Short answer
Lift rod pop-up (a rod behind the faucet): under the sink, loosen the pivot nut on the back of the drain pipe, pull the pivot rod out, and lift the stopper. Push button: open it and unscrew the cap or the whole cartridge counterclockwise. Lift-and-turn: open it, hold the body, and unscrew the knob or the stopper. Refit in reverse, then adjust the clevis strap so it opens fully.
Which stopper do you have?
| Type | How to tell | How it comes out |
|---|---|---|
| Lift rod pop-up | A rod or knob behind the faucet that you pull up to close the drain | From below: loosen the pivot nut, pull the pivot rod, lift the stopper |
| Push button (click-clack) | No rod. You press the stopper itself to open or close it | From the top: unscrew the cap or the cartridge |
| Lift-and-turn | No rod. A small knob on top that you lift and twist | From the top: unscrew the knob, then the stopper |
| Kitchen basket | A removable basket in a 3-1/2 in strainer | Turn to open and lift out |
Not sure of the parts? Hunker has a good parts breakdown, and our sink drain stopper guide shows each style side by side.
How to remove a lift rod pop-up stopper
This is the most common bathroom stopper and the only one that needs a trip under the sink. The steps follow the method HomeServe describes.
What you need
- Small bucket or bowl catches drips from the pivot nutFind it
- Flashlight the cabinet is dark
- Slip-joint pliers only if the pivot nut is stuck; wrap the jaws
- Old towel for the cabinet floor
Clear the cabinet and set a bucket
Empty the cabinet under the sink, lay down a towel, and put a small bucket or bowl under the drain pipe, right below the pivot nut. A little water will drip out when you loosen it.
Find the pivot nut
Look at the back of the drain pipe, facing the wall. A horizontal rod (the pivot rod) goes into the pipe through a small nut. The other end of the rod clips onto a flat, holed strip (the clevis strap) that hangs from the lift rod.
Loosen the pivot nut
Turn the pivot nut counterclockwise by hand. If it will not budge, use slip-joint pliers with the jaws wrapped in tape or a rag, and support the drain pipe with your other hand so you do not twist it.
Pull the pivot rod out
Slide the pivot rod back toward you until it comes out of the pipe, or at least an inch or two. Leave it clipped to the clevis strap if you can; that keeps your adjustment.
Lift out the stopper
Go back up top and pull the stopper straight up. If it catches, give it a quarter twist: some stoppers have a hook or slot that wraps around the pivot rod and needs turning to unhook.
Clean it
Pull off the hair and slime, scrub the stopper with an old toothbrush and soapy water, and pull anything you can reach out of the drain opening.
How to put a pop-up stopper back
- Drop the stopper into the drain. If it has a hole or slot at the bottom, turn it so the slot faces the back of the sink, toward the pivot rod opening.
- From below, slide the pivot rod back into the pipe so its tip passes through the hole or under the hook on the stopper. Wiggle the stopper from above to feel when it is caught.
- Tighten the pivot nut by hand, plus a little more. Snug, not cranked, or the rod will not move.
- Test: pull the lift rod up and the stopper should seal; push it down and the stopper should rise well clear. Fill the sink and check the pivot nut for drips.
Adjusting the clevis strap
The clevis strap is the flat metal strip with a row of holes. A spring clip holds the pivot rod in one of those holes, and a thumb screw clamps the strap to the lift rod.
- Stopper does not open far enough or close fully: squeeze the spring clip, slide it off, move the pivot rod to the next hole on the strap, and refit the clip.
- Lift rod too high or too low at the faucet: loosen the clevis screw, slide the strap up or down the lift rod, and retighten.
Small changes go a long way. Move one hole at a time and test. A stopper that barely opens is one of the common causes of a slow sink drain.
A stopper that will not stay closed
If the stopper drifts open or will not stay down, the pivot nut is often too loose to hold the rod in place. HomeServe gives the fix: tighten the pivot nut a little, by hand first, and test. If that does not hold it, adjust the clevis strap, and if the pivot rod's ball seal is worn or leaking, replace the stopper or the pop-up assembly.
How to remove a push button stopper
- Press the stopper so it pops up into the open position.
- Grip the cap and turn it counterclockwise. On many models the cap unscrews off a threaded post; on others the whole spring cartridge unscrews from the drain.
- If only the cap came off, grip the post and unscrew the cartridge too, so you can clean below it.
- Clean, then screw it back in until it seats. Press it to test that it seals and releases.
If it just spins without loosening, check the drain maker's instructions for that model. Some push button stoppers are held differently.
How to remove a lift-and-turn stopper
- Lift the knob and turn it to open the stopper.
- Hold the stopper body and unscrew the small knob on top counterclockwise. Some have a set screw under the knob instead.
- Unscrew the stopper body from the post in the drain.
- Clean it, and refit in reverse.
Kitchen basket stoppers
A kitchen basket stopper just lifts out. Turn it to the open position and pull it up; twist-lock baskets may need a quarter turn first. The strainer body underneath is a separate part held by a locknut, and it only comes out if you are replacing the kitchen sink drain.
Replacing a worn stopper
If the stopper is cracked, corroded, or will not seal, a replacement stopper or a universal stopper is the simplest fix. Match the type you have, and check the size on the listing against your drain.
If the whole drain is corroded or leaks at the flange, replace the assembly instead: see how to replace a bathroom sink drain. While the stopper is out, it is a good time to clear the rest of the drain.
Questions people ask
How do I remove a bathroom sink stopper that will not come out?
It is probably hooked onto the pivot rod. Under the sink, loosen the pivot nut on the back of the drain pipe and pull the rod back an inch or two. The stopper should then lift out, sometimes with a quarter twist to unhook it.
How do I remove a push button sink stopper?
Push it so it pops up open. Then grip the cap and turn it counterclockwise. On many models only the cap unscrews; on others the whole spring cartridge unscrews from the drain. If it just spins, check the maker’s instructions for that model.
Why will my sink stopper not stay closed?
Usually the pivot nut is loose, so the pivot rod slips and the stopper drifts down or up. Tightening the pivot nut by hand often fixes it. If not, adjust the clevis strap so the rod sits at a better height.
Do I need tools to remove a sink stopper?
Often not. Push button and lift-and-turn stoppers unscrew by hand, and most pivot nuts can be loosened by hand. Keep slip-joint pliers handy for a stuck nut, and wrap the jaws in tape or a rag to protect the finish.
How do I remove a kitchen sink basket stopper?
Most kitchen basket stoppers simply lift out once you turn them to the open position. Twist-style baskets may need a quarter turn to release. The strainer body underneath stays in the sink.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Parts, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.