How to Safely Remove a Rusted and Damaged Screw from a PCB

When repairing electronics or circuit boards (PCBs), it's common to encounter screws that are rusted or have damaged heads. This is especially true for devices that have aged or were used in humid environments. If you try to remove such screws forcefully, you might end up damaging the board itself—leading to higher repair costs or irreversible failure. In this post, we'll break down how to safely remove rusted and stripped screws from PCBs . Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned technician, you'll find detailed step-by-step instructions, tool recommendations, and critical safety tips to guide you through the process.     1. Assess the Screw Condition First, check the state of the screw. Determine which of the following situations applies: Partially stripped head : Cross or slot head is rounded but still visible Completely damaged head : Head is broken or worn flat Rust-seized : The screw thread is corroded and stuck in place Proper as...