How to remove a faucet handle with no visible screws

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

• The most recent one is from October 2026.
• This comes up 15.1× more often in r/Plumbing than across the site as a whole.

1. 1
   Unscrewing the upright arms of the faucet handles.

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2. 2
   Trying harder to loosen the long hex nut sticking down in the middle.

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3. 3
   banging the fasteners with a screwdriver and hammer

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4. 4
   using a basin wrench to unscrew the nut

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5. 5
   splitting or cutting the nut off

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6. 6
   using a Dremel or Sawzall to cut through the hardware

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7. 7
   Using an oscillating multi-tool to cut and split the nut

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8. 8
   Backing out the jack screws first before spinning off the nut

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9. 9
   Using a reciprocating saw to cut off the top of the faucet

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10. 10
    Drilling through the hardware

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11. 11
    Using a box spanner with a screwdriver or metal rod for leverage

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12. 12
    Using a faucet socket

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13. 13
    Breaking out a multi-tool

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14. 14
    Using a Phillips head screwdriver to unthread the bolt from a socket within the faucet

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15. 15
    Pull the handles

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16. 16
    Oscillating cut the nut and peel it open with a flathead screwdriver

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17. 17
    Use a screwdriver as a prybar between the screws to turn it

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18. 18
    Trying to unscrew the base counterclockwise

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19. 19
    Using a basin wrench or channel locks on the nylon anchoring nut on the bottom side

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20. 20
    Pry off the top cap to find a hidden screw underneath

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21. 21
    Check for a small set screw on the side

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22. 22
    Unscrew the handle if it is an older model

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23. 23
    Replace the cheap faucet entirely instead of repairing it

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24. 24
    Pry off the center cap with a flathead screwdriver or knife to find a hidden screw

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25. 25
    Search for a set screw on the underside of the handle

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26. 26
    Drill out the handle if it is stuck or corroded

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27. 27
    Unscrewing the entire handle by turning it directly

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28. 28
    Using channel locks with a cloth or rubber piece to protect the metal

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29. 29
    Turning the handle away and looking underneath for a set screw

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30. 30
    Rotating the knob while pushing it in to seat it on the shaft

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31. 31
    Racking the shaft of the cartridge to create friction

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32. 32
    Opening the valve all way to use the internal travel stop as a backstop

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33. 33
    Looking for hidden caps or indents in the center of the handle

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34. 34
    Searching for hidden Allen screws at the bottom or underneath

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In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.