I'm trying to swap out my door knob but I'm stuck. I looked behind the plate and couldn't find any kind of switch to help me remove it. There are two holes: one has an allen wrench screw that doesn't seem to work no matter how much I twist it, and the other has screw marks but nothing inside. I heard there should be a release button or something, but I can't find it. I'm all out of ideas and about to rush to Home Depot for a hacksaw. Any tips? Thanks!
2 Answers
Typically, the Allen screw should be turning clockwise to release the handle. If that's not working, there might be something seriously stuck. A little WD-40 could help if the screw is just stuck. Don't feel bad, these things can be super tricky!
You might want to try using a 5-in-1 tool or a putty knife under the trim piece against the door. Pry it up while turning the screw—sometimes a bit of pressure can help with stuck screws. If that doesn’t work, you might need to drill out the screw head to get the plate off, and then the handle should pull right out. Good luck!
Just a heads up, unless you're in a real pinch, skip the hacksaw. You could end up damaging the door, and you'll still have to figure out that screw.

Trust me, I've tried all angles with that screw and it's still a pain!