How to fix a stripped screw hole that won't hold
Stripped screw holes lose their grip when the surrounding material wears out, leaving hinges and faceplates loose or completely detached. Without a reliable fix, people are forced to choose between makeshift patches or tearing out entire walls and doors to replace the damaged mountings.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to fix a stripped screw hole that won't hold
- 1Tap the screw hole to the next size up and use appropriately sized screwsDid this help you?
- 2Install an extension boxDid this help you?
- 3Using a rethreader to fix the damaged threadsDid this help you?
- 4Replacing the caliper bracket and pinsDid this help you?
- 5Attempting to rethread or tap the damaged openingDid this help you?
- 6Using longer screwsDid this help you?
- 7Filling stripped holes with toothpicks and wood glue before reinserting screwsDid this help you?
- 8Using an extractor kit (such as an EX OUT) along with a penetrating fluid like PB BlasterDid this help you?
- 9Drilling out the broken stud and tapping new threadsDid this help you?
- 10Stick a piece of a ziptie in the hole to make it tighter and something for the screw to bite intoDid this help you?
- 11inserting material into the hole so that the screw can attachDid this help you?
- 12Putting weather tape over the hole temporarily to block insects or mice.Did this help you?
- 13Contacting the building superintendent and waiting for them to fix it.Did this help you?
- 14Use a left-hand drill bit to catch and spin the remaining broken bolt piece out.Did this help you?
- 15Drill the hole out properly to remove all metal fragments before attempting to tap it again.Did this help you?
- 16Install a Helicoil kit to create new threads.Did this help you?
- 17Using longer screws if there is solid wood behind the hollow frame.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I was putting the park brake handle back in, and I over tightened a bolt and broke off the stud (It was amateur hour, I don't want to talk about it). What are my options for fixing this?”source ↗
“I stripped the opening of my brake caliper rack, where the caliper pins go in. The metal closed in and smoothed out because I drove the pins into it with a hammer, which is what caused the problem.”source ↗
“Is it safe or doable to rethread just that opening to get the rest of the pin started?”source ↗
“thankfully it looks to be in an okay spot for and EX OUT. get one of those kits and let er soak a little while in pb blasted.”source ↗
“Drill that sob out because it doesnt have to be perfect . Then tap the thread in”source ↗
“I tried using a metric tap and it just won’t thread I snapped the bolt by over tightening it I got the bolt out as best as I could and but I’m scared I messed it up pls help”source ↗
“Screws don’t hold anymore.”source ↗
“Any way to jimmy-rig this?”source ↗
“Or do I need to chip out the stucco, replace the junction box, and re-stucco?”source ↗
“I contacted my super about this but no response and I want to deal with this now rather than later. Are there any recommendations on how to fill it properly?”source ↗
“I also have screwholes on the ceiling that I would like to refill and maybe re-screw things later but I keep reading that there's no way to fill the holes and make them strong enough to hold things again.”source ↗
“The screws that hold the hinge on my screen door won’t catch any more and I cannot tighten them.”source ↗
“Property I’m renting has this stupid hinge/sprijg that was screwed into the door. Its always been a bit loose but it popped off and i know their going to try to charge me for this stupid installation. Looks like it was screwed into particle board door with white plastic veneer”source ↗
“So experiencing heavy use with the garage door opener button to the point that it’s coming off. The screw basically screws into nothing.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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