Stripped screws turn a two-minute fix into a muttered argument with the wall. If you need to move a shelf bracket or curtain rod and the screw head is already chewed up, this simple trick gives your screwdriver enough grip to back it out without making the hole worse (because the screw has done quite enough already).
Making do with what you already have beats buying a specialty extractor for one stubborn fastener. A small pack of rubber bands runs about $2.83 at Walmart, while even a basic screwdriver set starts around $6.39, so this fix costs pennies per use and lets you control the pressure and fit instead of forcing the screw and stripping it further.
You only need 1 material and 1 tool for this method: a rubber band and a screwdriver. This how-to removes one stripped screw at a time, and you won’t need anything fancier than your hand, steady pressure, and a little patience.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Remove a Stripped Screw
- 💡 Helpful Tips
- 🛡️ Safety and Surface Care
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about How to Remove a Stripped Screw
- 📌 Love this How to Remove a Stripped Screw? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: How to Remove a Stripped Screw
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 rubber band
Tools/Equipment
- Screwdriver
How to Remove a Stripped Screw
- Place the rubber band directly into the stripped screw head so it covers the damaged grooves.
- Press the screwdriver head firmly into the rubber band and into the screw.
- Apply constant, gentle pressure and turn the screwdriver to unscrew the fastener.
- Continue backing the screw out slowly until you can remove it without causing any further damage to the wood or wall.
You’ll be able to effectively remove the screw without causing any further damage.
Helpful Tips
- Use steady pressure instead of brute force. Rushing usually strips the head even more.
- If the screwdriver keeps slipping, try a wider, thicker rubber band for a little more grip.
- Match the screwdriver tip to the screw head as closely as possible. A poor fit is one of the fastest ways to chew up the slots.
- If you’re working near painted walls or finished wood, keep the screwdriver straight so it doesn’t skid across the surface.
- For other stubborn cleanup jobs around the house, take a look at How to Remove Sticker Residue from Any Surface.
Safety and Surface Care
Keep firm downward pressure on the screwdriver so it stays seated in the damaged head instead of slipping out and gouging the wall, wood, or your knuckles. If the screw still won’t budge after a few careful tries, stop before you enlarge the stripped area. The experts at Bob Vila recommend using a properly sized driver and steady pressure first, then moving to another removal method if needed.
Cost Breakdown
A rubber band pack at Walmart starts around $2.83, but this project uses just one rubber band, so the actual per-use cost is only a few cents. If you already own a screwdriver, this is about as budget-friendly as a repair trick gets.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Remove a Stripped Screw
Yes, as long as the screwdriver still has enough edge to catch the damaged head through the rubber band. The trick works by adding traction, so it helps most when the screw is stripped but not completely rounded out.
A wider rubber band usually works better because it covers more of the stripped head and gives the screwdriver more material to bite into. Thin bands can still work, but they tear faster.
Use firm, steady downward pressure, not a wild death grip. You want the screwdriver seated in the head without slipping, but forcing it too hard can damage the surrounding wall or wood.
Yes, but work slowly and keep the screwdriver straight. If the tool slips, it can scar the wall surface faster than you’d think.
Swap in a fresh band and try one that’s thicker or wider. Rubber bands are cheap, and this trick sometimes takes more than one attempt.
Stop if the screwdriver keeps slipping, the head gets smoother, or the surface around the screw starts getting damaged. At that point, a screw extractor or another removal method makes more sense.
No. This method uses a handheld screwdriver and a rubber band. That gives you better control, which matters when you’re trying not to chew up the wall or wood any further.
Not if you use gentle, consistent pressure and keep the screwdriver aligned. The whole point of the rubber band is to improve grip so you don’t keep grinding the screw head and surrounding area.
Usually, yes. If you only have one stubborn household screw to remove, using a rubber band you already have on hand is the cheaper first move.
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Did you try this trick? Tell us where that stripped screw was hiding and whether the rubber band saved the day.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: How to Remove a Stripped Screw
How to Remove a Stripped Screw
Equipment
Materials
- 1 rubber band
Instructions
- Place the rubber band directly into the stripped screw head so it covers the damaged grooves.
- Press the screwdriver head firmly into the rubber band and into the screw.
- Apply constant, gentle pressure and turn the screwdriver to unscrew the fastener.
- Continue backing the screw out slowly until you can remove it without causing any further damage to the wood or wall.
- Estimated cost is based on a 50-count rubber band pack priced at $2.83, using one band for this method. Prices vary by retailer and location.
- Use constant, gentle pressure to avoid slipping and damaging the wall, wood, or your hands.
- If the screw continues to strip or the screwdriver will not seat properly, stop and switch to another removal method.
i’ve tried this tip before, it works great on some of the screws but doesn’t work on all of them.