March 21, 2026

The Mystery of the Star-Shaped Security Screw That small orange tool Ring includes in the box frustrates more homeowners than almost any other part of the installation process — and the reason comes down to one misunderstood screw design. The screw on your Ring doorbell is not a standard Phillips or flathead. It's a Security Torx fastener, also called a tamper-resistant Torx screw. At a glance, it looks like a regular star-shaped Torx head, which is why so many people reach for a standard Torx bit and assume it will work. It won't — and here's the critical detail: Security Torx screws feature a small post, or "stud," in the center of the star shape, as noted in Best Buy community discussions. That center pin physically blocks any standard Torx bit from seating fully into the drive recess. The consequence of forcing a mismatched bit isn't just a failed attempt. It's cam-out — the moment a bit slips under torque and begins rounding off the screw's star-shaped lobes. Once those lobes are stripped, even the correct tool struggles to grip, turning a simple two-minute swap into a stubborn extraction problem. Getting the right Ring doorbell screwdriver bit size starts with understanding exactly what type of fastener you're dealing with. The specific size — whether that's a T15 or a T6 — depends on your exact Ring model, and that distinction matters more than most guides acknowledge. T15 vs. T6: Identifying Your Specific Bit Size Choosing the wrong Ring doorbell security screw size is the single most common reason the removal process goes sideways — and the difference between T15 and T6 is smaller than most people expect. Most Ring Video Doorbell models — including the Video Doorbell 2, 3, 4, and Pro — require a T15 Security Torx bit for the faceplate security screw, according to Digital Citizen. The T6, on the other hand, is reserved for the 2020 Release (2nd Gen) and certain smaller internal components. These two sizes look nearly identical at a glance, which is exactly where the trouble starts. Here's a quick reference by model: Video Doorbell 2 — T15 Security Torx Video Doorbell 3 / 3 Plus — T15 Security Torx Video Doorbell 4 — T15 Security Torx Video Doorbell Pro / Pro 2 — T15 Security Torx Video Doorbell (2nd Gen, 2020 Release) — T6 Security Torx ⚠️ Warning: A T6 bit will seat inside a T15 screw head just enough to feel correct — but applying torque will strip the screw. As Digital Citizen notes, "If the bit wobbles inside the screw, you may be using T6 instead of T15. Try the larger bit before forcing the turn." Before touching a screwdriver to the fastener, hold a light source at an angle to the screw head and count the points in the star pattern. A T15 opening is visibly wider with more defined lobes. If the cavity looks tight and shallow, you're likely looking at a T6. Taking ten seconds to visually confirm the size can save you from a stripped screw that turns a simple swap into a serious problem — and that's especially relevant for 2nd Gen owners, whose hardware has some unique dimensional quirks worth understanding in detail. Technical Specs for the 2nd Gen (2020 Release) The Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen uses a proprietary M3 screw that trips up even experienced installers — and the spec details explain exactly why. According to community research on Reddit (r/Ring), the 2nd Gen security screws are M3-sized with a 0.05mm thread pitch and 8mm length. That combination matters more than it might seem: M3 diameter is roughly 3mm — narrower than most hardware store fasteners in the same category 0.05mm thread pitch means the threads are cut unusually fine, so a standard M3 screw from a hardware store won't seat correctly in the mounting bracket 8mm length is precise enough that a longer substitute screw can bottom out before it fully clamps the faceplate The thread pitch mismatch is what makes generic replacements fail — the bracket's receiver threads are cut to match Ring's proprietary spec, so an off-the-shelf M3 with a different pitch will either cross-thread or strip the receiver entirely. There's one more wrinkle specific to this model: these screws feature a short unthreaded extension at the tip. That smooth tip section acts as a guide pin, seating the screw in the bracket before threading begins. Standard screws lack this feature, which means they can misalign on entry and damage the bracket. This is also why attempts to remove Ring doorbell without screwdriver using improvised tools carry real risk — without the correct bit geometry, you're likely to damage the only spec-specific point of contact between the faceplate and bracket. The next section covers exactly which tool alternatives actually work, and which ones to avoid. How to Open Your Ring Doorbell Without the Original Tool Knowing how to open your Ring doorbell without the original tool comes down to one rule: match the bit type precisely, or you'll damage the screw head before you even get started. The right substitute tool will always outperform a clever workaround. Option 1: Precision screwdriver set with TR (Tamper Resistant) bits. A TR6 or TR15 bit — note the small pin in the center — is the correct profile for Ring's proprietary security screws. Standard Torx bits without that center pin won't seat properly and will slip under torque. Precision sets designed for small electronics are widely available at hardware stores and online for under $15. Option 2: A generic replacement kit. Third-party kits like the EMiEN Torx T6 T15 Bit are purpose-built alternatives to Ring's original orange and blue tools. These kits are affordable, ship quickly, and solve the problem cleanly without improvising. Option 3: Contact Ring support for a replacement tool. Ring has acknowledged the tool issue in its own community forums and may send a replacement at no cost. ⚠️ What to Avoid: The "small flathead" hack — wedging a