Whether you’ve bought a new flatscreen TV or are starting a home theater design project, dismounting a TV is relatively easy. As long as you have a screwdriver, a blanket, and a little help from a friend, this project can be done in just a few minutes. Learn how to take a TV off a wall mount with ease in this expert guide.
Prepping to Unmount a TV
To be extra careful, you should ask a friend for help when doing this project. A standard 32-inch flatscreen TV weighs around 30 pounds, and when you’re trying to lift that amount while navigating around cords and brackets, an accident is just waiting to happen.
Having an extra set of hands can help protect your TV and make the process much easier.
Avoid tripping over or damaging any cords by taking care of them at the start of this project. Simply remove all cords from the wall and your TV and move them out of your way.
Grab the bottom part of your TV and tilt it gently toward you to expose the bottom part of the wall mount. Make sure that the top part of the TV and mount remains against the wall.
If this part seems difficult, don’t force it—you may have a lock on your mount that you need to take care of. We address that in the next step.
Unlock Any Locks
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Some TV wall mounts have lock mechanisms that you'll need to unlock. The most common types are screw locks, bar locks, and pull-string locks. If you still have your wall mount manual, you can see which one applies to you. Here’s how you unlock each type:
Screw lock: Use the correct size screwdriver to unscrew the lock, which is likely located near the bottom of the mount. This is the most common type of mount lock.
Bar lock: Slide the bar horizontally along the back of your TV.
Pull-string lock: Pull the string (located on either side of the TV) down.
Lift the TV From the Wall
Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock
Once all safety locks are removed, start to lift the TV from its mount. You and your assistant should stand on either side of the TV and lift slowly in unison until the TV comes off the wall mount.
Place the TV on a Blanket
Gently place the TV face down on a blanket or another soft surface—the more padded, the better.
Even if you think you keep your flooring squeaky clean, you don’t want to be surprised by a rogue rock or piece of dog food that could damage your TV.
Unscrew the Mount Bracket
Photo: penyushkin / Adobe Stock
Using your screwdriver, unscrew the screws attaching the mount to the back of your TV. There will be four screws, no matter the design or manufacturer, attached to your TV’s four VESA holes.
Be careful during this step and use caution to avoid scuffing the back of your TV.
How to Remove the Empty TV Mount From the Wall
If you need to remove the now empty TV mount from your wall, follow these additional steps.
1. Unscrew Mount From Wall
Use a screwdriver to remove any remaining screws attaching your TV mount to the wall.
2. Remove Any Anchors
Your mount was likely secured with anchors, regardless of whether it went into drywall, wood studs, or bricks. Use the appropriate methods and care to remove these anchors.
3. Fill Any Holes
If your mount was attached to drywall, patch the drywall hole with some spackle or joint compound. You may also want to paint the patch too.
DIY TV Unmounting vs. Hiring a Pro
For most homeowners, this project is completely free (as long as you have the right size screwdriver in your toolbox.) But for some, it may be an anxiety-inducing project. Considering that the average cost to repair a flatscreen TV is $200, if you're unsure about this project, you may want to hire a local handyperson.
Hiring a professional handyperson costs between $60 to $125 per hour. You can also ask them to quote you for a flat project fee, which may save you some money on this project as it’s a fairly simple request.
You may be inclined to hire a professional TV mounting company for this task, but it’s probably not necessary. These companies are helpful for the installation process—as they have experience choosing the appropriate location for a mount and safely attaching it to your wall—but their expertise (and more expensive rates) aren’t necessarily needed for removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost to mount a TV usually runs between $160 and $360, with the national average landing at about $260. Not surprisingly, larger TVs will cost more to mount. Another big factor that impacts your cost is the type of TV mount. For example, a fireplace TV mount will cost more than one under a cabinet. And if you want to hide the wires in your wall, you may pay upwards of $1,000or more.
If you want to enjoy your favorite movies from the comfort of your backyard or patio, you can mount a TV outside. You’ll want to be thoughtful about its location, ensuring it’s away from water and heat, like a grill or pool. Placing it under a roof, awning, or gazebo is usually a good idea as well for extra protection. Outdoor wiring does add an extra layer of complications with this project, so it may be worth it to hire an electrician to help.
