How to Remove Wall Plugs

When redecorating, rearranging, or fully renovating your space, you’ll often find exposed wall plugs left behind in your wall. These plugs are used to hang up everything from shelves to pictures, and they do this by expanding and gripping into the wall so that whatever you’re hanging is secure.

However, because wall plugs are designed to grip tightly, they can be tricky to remove. That’s why we’re here to show you how you can easily remove wall plugs without damaging your plasterboard or wall.

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The best way to remove wall plugs depends on the type of plug and if it’s stuck. If using a claw hammer or pliers, start by inserting a screw partway into the plug to grip it and pull it free with your chosen tool. By using these tools, you’re less likely to damage the wall.
To remove a wall plug that is completely stuck, use a drill to drive the wall plug into the wall till you’re left with just a hole.
After you’ve removed a wall plug, fill and sand the hole with filler to repair the wall’s surface and make it ready for repainting or redecorating.

Screw (to fit the wall plug)
Screwdriver (to fit the screw)
Pliers
Claw hammer
Filler
Filling knife
Sandpaper

Method 1: removing a wall plug with pliers

To remove a wall plug with pliers, first place a screw into the wall plug and drive it in with a screwdriver until it grips to the plug and bites.

This shouldn’t take more than one third of the screw being driven into the plug - you don’t want to drive the screw too far into the wall as it may cause the plug to expand, making it harder to pull out.

Use pliers to grab onto the exposed part of the screw and pull it out. The wall plug should come out with it.

Method 2: removing a wall plug with a claw hammer

Using a claw hammer to remove a wall plug can be more effective than using pliers if the wall plug is a bit more stuck in the wall.

When removing a wall plug with a claw hammer, you should start by using a screwdriver to drive a screw one third of the way into the wall plug until it bites.

Use the back of a claw hammer to grab onto the exposed part of the screw. Place a piece of cardboard or plywood underneath the screw to prevent the hammer causing damage to the wall, and pull the screw out and down, pushing the hammer against the board to get some extra leverage. The wall plug should come out with it.

Method 3: drill the wall plug out

If a wall plug is completely stuck, a drill can be used to remove it if you’ve been unable to remove the plug using pliers or a claw hammer. This should be a last resort as you may end up damaging the wall if done incorrectly.

Simply use a drill bit of the correct size for the hole and drill into the wall plug, driving it further into the wall until you’re just left with a hole.

Fill the hole

Once you’ve removed the wall plug, you’ll now be left with a hole in the wall which will need filling. Place multipurpose filler into and over the hole, smoothing it over with a filling knife.

Top tip: You can use an old bank card to smooth over the filler if you don’t have a filling knife.

Leave the filler to dry for about an hour, then sand it down with sandpaper.

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide on finishing this step, take a look at how to fill holes in the wall here.

Once you’ve removed the plug and applied filler, your wall should look as good as new. And now your walls are ready to decorate, you’ll need to choose a paint colour or wallpaper style that works for the room. Why not check out our paint visualiser or wallpaper trends guide to spark your imagination?

FAQs

Metal wall plugs can be easily removed using the same method as plastic wall plugs in plasterboard – simply secure a screw inside the wall plug and use pliers or a claw hammer to pull away from the wall and remove the plug.

It’s recommended you remove any wall plugs before filling as this will leave you with an uneven, bumpy wall. However, if the wall plug is completely stuck, you can tap it into the wall using a hammer and apply filler on top of it before sanding the spot.

You should avoid painting directly over wall plugs as they may jut out of the wall, causing bumps. Wall plugs can also be brightly coloured which will show through the paint. It’s best to remove the wall plug first and fill the hole in with filler before painting.

Wallpapering directly over wall plugs is not recommended as you need a completely flat surface to get the best results. Remove the plug and fill and sand the hole before wallpapering over it.

If the wall plugs are slightly damaged, you will be able to remove the screw by putting a screw in the hole and using pliers or a claw hammer to pull it out. If the wall plug is heavily broken, brush away any debris surrounding the plug and use a pair of small, needle-nosed pliers to remove the broken pieces.