How to Remove a Stripped Screw From Wood

A stripped screw is when a flathead or Phillip’s head screw has worn out to the point where you can’t get a good grip on it to easily remove it from wood. Stripped screws are usually old, rusted, or damaged from using the incorrect drill bit or speed to insert or remove them.

Keep reading to learn the best methods to remove a stripped screw from wood and what tools you’ll need to get the job done quickly, without causing damage to your plywood or wooden furniture.

How to Remove a Stripped Screw from Wood

Damaged screws are an annoyance to remove, but not impossible. Various methods can help you remove a stubborn screw from wood, no matter how old or damaged it is. You may need to experiment with several methods before finding a solution that works.

1. Use a Flathead Screwdriver

Provided the stripped screw originally had a Phillips head and isn’t entirely damaged, you may be able to simply remove it using a flathead screwdriver. If you can get a good grip on the screw, this method should cause the least amount of damage to your wood.

What you’ll need:

• A flathead screwdriver the same size as the screw head
• A pair of pliers (optional)

Here’s how to remove a stripped screw from wood with a flathead:

1. Insert the flathead screwdriver into the stripped screw
2. Once you’ve got a good grip, turn slowly
3. Continue turning anti-clockwise until the screw loosens
4. If you can continue turning, keep twisting until the screw comes out
5. If you cannot continue turning, use a pair of pliers to pull the screw out once you’ve raised it far enough out of the wood

Don’t try this method if you cannot get a good grip on the screw with a flathead. You’ll only damage the stripped screw further and make it more difficult to remove using any other method.

2. Use a Larger Drill Bit

Sometimes, using a larger drill bit attached to an electric drill can remove a stripped head screw from wood. A drill bit the correct size for the screw won’t fit firmly, but a larger drill bit will fill the entire groove, allowing you to slowly remove it from the wood. Using this method shouldn’t create severe damage to plywood, provided you work slowly.

What you’ll need:

• An electric drill
• A drill bit that’s larger than the screw head
• A pair of pliers (optional)

Here’s how to remove a stripped screw from wood using an electric drill:

1. Choose a drill bit larger than the screw
2. Test that it fits firmly into the damaged groove
3. Very slowly and carefully use the electric drill to loosen the screw
4. Continue until it’s removed fully, or stop when the screw is loose enough for a pair of pliers to pull it the rest of the way out

When using a large drill bit to remove a stripped screw, you risk breaking the damaged screw even further by grinding away more of the groove. Only use this method if the drill bit fits firmly into the stripped head.

3. Add Steel Wool to a Manual Screwdriver

Removing a stripped screw using the steel wool method is another simple way to get the screw out without causing too much damage to plywood. By placing a small amount of wool between the screw and the screwdriver, this should instantly offer you extra grip and allow you to remove it.

What you’ll need:

• A small piece of steel wool
• A screwdriver
• A pair of pliers (optional)

Here’s how to remove a stripped screw using the steel wool method:

1. Place a small piece of steel wool on top of the screw
2. Position your screwdriver above the wool
3. Ensure you have a firm grip
4. Slowly twist anti-clockwise to remove the screw
5. If preferred, loosen the screw slightly before using a pair of pliers to pull it the rest of the way out

Remember, using a pair of pliers to finish the job will be quicker and should remove the screw effectively, but it can cause damage to plywood and chip away some of the surrounding area. Use with caution if you don’t want to damage the wood product. If you don’t have steel wool available, you can try using sand or an abrasive cleaning powder/liquid instead.

4. Gently Hammer a Manual Screwdriver

Another method to remove a stripped screw from wood is to gently hammer your screwdriver into the stripped head to firmly insert it into the groove. Once inserted, you should be able to unscrew as normal to remove it from the wood.

What you’ll need:

• A hammer
• A screwdriver
• A pair of pliers (optional)

Here’s how to remove a stubborn screw using the hammer method:

1. Place the screwdriver into the stripped head
2. Gently tap the screwdriver with a hammer
3. Once the screwdriver is secured

Use caution when practicing this method. If the screwdriver slips during hammering, this can crack the surrounding wood or damaged the stripped head further. If this happens, you’ll need to apply one of the more vigorous methods to remove the screw.

5. Cut a New Slot

Using a rotary cutting tool and a metal cutting disc, you can cut a new slot in the stripped screw to create space for a flat-head screwdriver to fit in. You should only try this if the screw is big enough for a new slot to be grinded, and if it’s slightly raised above the surface. Otherwise, you could end up damaging the surrounding wood and/or making the screw even harder to remove.

What you’ll need:

• A rotary cutting tool
• A metal cutting disk
• A flat-head screwdriver
• Protective eyewear

Here’s how to cut a new slot in a stripped screw:

1. Put on protective eyewear
2. Place the cutting tool on top of the screw
3. Cut all the way across
4. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the screw

You can attempt this method if the stripped screw is not raised, but it will mean you’ll have to cut into the wood slightly to create the groove. If this happens, you can easily fix deep wood scratches using wood filler.

6. Use a Screw Extractor Kit

For more complex stripped screws or bolts, you can use a specialist screw extractor kit. These kits come with a screw extractor bit and a T-handle. On one end, the cutting screw thread digs into the screw, securing a good grip, while the other end turns to lift the screw out.

What you’ll need:

• A screw extractor kit
• A hammer
• Locking pliers (optional)

Here’s how to use a screw extractor kit to remove a damaged screw:

1. Drill a small, deep hole into the stubborn screw
2. Fix the extractor bit onto the T-handle
3. Tap the extractor into the hole you’ve created using a hammer
4. Turn the handle counter-clockwise until the bolt becomes loose
5. If needed, use locking pliers to pull the screw out the rest of the way

To avoid damaging the surrounding wood, be careful when drilling a pilot hole into the stubborn bolt, as the drill bit can easily slip off. If the screw or bolt isn’t coming out using the T-handle, try applying a small amount of oil to the top of the screw and repeating. This can improve friction and make it easier to remove.

7. Add a Rubber Band to a Screwdriver

To get a better grip on your broken screw, you can use the rubber band method to gently lift the screw from wood without causing any surrounding damage.

What you’ll need:

• A wide elastic band
• Scissors
• A screwdriver

Here’s how to apply the rubber band method:

1. Cut the rubber band in half with scissors (this will promote a better grip)
2. Lay the band across the top of the screw
3. Press firmly into the screw with your screwdriver and turn
4. Use Locking Pliers

Provided the screw is slightly raised out of the wood, you can use pliers to get a grip of the screw shank. Once you’ve established a good grip, twist the pliers until the screw becomes loose, before firmly pulling it from the wood. 

You should be able to do this without causing significant damage to the surrounding wood, but if you’re pulling the screw from something fragile, like veneer plywood, it can cause large chips during removal.

Summary: Best Ways to Remove a Stripped Screw From Wood

Ways to Remove a Stripped Screw…	Best Method(s)
Without a Drill	Using pliersUsing a hammer and screwdriverCutting a slot with a rotary toolUsing steel wool and a screwdriver
Without Causing Severe Damage	Using a flatheadUsing a rubber band and screwdriverUsing pliers (with caution)Using a larger drill bitUsing a screw extractor drill bit (with caution)
Without Needing to Buy New Tools	Using a flatheadUsing a rubber band and screwdriverUsing pliersUsing a hammer and screwdriver
With the Least Amount of Tools	Using a flathead
Using a Specialist Tool	Using a screw extractor drill bit

Conclusion: Things to Remember

• You may need to try several methods before a successful removal
• If one method doesn’t work, stop immediately to avoid damaging the stripped head further
• Combine methods if you can’t find a solution that works
• Don’t use any of the abrasive methods to remove a stripped screw if the furniture is highly valuable or easily damaged