Step 3 · Attempt Standard Removal

This is the step most people slow down on. Take it one move at a time — there’s no rush, and you can rewind the clip as many times as you need.

First, locate the small set screw on the side of the stopper's main knob. Use an appropriately sized Allen wrench or a small flathead screwdriver to turn this screw counter-clockwise. You may not need to remove it completely, just loosen it by a few turns. Once the screw is loose, hold the body of the stopper (the larger cylindrical part) firmly with one hand or with a pair of pliers wrapped in a rag to prevent scratching. With your other hand, grasp the top knob and turn it counter-clockwise to unscrew it from the stopper body. If the knob is removed and the stopper is still stuck, you will be unscrewing the entire stopper assembly from the central post in the drain.