How to Remove a Stuck Screw

When the screw is blown out or stuck, your project will be in trouble. To remove the stuck screw, you need to be patient. Don’t give up if one method fails. Take a deep breath, prepare the necessary kit and try another method.

If you come across a screw with a loose head or a one-way screw, look online for how to remove the screws in these cases.

Table of Contents

Try different tools

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Change screwdriver. When the screw is loose, try opening it with another screwdriver.

Try using a shorter screwdriver with a larger head first. Press down on the screwdriver and try to open the screw slowly.

Tip: If this doesn’t work, use a screwdriver with a different head. For example, if the bake-head screwdriver doesn’t open, use a flat-head screwdriver. If a flathead screwdriver is used, the width of the screwdriver head should be narrow enough to fit into the hole. Press the screwdriver down and try to unscrew the screw. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Use a hammer to hit the screwdriver. Place the screwdriver in the screw head. Hold the hammer and tap the screwdriver handle. The screwdriver will be pressed firmly against the screw head and create a greater frictional force. Put the hammer down and try to unscrew the screw. ^{[2] X Research Source}

This method works best with soft metal screws.

Remove the screw with pliers. If there is a small gap between the face and the head of the screw, try unscrewing the screw with pliers or a vise. Place the screw head in the center of the mouth of the pliers and twist the pliers to open the screw. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Drill a small hole in the screw head. Select the correct drill bit and plug it into the drill. Carefully make a small, shallow hole in the top of the screw. This hole will help the screwdriver penetrate deeper into the screw head. Take the screwdriver and insert it into the screw head. Press the screwdriver down while twisting to open the screw. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Use a Dremel grinder. Attach the metal cutting disc to a Dremel grinder or similar grinding cutter. Plug in the device and cut a slot in the top of the screw. Use a flathead screwdriver to insert this newly cut slot, then turn the screwdriver to unscrew the screw. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use a snail extractor

Drill a guide hole in the screw head. Use a drill to make a 3mm hole in the center of the screw head. Increase the drill bit size by 1.5mm and make the hole wider. Continue to increase the size of the drill by 1.5mm and drill a wider hole until it is equal to the diameter of the screwdriver. Hold the drill bit in the screw. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Note the recommended depth for your snail extractor. Do not drill holes deeper than this recommended.

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Insert the screw extractor into the hole you just drilled. Lightly hammer the tool against the screw – make sure the tool’s thread is firmly attached to the edges of the screw before proceeding. Find the T-handle (usually sold with the extractor kit) and attach it to the extractor. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Rotate to open the screw. Hold the screw extractor upright while turning it counterclockwise. Avoid applying eccentric pressure on the screwdriver so as not to warp the tool. Continue to rotate to open the screw. Pull the screw extractor to bring the snail to the surface. Use pliers to pull the screw out of the surface. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Strengthen the grip of the screwdriver with other objects

Use rubber sheet. To improve the grip of the screwdriver with the screw head, insert a rubber sheet between the screwdriver and the screw head. Place a rubber sheet on top of the screw and insert the screwdriver. Slowly turn the screwdriver to remove the screw. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Use steel wool. If you can’t find a rubber sheet, use steel wool. Place the steel wool on top of the screw. Insert the screwdriver firmly into the slot on the screw head. Turn the screwdriver slowly to remove the screw. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Use lubricant. Spray anti-rust agent on the screw head. Wait about 15 minutes and then spray the anti-rust agent again. Use a hammer to hit the screw head 5-6 times. Take the screwdriver and try to remove the screw. ^{[11] X Research Source}

If you cannot turn the screw, apply a valve grinding compound. This product contains a file that helps the screwdriver to stick to the screw head better. Insert the screwdriver into the screw head and try to remove the screw.

Glue the nut to the screw head

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Gather what you need. Even if you are not a welder, you can still glue a nut to a loose screw head. Buy a jar of super glue. Find a nut that is the same diameter as the head. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Attach the nut to the screw head. Place the nut on top of the nut, making sure the nut is centered. Carefully apply super glue to the nut. Wait for the glue to dry for the recommended time. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Remove the screw. Make sure the nut is fully attached to the screw. Use the tube key to insert the nut. Turn the pipe key to remove the loose screw from the surface. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Advice

Try wrapping the rubber band around the screwdriver head. The rubber band will help increase grip when you turn the screwdriver.

Steps

Try different tools

Use a snail extractor

Strengthen the grip of the screwdriver with other objects

Glue the nut to the screw head

Advice

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