Remove a Stuck Drywall Anchor

Yanking an anchor with pliers leaves a fist-sized hole. There are two clean methods — pick the right one for your anchor type.

Difficulty: Easy Time: 5 min Cost: $0–$5

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1

Plastic expansion anchor

Screw a slightly larger screw into the anchor 2–3 turns. Then grip the screw head with pliers and pull straight out — the screw's threads lock against the anchor walls so it comes with you. Hole is now anchor-sized only.
2

Threaded plastic (self-drilling) anchor

Use a screwdriver to unscrew the anchor counterclockwise from the wall — they thread out the same way they went in.
3

Toggle bolt or molly bolt

Remove the screw. The toggle wings fall behind the drywall (lost, but harmless). The metal sleeve stays in the wall — gently push it through with a punch or another screw. It drops into the cavity, leaving only the hole.
4

Patch the hole

Score around any rough drywall paper with a utility knife, then fill with spackle. See the "Patch a Small Hole" guide for the rest.