[SOLVED] HELP! - Can't tighten CPU retention bracket

[Cory Compton]

I own a Dell G5 gaming desktop PC with an Intel Core i5-10400F CPU. I removed the CPU retention bracket while cleaning off thermal paste from the CPU, and now I can no longer reapply the retention bracket because the screws will not tighten no matter what. The screws don't even seem to fit at all anymore, they'll even wiggle around in their holes which makes 0 sense to me.

Some people say that the only way to re-tighten the bracket is by removing the motherboard, but I would really really (really) rather not do that if possible. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

 

[TommyTwoTone66]

Likely the little nuts that sit on the other side of the bracket have come loose.

the only way to put them back on would be to remove the entire motherboard, which honestly is not that hard.