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It’s a common problem: You want to hang something heavy on a wall, but the studs in the wall don’t line up where they’re needed to safely support the mirror, artwork, shelf, or other items. Drywall anchors are a handy solution in these cases. Simply drill a hole and insert an anchor, and its firm grip on the drywall provides a strong base for hanging heavier items than the drywall alone could support. However, it’s that same reliable grip that makes it tough to remove a drywall anchor when you want to relocate that large mirror or an enormous family portrait.
Here’s how to remove wall anchors and how to patch the holes they leave behind in the drywall.
Tools & Materials
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- Microfiber cloths
- Drywall putty knife
- Microfiber cloths
- Drywall spackle (or joint compound)
- Sanding sponge
Before You Begin
There’s a universal method for dealing with any type of drywall anchor that we’ve learned from union drywallers: Bury it in the wall. But before you can do that, you first need to identify the type of drywall anchor, remove any screws to access the anchor, and then proceed with the method best suited to the particular type of anchor.
Threaded plastic, self-drilling toggle, or expanding anchors can sometimes be pulled out, while other varieties like molly bolts, toggle bolts, winged anchors, and strap toggle anchors may need to be pushed through the wall.
How to Remove Drywall Anchors
While some types of drywall anchors can be removed, not all can be easily pulled out. Here are a few types of common anchors you may have in your home, and some effective methods for removing them. If you aren’t sure which type of drywall anchor you have or if it’s not cooperating with the removal method, follow the steps below that explain how to push a drywall anchor through the wall.
Step 1: Identify the type of drywall anchor.
There are several types of drywall anchors that are commonly used to hang artwork, shelves, televisions, and other heavy items on drywall. The type of anchor you need to remove will help you decide the best way to get it out of the wall. Remove the item supported by the anchor from the wall and examine the anchors and fasteners.
- Expansion drywall anchors support lighter-weight items hung on drywall. They have a small plastic head that overlaps the drywall slightly or is flush with the edge. A screw head will protrude from the head of the anchor slightly. These anchors are usually easy to remove, as withdrawing the screw will collapse the anchor behind the wall.
- Threaded drywall anchors can support heavier items because they are thicker and denser plastic. Because they are screwed directly into the wall without a pilot hole, they have a larger, thicker head than an expansion anchor that overlaps the wall more significantly, which is easier to remove from the wall, unless it’s been overtightened.
- Self-drilling toggle anchors can support much heavier items than expansion or threaded anchors because of the mechanism used for support: As the fastener is screwed into the anchor, a toggle bar drops into place behind the drywall and holds tightly against the back side. You’ll see a metal head (almost like a washer) tightened against the drywall with a machine screw head tightened against it.
- Other types of anchors, especially those supporting extremely heavy items, cannot be removed and must be recessed or cut out instead.
Step 2: Try to remove the drywall anchor.
How to remove expansion drywall anchors
Use the screw that’s been inserted into the expansion drywall anchor to help ease the plastic anchor out of the drywall.
1. Using a screwdriver or drill, gently back the screw out of the plastic anchor about ¼ inch.
2. Grip the exposed screw shaft with needle-nose pliers.
3. Gently pull the screw and anchor out of the drywall. If there is tremendous resistance, remove the screw entirely, then see instructions to sink the anchor into the wall.
Threaded Drywall Anchors
With a sharp tip and threads, threaded drywall anchors are similar to screws. Here’s how to remove them from drywall:
1. Insert the appropriate screwdriver into the head.
2. Turn the screw counterclockwise slowly to ease it out of the wall.
3. If there is resistance, remove the metal fastener and move on to pushing the anchor through the wall.
Self-Drilling Toggle Drywall Anchors
A heavy-duty option that can be removed, self-drilling toggle drywall anchors have a toggle bar behind the drywall that expands when installed and needs to be closed in order to fit through the opening.
1. Insert the screwdriver into the head of the screw.
2. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen the screw and allow the internal toggle bar to drop. (We find that tapping on the head of the anchor a few times helps the toggle bar collapse, and allows you to pull the anchor out with minimal damage to the drywall.)
3. Pull the fastener through the opening.
4. If you can’t pull the fastener easily through the opening, you may need to push it through the drywall (see instructions below).
How to Push a Drywall Anchor Through the Wall
Perhaps the simplest way to deal with unwanted drywall anchors, or drywall anchors that are too brittle or damaged to remove, is to recess them into the wall rather than remove them. Here’s how to go about it.
1. Remove any metal fasteners that are inserted into the drywall anchor.
2. Gently tap the head of the anchor with a ball-peen (or tack) hammer. Do not use a regular hammer, as it can cause more damage to the wall. Note: If you don’t have a ball-peen hammer, use a screwdriver that’s larger than the head of the anchor. Just place it on top of the anchor, and strike the screwdriver with a hammer.
3. Rub your hand across the surface, making sure that the entire head is below the surrounding drywall surface. If not, tap the anchor again.
4. After the anchor is recessed into the surface, move on to repairing the drywall.
How to Cut Drywall Anchors Out of the Wall
If you’ve tried the methods above for how to remove metal drywall anchors, how to remove drywall anchors with wings, and how to remove plastic drywall anchors, and the anchor is still in the wall, cutting it out of the wall is a practical, universal solution. Doing this can result in more drywall damage that will need to be repaired, but it is a reliable way of removing drywall anchors. And, it’s the same method used to create an opening for an electrical box in drywall.
1. Score the drywall around the anchor head with a utility knife.
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
2. Follow the score line with a keyhole (jab) saw.
3. Clean up the edges of the hole and wipe away any dust.
4. Cut a piece of drywall that’s about 3 inches wider and longer than the hole. Score the center of the piece to size, and peel back the paper face to the score line. The paper face will lay flat on the wall. Insert the patch and then finish with joint compound or spackle, sand smooth, and then paint to match the rest of the wall.
How to Patch Drywall Holes
After you’ve successfully figured out how to remove drywall anchors or chosen to recess the smattering of fasteners out of sight, you’ll want to patch drywall holes with spackle or drywall compound.
- Clean up the hole by tapping a hammer lightly around the edges until they are flat, using a utility knife to cut off any proud edges, or sanding the opening so it’s flush.
- Wipe the wall free of drywall dust with a dry rag.
- Use a putty knife to apply enough drywall compound (or spackle) to fill the hole. Do an “X” motion over the repair spot with the knife to get the putty flush with the wall while removing excess. Let dry overnight.
- Sand the dried putty with the medium-grit side of the sanding sponge, and then move on to the fine-grit side.
- Wipe off dust with a dry cloth.
- If the wall isn’t smooth, apply another coat of compound. If the wall is smooth, touch up with paint.
Have you removed drywall anchors from one wall, but need to put some in another? Read our guide on how to install drywall anchors.
About the Author
Theresa Clement is a handy designer who has been improving homes for more than 20 years. As a mom and remodeler, she has worked with drywall anchors and repaired both intentional and accidental drywall holes. Starting with her work at architecture firms, she has authored DIY books and worked as a design producer on makeover shows. She now works with her carpenter husband on private homes and their home improvement brand, MyFixitUpLife.
