When a screw is spinning but not coming out of your laptop, it can be very frustrating. Unfortunately, this problem is more common than you might think.
I never knew how frustrating it could be to try and remove a screw from a laptop until one of the screws on the back of my Lenovo laptop’s mating threads got damaged. This caused the screw to turn but not come out.
After researching how to remove stuck screws from a laptop, I came to realize how common of a problem is. In 2022 alone, 35% of HP and Lenovo Idea Pad users reported this problem with their laptops.
The good news is that you do not have to turn to your laptop warranty cover yet as there are a few ways to go about solving this problem.
Without this handy Extra Long Needle Nose Precision Plier Repair Tool from Amazon.com, extracting this spinning screw from my laptop would have been a headache and maybe damaging to my Lenovo laptop.
If your laptop screw is turning but not coming out, chances are that the treads on your laptop are damaged. Typically, mating threads in popular laptop brands like Lenovo and HP are all made of plastic material which is more susceptible to wear and tear.
There are three types of screws that are commonly used in laptops- Phillips, Flathead, and Torx. Every time someone asks me how to remove a spinning screw that won’t come off a laptop, I always ask them to inspect and tell which of the above screws are used on their laptop.
Once you know the type of screw, you can then proceed with simple steps to carefully remove them without causing damage to your laptop.
Dealing with stuck screws on a laptop is never fun. When this happens, it is often difficult to remove the screws using a traditional Phillips or flathead screwdriver.
The good news is that there are a few ways to go about solving this problem.
Remove stuck screws on a laptop using tweezers.
One way to remove spinning screws that won’t come off a laptop is by using a pair of tweezers. Tweezers are by design made to grip small objects, making them ideal for removing screws that have become stuck in a laptop.
To remove a stuck screw using tweezers:
1. Inspect the area around the screw to see if there is any debris or dirt blocking it from coming out.
2. If there is dirt or debris blocking the screw, use the tweezers to carefully remove it.
3. Once the screw is clear, use the tweezers to grip the screw and turn it in the opposite direction.
4. With enough force, the screw should come loose and can be removed completely.
If you are having difficulty removing the Screw with tweezers, try using a toothpick.
Remove stuck screws on a laptop using a toothpick.
Another way to remove spinning screws that won’t come off a laptop is by using a toothpick. Toothpicks are often made of wood, which makes them ideal for use in laptops as they will not damage the delicate components inside.
To remove a stuck screw using a toothpick:
1. Inspect the area around the screw to see if there is any debris or dirt blocking it from coming out.
2. If there is dirt or debris blocking the Screw, use the toothpick to carefully remove it.
3. Once the Screw is clear, use the toothpick to insert it into the Screw head.
4. Use the toothpick to twist the Screw in the opposite direction.
5. With enough force, the Screw should come loose and can be removed completely.
If you are having difficulty removing the Screw with a toothpick, try using a safety pin.
Remove stuck screws on a laptop using a safety pin.
Another way to remove spinning screws that won’t come off a laptop is by using a safety pin. Safety pins are often made of metal, which makes them ideal for use in laptops as they will not damage the delicate components inside.
To remove a stuck screw using a safety pin:
1. Inspect the area around the Screw to see if there is any debris or dirt blocking it from coming out.
2. If there is dirt or debris blocking the Screw, use the safety pin to carefully remove it.
3. Once the Screw is clear, use the safety pin to insert it into the Screw head.
4. Use the safety pin to twist the Screw in the opposite direction.
5. With enough force, the Screw should come loose and can be removed completely.
If you are having difficulty removing the Screw with a safety pin, try using a needle nose pliers.
Remove stuck screws on a laptop using needle-nose pliers.
The Precision Needle Nose Pliers [ like this one on Amazon ]with Extra Long Tapering and Non-Serrated Jaws are perfect for removing small Screws that are stuck in a laptop. The long and thin jaws of the pliers allow you to reach deep into the Screw head and apply enough force to loosen it without damaging the surrounding area.
To remove a stuck screw using needle-nose pliers:
- Inspect the area around the screw to see if there is any debris or dirt blocking it from coming out.
- If there is dirt or debris blocking the screw, use the needle-nose pliers to carefully remove it.
- Once the screw is clear, use the needle-nose pliers to insert them into the screw head.
- Use the needle-nose pliers to twist the screw in the opposite direction.
- With enough force, the screw should come loose and be able to remove it completely.
If you are having difficulty removing the Screw with needle-nose pliers, try using a flat-head screwdriver.
Remove stuck screws on a laptop using a flathead screwdriver.
A flathead Screwdriver is perhaps the most common tool used to remove Screws that are stuck in a laptop. The wide and flat blade of the Screwdriver is ideal for gripping the head of the Screw and applying enough force to loosen it without damaging the surrounding area.
To remove a stuck screw using a flathead screwdriver:
1. Inspect the area around the Screw to see if there is any debris or dirt blocking it from coming out.
2. If there is dirt or debris blocking the Screw, use the flathead screwdriver to carefully remove it.
3. Once the Screw is clear, use the flathead screwdriver to insert it into the Screw head.
4. Use the flathead screwdriver to twist the Screw in the opposite direction.
5. With enough force, the Screw should come loose and can be removed completely.
As you can see, there are plenty of options to use when attempting to remove a screw that is turning but not coming out.
Whether it is a precision needle-nose pliers with extra long tapering and non-serrated jaws or a pair of tweezers, be sure to grip the screw tightly so that it does not slip out and damage the threads. You may also want to try using a small amount of lubricant on the screws to make them easier to remove.
