How to Remove a TV from a Wall Mount

Full length shot of two professional technicians, workers in uniform installing television on the wall indoors. Construction, maintenance and delivery concept

When I bought a TV online, I had to remove the old one before I could put up the new one. So with a little help from my dad, I followed some simple steps to remove the old TV from a mount and the empty mount from the wall.

In this article, we’ll show you how to remove a TV from a wall mount.

To uninstall your TV mounting setup, you need only a screwdriver, extra helping hands, and the confidence to get things done. Removing a TV from a wall mount should take a maximum of 30 minutes. 

Things You’ll Need Before You Start

Bracket for wall mounting TV or computer monitor, electric screwdriver, drill, set of fasteners and monitor screen on yellow background. Mounting monitor or TV on the wall in the interior.
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Screwdrivers and Wrenches

You’ll need a screwdriver or wrench to loosen and remove the screws holding your TV to the mount. Use a Phillips screwdriver for screws with a cross-shaped slot and a flathead screwdriver for straight-line slots. Hexagonal heads require a wrench or socket set to turn, while a hexagonal indent will need a corresponding Allen wrench.

A Clean Surface

Find a dust-free spot to keep your TV after unmounting it, so the screen doesn’t get scratched. For added protection, cover the TV with a cloth once you’ve set it down. 

If you’re moving to a new house, it is best to place a flat-screen TV in a box, preferably the original manufacturer’s box. This will help protect your TV during the move.

Another Set of Hands

Ask a family member or friend to help. You’ll need an extra pair of helping hands to hold the TV or hold the ladder for you. 

How to Remove a TV from the Wall Mount

Man mounting new TV on the wall. Man installing television at home
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Tip: For corner-mounted TVs, extra care should be taken when detaching the TV and mount, as the angles can be tricky. Make sure you have enough space around you to lower the TV safely.

Unplug the Wires

First, unplug the TV’s power cable from the wall outlet. Then, disconnect the wires of your gaming console, movie player, or other accessories connected to your TV. Carefully coil each wire and set them aside so they don’t get tangled when you take down the TV.

Remove the TV Mount Lock

Not all TV mounts have a lock, but if yours does, you’ll need to unlock it before removing it from the wall mount.

Here are the most common types of TV mount locks and how to remove them. If you still have the manufacturer’s user manual, check it to see which type applies to your TV.

Lock TypeHow to Unlock
Screw Lock (most common type)Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lock near the bottom of the mount.
Bar LockSlide the bar horizontally along the back of the TV.
Pull-String LockPull the string down, usually located on either side of the TV.

Lift the TV

a man mounting TV against wall
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If your TV is mounted at a comfortable height, both you and your helper should stand on either side of it. Gently lift the TV off the mount and place it on a clean, dust-free surface. 

If your TV is mounted higher up, you or your helper should use a ladder or chair to reach the TV, while the other person remains on the ground. Whoever is standing on the ladder or chair should carefully remove the TV from the mount and pass it down to the person on the floor.

How I Did This: Our TV is mounted a bit high, so I stood on a ladder to take it down. The hardest part was balancing myself while lifting the TV off the mount. My dad held the ladder while I unscrewed the wall mount. After I unmounted the TV, I handed it to him. He kept the ladder steady with his feet while using his hands to take the TV.

Unscrew the Mount Bracket from the TV

Use a screwdriver or wrench to remove the four screws or bolts holding the mount to the back of your TV. These screws are part of your TV’s VESA pattern.

Removing the Wall Mount from Wall

Use a screwdriver to take out the screws that hold the TV mount on the wall. Even with many different types of mounts available, the process is almost always the same.

For fixed mounts: Lift the TV straight up.
For full-motion mounts: You might need a bit more maneuvering. If you have a helper, they can keep the swivel arm still while you lift.

If you used anchors for extra support, remove those as well. For help with this, check out “How to Remove Drywall Anchors.” To fix any holes left behind and restore your wall, read “How to Patch a Hole in Drywall.”

Additional Reading:

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Rahul Sattineni

I’m an engineer by education and a writer by passion. My goal is to help people make informed decisions regarding home improvement services. When I’m not writing, I enjoy listening to music, spending time with my family, and partaking in outdoor activities.