slowly turning counterclockwise to back the screw out.

Filling and Replacing the Screw

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Once you've successfully removed the stripped screw, you'll need to fill the hole before inserting a new screw. Here are the steps:

Fill the screw hole with toothpicks and wood glue. Break toothpicks into small pieces and fully pack the hole. Squirt wood glue into the hole and let it soak into the toothpicks.
Allow the wood glue to fully dry and harden, which can take 24-48 hours. The drying time allows the glue to set and bind the toothpicks together to form a solid plug in the screw hole.
Once the wood glue has fully dried, use a power drill to drill a pilot hole into the toothpick plug, centered in the original screw hole. Drill slowly and carefully as you puncture the hardened wood glue and toothpick material.
Insert a new screw into the pilot hole and drive it in with a screwdriver. The new screw should grab into the surrounding wood and achieve a secure hold.
Remove any excess glue or toothpicks from around the repaired hole. Allow the screw to fully set before using it.

The toothpick and wood glue technique fills and repairs the stripped screw hole, allowing you to insert a new screw and regain a solid mounting. Take care not to re-strip the new screw by driving it in too tight or applying too much torque. With the hole filled, you can use the object as intended.

Preventing Future Stripped Screws

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To avoid dealing with stripped screws in the future, there are a few simple steps you can take:

Allow glue or epoxy to fully cure before re-tightening screws. One of the most common reasons screws become stripped is trying to tighten them before the adhesive has fully set. Give glue at least 24 hours to cure before applying torque to screws.
Use a screw lubricant. Wax, soap, or commercial screw lubricants decrease friction and the chances of stripping. Apply a small amount to the threads before driving the screw.
Always hand-tighten screws before using power tools. Tightening by hand reduces the risk of over-torquing and camming out the screw head. Only use a power drill once the screw is threaded and snug by hand.

Taking the time to properly pre-drill holes, lubricate screws, and let glue cure will go a long way towards preventing headaches from stripped screws in the future. Be patient, take your time, and you can avoid this frustrating problem.

When to Call a Professional

While removing stripped screws can often be accomplished at home, there are some situations where it is best to call in a professional. Below are a few circumstances where handy "do-it-yourself" techniques may prove inadequate and the services of a professional are recommended:

For load-bearing or high-risk applications. Stripped screws that are part of structural supports or fixtures (like door hinges) should not be tampered with by an amateur. Instead, let an experienced professional assess the situation to avoid compromising safety or integrity.
If you've exhausted home remedies without success. Sometimes DIY methods like rubber bands, pliers, or extractors fail to get the stripped screw out. If you've tried every trick in the book to no avail, it's time to call in an expert rather than risk ruining the material. Professionals have industrial-grade tools and expertise to remove the most stubborn stripped screws.
For expensive materials or heirlooms. When dealing with luxury materials, antiques, or items of sentimental value, it's worth paying for professional screw removal services to avoid botching the job. One slip-up could mean damaging an irreplaceable item.

The bottom line is, while stripped screws can often be removed through clever home techniques, certain situations call for leaving it to the pros. If you've exhausted your options or are working with expensive/structural materials, pick up the phone and call a professional rather than taking unnecessary risks to the screw or surrounding material. Their expertise and specialized tools can remove the stripped screw successfully.

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