How to Remove Screws & Bolts with an Extractor Kit

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Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle shares how to remove stripped screws

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 9, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using a Screw Extractor

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Alternate Methods

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Using a Bolt Extractor

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Video

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Q&A

Screw extractors (or screw removers) are handy tools for loosening stripped screws when your screwdriver isn’t working. Even though they look different than other drill bits or tools, extractor kits are extremely easy to use! Keep reading for helpful advice we got from professional home improvement specialists and handymen on using the extractor and alternate fixes to try out if you don’t have one. We’ll also cover removing rounded bolts with extractor sockets.

Screw Remover: How to Use (Simple Steps)

Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle explains that to use a screw extractor, use the cutting end of the extractor bit, and drill it into the screw head to make a small divot. Then, you'll flip the extractor bit around, place it in the divot you made, and put the drill in reverse to remove the screw.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Use a Screw Extractor Kit

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1
Tap the end of a broken screw with a center punch. A center punch is a cylindrical piece of metal with a pointed end. If the screw head broke off, align the punch’s tip with the center of the screw. Then, just tap the other end of the punch with a hammer to make a small indent.^{[1]
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- Wear safety glasses whenever you’re removing a screw to protect your eyes from any metal shavings or broken pieces.
- The indent will help prevent the drill bit or extractor from slipping away from the center of the screw.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Barry Zakar is a Handyman who founded Little Red Truck Home Services with over 10 years of experience.

Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston.

Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the owner of Crackerjacks Handyman Services in Chandler, AZ.
2
Choose a screw extractor bit matching the size of your screw. Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle explains that screw extractors have one end that drills into the screw head to make a divot, and you’ll flip it around to the extractor end that actually removes the screw.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} Handyman Barry Zakar says, “The instructions will tell you what size bit to use for a given screw,” so measure the diameter of the screw head and choose the matching extractor bit.^{[3]
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Barry Zakar
Handyman

Expert Interview}
- Each brand has their own size charts and recommendations, so use the one they recommend for the size of your screw.
- If you have a screw extractor that doesn’t have a drill bit on one end, start with a drill bit that has a slightly smaller diameter than the screw head.
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3
Drill the center of the screw with the drill side of the bit. Attach the bit to a power drill, and make sure it’s secure. Hold the end of the screw extractor bit against the screw where you made the indent. Start your drill and apply firm pressure to drill a divot out from the center of the screw.^{[4]
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- Work slowly so you don’t damage the extractor bit, drill, or the material you’re removing the screw from.
- Apply cutting oil to the screw to lubricate the metal so you spend less time drilling and create less wear and tear for your drill bit.
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Flip the bit around to the extractor side. Remove the screw extractor from your drill, and flip it around to the extractor end with reverse threading. Retighten the bit in your drill so it’s secure.^{[5]
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- If your screw extractor doesn’t fit into your drill, check if your kit came with an attachable handle.
  - If not, grip the extractor tightly with a pair of pliers.
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Turn the screw extractor counterclockwise until you remove the screw. Tuttle says, “put the drill in reverse and put the extractor into the divot you just made.” Apply firm pressure and run the drill so the extractor bit bites into the screw’s metal. Once it catches, keep running the drill in reverse so the screw comes out without damaging the threading.^{[6]
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Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview}
- If you still have trouble removing the screw, apply penetrating oil around the screw head and threads to help break apart rust and loosen the screw.

Section 2 of 3:

Alternate Ways to Remove a Stripped or Broken Screw

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Home improvement specialist Gino Colucci says, “try putting a rubber band or similar material over the screwdriver head and insert it into the screw.” The rubber band will help fill in some of the space on the screw that was stripped out and may give you enough grip to loosen the screw.^{[7]
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Gino Colucci
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview}
Colucci recommends pliers as an easy way to grip screws with raised heads. Pinch the screw head tightly between the jaws of the pliers, and turn the screw counterclockwise until it’s loose.^{[8]
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Gino Colucci
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview}
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Cut a new slot in the screw head with a rotary tool. Tuttle says, “Grinders or Dremel tools are amazing at cutting screws.”^{[9]
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Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} Use a metal cutting disc on your rotary tool and be sure to wear safety glasses. Carefully cut a small groove into the screw head. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to turn the screw counterclockwise.^{[10]
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- If you don’t have a rotary tool, Colucci recommends holding a flathead screwdriver against the screw head and tapping it with a hammer to create a new groove.^{[11]
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  Gino Colucci
  Home Improvement Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
Colucci says, “If all else fails, drill out a stripped screw” to completely remove it.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Gino Colucci
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} Zakar says to use a drill and to make sure the bits you use are made for drilling into metal. Drill into the same hole that the screw is in. Once you drill through the screw, reverse your drill to remove the metal pieces.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman

Expert Interview}

EXPERT TIP

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar
Handyman

Drill a new hole if you can’t remove the screw. If you aren’t able to get the old screw out, drill a new hole next to the old one, put in a new screw, and patch the old hole.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Use a Bolt Extractor

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Choose a twist socket extractor that is slightly smaller than the bolt. Instead of having a hex-shaped hole, a twist socket extractor has pointed teeth to give you extra grip on a rounded bolt. Most extractor kits come with multiple twist sockets, so find the one that has the snuggest fit on the bolt you’re trying to remove.^{[14]
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Hold the toothed end of the twist socket against the bolt’s head, and give it a few solid taps with the hammer. The teeth with dig into the bolt head so you’re able to turn it even though it’s rounded.^{[15]
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Twist the extractor counterclockwise with a socket wrench. Attach a socket wrench onto the other end of the socket so it’s seated firmly. Turn the socket wrench counterclockwise so the teeth grip onto the rounded bolt. Once the teeth dig in, the bolt will unscrew so you can easily remove it.^{[16]
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Apply WD-40 if the bolt is stuck. Zakar says if a bolt is stuck, “apply WD-40 and let it sit overnight.” He explains that the WD-40 will soak into the rusted or corroded threads of the bolt so it’s easier to remove without causing any damage.^{[17]
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Barry Zakar
Handyman

Expert Interview}
- If you’re still running into issues, Zakar recommends cutting the head or the nut off of the bolt with a cold chisel to remove it.^{[18]
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  Barry Zakar
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can you use this procedure if screw is just rusted into metal shower door frame?

Community Answer

Yes, use penetrating first. Penetrating oil loosens the rust. Then you should be able to drill the screw.

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Question

The meager instructions included with my Yamo screw extractor kit imply that I first drill a hole using the drill bit, but drill counter clockwise. Is this correct?

Community Answer

There are two kinds of extractors. 1. Self drilling extractors that you simply use on the screw in a reverse direction and it will drill + extract. 2. (The kind you have) where you drill a hole, normally as you would, and then you extract with the extractor in a reverse direction so that it pulls the screw out.

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Question

How do I extract the threaded remnant of a screw that broke inside something?

Community Answer

You could epoxy a small rod or weld it on and twist it out. But depending on what material you're working with, it could be tricky.

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