How to remove a faucet handle with no visible screws
Many modern faucet handles lack traditional grub screws because they rely on threaded shrouds or sleeves that unscrew directly from the base. Without realizing this, people often try to pry or yank the handle, which prevents them from accessing the internal retaining nut or cartridge.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Unscrewing the upright arms of the faucet handles.
- 2Trying harder to loosen the long hex nut sticking down in the middle.
- 3banging the fasteners with a screwdriver and hammer
- 4using a basin wrench to unscrew the nut
- 5splitting or cutting the nut off
- 6using a Dremel or Sawzall to cut through the hardware
- 7Using an oscillating multi-tool to cut and split the nut
- 8Backing out the jack screws first before spinning off the nut
- 9Using a reciprocating saw to cut off the top of the faucet
- 10Drilling through the hardware
- 11Using a box spanner with a screwdriver or metal rod for leverage
- 12Using a faucet socket
- 13Breaking out a multi-tool
- 14Using a Phillips head screwdriver to unthread the bolt from a socket within the faucet
- 15Pull the handles
- 16Oscillating cut the nut and peel it open with a flathead screwdriver
- 17Use a screwdriver as a prybar between the screws to turn it
- 18Trying to unscrew the base counterclockwise
- 19Using a basin wrench or channel locks on the nylon anchoring nut on the bottom side
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I bought a basin wrench and it’s still stuck. Any advice besides get a new sink.”source ↗
“The shrouds on this tap unscrew easily but I can’t see a way to unscrew either of the handles. There are no grub screws or hidden caps.”source ↗
“I am attempting to remove the existing faucet but I can’t seem to loosen the fasteners”source ↗
“I can’t get a good enough grip to loosen them by hand.”source ↗
“This is driving me crazy because there is hundreds of videos online of people fixing tap cartridges but they either show tap handles that are easy to get off because they have a grub screw hidden somewhere or they show a ‘before and after’ of these taps (handles magically off) but no steps to get them off!”source ↗
“Hello, looking for some advice removing this kitchen faucet with a U shaped bracket.. I don't see any nut holding it. Can't seem to get it loose.”source ↗
“I couldn’t get these plastic bolts off. On this one in particular, the little wings broke off when I tried to loosen it.”source ↗
“I need to get to the piping. There are no visible set screws. It rotates but is definitely attached to the wall. I don’t want to pry it too hard and damage the tile.”source ↗
“I can't get the wing nut off it rusted and made of metal not plastic.”source ↗
“I spayed with W D 40 and used a hammer to try and loosen the nut but no Luck.”source ↗
“Any tips on removing these faucet handles? I’ve successfully removed the lever and ball on the top part, but the bell (fat part at the bottom) isn’t budging. It just spins nonstop 🤷🏽♂️.”source ↗