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:
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Video Doorbell 2 — T15 Security Torx
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Video Doorbell 3 / 3 Plus — T15 Security Torx
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Video Doorbell 4 — T15 Security Torx
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Video Doorbell Pro / Pro 2 — T15 Security Torx
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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:
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M3 diameter is roughly 3mm — narrower than most hardware store fasteners in the same category
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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
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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 flathead screwdriver into the Torx recess — almost never works and frequently chews out the screw head. Similarly, gripping the screw head with pliers risks stripping it completely, turning a simple swap into a much harder extraction job. Both approaches cost more time than just sourcing the correct bit.
In practice, a stripped screw head is exactly where things get complicated — and that's worth addressing directly.
Removing a Stripped Security Screw
A stripped security screw doesn't mean your Ring doorbell is permanently sealed — but acting fast and methodically is the only way to avoid making it worse.
The first sign of stripping is unmistakable: the bit spins freely without catching resistance. At that point, stop immediately. As Digital Citizen notes, using the wrong size or applying excessive force causes "cam-out," which can leave the screw head so damaged that standard extraction becomes impossible without specialized tools.
Rubber band method: Place a wide rubber band flat over the screw head before inserting the bit. The rubber fills micro-gaps in the damaged head, restoring enough friction for the bit to grip. Apply firm, steady downward pressure while turning slowly — rushing defeats the purpose.
Screw extractor kit: If the rubber band method fails, a small-electronics extractor kit is the next step. These kits include reverse-threaded drill bits sized for M3 fasteners — the same screws found on the 2nd Gen model covered earlier. The reverse thread bites into the damaged head as it spins, pulling the screw out rather than driving it deeper.
Total bracket removal is the last resort when the screw is completely seized. Carefully prying the mounting bracket away from the wall can relieve tension on the fastener, sometimes loosening it enough to extract. This approach is also worth considering if you're already replacing the unit and need the Ring Video Doorbell battery replacement tool to access internal components anyway.
If none of these methods work, contact Ring Support directly — a damaged security bracket qualifies for replacement assessment, and forcing beyond this point risks cracking the housing. With that said, understanding which specific bit your model needs in the first place remains the clearest way to avoid stripping altogether — which is exactly what the final takeaways will lock in.
The Bottom Line: What You Need to Know
Matching the correct bit to your specific Ring model is the single most important factor in opening your doorbell without causing damage.
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Standard Ring models (Pro, 3, and 4) almost always use a T15 Security (Tamper Resistant) bit — this is the most common source of confusion, because the regular T15 looks identical but physically cannot engage the screw head.
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The 2nd Gen (2020) model is the exception. It requires a T6 Security bit paired with M3 screws — a noticeably smaller profile that many generic kits don't include.
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Always look for "TR" or "Tamper Resistant" labeling, or confirm the bit has a hole in the tip. That hollow center is what allows the bit to fit over the anti-tamper pin built into the screw head. Without it, you're not using the wrong brand of tool — you're using the wrong type entirely.
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Never force a bit that wobbles in the head. As covered in the stripped screw section, a loose fit accelerates cam-out and damages the drive recess within seconds. If it doesn't seat snugly, stop immediately.
A bit that fits correctly requires no force — it drops in, grips, and turns smoothly. That tactile confirmation is your best quality check before applying any torque. With the right bit identified and the screw safely removed, the next logical step is making sure you never end up in this situation again — which comes down to a few simple storage and maintenance habits worth building now.
Maintenance Tips to Avoid Future Lockouts
The easiest way to avoid a future Ring doorbell lockout is to store your security bit somewhere you'll actually find it when you need it. A magnetic tool strip near your router or chime box is ideal — it keeps the bit visible, accessible, and paired with the gear it services. A simpler alternative: tape the bit directly to the back of your chime box or inside a utility drawer you use regularly. Either approach beats rummaging through a junk drawer six months from now when your battery dies.
Hand-tightening is a habit worth building. Security screws on Ring doorbells only need to be snug — not torqued down. Over-tightening is one of the most common causes of stripped heads, and it offers no additional protection against theft. Finger-tight pressure is enough to hold the faceplate secure while keeping the screw removable the next time you need it.
Investing in a multi-bit precision set pays for itself quickly. A single-use pin-hex tool works once, gets lost, and leaves you stuck. A quality precision kit — such as a Hyvoxa-style set — covers the full range of security fastener types across Ring models, other smart home devices, and general electronics repairs. One compact kit handles what a drawer full of single-purpose tools cannot. For anyone managing more than one smart home device, a precision toolkit isn't optional — it's the foundation of stress-free maintenance.
Final Thoughts from the Field
After handling hundreds of these security screws across every generation of Ring hardware, my biggest piece of advice is this: never fight the hardware. If the bit doesn’t seat with a satisfying, deep "click," it is the wrong size. I’ve seen homeowners turn a two-minute job into a two-hour extraction nightmare simply by applying too much torque to a T6 bit inside a T15 head. If you’ve lost your original tool, don't reach for the kitchen drawer’s flathead; investing in a dedicated $10 TR-bit set is the "expert" move that saves your $200 doorbell from the scrap heap.
One pro tip I always use during re-installation is the "back-thread" method. Place the screw in the hole and turn it counter-clockwise (left) until you feel a slight "jump" or click. That click means the threads have aligned perfectly. Only then should you turn it clockwise to tighten. This prevents cross-threading—a common issue with the fine-pitched M3 screws found in 2nd Gen models. By treating these small fasteners with a bit of mechanical respect and keeping the right ring doorbell security screw size in your toolkit, you’ll ensure your security system stays serviceable for years to come.