‎Stripped Security Screw | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
charpatton's profile

Monday, May 4th, 2020 7:34 PM

Stripped Security Screw

Needed to reset the doorbell, and to do that one must push the button on the back, difficult to do if the security screw (that uses the small Torx driver) is stripped!

Reached out to Simplisafe by phone and e-mail and also to the forums and never got a workable answer. Perhaps they are concerned about liability and legal issues. The suggested solution was to go to Lowes and Home Depot and ask for help (and the folks I talked to there, although nice, didn't have a fix.)

I did find that this has happened to many others, and not only with the SImplisafe doorbell. I found these two answers on the RIng forums:
1) Knock it off with a rubber mallet and hope for the best.
2) Drill it out.

Not being mechanically inclined (a nice way of saying I'm sure there are more elegant ways of doing this!), I took a Dremel at 30Krpm and a 1/16" carbide tipped drill bit and just drilled straight up the stripped Torx screw from the bottom while it was mounted on the wall. USE EYE PROTECTION!!! I got lucky and the whole screw and casing just fell out, fixing the problem. (I didn't try a rubber mallet since I was pretty sure something would break.) (I tried rubber bands, larger drivers, and a bunch of other tips on the web for removing stripped screws and none worked prior to the Dremel.)

Lessons for the future:
1) Be EXTREMELY careful when using the Torx driver with your SImplisafe doorbell; the metal of the screw is very soft and strips easily.
2) Perhaps Simplisafe can task one of their mechanical engineers to sourcing a higher quality screw that is more resistant to stripping. I know nothing of metallurgy, but I doubt it would add that much to the cost.

Hope this helps someone!

1 Message

2 years ago

As helpful as this was... It wasn't haha. Thank you confirming my same problem, good luck everyone else with our same problem.

I got a new router and changed my wifi name and pass, but I'm seeing as the non breaking fix is to rename my router to the preloaded name and pass, so I don't need to remove, break, or damage the doorbell

1 Message

@ldschult​  could you explain how to do this? I got a new wifi-a 2.4 and cannot seem to get the doorbell back online.  The Simplisafe help person said that, unless the white light is flashing, there was nothing I could do. 

Thanks

dave

(edited)

This reply has been converted into a comment

1 Message

2 years ago

@ldschult​  could you explain how to do this? I got a new wifi-a 2.4 and cannot seem to get the doorbell back online.  The Simplisafe help person said that, unless the white light is flashing, there was nothing I could do. 

Thanks

dave

This comment was created from this reply

Community Admin

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242 Messages

@davidwillat​ Hi Dave!

It sounds like you may need to perform a hard reset on your Video Doorbell Pro to get it reconnected. To do this:

  • Remove the doorbell from its charging plate
  • Press the small button on the back of the doorbell for 10 seconds and then release
  • Place the doorbell back on its charging plate. There will then be a yellow light as it boots back up

Let me know if that works for you, or if you have any other questions. 

2 Messages

2 years ago

July 2022 and it's still a problem.  Guess I'll go get myself a drill bit!!!

2 Messages

2 years ago

Is it getting power from the doorbell chime inside the house?  The transformer might need to be replaced. 

2 Messages

2 years ago

Feb 2023, still a problem. Going to Home Depot to buy a Dremel. :smh:

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@arian_631783​ before that, I would maybe try the rubber band trick; just put a rubber band between the screw and the screwdriver. That might provide enough resistance to pry the screw off.

If you need a replacement security screw, or if you need any further assistance, our Support team can help.

2 Messages

2 years ago

It’s just supposed to be hand tightened. 

2 Messages

@jhdeleon​ I did, it still strips 

3 Messages

1 year ago

3 years later, same problem. Fortunately they sent me a replacement. Unfortunately the replacement's screw wouldn't go in and now they are sending another replacement. 😕 

(edited)

6 Messages

7 months ago

Same issue here and they were not helpful at all.. big shock.. nothing has worked right with my system since buying it. Anyone else have the base reset all your settings all the time, but when trying to replace the base.. be told by simply safe that it's fine because they don't see any errors so I must be mistaken?

2 Messages

7 months ago

My system hasn't worked since last July.  Several calls to support and several "escalation" assistance with same results. Cameras no longer pair or connect and constantly receiving alerts from "obviously" someone else's account has left me with deleting the the app. Now my base serves only as an expensive door opener sound alert.  I've considered buying a new base  but maybe waiting until the next edition.  Maybe forget about Simplisafe altogether.  Loved it when it worked but disappointed that they couldn't figure out how to fix it.

This comment has been converted into a post

6 Messages

Nice .. wish mine did that at least lol.. I can't seem to get the stuff I've purchased to work or get help with these items.... but just like the offer to extend my cars warranty, they are in my email, call log, and text for that monthly payment. 

2 Messages

2 months ago

Having the same issue. Stripped screw, called in and was told nothing they can do accept send a screw. Read some where that another user used glue gun or superglue to get it out. 

6 Messages

I honestly just drilled it out. You could try using a bit that is square (sorry.. I'm drawing a blank suddenly on the proper name) I've done that in the past with a small hair rubber band around it.. I'm pretty sure super glue wouldn't hold up and you might need some industrial strength  glue sticks for the glue gun,  but I think having it stick to the surface once you try turning it would be a challenge.  Customer service told me that I should have used the screwdriver they gave me ( super happy to see they train them to be counterproductive when customers call in for support.. they are killing it!) because it's special to that screw. which in itself is stupid, I could see if they did that so you'd have to buy the screwdriver and additional screws but.. you don't. 

Which makes me think I'm not safe at all with a company willing to throw money away on tools and screws to basically every customer.. th

Making me doubt they fully have the brain capicity needed to handle my households needs for security.  if they don't have a solution for this and the means to let us delete videos in bulk then im on my own if getting robbed.a lso incorrect, i have no such toolfro. Them... did you receive this magical screw driver? I'm pretty sure I was missing pieces so there's that

Lol

Good luck!!

(edited)

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@battle24​ like @leanch823 mentioned, putting a rubber band over the head of the security screw can help to add a little grip to remove it. 

The Video Doorbell's security screw does require a Torx screwdriver to prevent the screw from stripping, but that comes included with the doorbell. @leanch823 if you do not have your Torx screwdriver, our Support team can send one to you.

2 Messages

@emily_s yes we tried all of that. Did you read our comments when we mentioned the torx screwdriver and the rubber band and both did not work for the strip screw? 

Are there any other recommendations AFTER using the torx screwdriver and rubber bands?

1.3K Messages

2 months ago

Maybe a tiny squirt of Wd-40 in the hole at the threads before starting, try the t5 screwdriver again first.

Then if no luck;

Besides drilling it with a Dremel or something, you could try a t6 torx, counterclockwise and apply some upward force for bite.

Or a regular straight blade with a tip small enough to fit the torx stripped hole but not botton out, tap it tiny bit to help bite in and again applying some upward force try to get it moving out.

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