Sink Stopper Stuck? How to Remove and Fix It in 5 Steps
By Mike Holt, NJ Master Plumber · August 18, 2024 · 2 min read · Updated October 31, 2026
Quick answer
Most bathroom sink stoppers are held in place by a horizontal pivot rod under the sink. Loosen the nut where the rod enters the drain pipe, pull the rod out, and the stopper lifts straight out. Clean off the hair and gunk, put it back, and adjust the clip so the stopper opens all the way.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 15 minutes
- You need
- Towel, pliers, drain cleaning tool or old toothbrush
Rather not risk it? A licensed plumber can handle this for you, with written upfront flat-rate pricing options before any work starts.
A sink stopper that's stuck closed, won't go down or won't stay up is almost always a quick fix. The usual cause is a clump of hair wrapped around the stopper, or a loose connection under the sink. Here's how to fix the common pop-up stopper found in most bathroom sinks.
How to remove and fix a stuck sink stopper
Step 1: Try lifting it straight out
Raise the lift rod (the knob behind the faucet) and pull up on the stopper. Some models lift right out or come out with a quarter turn. Push-button stoppers usually unscrew counterclockwise. If yours won't move, go to step 2.
Step 2: Clear out the cabinet and find the pivot rod
Empty the cabinet and put a towel down. Behind the drain pipe you'll see a thin horizontal rod going into the pipe, held by a small nut. The rod connects to a flat metal strap with holes (the clevis), which connects to the lift rod.
Step 3: Loosen the nut and pull the rod out
Unscrew the pivot nut by hand, or with pliers if it's tight. Pull the rod back about an inch. A little water may drip out. Now the stopper is free, and you can lift it out from the top of the sink.
Step 4: Clean the stopper and the drain
Pull the hair and soap buildup off the stopper and wash it. Use a plastic drain cleaning tool or a bent wire to pull hair out of the drain opening. Run hot water for a minute to flush the pipe.
Step 5: Put it back and adjust it
Drop the stopper back in, with the slot or loop at its bottom facing the back of the sink. Push the pivot rod back into the pipe so it goes through that loop, and tighten the nut hand tight. Test the lift rod. If the stopper doesn't close all the way or doesn't open fully, move the pivot rod to a different hole in the clevis strap. Run water and check the nut for drips.
Still draining slowly?
If the sink is still slow with the stopper out and clean, the clog is further down the pipe, often in the trap under the sink. Our post on what's clogging your drains explains the usual culprits. For a clog that won't clear, see our drain cleaning page or call 908-873-6686. We also replace worn drain assemblies and stoppers as part of fixture repair.
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Stop and call us if
- The nut or drain pipe is corroded and won't come loose.
- It leaks from the pivot nut after you put it back together.
- The sink still drains slowly after the stopper is clean.
- The drain body is cracked or the stopper parts are broken.
Call 908-873-6686.
Michael Holt
Owner and operator of Plumbing Doctor, NJ Master Plumber (Lic. #36BI01345600) and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
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