Fixing a stripped screw hole in wood
Difficulty: Medium · Time: approx. 20 minutes
A hinge, a curtain rail or a furniture fitting works loose because the screw hole is stripped: the screw just spins. The hole has simply become too wide – you need to give it something to bite into again.
The simplest, surprisingly durable method fills the hole with wood and glue. Afterwards the screw has solid material again and often holds better than before. Allow drying time for the glue.
What you'll need
- Wood glue
- Wooden toothpicks, matchsticks or a matching wooden dowel
- Utility knife or small saw
- Screwdriver
- Optional: a drill bit for pre-drilling
Step by step
- 1
Clean the hole
Remove the old screw and clear loose wood fibres and dust from the hole. It should be clean and dry so the glue holds.
- 2
Fill with wood and glue
Dip a few toothpicks or matchsticks (heads removed) in wood glue and pack them into the hole until it's full. For bigger holes use a glued wooden dowel instead.
- 3
Let it dry
Let the glue cure completely – a few hours depending on the product. Don't rush it: only dried glue makes the filling solid.
- 4
Trim flush
Cut any protruding wood flush with the surface using the knife. With a dowel, pre-drill a thin pilot hole in the centre so the screw bites cleanly.
- 5
Re-fix the screw
Drive the screw back in. It now grips fresh, solid wood. If needed use a slightly longer or thicker screw, but don't over-tighten it.
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Upload a photo →Frequently asked questions
- Does the matchstick method really hold?
- For normal fittings, hinges and rails, yes – the fresh wood plus glue gives the screw full grip again. For heavy loads use a dowel or threaded insert instead.
- Can't I just use a bigger screw?
- As a quick fix sometimes, but that widens the hole further and can split the wood or fitting. Filling it is cleaner and lasts longer.
- Can I use hot glue or filler putty?
- Not recommended: those don't give enough strength to screw into. Wood plus wood glue (or two-part wood filler) is the reliable choice.