The Waking the Grid quest in Arc Raiders is a three-objective mission set entirely on the Spaceport map. Introduced as part of the Flashpoint update on March 31, 2026, this quest is handed out by Shani, Speranza’s Head of Security, who has noticed that the sensor coverage at Spaceport has gone cold. She needs a raider — you — to physically check three security systems and bring the grid back online.
The good news: no item extraction is required, and all three objectives are close enough together that you can knock them out in a single raid. The not-so-good news: ARC enemies and rival raiders are everywhere, and you will need to know exactly where to go or risk wasting an entire run. This guide has you covered.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Waking the Grid is a direct follow-up to the Dust on the Wires quest. Shani will not make it available until Dust on the Wires has been completed and turned in. If you have not touched that quest yet, do that first.
Once Dust on the Wires is finished, Waking the Grid unlocks immediately. Collect it from Shani at Speranza and deploy into Spaceport.
Before You Drop In: Loadout Tips
Although you do not need to extract with any items to complete this quest, you will be moving through contested areas where ARC machines and other raiders can and will get in your way. A few preparation notes before you load in:
- A free loadout works. Since nothing needs to be carried back to Speranza, you can run a stripped-down kit without risking anything valuable. This is a rare luxury in Arc Raiders, so take advantage of it.
- Pack consumables. The Arrival Building in particular hosts a heavy ARC presence — Shredders, Fireballs, and Pops patrol the area. Bring Shield Rechargers, Adrenaline Shots, and Bandages.
- Bring a weapon. While there is no mandatory combat, clearing enemies before interacting with terminals is strongly advisable. You are vulnerable during interaction animations.
- Shani mentions batteries. She recommends bringing batteries as part of the quest briefing. In practice, players have not found a use case for them during the three objectives. Do not stress about it.
Understanding how to navigate Spaceport safely is half the battle in quests like this. If you are still learning the ropes of getting in and out alive, our full Arc Raiders extraction guide covers every exit method and map.
All Three Waking the Grid Quest Objectives
Here is what you need to complete before extracting:
- Activate the security sensors in one of the Guard Towers
- Start the Security Control Center in the Departure Building
- Search for any traces of a security breach in the Arrival Building Data Office
All three must be completed during a single expedition. There is no partial save if you die or extract early.
Objective 1: Guard Tower Security Sensor Location
Where to Go
There are several Guard Towers dotted along the perimeter wall of Spaceport. While any of them will satisfy the objective, the most accessible one is located east of the Fuel Lines POI and west of Control Tower A6. This tower is the community-recommended choice because both entry routes are straightforward.
How to Get Inside
You have two options to enter:
- Climb the wall breach: On the east side of the Guard Tower, there is a break in the perimeter wall. Climb up through this breach to access the door at the top of the wall.
- Use the base zipline: At the bottom of the tower, a zipline runs up to the elevated section. This is the faster option if you are coming from inside the map.
What to Do Inside
Once you are at the top level of the Guard Tower, look to the left (southeast-facing window) to find the marked console. Interact with it to activate the security sensors. The quest updates immediately and the first objective is marked complete.
Enemy warning: Guard Towers sit on the exposed perimeter wall and are patrolled by ARC units. Clear any enemies before you commit to the interaction. Other raiders running the same quest can also appear here.
Objective 2: Departure Building Security Control Center
Where to Go
From the Guard Tower, head northwest toward the Departure Building. It is a short trip — the two POIs are close enough that you should not need to cross any major open ground.
Finding the Security Control Center
Enter the Departure Building. The Security Control Center is located in the southern section of the building’s interior. Look for a room that contains a desk with multiple computer monitors, identifiable by two blinking red lights on the right side. This terminal is your target.
If you entered from the B1 side entrance, take the first doorway on your left and follow the corridor to the right. Go straight and take the first room on the left — that is the Security Control Center.
What to Do Here
Interact with the terminal to start the Security Control Center and bring it back online. The second objective is marked complete.
Note: There is also a Guard Tower positioned conveniently near the Departure Building. If you did not stop at the Fuel Lines tower first, you can activate the first objective here and then immediately move to the second without backtracking.
Objective 3: Arrival Building Data Office Location
Where to Go
From the Departure Building, head north (or northeast, depending on the source). The Arrival Building is a short distance away and easy to spot. As you approach from the west side of the building, you will hear an alarm and see a flashing red light above the doorway — this confirms you are at the right entrance.
Finding the Data Office
The Data Office is on the ground floor, in the western corner of the Arrival Building. It is sealed behind a breachable door — no key is required. Simply force the door open to enter.
Alternatively, you can enter through the main Arrival Building lobby, turn left at the main desk, walk forward, and take a right. A sign for the Data Office will be visible.
What to Do Inside
Inside the Data Office, look for a desk stacked with computer monitors with a wall of screens. There will be a red light on or near the setup. Interact with the prompt to cut the wires and complete the final objective.
Enemy warning: This is the most dangerous objective. The Arrival Building is home to Shredders, Fireballs, and Pops. Clear the room before interacting with the terminal — the wire-cutting animation locks you in place for a moment, and getting hit mid-interaction is a common way to die during this quest. Close the door behind you after entering if possible.
Waking the Grid Enemy Threats: What to Expect
Spaceport is not empty. Here is a breakdown of what the map will throw at you while you are completing the three objectives:
| Enemy Type | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ARC Patrols | Guard Tower perimeter wall | Roam the outer wall; clear before using zipline |
| Shredders | Arrival Building | High-threat; clear before terminal interaction |
| Fireballs | Arrival Building interior | Ranged ARC that deals fire damage |
| Pops | Inside buildings generally | Small, explosive, and disruptive during interactions |
| Other Raiders | All three objectives | PvP is live; expect competition, especially at quest POIs |
The ARC enemy variety introduced in the Flashpoint update made Spaceport noticeably more dangerous compared to earlier in the game’s lifecycle. Shredders in particular are a newer addition that caught many players off guard. For a deep-dive on taking down the game’s toughest machines, check out our guide on how to kill a Bastion in Arc Raiders.
Completing the Quest and Extracting
Once all three objectives are done — sensors activated, Security Control Center online, and wires cut in the Data Office — the mission registers as complete. You are free to extract from any available exit point on Spaceport and return to Speranza.
Back in Speranza, speak to Shani to turn in the quest and collect your rewards.
If you need a refresher on where to find extraction points on Spaceport, our Arc Raiders extraction guide covers all map layouts in detail.
Waking the Grid Quest Rewards
Completing Waking the Grid earns you the following from Shani:
| Reward | Quantity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) Augment | 1x | Epic Augment |
| Vita Shot | 3x | Consumable |
| Surge Shield Recharger | 5x | Consumable |
The standout reward here is the Epic Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) Augment. It includes a built-in Defibrillator with a 240-second cooldown that gives you a self-revive option, plus a slow passive health regeneration effect. For solo players in particular, this augment is genuinely useful rather than cosmetic filler — it can pull you back from situations that would otherwise end a run.
The Vita Shots and Surge Shield Rechargers are solid consumable stocks that will serve you well on future expeditions where you want more durability.
Tips to Complete Waking the Grid Efficiently
Plan your route before dropping in. The optimal order is Guard Tower → Departure Building → Arrival Building. This path flows naturally northwest across the map and avoids unnecessary backtracking.
Complete all three in one run. There is no checkpoint system. Dying or extracting early resets your progress for that session. Come prepared to see the whole quest through.
Use the Guard Tower near the Departure Building. If you are short on time or spawn on the wrong side of the map, the Guard Tower adjacent to the Departure Building satisfies the first objective and lets you chain into the second immediately.
The Arrival Building is where most deaths happen. Do not rush into the Data Office with enemies still active. Take thirty seconds to clear the room first.
A free loadout is a valid strategy. If you have been dying on repeated attempts, stripping back to the free loadout removes the risk of losing high-value gear and lets you focus on learning the route.
Know your PvP risk. Quest-based objectives at named POIs are natural hotspots for player conflict. Other raiders are completing the same missions and do not want you finishing yours. Arc Raiders uses an aggression-based matchmaking system that can influence who you share lobbies with — you can read the full breakdown at our Arc Raiders aggression-based matchmaking guide.
What Comes After Waking the Grid?
Completing Waking the Grid continues Shani’s quest chain and sets up the next mission in her storyline. The broader Arc Raiders quest structure has been expanding steadily since launch, with the Flashpoint update adding a wave of new objectives across multiple traders. If you are working through the full roster of available missions, our Arc Raiders Outstanding Balance Quest Guide covers another multi-objective quest that shares a similar structure.
Looking further ahead, Arc Raiders is gearing up for the Riven Tides update — the game’s biggest content drop of 2026, which includes a brand new map, new large ARC threats, and new map conditions. For everything confirmed so far, see our Arc Raiders Riven Tides update breakdown and the full Arc Raiders new map 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Waking the Grid be completed across multiple raids? No. All three objectives must be finished in a single expedition. Dying or extracting before completing all three resets your progress for that run.
Do I need to extract with any items? No. Waking the Grid is purely objective-based. No items need to be carried back to Speranza, which means a free loadout is a completely valid approach.
Can the quest be done solo? Yes. All three objectives are manageable alone, provided you clear enemies before interacting with terminals. The Arrival Building is the most difficult section for solo players due to the density of ARC machines.
Which Guard Tower should I go to? The recommended one is east of the Fuel Lines POI, west of Control Tower A6. It is the most accessible with the clearest entry routes. There is also a Guard Tower near the Departure Building that works and saves travel time.
What happens if I die during the wire-cutting interaction? The quest progress for that run is lost and you will need to start over on your next expedition into Spaceport.
Is Waking the Grid part of a quest chain? Yes. It directly follows the Dust on the Wires quest and is part of Shani’s ongoing storyline in Arc Raiders.
What are the rewards for completing Waking the Grid? You receive one Epic Tactical Mk.3 (Revival) Augment, three Vita Shots, and five Surge Shield Rechargers from Shani upon completion.
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