A stripped screw is annoying, but there are several ways to get it out safely without wrecking your project.

Quick Scoop

Try these in order from gentle to more aggressive so you don’t damage the material around the screw:

  1. Push harder with a better bit
  2. Add friction (rubber band / friction liquid)
  3. Grab it from the outside (pliers)
  4. Cut a new slot
  5. Use a screw‑extractor
  6. Drill it out as a last resort

1. Start With the Simple Fixes

These are for “just barely” stripped screws.

  • Use a different screwdriver:
    • Try a slightly larger bit of the same type.
    • Try a flathead in a stripped Phillips or Allen; press straight down and turn slowly.
  • Tighten your technique:
    • Keep the tool perfectly in line with the screw.
    • Use steady, slow turning instead of fast spinning.
    • Put strong downward pressure on the driver while turning.

If it slips once or twice, stop—don’t keep spinning and making it worse.

2. Add Extra Grip (Friction Tricks)

Great when the head is still mostly intact but smooth.

  • Rubber band method:
    • Lay a wide, flat rubber band over the screw head.
    • Press the screwdriver through the band into the head.
    • Turn slowly; the rubber fills the stripped areas and adds grip.
  • Other “grip boosters”:
    • A bit of latex glove, steel wool, or abrasive paste can help in a similar way.
    • Specialty “anti‑cam‑out” or friction liquids exist at hardware stores.

If it starts to turn, keep pressure steady and don’t rush.

3. Use Pliers if the Head Sticks Out

If any part of the screw head is above the surface:

  • Locking pliers / vise‑grips:
    • Clamp them as tight as you can around the screw head.
    • Wiggle it loose, then turn counterclockwise.
  • Regular pliers:
    • Take small “bites” and turn a little at a time.
    • You might need to rock the screw back and forth to break it free.

This method is slow but very safe for the surrounding material.

4. Cut a New Slot

If the head is ruined but accessible:

  • With a rotary tool (Dremel) or a small hacksaw:
    • Carefully cut a straight groove across the screw head.
    • Make the slot just wide enough for a flathead screwdriver.
    • Use a snug flathead, press down hard, and turn slowly.
  • Safety first:
    • Wear eye protection.
    • Avoid cutting into the surface around the screw.

This basically turns a mangled screw into a big flathead screw.

5. Use a Screw Extractor (Best for Really Stubborn Ones)

This is the “proper” tool when nothing else works. Typical steps:

  1. Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the screw head (use a metal‑rated bit).
  2. Insert the extractor (usually reverse‑threaded) into the hole.
  3. Run the drill or tap the extractor in by hand so it bites.
  4. Turn counterclockwise (often with the drill in reverse) until the screw backs out.

Tips:

  • Go slow so you don’t snap the extractor—it’s hardened steel and hard to drill out.
  • Keep the drill as straight as possible.

6. Last Resort: Drill the Screw Out

Use this only if you don’t care about the screw and need it gone at all costs.

  • Drill off the head:
    • Choose a bit slightly smaller than the screw’s head.
    • Drill straight into the center until the head pops off.
    • Remove the piece you’re holding down; the remaining shaft usually sticks out.
    • Grab the shaft with pliers and twist it out.
  • Or drill out the whole screw:
    • Use a bit slightly smaller than the screw’s shank.
    • Drill slowly; you may end up re‑tapping the hole or using a bigger screw afterward.

Expect to replace the screw and possibly repair the hole.

Extra Tips (So You Don’t Strip the Next One)

  • Use the right bit size and type (Phillips vs. Pozidriv vs. Torx, etc.).
  • Apply firm downward pressure, especially with power drills.
  • Use low speed when driving into hard material.
  • Stop as soon as the screw feels like it’s slipping; reset or change bits.

If you tell me:

  • What kind of screw (Phillips, flat, Allen, Torx), and
  • Where it is (wood, metal, electronics, car, furniture, etc.),

I can narrow this down to the safest 1–2 methods for your exact situation.