Laptops Need help with laptop stripped screw

technomad · Aug 9, 2024

Hello I want to replace the dead battery in the laptop.
But the screw is stripped. It's not coming off. I tried applying fevikwik to the screw driver and removing that way but it didn't work.
I tried to file some space for a bigger screwdriver but it's hard doing it as I scratched the motherboard while doing that.
If anyone has the experience, please help me with it.

badwhitevision · Aug 9, 2024

Take some insulation tape, apply 3 or 4 layers on top of the screw. Now use a slightly larger bit that will fit into the stripped hole and try removing it.

The insulation tape provides additional surface area, thereby increasing the pressure applied.

Once removed, please don't use the same screw again. (This is common sense I know, but I've been dumb and used the same thing again and struggled over and over.)

If that doesn't work and you've got a Dremel or an equivalent small sized rotary tool (angle grinders are too huge and you'll end up wrecking your board), file a straight line so that a slotted screwdriver can fit in.

gourav · Aug 9, 2024

badwhitevision said:
Once removed, please don't use the same screw again.

I have had this problem and end up using the same screw again anyway because I don't have a matching replacement screw available and I don't know where to go to buy one.

Good thing is, because of the stripped head, you also can't tighten it, so it's not as big a problem next time.

And yeah, thank god torx screws came along to save us, Phillips head is awful for these small sized screws.

nRiTeCh · Aug 9, 2024

If you have a good hold on your palm/hand then you can even try using a small plier using which you can remove most stripped screws. But mind it, you don't have to apply too much pressure else the surrounding circuitry might get damaged easily as the plier might slip off its target.

technomad · Aug 9, 2024

Thanks for the reply.

badwhitevision said:
Take some insulation tape, apply 3 or 4 layers on top of the screw. Now use a slightly larger bit that will fit into the stripped hole and try removing it.

You mean on the stripped screw? I am confused about this.

badwhitevision said:
Once removed, please don't use the same screw again. (This is common sense I know, but I've been dumb and used the same thing again and struggled over and over.)

If that doesn't work and you've got a Dremel or an equivalent small sized rotary tool (angle grinders are too huge and you'll end up wrecking your board), file a straight line so that a slotted screwdriver can fit in.

Thanks a lot I will try the tape method.

nRiTeCh said:
If you have a good hold on your palm/hand then you can even try using a small plier using which you can remove most stripped screws. But mind it, you don't have to apply too much pressure else the surrounding circuitry might get damaged easily as the plier might slip off its target.

Unfortunately I don't have a good plier with me right me. The one I have is too big.
Thanks for the help. I will try and get some small pliers and do it.

badwhitevision · Aug 9, 2024

technomad said:
You mean on the stripped screw? I am confused about this.

Yes on the head of the screw.

First check which size bit fits into the head of the screw snugly (if you have more than 1 bit)
Then take insulation tape and put it on the head such that it covers the hole.
Now put another 2 or 3 layers of tape one on top of the other.
Finally use the selected bit and try to remove the screw. You will notice the insulation tape taking the shape of the bit and the bit will "bite" into the tape (before the tape, it would freely rotate and not have any grip) thereby allowing you to remove the stripped out screw.

If the tape falls off, clean the surface with Isopropyl Alcohol or equivalent cleaning liquid and then try again. It may take a few tries, but eventually you'll be able to do it.

The Easy Duct Tape Hack That Makes Removing A Stripped Screw Even Easier - House Digest

Don't give up on that stripped screw. There's a way to restore the missing grip your screwdriver needs, and all it takes is a bit of duct tape and a slow turn.

www.housedigest.com

See this link, it has images too.

technomad · Aug 9, 2024

badwhitevision said:
Yes on the head of the screw.

First check which size bit fits into the head of the screw snugly (if you have more than 1 bit)
Then take insulation tape and put it on the head such that it covers the hole.
Now put another 2 or 3 layers of tape one on top of the other.
Finally use the selected bit and try to remove the screw. You will notice the insulation tape taking the shape of the bit and the bit will "bite" into the tape (before the tape, it would freely rotate and not have any grip) thereby allowing you to remove the stripped out screw.

If the tape falls off, clean the surface with Isopropyl Alcohol or equivalent cleaning liquid and then try again. It may take a few tries, but eventually you'll be able to do it.

The Easy Duct Tape Hack That Makes Removing A Stripped Screw Even Easier - House Digest

Don't give up on that stripped screw. There's a way to restore the missing grip your screwdriver needs, and all it takes is a bit of duct tape and a slow turn.

www.housedigest.com

See this link, it has images too.

Thanks a lot for the help.
I wasn't able to remove the screw using tape. But I just cut the plastic link that was connecting the battery to the screw using the small plier like wire cutter.

Then I used the plier like tool to remove the screw. Now I'm good to go.

I am going to order the battery from Amazon. It has 1 year warranty.

nRiTeCh said:
If you have a good hold on your palm/hand then you can even try using a small plier using which you can remove most stripped screws. But mind it, you don't have to apply too much pressure else the surrounding circuitry might get damaged easily as the plier might slip off its target.

I removed it using pliers basically. Thanks a lot for the suggestion.