No, you do not have to repair the Aurora reactor immediately—the explosion is scripted and cannot be prevented, but repairing breaches removes radiation after three in-game days.
How long do you have to fix the Aurora?
You have three in-game days after breaches are sealed to safely explore without a radiation suit, per the game’s PDA warnings and radiation decay mechanics.
Once you seal those reactor breaches, the radiation zone around the Aurora disappears completely. That gives you a three-day window to wander through the wreck and Crash Zone without protective gear. Honestly, this is the best way to handle it—rushing in too early with just a Radiation Suit feels like a waste when you could just wait a few days. The PDA practically begs you to tackle other early-game tasks first, like setting up your base or upgrading your vehicles.
Is there a repair tool in the Aurora?
The Aurora contains scattered repair tools and equipment, including a laser cutter, which is essential for accessing deeper sections and reorganizing the drive core.
You won’t find these tools just lying around your inventory. Key items like the laser cutter are buried in the Aurora’s wreckage, waiting to be salvaged. To get them, you’ll need to craft them yourself using materials you gather from the debris fields. And don’t forget—you’ll also need a welder and scanner fragments to fully repair the Aurora. The game really pushes you to master resource gathering and tool management early on.
Can you repair the Aurora before it explodes?
No, the Aurora’s reactor explosion is scripted and unavoidable—it triggers precisely three in-game days after landing, regardless of player actions.
Community testing and developer comments confirm this sequence is hard-coded into *Subnautica*’s story. No amount of repairs, stealth, or clever tricks will delay or stop the explosion. That said, you can still prepare for what comes next. Right after the explosion, the Radiation Suit blueprint becomes available, so you can start working on that early. It’s a smart way to keep your progression smooth.
Do you need radiation suit after fixing Aurora?
No radiation suit is needed after repairing all breaches and waiting three in-game days, rendering the Radiation Suit obsolete for Aurora exploration.
Here’s the thing: the game’s PDA entries can be a bit misleading. Once you seal those drive core breaches and let time pass, the radiation zone vanishes completely. That’s a solid reward for finishing the Aurora’s repair questline. Sure, you might still find small pockets of radiation lingering near damaged equipment, but the main areas become completely safe. The Radiation Suit becomes totally unnecessary after that.
What does fixing the reactor do in Subnautica?
Fixing the reactor removes the radiation zone around the Aurora, allowing unprotected exploration of the wreck and nearby Crash Zone after a three-day cooldown.
The reactor repair ties directly into the "Drive Core Alpha" and "Drive Core Beta" blueprints, which are some of the game’s earliest major objectives. Sealing those breaches doesn’t just unlock loot and story progression—it also gets you the "Safe Passage" achievement/trophy. Once the breaches are sealed, the PDA stops screaming about lethal radiation levels. It’s a huge relief and a clear sign you’re on the right track.
How do I stop radiation leak in Subnautica?
Seal all breaches in the Aurora’s reactor room using a welder, which halts the radiation leak indefinitely after three in-game days.
A Radiation Suit is only a temporary fix—it’ll protect you from immediate exposure, but it won’t stop the leak for good. To fully neutralize it, you need to track down the two damaged drive cores (Alpha and Beta) in the Aurora’s generator room and repair them with titanium and lubricant. The game’s UI makes this easy by marking the breaches clearly, so even new players can handle this task without too much trouble.
Is there a time limit Subnautica?
No, there is no real-time or in-game time limit—players can explore, build, and complete objectives at their own pace.
The day/night cycle lasts 20 minutes (15 minutes of daylight, 5 minutes of night), but this is purely for atmosphere. Story-critical events, like the Aurora explosion, trigger after specific in-game days, not real time. This design choice works well for all kinds of players—whether you’re a casual explorer or a completionist. The lack of a "hard" time limit makes the game accessible for anyone with limited gaming sessions.
How do I fix the Seamoth?
To fix the Seamoth, gather titanium from the Aurora wreckage and craft a repair tool using 1 Titanium, 1 Lubricant, and 1 Fiber Mesh.
The Seamoth usually takes damage from hull breaches or power cell failure. Use the Seamoth Repair Tool on the vehicle’s damaged components to restore its integrity. Always keep backup materials handy—Seamoths can get wrecked fast in high-pressure zones like the Kelp Forest or Sparse Reef.
What is the password for the door in Subnautica?
Most doors require codes found in abandoned PDAs or are preset—common codes include 6483 (Lab Access), 1869 (Cabin 1), and 2679 (Captain’s Quarters).
PDA codes are usually listed under "Databank" entries titled "PDA Log" or "Access Codes." For example, the Lab Access door code (6483) is tucked away in a PDA near the Crash Zone. Pre-Explosion doors, like the one for Cabin 1, use static codes that never change. Always scan nearby PDAs for extra hints—they often include clues for other puzzles.
How do you make a repair tool in Subnautica?
Craft a repair tool using 1 Titanium, 1 Lubricant, and 1 Fiber Mesh at the Fabricator.
Repair tools are crucial for fixing vehicles (Seamoth, Cyclops), base infrastructure (Moonpool, Fabricator), and even the Aurora’s reactor breaches. Lubricant comes from cooking Creepvine seeds in a Cooker, while Fiber Mesh is made from Kelp or Redwort. Stock up on these materials early—they’re always in demand, and repair tools wear out with use.
Can you enter the aurora without a propulsion cannon?
No, large sections of the Aurora are inaccessible without a Propulsion Cannon or Laser Cutter—these tools clear debris and cut through reinforced doors.
The Propulsion Cannon works like a gravity gun, letting you move heavy debris (like crushed corridors) and reach high-up areas. The Laser Cutter is a must for slicing through metal doors, especially on the Aurora’s upper decks. Without these, you’re stuck exploring only the outer hull and immediate debris fields. Even with both tools, some areas might still be blocked by structural collapse.
What is the password for Cabin 1 in Subnautica?
The door code for Cabin 1 is 1869, while the Captain’s Quarters uses 2679 and the Cargo Bay uses 1454.
Cabin 1 sits in the Aurora’s residential deck and holds some great loot, like the "Stasis Rifle" blueprint and medkits. These codes are set in stone—they don’t change between playthroughs. The rooms are part of the Aurora’s pre-Explosion layout, offering a peek into the ship’s civilian compartments. Always scan nearby PDAs for extra lore or item locations.
How do you turn off Aurora radiation?
Turn off Aurora radiation by repairing all breaches in the drive core room using a welder—this removes the radiation zone after three in-game days.
The radiation is coming from the damaged reactor and its breaches. Find the "Drive Core Alpha" and "Drive Core Beta" in the generator room and seal them with titanium and lubricant. Once that’s done, the PDA’s radiation warnings will stop. This step is essential for exploring the Aurora’s interior and unlocking story-critical items like the Cyclops blueprint.
Is there a way to save the Sunbeam?
Yes, you can deactivate the laser cannon on the Quarantine Enforcement Platform to prevent the Sunbeam from being destroyed.
To save the Sunbeam, head to the enforcement platform, find the terminal, and shut down the weapon system before the countdown finishes. You’ll need the "Exosuit Drill Arm" or a heavily armed vehicle to pull this off. If you succeed, you’ll unlock the "Stasis Rifle" blueprint and stop the Sunbeam’s debris from crashing down on the planet. It’s an optional story beat—if you fail, there’s no mechanical penalty, but the lore changes.
Is the Aurora in Subnautica below zero?
The Aurora is not below sea level—it’s an orbiting vessel that crashes onto the planet, but its wreckage is accessible in the Crash Zone biome.
The Aurora’s wreckage is one of *Subnautica*’s most iconic spots, packed with high-tech corridors and debris fields. Above the Crash Zone, you might catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis phenomenon—an atmospheric effect caused by the planet’s unique biology. It’s purely visual, but it adds to the game’s immersive vibe.
What happens to Sunbeam in Subnautica?
The Sunbeam is obliterated by the Aurora’s reactor explosion, killing its crew and scattering debris across the Crash Zone.
The Sunbeam’s destruction is a major story moment. It triggers the Quarantine Enforcement Platform’s activation and the arrival of the Leviathan. Its wreckage holds critical items like the "Stasis Rifle" and "Exosuit" blueprint. The debris field is also rich in Titan fragments, which are key for upgrading the Cyclops. This event really drives home the game’s themes of isolation and the dangers of unchecked technology.
How do you get into the Aurora after explosion?
Enter the Aurora after acquiring the Propulsion Cannon, which allows you to manipulate debris blocking the wreck’s entrance.
The main wreck entrance is completely collapsed, but the Aurora’s fragments are scattered across the Crash Zone and nearby biomes. Use the Propulsion Cannon to clear debris and get inside. Some areas will need a Laser Cutter to bypass reinforced doors. The wreck is split into sections—the upper decks hold story-critical items, while the lower levels are flooded and dangerous.
Where do you enter the Aurora?
You can enter the Aurora through its wreckage in the Crash Zone, but access is initially blocked by debris.
The Crash Zone is a massive biome filled with the Aurora’s remains—corridors, labs, and crew quarters. The most straightforward route is through the ship’s hull breach near the reactor room. Some entrances will need tools like the Propulsion Cannon or Laser Cutter to clear obstructions. The wreck’s layout is a maze—use the PDA’s "Waypoints" feature to mark key spots (like the drive cores) and save yourself a headache.
Does radiation spread Subnautica?
No, radiation does not spread dynamically—it emanates from the Aurora’s breached reactor and remains concentrated in its immediate vicinity.
Radiation zones are fixed and tied to specific areas, like the Aurora’s generator room or the Crash Zone. The Radiation Suit protects you in these zones, but radiation won’t spread to other biomes. This keeps the entire map from turning into a death trap. Just watch out for a few localized radiation sources in other areas, like near the Alien Containment.
How long is a day in Subnautica?
A day in Subnautica lasts 20 minutes of real time, with 15 minutes of daylight and 5 minutes of night.
The day/night cycle changes creature behavior—many predators get more active at night, while some resources (like fish) are easier to find during the day. It also adds to the game’s atmosphere, with bioluminescent flora standing out more after dark. This cycle is purely cosmetic, though—it doesn’t affect story progression or crafting. If you want more "daylight," just use base lighting or vehicles with floodlights.
How do you remove a bleeder?
Punch the Bleeder with your free arm or use a held tool to kill it—Bleeders are fragile and die in 1-2 hits.
Bleeders are small, aggressive creatures found in caves and underwater caverns. Their blood is a valuable crafting resource, so harvesting them is worth your time. If you’re holding a tool (like a knife or flashlight), pressing the interact button will use it to finish off the Bleeder. Just don’t stand in their blood pools—it deals minor damage over time. For safe farming, build a small enclosure to contain them.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
