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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →In ARC Raiders, the Controlled Access Zone puzzle on Dam Battlegrounds has two gates: activate four buttons in quick succession to open the first door, then bring the resources listed on the next door’s electrical panel to get through. You’ll need a Fuel Cell to access the room containing one of the buttons. The reliable approach is to bring four players, with one assigned to each button.
Where to find the Controlled Access Zone
The zone is in the northern part of Dam Battlegrounds, between The Breach and Power Generation Complex, according to PC Gamer’s walkthrough. One route is to descend the ladder on the dam wall. Other approaches include entering from above or below the dam, or using the catwalk, as described by Insider Gaming.
How to open the room with the fourth button
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Search the Controlled Access Zone for a Fuel Cell. Check the flooded chute and the water at the bottom of the area; PC Gamer notes that a cell can appear in murky water near wrecked ARCs.
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Carry the Fuel Cell to the receptacle near the top of the room and place it there. This opens the locked room containing one of the four buttons.
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Search the area for the other three buttons as well. Their positions can vary between raids; walkthroughs point to locations around stairs and pipes, and near the puzzle door. Check the room rather than assuming a button will always be in the same spot.
How to activate all four buttons
Each button must be pressed within a brief timing window. With four players, assign one person to each button and coordinate the presses. After a successful sequence, the four lights above the first door turn green, according to the ARC Raiders Wiki, and the door opens.
| Approach | Players | What it involves | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| One player per button | Four | Each player takes a button; coordinate the presses within the timing window. | The straightforward, dependable plan recommended by the walkthroughs. |
| Snap Hook alternative | Three | A community-reported method uses a Snap Hook to reach the fourth button in time. | Requires the movement tool and tighter coordination; it is less forgiving than having four players. |
The three-player option is reported by the community wiki, while PC Gamer and Insider Gaming recommend the four-player arrangement. If you have enough teammates, putting one at each button avoids relying on a last-second traversal.
How to get through the second door
The button sequence opens only the first door. At the next door, read the electrical panel: its repair requirements are randomized by raid. Find the materials shown for your run, return to the panel, and repair it to open the way into the final room.
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
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Examples of materials mentioned across walkthroughs include Metal Parts, ARC Powercells, Leaper Pulse Units, Motors, and Industrial Batteries. This is not a fixed shopping list; use the panel in your raid as the authority for what to collect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the loot and the later hotfix
Insider Gaming reports loot opportunities in the final room, including weapon cases and containers. The sources do not establish a guaranteed blueprint or fixed reward, so treat the room as a chance to find loot rather than a promise of a particular item.
Rank #4
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Embark’s official Patch Notes 1.18.0, dated March 3, 2026, say: “Added a very hot fix for the Dam Controlled Access Zone.” The note does not explain what changed. The route and puzzle details here are based on walkthroughs and community references, and the official notice does not confirm whether every detail stayed the same after that hotfix.
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