Need to take your TV off the wall? Here's how to remove it, take down the bracket, patch the holes, and leave the wall looking like nothing was ever there.
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Whether you're moving out, redecorating, or upgrading to a bigger screen — there comes a time when the TV needs to come off the wall. The actual removal is simple. The part that matters is patching the holes so your landlord doesn't dock your deposit.
This guide covers the whole process: taking the TV down, removing the bracket, and making the wall look like nothing was ever there.
One thing worth knowing up front: if you're removing your TV because you're remounting it at the same location, NYC TV Guy offers free TV dismounting when you book a remount. More on that below.
If someone is holding the TV while another person unscrews things — you're doing it wrong.
Every wall mount works the same way: the TV hangs on the bracket using a hook-and-slot system. You don't unscrew the TV from the bracket while it's on the wall. You remove the TV first (it lifts off), then you remove the bracket from the wall separately. Two completely separate steps.
Almost every mount has just two screws or two latches at the bottom or back of the bracket that prevent the TV from sliding off. Remove those, lift the TV straight up, and it comes right off. That's it. Then you deal with the bracket and the wall.
No matter what type of mount you have — fixed, tilting, or full-motion — the process is basically the same:
If you have a tilting mount: tilt the TV to its flattest position before lifting.
If you have a full-motion/swivel mount: swing the arm out from the wall first to give yourself room, then lift the TV off. Fold the arm back to the wall once the TV is clear.
Want to see it in action? These two videos walk you through the process:
Once the TV is off, the wall plate and arm (if applicable) are still mounted to your wall. You may want to leave it if you're remounting in the same spot, or remove it entirely if you're patching and painting.
To remove the bracket:
Most residential wall brackets have 4 to 6 anchor points. Concrete or brick walls (common in NYC apartments) use expansion anchors instead of wood screws — these back out with a screwdriver, but the anchor sleeve usually stays in the wall.
This is the part that actually matters. Once the bracket is off, you'll have lag bolt holes (about ½" diameter) and possibly smaller screw holes. Here's how to make them disappear.
The simple method:
The professional method (for a perfectly flush finish):
The final step — paint:
Ask your building super for the paint. Most buildings keep spare paint for touch-ups. Apply a coat of primer first (spackling is porous — without primer, you'll see a dull spot), then paint over it. Your landlord won't know the difference.
For plaster walls (very common in older NYC buildings), larger holes may need a setting-type compound (like Durabond) rather than spackling — it's harder and bonds better to plaster.
For most people, removing a TV from a wall mount is a manageable DIY job — especially if you have a helper and a basic tool kit.
The main risks:
If your TV is 75" or larger, mounted above a fireplace (awkward height), on a concrete wall, or you're simply not comfortable with it — it's worth calling a pro. A damaged 75" TV is a much more expensive mistake than a service call.
Moving the TV to a different wall — or a different apartment entirely — is one of the most common reasons people take their TV down.
If you're remounting at the same location, NYC TV Guy offers free TV dismounting when you book a remount. You pay for the mounting job, and we take the old TV down at no extra charge. It's one trip, one price, no hassle.
Book a remount and get free dismounting →
Do I need a stud finder to remove a wall mount? No — you only need a stud finder when installing a mount. Removal is just unscrewing what's already there.
Can one person remove a TV from the wall? For TVs under 40", yes — if you're careful. For anything larger, you really need a second person to avoid dropping it.
What if the safety screw on my mount is stripped? Use a screw extractor bit (available at any hardware store) to back it out. Don't try to pry the TV off — you'll bend the bracket or damage the VESA plate on the TV.
How do I know if my mount is fixed, tilting, or full-motion? Tilt the TV gently. If it doesn't move at all, it's fixed. If it tilts forward/backward only, it's a tilting mount. If it swings side to side on an arm, it's full-motion.
Will removing the mount damage my wall? Will I lose my deposit? The lag bolt holes will be there — that's unavoidable. But with DryDex spackling and a coat of paint, they're invisible. Ask your super for the paint — most buildings have spare. If you follow the steps above, your landlord won't know the difference. Plaster walls are slightly more involved to patch but still very manageable.
If you're more of a "have someone else handle it" type — or if you've already got a remount project in mind — check out our TV mounting service or read our full guide on how to mount a TV on the wall. We cover NYC and NJ, and the free dismounting offer stands for any same-location remount booking.
