4 Easy Ways To Remove Security Torx (Star) Screws! HOW TO Open An XBOX Controller

Today, we show you 4 + 1 easy DIY methods to remove security Torx screws (you know, the star screws with a round metal pin in the middle), often found on XBOX controllers, on some smartphones and tablets, and other devices the manufacturers do not want you to open and eventually repair. While using the right tool for the job is always recommended, there are also other ways to defeat those security screws using standard tools (lifehacks!?!). This can be especially useful if: you do not have the right tool at hand and cannot get one, or you do not want to spend money on a tool you may only need once in your life. So enjoy those 4 + 1 methods and hope they will help you out in time of need!
► SEE ALSO! 2 Easy Ways To Remove (Star) Torx Screws WITHOUT A Screwdriver?
• 2 Easy Ways To Remove ...
► YOU WILL NEED
- A slotted or "flat-blade" screwdriver
- A vice grip plier
- A pen
- A metal saw
- A medium baked slide of ham
► DISCLAIMER
Always make sure you operate in a safe and secure manner.
For this project this means, try not to stab yourself in the eye with a screwdriver (even if highly tempting)
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[@TheLabOtomy]

NOTE: for the ones wondering about removing STANDARD TORX screws when you do not have the right screwdriver / bit, see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvCdXaLjpuqicU

[@kandykane2752]

Let’s be honest, we’re all here cuz we’re disassembling our ps4/Xbox

[@markjoo9924]

Lmao yes

[@aaryanatreya5591]

Lol I opened mine without these and now all the screws are screwed...

[@seppejacobs4297]

Ps3

[@finleyweeks]

Kinda I'm do it on my Xbox 360 s hardrive to use it for my pc

[@ToodleNoodle]

Yes, my disk drive is playing up massively.

[@danrodrigues3531]

Dynamite works just as well...

[@fernandosalas8589]

Hey Frank you still alive?

[@buckwheat7424]

Used to be able to buy it at hardware stores. Until 50s or 60s. You might of had to sign for it. Also test driving brand new cars right off the lot. Friend of mine used to take them out in the desert, roll them, tip em back over and roll it again, then took them back, pulled into the lot, and say " I don't want that one. " drive the automatic transmissioned cars to 50mph and put it in reverse a few times. And limp or get it towed back to the dealership. He was a champion long jump record holder at Ascot Raceway riding tt mile.

[@ZAsym]

+ screw comes off - so do your limbs

[@daito7729]

There's one of these on the back of my PS4 which is preventing me from cleaning it

[@za_y_s4106]

Exactly the same thing for me aswell

[@snifflebutt8616]

I’m concerned if there is actually only one and not at least two🤣

[@jeremytucker8853]

Companies should be ashamed of themselves using these screws.

[@wook7505]

Its so they let you know to not mess with the device

[@jeremytucker8853]

@@wook7505 If I buy it I own it then its my choice to do with it what I will.

[@wook7505]

@@jeremytucker8853 they just want to make sure you don't break the device

[@wook7505]

@@jeremytucker8853 and if you do break it, you gonna have to buy a new one, so that's why

[@plaguedoctor2064]

@@wook7505 the whole point of taking it apart is to fix it dude

[@Murkzilla04]

Damn you Xbox 😂

[@Callie_Crowheart]

If you're using this to open a PS4, I found that a CR V-2.0 flathead screw bit is exactly the size to notch between two of the teeth without having to cross through the center pin. So if you number each tooth 1 to 6 in a circle, it fits between teeth 1 and 3 or as another example, into teeth 4 and 6. In other words, it fits into two teeth that aren't straight across from each other, but are also not touching. In my use, this has damaged neither the screw nor the driver tip, and as flathead are more common and cheaper, is my preferred method.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Thanks for sharing

[@zackaryschneider8652]

I just realized that those are there so ppl don’t go to the play ground to steel the slides😭

[@kurisutofusan]

Method 3 worked very well for me to open my espresso machine, thanks! It didn't even damage the screws!

[@cosmingurau]

did you manage to fix it?

[@dandrost646]

if you're careful you can drill the security out. 1/16 bit works for xbox one external screws

[@shdy14]

What does this have to do with a Xbox Controller?? You cannot use any of these for the inside screws..

[@biglightball]

You forgot about drilling that mo fo pin out of that screw!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Not forgotten, simply not considered in my list since drilling the pin out "perfectly" (i.e. without damaging the Torx) can be difficult. But yes, can done also! Thanks for the addition

[@biglightball]

@@TheLabOtomy Ok, I agree that drilling out the pin may be difficult. But I see that this whole movie is about difficult situation, when we have a screw and don't have a proper tool :-) Drilling out that pin will be easy if there will be a spike in every corner of the screw. Spike of proper diameter obviously and with cut off both ends, and shorter than our drill bit, but higher than our pin :-) Hitting the bit with some sharp punch marker will help a lot to start the drill. Or I would just use my precise grinder.

[@chris-8597]

@@biglightball did you just call a KZbin video a movie?

[@biglightball]

@@chris-8597 did you just got excited and all wet thinking that now it's the time to show your superiority and make your life less miserable? Well, for your information, English isn't my first language. 😂 I make mistakes and it isn't anything strange.

[@chris-8597]

@@biglightball I think you just feel pretty stupid for calling it a movie lmao

[@gghh6290]

Who else thinks this is really satisfying to watch

[@metaproductions7484]

nah im just tryna clean my playstation

[@microwavegommmm916]

Whoever at Microsoft came up with the idea to use these screws needs punched repeatedly in the face

[@annanmanpainternet9294]

I took insperation from your wrench and used a cablecutter, worked really good

[@TheLabOtomy]

Nice work!

[@marcellomastroianni6725]

Here's what worked for me as visegrips were out of the question as the security torx screw was counter sunk into the plastic casing of my dewalt 18v to 20 v adapter. I'm sure if i wanted to put a big slice in the thin plastic in order to put a slot with either a grinder or hacksaw but that was too far into the world of butchery for me personally.... the torx socket with the hole in the middle IS the actual proper tool to remove the security torx so i'm a little unsure why that was included.Welding is typically off the table in most scenarios given the path of destruction left behind. And the frustration and failure of the screwdriver method made me want to stab myself in the eye with the very screwdriver repeatedly. This is not something that was discovered intentionally more so unintentionally. Is this going to work for you.... i don't know.... it worked for me and was painless and non destructive. so here goes.... i took a tiny drillbit small enough to fit loosely into the torx bit head with the intention of drilling the security button down so i could get a std torx bit locked in there and remove it. You know what happens next your tiny drill bit breaks. i check to see if the momentary drilling was going to allow a std torx bit to lock into the head and it did not. As a bit of a stubborn person and not having another bit that size i put the broken bit that was still in the chuck of my drill back into the torx head and gave her a spin. To my surprise the broken drill bit actually did grind down the security button enough for a std torx bit to lock in place and remove all the screws, initially after all of the frustration suffered attempting anything and everything i could find on you tube to remove these security torx without damaging or butchering anything, i planned on replacing the security torx screw with ones without the security button but didn't actually end up doing that given a standard torx bit locked in place so i put them back in without a struggle. Again, worked for me.....no guarantee it will for you...good luck and stop throwing broken drill bits out!!

[@Arz2003]

Gonna have to try the last one because I did that with the gamecube to clean it up but now I need to open up a super slim ps3

[@djstomp8019]

The hacksaw thing just blew my mind. It's so freaking simple, why didn't I think of that?? Later, I've gotta go turn a Torx into a flathead real quick

[@TheLabOtomy]

You go DJ Stomp!

[@djstomp8019]

@@TheLabOtomy Follow up: Turned the darn thing into what was essentially a mutilated rivet and eventually got it out with a couple pairs of needlenose, ye olde flathead, and definitely zero bitter tears shed out of frustration and anguish whatsoever. Ok maybe a couple, don't judge me!

[@TheLabOtomy]

@@djstomp8019 And eventually, you grew up being a stronger man having defeated metal fasteners and more in touch with his emotional side? Just for my personal record...

[@djstomp8019]

@@TheLabOtomy Just saw this reply, totally made my day haha. Sure, let the record reflect that account 🤣

[@TheLabOtomy]

@@djstomp8019 Nice...

[@ganeshrvgk]

I have this Torx screw and it is a bit deep inside and the body is ABS plastic, so none of the method didn't work !!!

[@aproxo4626]

ps4

[@liam-pq5tp]

@@aproxo4626 what

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Let me say that probably 100% of the time i get a Torx or Security Torx screw its recessed and NOT flush at all ... And some were not only recessed but recessed about 1.5 inches deep inside a tunnel to where you HAD to have the special bit and the bit shaft had to be LONG to reach inside. OR they were in spots where you can't fit a hacksaw or dremel or vise grip ... I literally had to buy a special set about 6 inches long to remove a torx security bit that was in my Ryobi fan because it was almost 2 inches deep inside the tunnel .. So while your torx screw were FLUSH mounted you were able to do your little hacks providing they were not torqued down too much. Your methods worked but some of them damaged the screw so putting those back in might have been an issue. Especially when you need those screws to put it back together. Otherwise yes you got them off with some thinking. You never said you would get them off damage free :-)

[@TheLabOtomy]

Thanks for the feedback! Deep tight recess and security Torx are indeed bad karma. Makes you wonder if manufacturers are more scared of people messing around with their devices and getting hurt, or scared of people repairing them when they hit their programmed obsolescence milestone...

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

My fan had to be cleaned because over time like anything else, DIRT accumulates on the fan blades and the back side and front side grill .... Which slows the fan down and does not move as much air so it had to be taken apart to be cleaned. It has 6 Torx security screws but they were sunk into a very NARROW tunnel 1.5 inches deep which the average bit cant reach. I got a 3 inch long set but even that set only went so far into that tunnel because again that tunnel was really narrow. SO i had to spend some $$ to get an extra long bit set at 6 inches to reach deep into that tunnel to get to the screw... I do have long thin flat head heads and phillips heads that reached in there with no issue but it was a damn Torx head and a security at that which made it worse. Its a FAN ... not a super high tech device ... WHY use that head and WHY do damn deep ..?? I guess to keep the average honest non mechanical savvy guy out of it.

[@maximilianogonzalez2393]

Me gusto este último método de la lapicera..ya que tengo los mismos tornillos, pero embutidos y de otra manera sino me es imposible...( obviamente si es que no tengo una herramienta para tal fin..no es cierto) Gracias por la idea.

[@pepperonistromboli8034]

The barking grip got me😂

[@TheLabOtomy]

Nice

[@MaxiBum]

5:11 el mosquito diciendote : que le dirás a los que quieren abrir su ps3 y tu masacrando tornillos

[@terieur]

3:54 I really laughed 😅 And dog too was a good one 👍

[@LassetUnsSpielen]

have you figured out how to remove the screws from extension outlets? i usually just saw through them

[@TheLabOtomy]

What do those screws look like in your part of the world? Probably lots of variation between countries/regions

[@arctorusmedia]

really gotta love being blasted by a jet engine as soon as the video starts

[@TheLabOtomy]

Absolutely

[@prnvprthp]

Could you add a link to the driver kit please. Thanks!

[@williamM-18]

You just buggered the torx bit with that! Just order a cheap set of bits from Amazon

[@TheLabOtomy]

00:26

[@zulfikranzulmos4066]

What if the screws are in tight angle

[@B3MYDARL1NG]

The bonus method is the most smart ass thing ive seen also it worked

[@townbell2248]

I really like the pen and saw idea. I will have to remember those ones

[@cameronbowers9347]

Method 3 you're a gem

[@TheLabOtomy]

Nice!

[@evil_videogamedunkey7719]

Flame trowhers work too

[@pieknylolo-s8i]

It is best to cut it for ordinary flat screwdriver. Unscrew, discard and change to normal.

[@exuell]

He does realize that’s to get the Xbox controller open you have to have a super tiny screwdriver and it has plastic on the sides

[@beadworldofficial]

lol

[@ajononikostudio]

So, I’m screwed. I need to remove a dam T6 security torx screw. Damn you whoever invented this, damn you!

[@billj4137]

Just take a small screwdriver and break the security post off by prying it then use regular torx.

[@craigdean6249]

i came here to learn how to unscrew a bolt and you delivered.. can you do a vid on how to unscrew my life?

[@TheLabOtomy]

Sure, will be next

[@solgoode1]

I've been trying to figure out for days what the hell type screw this was. I knew it was a torx but I never heard of security torx. Thanks for the video.

[@verinb9]

"GIVE THIS MAN A BEER!"(STONE COLD voice) 🍻

[@TheLabOtomy]

😂

[@meatbug8611]

trox satan screw i cant open my controler to repair it

[@RobinYee-xc9vf]

I do have 5 set , of numbers in standard torx driver's s,spent early's.but , now do had , new kind of screws to unscrewing..,so.spent for about 5 point s number of it ....simple

[@mrhumble2937]

I can't get the handle screws out. The other 3 came out easy.

[@almorris171]

Do #3 only until you can easily do #2. However often the screws are recessed meaning 2, 3, and 4 won't work. Meaning you either drill it out or get the holy torx bits

[@pankajB66]

I am struggling to open the exact same screws in my HP printer, but unfortunately none of these are an option for me excluding the first one. But then I need to purchase the whole bunch of screwdriver heads with the hole on the middle of the head. Why the hell they put that nipple in the middle?

[@TheLabOtomy]

So that you do not repair your own stuff...

[@firemanjoe9491]

Another option is to use a smaller flat head to break off the little pieces and then use a star head. Sorry if that’s not technical but I just did it to my microwave that needed cleaning and it worked great.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Indeed, thanks for sharing

[@user-io3mu3dr5b]

Не нашел инфы: если купить насадки torx с защитой (те которыми надо было воспользоваться в методе 1), можно ли их в дальнейшем использовать с болтами с обычным torx без защиты? Или не подойдут? Просто неохота брать 2 комплекта звездочек

[@zanejr]

Could you not take a regular torx bit, get a Dremel with a small drill bit and put a small hole in the torx bit?

[@TheLabOtomy]

Can be done for sure, found it howevere tricky to do neatly free hand (and do not have a drill-press)

[@meSOOlame]

What if the bolt is actually tightened in the hole?

[@scoopablecatlitter]

Yay!! That worked! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@nasserdiyqtrdny9500]

I tried everything on a hard drive what does it work I must get the special screwdriver for eight dollars in Amazon and the whole time I have a special screwdriver with the psi meter and the hard drive Company are smashed let's go driver in the hard drive about 28,000 psi even my Electric drill 700 w breakdown

[@mozdieloz3826]

5 minutes and 11 seconds in, little insect runs across from bottom left to right hand side.

[@TheLabOtomy]

That was Andy, my assistant

[@jdsheleg8332]

USPS uses them, when the moronic customers take the keys with them then it takes forever to have new locks installed, as the diy is impossible due this screws. Thank you for this video!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Welcome

[@CannotBeVerified]

life saver. Was smaller than my smallest torx head. 1 worked with pliers, even though it was tiny. Number 4 gave me the idea to stab the 2 in a hole with a knife and spin it. Worked a treat!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Good stuff!

[@Aayan1942]

Dude same I also got the knife idea :o

[@deathcoredude3550]

Ford ignition switch

[@memereport2481]

So I was taking apart my Xbox controller and the I did the pen one but with solder and it worked

[@TheLabOtomy]

Good

[@scrappq6712]

What tool set is that

[@colisaints7660]

I broke mine torx and it turns into a masive circle it became unscrewable

[@ericmechow4181]

Did u find a way to unscrew it? Cause I have the same problem

[@n0iseradi0]

@@ericmechow4181 try to epoxy another screw or and old screwdriver(the one that can fit better on that hole) on top of it let ir rest for the nighr and take that mofo out. be careful to make sure the thing that you glue makes good contact and do not let the glue touch other than the screw

[@aphrodite4085]

I have to fix my standing fan rear cover and I'm sad now it's deep inside

[@bretth9359]

Or you could go to your srus and stregal but find it

[@brian3364]

Flathead trick worked 100% for me Thankyou

[@TheLabOtomy]

Welcome!

[@RedPill420]

What I did was order 2 torx screwdrivers online and returned them the next day when I didn't need them anymore

[@liam-pq5tp]

link?

[@RassBrass]

I always go for number 4

[@randomnessfacts]

How are u supposed to get pliers in a xbox controller?

[@Stalevik]

Нихера не работает. Винт внутри пластика

[@jmad8163]

I've just discovered a new way which worked on my Xbox one controller screws which are T8 size. I discovered this by mistake really. I was trying method 3 from this video using a high quality very small flathead screwdriver. This actually managed to cleanly snap off the little pins with minimal damage to the rest of the screw heads. I then used my standard T8 to remove the screws as normal.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Congrats!

[@cooldude2944]

I hope the inventor of this screw burn in hell forever torx 8

[@fraouimadjid1886]

lol

[@LassetUnsSpielen]

still better than phillips drive

[@buckwheat7424]

If you have that much access to it, just punch center tab out of the screw. If you have regular torque bits. That's what really sucks about manufactures even the vaccine. Tetanus you can be covered for 10 years. I have things from the days that even the manufacturer gave info on how to fix it if you couldn't get parts. Gravely tractor LS model, walk behind sold in 1957. I'm still running every season 4 or five times. It's got the same tires that it came with. It was $275.00 then.

[@ghostface1621]

Ps4 is a nightmare

[@ghostface1621]

@@Classified0 nothing, cleaned the hdd on top, but the security screws are so tiny you need a t9 driver. So I just cleaned the exhaust with wet wipes and blew into them with my mouth. Lol

[@dimitrimoore1971]

Haha this was funny and helpful!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Glad to hear, thanks for the feedback!

[@luisla5269]

Idk but how about drilling a hole into your torx key

[@TheLabOtomy]

Can work if you have a drill press for instance and can perfectly center it... free handed, the drill bit will start jumping and can easily end up making a mess... but then again I have weak hands

[@NewGaunt]

La ultima no creo se parte la lapicera

[@itskchanny2656]

Anyone else having trouble with the Astro c40?

[@ivan.n4rdo]

Xbox elite😔

[@martuu6834]

Cant clean my ps4 slim 😔

[@Cuackzy]

damn this music vibey asf

[@OmensEcho]

My grandpa put this in my ps4

[@matthewmiles15]

Everyone here is trying to disassemble their PS4 or Xbox. Me? A Leatherman Wave Plus.

[@patrickrusso4821]

I stripped a one trying to take off a sheild for my catalytic converter sheild 😅 it making too much noise and I wanted it off

[@thislambfire8069]

How to remove security torx screws. Make it a NOT torx screw!

[@TheLabOtomy]

Could work

[@treemath7462]

Lmao the hacksaw!

[@anthonylive8856]

Increible las alternativas 👍😎

[@TheLabOtomy]

👍😎

[@fireducky897]

iam js tryna clean my ps4 man

[@TheLabOtomy]

Ya man

[@kozxss8733]

THANKS YOU

[@TheLabOtomy]

Welcomes

[@athamahfuzh4585]

That one fucking last screw had that in it

[@gianca9118]

Damn that tv noise was annoying!

[@valfade6488]

The transitions were annoying

[@bitTorrenter]

Talk about damaging that screw head with that screwdriver.

[@jizzwad632]

Did we need method 1???????

[@casep.1191]

Another fun fact: I wanna die

[@vxpro1]

Ah yes, super easy to do

[@foxrootking5077]

Or a PS4......... .

[@juancarloscarrilloochoa7994]

Tu video debería decir: 3 formas de hechar a perder un tornillo torx.

[@TheLabOtomy]

Si

[@gerstein03]

My solution: get a pocket knife and attempt to dig them out. It worked

[@AceFurley]

who new? so your telling me i'll i have to do is find the bit that match's the screw and use that! my 30 year career as a constantly frustrated construction worker is finally over!!! all it takes is a 10$ set of bits and it's all downhill from now!!! for this golden advice i'm willing to give you a reach-around, if you're ever in my town, sizzle-chest!!!!!

[@Julius360-w5e]

I hate this ducking dum screw, it is preventing me to open my dumb xbox battery

[@Smart_boy2001]

How the fuck invented this screw

[@kontio1mk29]

Mine is fucking worn and nothing works

[@Drevorub]

5:11

[@2times347]

Imma break my ps3 i swear fam

[@TheLabOtomy]

That's why they came up with the ps4

[@PS_Girl_Gamer]

​@@TheLabOtomy lol

[@salty_spotted_dog]

What if you had a hundred to do? 😡😂🤣

[@TheLabOtomy]

Method 1 + patience

[@salty_spotted_dog]

@@TheLabOtomy 😂🤣

[@fernandosalas8589]

Kids do not try this at home😉. Thanks for the laughs thanks for other options 😁.

[@TheLabOtomy]

😁

[@dharmendratatasky4121]

👌👍