What’s the best way to fix a squeaky floorboard upstairs?

[VictoriaAW]

I’ve been trying to fix a squeaky floorboard in my upstairs hallway for weeks now. I’ve tried driving a few screws around it to pull it down tighter to the joist, but the squeak just comes back after a day or two. I’m wondering if the joist itself might be moving or if I’m just missing the right spot.

[RyanQJ]

I think you might be chasing the same spot. The moment the floor settles after you screw it down, it can spring back as the joists flex or the boards stretch.

[Nicholas_J]

I actually drove a screw near the problem area and watched the squeak move a few inches along the floor the next day; it came back anyway.

[Emily.S]

I’d question if the joist is the real mover here. More often it’s the boards rubbing or a loose nail head, especially as humidity changes.

[Benjamin_P]

Could the issue be something else, like a loose subfloor or a hidden fastener? I once thought the joist was the culprit and it turned out to be a tiny gap elsewhere.