Hey everyone! I was cleaning the inside of my laptop, and while I was able to remove three out of the four screws, one of them is completely stuck. I used an electric screwdriver, and it seems to have stripped the screw indentation, so now I can't find a screwdriver that fits at all. These screws are pretty tiny, so I'm at a loss about what to do. Any tips on how to get this last screw out?
3 Answers
I’ve had good luck with this method: grab a manual screwdriver that has sharp 90-degree edges. Apply firm pressure on the stripped screw while trying to tighten it slightly. Then, wiggle it gently back and forth without letting up on the pressure. That usually helps the screwdriver bite into the screw enough to loosen it. Just be sure you're comfortable with applying that much force; otherwise, you might end up causing more damage.
First off, using a motorized screwdriver on small screws can be tricky. For better control, consider switching to a manual screwdriver. If the screwhead is flat, you might try supergluing another screw upside down on top of it. Once it’s set, you can use pliers to unscrew it, but be careful not to glue it to anything else. You can also try strong double-sided tape. If it’s really jammed, a Dremel tool can help. Just make a straight cut in the screw head and then use a good flat screwdriver to loosen it up.
A quick tip: put a drop of super glue on the screw, then press down with your screwdriver until it hardens. This could help you get a better grip, although be prepared to replace both the screw and the screwdriver afterward.