How to Remove Screws With Damaged Heads

One of the only things worse than a screw with stripped threads is a screw with a stripped head. Often caused by a loose-fitting drill bit or screwdriver, the screw can wedge into a material and become very difficult to remove with the tools that put it there. Conversely, attempting to pry the screw out with the claw of the hammer can badly damage the material it's wedged into. Thankfully, there are a few tricks that can ease the extraction of a damaged screw.

Screwdriver
Torx (star bit) screwdriver or Allen screwdriver
Thick rubber bands
Needle-nose pliers
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Attempt to use a different type of screwdriver head than the one that drove in the screw -- ideally a Torx (also known as a star bit) screwdriver or an Allen screwdriver -- with a larger head size. Apply downward pressure and rotate the screw counterclockwise to attempt to grip and unscrew it.
- 2
  Place a wide and thick rubber band over the screw head. Use the screwdriver to dig into the rubber band (providing additional grip) and rotate it counterclockwise.
- 3
  Use needle-nose pliers to grip the screw head once the screw is partially pulled back from the material. Slowly rotate the screw counterclockwise; do not rip the screw out as this can badly damage the housing material.

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