Overview
"Activate the lock device switch underground" is an objective during the Gate to the Otherworld main quest in Chapter 4 of Crimson Desert. This quest takes place at the Scholastone Institute in the Hernand Highlands region. The objective requires you to descend beneath the central plaza, locate a wall-mounted hatch, and press five buttons in a specific sequence. Getting the order wrong has no penalty since the puzzle resets whenever you step away from the panel.
Quest Context
This puzzle is part of Octavius's experiment at Scholastone. Before reaching this point, Kliff must travel to the ancient institute and speak with the researchers. The lock device controls an underground machine that powers the main plaza device above. After solving this puzzle and pulling the handle, the next step is to insert batteries to activate the device on the surface.
Finding the Underground Area
From the plaza where the quest objective marker appears, face northeast. You will see a path lined with lanterns heading downward. Follow these lanterns along the path as it curves underground. The path is relatively short and leads directly to a room with the lock device mounted on the far wall.
If you are having trouble finding the entrance, use the objective marker on your compass. The marker updates once you get close to the northeast corner of the plaza. Look for a stone stairway descending between crumbled walls.
Puzzle Layout
Once underground, approach the wall panel (referred to as the "hatch" in the objective text). The lock device consists of five buttons arranged in a plus pattern: one in each corner position and one in the center. Each button can be selected and pressed individually.
The device glows faintly when you stand near it. Walk up and press the interact button to begin the puzzle. Kliff places his hands on the panel, and you gain control over which button to press.
Controls
Action | PlayStation | Xbox / PC |
|---|---|---|
Cycle between buttons | D-Pad Left / Right | D-Pad Left / Right |
Press selected button | X (interact) | A (interact) |
Exit / Reset puzzle | Circle (back away) | B (back away) |
Puzzle Solution
Press the five buttons in the following order. The easiest way to remember the sequence is to hit all four corners first (alternating diagonals), then finish with the center button.
Top-left corner button
Bottom-right corner button
Bottom-left corner button
Top-right corner button
Center button (middle)
When all five buttons are pressed in the correct sequence, they all glow simultaneously and a chime sounds, indicating the puzzle is complete. If a button does not glow after pressing it, the order was wrong and you need to reset.
Resetting the Puzzle
If you press any button in the wrong order, simply back away from the wall panel. This resets every button to its default unlit state. Walk up and interact with the hatch again to start over. There is no penalty, no timer, and no limit on attempts.
After Solving the Puzzle
Once all five buttons are glowing, interact with the wall panel a second time. Kliff grabs a handle and pulls it, triggering a cutscene that shows the underground machine booting up. Power channels upward through the floor toward the plaza device above.
Your next objective is to return to the surface and insert the batteries to activate the device in the plaza. Climb back up the lantern-lit path to reach the surface.
Tips
The corner order follows a diagonal pattern: top-left, then bottom-right, then the other diagonal (bottom-left, top-right), and center last.
You do not need to rush. The puzzle has no time limit, so take your time cycling through buttons with D-Pad.
If you leave the underground area entirely and come back later, the puzzle state persists only within the same session. Reloading a save resets it.
This is one of several puzzle objectives in the Gate to the Otherworld quest chain. The battery insertion that follows is more straightforward.