ARC Raiders presents players with countless locked doors guarding valuable loot, rare weapons, and essential resources. While the game intends for you to find specific keys scattered throughout the map, these items are frustratingly random and often impossible to locate when you need them most. Fortunately, the community has discovered reliable door glitch methods that allow you to bypass these locked areas entirely. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every technique, from co-op strategies to solo exploits, ensuring you never miss out on high-value loot again.
Understanding the Door Glitch Phenomenon
Before diving into the methods, it’s essential to understand why these door glitches work in ARC Raiders. The game, built on Unreal Engine 5, occasionally struggles with collision detection when multiple players interact with doorframes simultaneously. This technical limitation creates opportunities for clever players to exploit the physics engine and essentially “phase through” solid objects.
As of update 1.3.0 (released November 20, 2025), these glitches remain functional despite developer attempts to patch them. Embark Studios has acknowledged the issue and is working on fixes, but for now, these methods provide a reliable alternative to the frustrating key hunt.
The Co-Op Door Glitch Method (Most Reliable)
The most consistent and widely-used door glitch technique requires coordination with at least one other player. This method boasts a success rate of over 80% when executed correctly and works on virtually every locked door in the game.
What You’ll Need:
- At least one teammate (random players work if you use proximity chat)
- Communication method (in-game voice chat or external Discord)
- Holstered weapon (for smoother animations)
- Patience and precise timing
Step-by-Step Execution:
- Positioning is Everything: Approach the locked door and stand at the edge closest to the key terminal. Most players find the right side (when facing the door) offers the best results, but different doors may require experimentation.
- Prepare Your Character: Holster your weapon by pressing the designated key (typically ‘H’ on PC). This removes weapon collision and creates cleaner character animations, significantly increasing your success rate.
- The Sprint and Push Technique: Begin sprinting directly toward the narrow gap between the doorframe and the wall. Your character should appear to get stuck or partially clip into the door—this is exactly what you want.
- Teammate Coordination: While you maintain forward pressure, your teammate must position themselves behind you and jump repeatedly into your back. The consistent force from their jumps, combined with your forward momentum, creates enough pressure to force your character model through the door.
- Success and Entry: With proper timing, you’ll suddenly appear on the other side of the door. Once inside, interact with the terminal to open the door normally, allowing your teammate to join you.
Pro Tips for Higher Success Rates:
- Angle Matters: If one corner doesn’t work, systematically try each corner of the doorframe. Some doors have “sweet spots” that work more reliably than others.
- Weapon Management: Ensure both players have their weapons holstered. Equipped weapons can create additional collision that prevents the glitch from working.
- Communication is Key: Use voice chat to coordinate exactly when to start sprinting and jumping. A countdown (“3, 2, 1, GO!”) helps synchronize the movements perfectly.
- Persistence Pays Off: Don’t give up after one or two failed attempts. Even experienced players sometimes need 5-10 tries to successfully clip through particularly stubborn doors.
The Solo Barricade Method (Advanced Technique)
For players who prefer going solo or can’t find teammates, there’s an alternative method using the Barricade Kit. While more complex and resource-intensive, this technique works reliably when executed correctly.
Required Materials:
- 1-2 Barricade Kits (available from traders for approximately 2,000 coins each)
- Patience for precise placement
- Understanding of basic physics manipulation
The Solo Glitch Process:
- Acquire Barricade Kits: Purchase these from any trader in the game’s safe zones. They’re relatively inexpensive and worth the investment for the loot potential.
- Door Analysis: Examine the locked door and identify the narrowest gap between the door and its frame. This is typically where the door meets the wall near the hinges.
- Barricade Placement: Place your first barricade as close to the door as possible, positioning it to create a wedge between the door and wall. The exact positioning requires some trial and error, but you’re essentially creating a ramp or platform.
- The Clipping Maneuver: Jump onto the barricade and position yourself between it and the door. Begin moving forward while crouching and repeatedly jumping. The combination of the barricade’s physics and your character’s movement can force a clip through the door.
- Alternative Approach: Some players report success by placing two barricades in a specific pattern, creating a more pronounced wedge effect. Experiment with different configurations to find what works for each door type.
Advantages and Limitations:
- Pros: Works solo, doesn’t require coordination, can be faster once mastered
- Cons: Costs resources, has a steeper learning curve, may not work on all door types
Advanced Door Glitch Variations
Experienced ARC Raiders players have developed several advanced variations of these basic techniques. While more complex, these methods can offer higher success rates or work on doors that resist standard approaches.
The Grenade Boost Method
This high-risk, high-reward technique uses explosive physics to force door clipping:
- Equipment Needed: 1-2 grenades (any type works, but fragmentation grenades are most effective)
- Execution: Stand close to the door, drop a grenade at your feet, and immediately begin sprinting toward the door gap. The explosion’s force can propel your character through the door before the damage kills you.
- Warning: This method is extremely dangerous and will likely down your character. Only attempt with full health and healing items ready.
The Drone Push Technique
For players with access to drones or deployable equipment:
- Setup: Position your drone or deployable between you and the door
- Execution: Begin sprinting toward the door while simultaneously activating your drone’s push ability or detonating the deployable
- Result: The additional force from your equipment can provide the extra push needed to clip through stubborn doors
Which Doors Work Best for Glitching?
Not all doors in ARC Raiders are equally susceptible to these glitch methods. Based on community testing and reports, here’s what works best:
High-Success Doors:
- Storage Room Doors: Typically found in military bases and research facilities
- Vault Doors: Located in bank buildings and secure areas
- Armory Access Points: Usually guarding weapon caches and military gear
- Laboratory Entrances: Often containing rare crafting materials and blueprints
Challenging Doors:
- Thick Metal Doors: Found in bunkers and underground facilities
- Double Doors: Require more precise timing and positioning
- Doors with Complex Frames: Some architectural designs resist standard glitch methods
Risk vs. Reward: Is Door Glitching Worth It?
Before attempting these glitches, consider the following factors:
Benefits:
- Access to Premium Loot: Locked rooms typically contain rare weapons, high-value crafting materials, and exclusive equipment
- Time Efficiency: Bypassing the key hunt can save hours of gameplay
- Competitive Advantage: Early access to powerful gear can significantly improve your performance
Risks:
- Potential Patching: Developers are actively working to fix these exploits
- Account Safety: While not currently bannable, exploiting glitches could theoretically result in penalties
- Game Experience: Over-reliance on glitches might diminish the intended challenge and progression
Developer Response and Future Updates
Embark Studios has acknowledged the door glitch issue in their patch notes and community communications. Update 1.3.0 included several collision detection improvements, though the core glitch methods remain functional.
According to developer statements, they’re working on comprehensive fixes that should address these exploits without negatively impacting legitimate gameplay. However, given the technical nature of these glitches (rooted in the Unreal Engine 5 physics system), a complete fix may require significant time and resources.
Ethical Considerations and Community Impact
The ARC Raiders community remains divided on the use of door glitches. Some players view them as legitimate workarounds for flawed game mechanics, while others consider them exploitative and damaging to the game’s integrity.
Arguments For:
- Keys are too random and unreliable
- Glitches provide access to content that should be more accessible
- They don’t harm other players’ experiences
Arguments Against:
- Defeats the purpose of the game’s progression system
- Could lead to premature burnout from skipping content
- May encourage developers to implement more restrictive anti-cheat measures
Conclusion: Mastering the ARC Raiders Door Glitch
The door glitch methods in ARC Raiders represent a fascinating intersection of game mechanics, player ingenuity, and technical limitations. Whether you choose to use these techniques is a personal decision, but understanding how they work provides valuable insight into the game’s systems and community dynamics.
As we’ve explored, the co-op method remains the most reliable approach for glitching through doors, requiring nothing more than a teammate and good coordination. For solo players, the barricade method offers a viable alternative, albeit with a steeper learning curve and resource cost.
Remember that these methods may be patched in future updates, so use them while they last. More importantly, consider how they fit into your overall ARC Raiders experience. While they provide immediate access to valuable loot, they also bypass content designed to challenge and engage players.
Ultimately, the decision to glitch through doors in ARC Raiders comes down to your personal playstyle and goals. Whether you’re a completionist who wants every possible advantage or a purist who prefers the intended progression path, understanding these methods ensures you can make informed decisions about how you approach the game.