How to Remove a Stripped Screw from a Laptop

 DISCLAIMER: Slight damage to Laptop case is unavoidable and the screw may be damaged or unusable after utilizing this method. This method is really a next to last resort method. I am not responsible for any actions taken by the reader of this post that may result in any damages or personal injury from using the below screw removal method. 

So with that being said, lets get into it:

There are quite a few ways to remove a stripped screw from a laptop if you go searching on the internet.  There is the rubber-band method, the super glue and screwdriver method, the drill method, the dremel method, and of course my method.

Now i tried all of the above methods short of the dremel method, and the drill method.  I even tried tape over the screw and then pressing the screwdriver into the tape to try and gain torque and traction to no avail.

 So I was forced to improvise because i did not want to risk more damage than was absolutely necessary.

Here is what I came up with.

 You Will Need:
A flat-head screwdriver
A laptop edge tool or bit
Needle nose pliers




 Step 1:

Take the flat-head screwdriver and scrape the plastic casing away from the edges of the screw head. I kinda went haywire with this step. I was fed up and really ready to get this screw out so that i could gt the hard drive out to troubleshoot it.

 Step 2:

Use the laptop edger tool or bit if you have one like the one in the picture below to  carefully pry up the edges of the screw head so that it sticks up slightly above the plastic of the laptop casing. 

Step 3:

Now use the needle nose pliers to grasp the edges of the screw head and slowly unscrew the screw from the laptop case.   

Once the screw is out you will be free to disassemble the laptop further if need be.

Note:

I didn't get a chance to test it but some sandpaper may help  clear up any unsightly scratches made in the plastic. Also, If you are in need of a replacement screw then your local computer repair shop may be able
to supply you with one for little or no cost. 

I hope this will method will help others who may find themselves in the same frustrated state as I had been.