How to Remove a Door Handle

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle

Last Updated: October 4, 2023 References

Removing a door handle isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Fortunately, you should be able to take out even the trickiest design in just 10 or 15 minutes. While most handles are secured with exposed mounting screws, you might need to check for a slot in the neck of the knob or lever. If you can’t find any visible screws or slots, see if you can pry off or unscrew the cover plate behind the handle. Behind it, you should find mounting screws, which you can then loosen to remove the handle.

Things You Should Know

Remove a door handle with exposed screws by undoing the screws and sliding out the door handle. Take out the latch mechanism if you're adding a new door handle.
Remove handles with recessed fasteners by using a thin screwdriver or Allen wrench in the handle's recessed slot. Use a paperclip if you don't see a screw in the slot.
Pry or twist off the handle's cover plate, look for any recessed fasteners attached to the handle's base, and undo the mounting screws.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing a Handle with Exposed Screws

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1
Check for exposed screws on the inside of the door. For most doors, you should see 1 to 3 exposed mounting screws on the side of the door that doesn’t have a keyhole. Look for screws on the cover plate that surrounds the handle. If you don’t see exposed screws on the cover plate, check the neck of the knob or lever.^{[1]
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- If you don’t see any exposed screws, don't get frustrated! You’ll most likely have to depress or unscrew some type of recessed fastener in the handle’s neck.
2
Loosen the mounting screws with a screwdriver. If your handle is secured with exposed screws, simply remove them with a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver. Grab a screwdriver that matches the screws’ head type, then turn them counterclockwise to loosen them.^{[3]
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- If you plan on reinstalling the door mechanism, store the screws in a safe spot to avoid misplacing them.
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With the mounting screws removed, you should have no problem pulling the knobs or levers out of the latch mechanism. Pull the handles in opposite directions to slide them out of the mechanism, then set them aside.^{[4]
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4
Remove the latch mechanism if you're installing a new handle. Find the screws on the side of the door that secure the latch plate. Take out the screws, then carefully pry off the plate with a flat-head screwdriver. With the plate removed, you can now pull the latch mechanism through the side of the door.^{[5]
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- The latch is the bolt that fits into the strike plate on the door frame and keeps the door closed.
Tip: If you’re replacing the door mechanism, measure the existing holes in your door. Bring your measurements to the hardware store, and purchase a new set that fits your door’s dimensions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Loosening Recessed Fasteners

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If your door has no visible screws, check the neck of the knob or lever for a small hole. If there’s one present, you’ll be able to depress a button or loosen a small screw inside the hole to release the handle.^{[6]
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Tip: Use a flashlight to check inside the hole for a flat-head, Phillips head, or hex-head screw.
2
Depress a button with a paperclip or thin tool if there’s no screw. If you don’t see a screw head inside the slot, straighten a paperclip or grab a thin, pointed tool, such as an awl. Insert the paperclip or tool into the slot as you gently pull the knob away from the door.^{[7]
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- The paperclip or tool will spring the door mechanism, allowing you to pull out the handles.
3
Remove a recessed screw with a narrow screwdriver. If you see a Phillips or flat-head screw inside the hole, grab a screwdriver that’s small enough to reach it. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen it and release the handle.
- You should be able to pull off the handles after removing the recessed screw. If the spindle that connects the handles doesn't come out, you might have to pry off or unscrew the cover plate behind the handle in order to access mounting screws.
4
Use an Allen wrench to loosen a hex-head screw. If you see a screw with a head shaped like a hexagon, you’ll need an Allen wrench small enough to access it. Insert the wrench into the slot, then turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen and remove the screw.^{[8]
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- If you don’t have an Allen wrench, purchase a fold-up pocket set with variously sized Allen wrenches at a hardware or home improvement store.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing a Handle with a Cover Plate

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1
Pry off the cover plate if it has a notch. Check around the plate where it meets the door for a small notch or cut-out. If you see one, insert a flat-head screwdriver into the notch, then gently pry off the plate.^{[10]
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- The cover plate behind the door knob or lever may be round or rectangular, depending on the handle’s design. After prying off the cover plate, you should see screws that hold the inner mechanism together.
If you don’t see a notch and the cover plate is round, try turning it counterclockwise with a wrench or by hand. After loosening the cover plate, slide it down the neck of the door handle to access the mounting screws behind it.^{[11]
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3
Check for any recessed fasteners that were hidden by the plate. If the door knob is still in place, you might have trouble fitting a screwdriver between the cover plate and the mounting screws. See if there’s a slot with a recessed fastener that was concealed by the cover plate. If so, insert a paperclip or loosen a small screw to remove the handle.^{[12]
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- For some designs, there's a visible slot that releases the outer handle as well as screws behind the cover plate that hold the inner mechanism together.
Note: For a door with a lever, you should be able to slide the cover plate down the shaft of the lever and out of the way.^{[13]
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Turn the mounting screws counterclockwise and pull them out of the door mechanism. You should now be able to pull out the handles, if they're still in place, and the spindle that connects them.^{[14]
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If want to remove the entire door mechanism, loosen the screws over the plate on the side of the door. Then carefully pry off the latch plate and pull out the latch mechanism.^{[15]
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Question

How do I remove a door handle with hidden screws?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Try turning the screws on the door. There might also be a hidden Allen screw somewhere.

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Question

How can I remove the latch portion of the door knob set when the door is closed and the latch won't retract?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You'll have to insert something very thin and pry the latch open. A screwdriver, a chisel, even a credit card might work.

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Question

How do I get the latch out of the socket?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Remove the handle and try to open the latch from inside the lock mechanism. You may also be able to pry the latch open using a thin screwdriver or something similar between the door and the door frame. Most latches have a beveled side. Attack it from that side (typically the outside).

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Tips

Knobs that have been painted over can be tough to remove. If necessary, scrape or scrub away paint to access mounting screws or slots.

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