A device for removing a defective electronic component from a circuit board includes a vacuum suction nozzle, a laser beam emitter and an infrared temperature sensor. The vacuum suction nozzle has a suction opening at which suction is generated. The suction opening is dimensioned to be larger than the defective electronic component. The laser beam emitter is oriented so as to emit a laser beam out the suction opening towards the electronic component on the circuit board. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the electronic component based on infrared radiation emitted from around the electronic component. A method for removing the defective electronic component from the circuit board includes positioning the suction opening over the electronic component and directing the laser beam through the suction opening and onto the electronic component so as to heat and detach the electronic component, which is then sucked into the vacuum suction nozzle.