A drywall anchor that isn’t secure can’t do its job. If your shelves are sagging, your towel rack, towel bars, or toilet paper holder is pulling away from the wall, or screws keep spinning in place, your anchor is probably loose. Ignoring the problem can lead to bigger issues, like damaged drywall or a collapsed fixture. Fortunately, fixing them isn’t complicated, and there are a few ways to do it, depending on the situation and type of wall anchor. Here’s how to tell when an anchor isn’t holding and what you can do to fix it.

Signs Your Drywall Anchor is Loose

Some signs are obvious, while others may take time to notice. If you spot any of these, your drywall anchor might need attention:

• The fixture feels wobbly or unsteady
• Anchor screws spin without tightening
• The anchor sleeve is pulling away from the wall
• Cracks or holes are forming around the anchor
• The fixture falls off the wall completely

A loose anchor means it’s not gripping the drywall properly. This can happen if the hole is too big, the wrong type of anchor is used, or the drywall is weakened. If the anchor won’t hold, it’s time to fix it before it causes more damage.

Why Drywall Anchors Fail

Anchors are meant to distribute weight and hold screws securely in drywall, but they can fail for several reasons. Understanding why it happened can help you choose the right fix.

• Oversized hole – If you have the wrong size hole, the anchor won't grip properly and may slip out.
• Overloaded anchor – Every anchor has a weight limit. Too much weight can cause it to loosen or pull out completely.
• Wrong anchor type – Some anchors work better for lightweight items, while heavy-duty are designed for heavier loads. Plastic anchors, for example, may not support heavy shelves. Always go for the strongest drywall anchor that's still sensible.
• Weak drywall – If the drywall is damaged, has crumbly plaster, or too thin, the anchor may not hold, no matter how well it was installed.
• Screws overtightened – Over-tightening can cause anchors to break or strip, reducing their holding power.

How to Fix a Loose Drywall Anchor

If an anchor is coming loose, there are a few ways to fix it depending on the situation.

• Use a larger anchor – If the hole is slightly too big, switching to a larger anchor may solve the problem.
• Fill the hole – If the problem is in wood, and you don’t want to drill a larger hole and use a larger anchor or larger screw, try filling the hole with a mixture of wood glue and wooden toothpicks, allowing it to dry before reinserting the anchor.
• Use a toggle bolt – If the drywall is weak or crumbling, a toggle bolt can provide better support by distributing weight over a wider area.
• Reinforce with a wall stud or piece of wood – If possible, screw into a stud instead of just drywall for a stronger hold.
• Patch and redrill – If the hole is too damaged, remove the anchor, patch the drywall anchor holes with spackle and putty knife, let it dry, and then drill a new hole slightly to the side.

Types of Wall Anchors

• Expansion Anchors - This is an expandable anchor that's usually a nylon or plastic sleeve that slides or screws into a pre-drilled hole and expands when a larger screw is screwed into it allowing it to fit tight into the hole.
• Molly Bolts - Another expanding anchor, but they expand behind the wall. It's a screw inside a metal sleeve that is inserted into a predrilled hole. When tightened, the "bolt" expands behind the wall and stays in place. You then remove the screw and can screw it back into the sleeve when you're ready to mount your thing.
• Toggle Anchors - A toggle anchor or toggle bolt is a kind of anchor on a long screw that goes through the drywall into the cavity behind it and usually flips open like butterfly wings or a "T" and when the screw is tightened the toggle snugs up to the back of the drywall. These metal drywall toggle anchors take a little planning because you need to assemble the toggle and screws on the thing you're hanging before inserting them into the wall. Very rarely reusable because when you remove them the toggle walls into the wall.

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FAQ

Can I reuse a drywall anchor that has come loose?

It depends on the anchor and the condition of the hole. If the hole is still tight and the anchor is undamaged, you might be able to reuse it. If the hole has widened, it’s best to replace the anchor or fill the hole first.

What type of drywall anchor should I use for heavy shelves?

For heavy shelves, use metal drywall toggle anchors or molly bolts. These provide better weight distribution and a stronger hold than basic plastic anchors. They are also our choice for bathroom towel bars and coat hooks (or anything else we think the kids are going to put extra stress on).