Quick Answer
To remove a stripped screw from wood, first try a wide rubber band pressed between the bit and screw head while pushing hard and turning slowly counterclockwise. If that fails, tap in a slightly larger bit, grip a raised head with locking pliers, cut a new slot with a rotary tool, or drill it out with a screw extractor.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the gentlest method (rubber band, bigger bit, firm pressure) and escalate only if needed.
- A screw extractor set is the most reliable fix for heads that are completely rounded out.
- Locking pliers work whenever the screw head sits above the wood surface.
- Drilling with a left-hand (reverse) drill bit often backs the screw out on its own.
- Fill the old hole with glued toothpicks or a dowel before driving a new screw.
A stripped screw has a drive recess (the cross, square or star) that is worn smooth, so your screwdriver just spins. The good news is that wood is soft compared to steel, so even badly stripped screws can almost always be removed. Work through the methods below from easiest to most aggressive.
Why Do Screws Strip in Wood?
Most stripped screws come from a few predictable causes: using the wrong bit size (a #1 Phillips in a #2 screw is a classic), letting the bit tilt, not pushing hard enough, or running a drill on high speed with too much torque. Soft brass and cheap zinc-plated screws strip especially easily. Hardwoods like oak and maple also grab screws tightly, especially when no pilot hole was drilled.
| Situation | Best method | Tools | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recess partly worn | Rubber band or steel wool for grip | Screwdriver, wide rubber band | Easy |
| Recess worn, screw not too tight | Larger or Torx bit tapped into the head | Bit set, hammer | Easy |
| Head sits above the surface | Grip and turn the head | Locking pliers | Easy |
| Head flush, metal head intact | Cut a new flathead slot | Rotary tool with cutoff wheel | Moderate |
| Recess fully rounded | Screw extractor or left-hand bit | Drill, extractor set | Moderate |
| Head snapped off | Hollow extractor or drill around it | Plug cutter or hollow extractor | Harder |
What Tools Do You Need?
- Screwdrivers and a bit set in several sizes (Phillips, square, Torx)
- Wide rubber band or a pad of steel wool
- Locking pliers (Vise-Grip style) or needle-nose pliers
- Screw extractor set or left-hand drill bits
- Drill/driver with a reverse setting
- Rotary tool with a cutoff wheel (optional)
- Hammer, safety glasses
How to Remove a Stripped Screw From Wood
Step 1: Use a Rubber Band for Extra Grip
Lay a wide, flat rubber band over the screw head and press the screwdriver through it into the recess. Push down firmly and turn slowly counterclockwise. The rubber fills the worn gaps and gives the bit something to bite. Steel wool or a dab of valve-grinding compound works the same way.
Step 2: Try a Larger Bit or Tap in a Torx Bit
Switch to the next size up in Phillips or square drive, or choose a Torx bit that is slightly larger than the recess. Gently tap it into the head with a hammer so its edges cut fresh grip, then turn by hand. Turning by hand rather than with a drill gives you better control.
Step 3: Grip a Raised Head With Locking Pliers
If the head stands even slightly proud of the wood, clamp locking pliers tightly on its edges and twist counterclockwise. For a flush head, you can sometimes chisel a little wood away around the head to give the pliers purchase. This works especially well on round-head and pan-head screws.
Step 4: Cut a New Slot With a Rotary Tool
Use a rotary tool with a thin cutoff wheel to cut a straight slot across the screw head, about 1/16 inch deep. Then use a flat-blade screwdriver that fills the slot to turn the screw out. Wear safety glasses, because the wheel throws sparks and fragments.
Step 5: Drill With a Screw Extractor
Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the screw head with the bit included in the extractor kit, drill set to reverse. Then insert the extractor, which has reverse threads, and turn it counterclockwise with the drill on low speed or a tap wrench. As it digs in, it grips and backs the screw out.
Step 6: Repair the Hole Before Reusing It
Once the screw is out, the hole is often enlarged. Pack it with glued toothpicks or a glued hardwood dowel, let the glue dry, trim it flush, then drill a new pilot hole and drive a fresh screw.
Tip: Many double-ended extractors have a drilling end and an extracting end. Keep the drill in reverse for both steps. A left-hand bit sometimes catches the screw and spins it out before you even need the extractor.
How Do You Remove a Screw With a Broken-Off Head?
If the head snaps off and the shank stays in the wood, you have a few options. If some shank sticks out, grab it with locking pliers. If it is flush or below the surface, use a hollow screw extractor (sometimes called a plug cutter style extractor) that drills around the shank and grabs it. Alternatively, drill a new hole slightly off to the side and leave the old shank buried, which is often the most practical choice on furniture and framing.
What If the Screw Is Rusted or Stuck in Hardwood?
Old screws in outdoor wood or hardwood may be rusted in place. Try a light tap with a hammer on the screwdriver first to break the bond. Apply a penetrating oil, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and try again. Turning the screw slightly clockwise to break the seal, then counterclockwise, also helps. Some woodworkers carefully heat the screw head with a soldering iron to loosen it, but only do this away from finishes and flammable materials.
Safety: Wear safety glasses when hammering bits, drilling hardened screws or using a rotary tool. Extractors are brittle; if one snaps inside the screw it is very hard to remove, so turn slowly and do not force it.
Common Mistakes That Make Stripping Worse
- Continuing to spin a slipping bit with a drill, which polishes the recess smooth.
- Using too much speed with an extractor and snapping it.
- Using a worn bit; replace bits once their tips look rounded.
- Pushing too lightly. Most cam-out happens because the bit is not held firmly into the head.
- Gripping a soft brass screw with pliers too hard, which shears the head.
How Do You Prevent Stripped Screws?
- Match the bit to the screw size and type; a snug fit should hold the screw on the bit by itself.
- Drill pilot holes in hardwood and near board ends.
- Set your drill clutch to a low number and finish by hand.
- Choose square-drive (Robertson) or Torx-head screws, which resist cam-out better than Phillips.
- Rub a little wax or soap on screw threads in dense wood.
For stripped hex fasteners in furniture and bikes, see our guide on how to remove a stripped Allen screw. If the stripped screw is holding a bed together, our tips on fixing a broken bed slat show how to reinforce the joint once the screw is out.
When Should You Call a Pro?
If the screw is in an antique, a fine finish or a structural connection such as a deck ledger or stair stringer, a furniture restorer or carpenter can remove it with less damage. Hire a pro too if an extractor has broken off inside the screw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a rubber band really work on a stripped screw?
Yes, for screws that are only partly stripped. A wide, flat rubber band fills the worn gaps in the recess and adds friction so the bit can grip. Push down firmly and turn slowly by hand. It rarely works on heads that are completely rounded out; use an extractor then.
How does a screw extractor work?
A screw extractor has tapered reverse threads. You drill a small hole in the screw head, insert the extractor and turn it counterclockwise. As it turns, it bites deeper into the screw and eventually turns the screw out with it. Go slowly because extractors are brittle.
Can you use a drill to remove a stripped screw?
Yes, with a screw extractor or a left-hand drill bit set to reverse. Drilling into the head with a left-hand bit often catches and backs the screw out. Avoid simply spinning a standard bit in a stripped head, which makes the stripping worse.
What do you do with a stripped screw hole in wood?
Fill it with wooden toothpicks or a small hardwood dowel coated in wood glue, let it dry, and trim it flush. Then drill a fresh pilot hole and drive the screw again. You can also move up to a slightly longer or thicker screw if the part allows.
How do you stop screws from stripping?
Use the correct bit size and type, drill pilot holes in hardwood, keep the bit straight and push firmly, and set the drill clutch low. Square-drive and Torx screws are much less likely to strip than Phillips screws.
