Arc Raiders Hidden Bunker Guide (March 2026) Complete Puzzle Solution

The Hidden Bunker event in Arc Raiders is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences on the Spaceport map. As someone who’s completed this event dozens of times, I can tell you that mastering this puzzle requires coordination, strategy, and knowing exactly where to go. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of opening the Hidden Bunker, from activating antennas to downloading terminal data and extracting safely with your hard-earned rewards.

Hidden Bunker Event Summary

Aspect	Details
Location	Spaceport map (between Fuel Lines and Fuel Processing)
Antennas to Activate	4 rooftop antennas (random locations each raid)
Terminals Inside	8 data terminals to download from
XP Reward	500 XP per terminal (4,000 XP total)
Match Duration	40 minutes (extended from standard 30 minutes)
Event Times	Specific hours only – check game schedule
Difficulty	High (Heavy ARC presence + PvP competition)

What is the Hidden Bunker Event in Arc Raiders?

The Hidden Bunker is a special map condition exclusive to the Spaceport map that transforms your standard extraction run into a high-stakes puzzle event. When this event is active, a previously locked underground bunker becomes accessible, but only after completing a series of challenging objectives that put you in direct competition with both deadly ARC machines and other raiders.

Key Features of the Hidden Bunker Event

Extended Match Time: Instead of the standard 30-minute raid timer, Hidden Bunker events give you 40 minutes to complete objectives and extract. This extra time is crucial because activating all four antennas while dealing with ARC enemies and hostile players takes significantly longer than a standard run.

Fewer Return Points: The event reduces the number of available Return Points across the map, making respawning after death much more difficult. This means you need to play more conservatively and avoid unnecessary combat whenever possible.

No Raider Hatches: Unlike standard Spaceport runs, you won’t find any Raider Hatches during the Hidden Bunker event. This removes one of your emergency extraction options, so planning your exit strategy becomes even more important.

Server-Wide Notifications: Every time an antenna is activated, all players in the match receive a notification. This creates intense competition as everyone races to either help activate antennas or ambush other players attempting the event.

Weekly Trials Integration: Downloading data from Hidden Bunker terminals counts toward Weekly Trial progression, making this event valuable for advancing your seasonal ranks and unlocking exclusive rewards. For more information on optimizing your Arc Raiders gameplay, check out my Arc Raiders Weapons Tier List to ensure you’re bringing the best gear.

How to Activate Antennas in Arc Raiders?

Opening the Hidden Bunker requires activating four rooftop antennas scattered across the Spaceport map. This is the most dangerous part of the event because each activation spawns waves of ARC enemies and alerts every other player in the match.

Locating the Antennas

When you load into a Hidden Bunker event, open your map immediately. You’ll see four white satellite dish icons marking the antenna locations. These positions are randomly generated for each raid, so you can’t memorize fixed locations. However, the antennas always appear on rooftops of major structures around the map’s center.

Common Antenna Spawn Locations:

• South Trench Tower (North antenna) – Requires zipline or Trench Tower Key
• Rocket Assembly (East antenna) – Accessible via internal stairs
• Vehicle Maintenance (South antenna) – Multiple access points available
• Departure Building (West antenna) – Rooftop access via stairs or zipline
• Dam Control Tower – Requires zipline or Dam Control Tower Key

Pro Tip: Bring at least two ziplines with you when attempting the Hidden Bunker event. Some antenna locations are only accessible via zipline, and you may need extras to reach loot or escape dangerous situations.

The Antenna Activation Process

Activating an antenna isn’t as simple as pressing a button. Here’s the exact sequence you need to follow:

Step 1: Reach the Rooftop
Navigate to the building marked with the antenna icon. Use ziplines, stairs, or ladders to reach the rooftop. Be cautious when ascending—ARC units like Wasps and Hornets patrol these areas, and other players may be camping near antennas.

Step 2: Establish Connection
Approach the computer terminal at the base of the satellite dish and hold E (PC) or the interact button (console) to “Establish Connection.” This process takes several seconds during which you’re vulnerable to attacks.

Step 3: Defend Against ARC Reinforcements
The moment you initiate the connection, ARC reinforcements will spawn nearby. Expect Wasps, Hornets, and occasionally more dangerous units like Leapers. You’ll need to eliminate these threats before proceeding. This is where having proper Arc Raiders weapons makes a massive difference.

Step 4: Send Unlock Signal
After clearing the ARC enemies and waiting for the connection to complete, interact with the terminal again to “Send Unlock Signal.” This finalizes the antenna activation.

Step 5: Server-Wide Alert
Once activated, all players in the match receive a notification: “[Direction] antenna has been successfully activated.” The satellite icon also disappears from your map, confirming completion.

Strategic Antenna Activation Tips

Solo vs Squad Approach: If you’re running solo, I recommend taking a stealthy approach. Activate antennas when other players are occupied elsewhere on the map. If you’re in a squad, split up to activate multiple antennas simultaneously, but ensure someone stays mobile to provide backup if teammates get ambushed.

Clear the Area First: Before initiating an antenna connection, scout the rooftop and surrounding areas. Eliminate any nearby ARC patrols and check for enemy players. The few minutes spent on reconnaissance can save you from getting overwhelmed mid-activation.

Have an Escape Plan: Always identify your escape route before activating an antenna. Know where the nearest cover is, where you can descend quickly, and where extraction points are located relative to your position.

Coordinate with Other Players: During Hidden Bunker events, the ARC threat is so significant that many solo players become cooperative rather than hostile. If you encounter other raiders near an antenna, consider forming a temporary alliance. The faster all four antennas get activated, the sooner everyone can access the bunker’s loot.

For those looking to optimize their loadout for these challenging encounters, my comprehensive Arc Raiders system requirements guide ensures your hardware can handle the intense action.

Arc Raiders Hidden Bunker Location

Once all four antennas are activated, you’ll receive a server-wide notification: “The Hidden Bunker is now open.” However, the game doesn’t mark the bunker’s location on your map, so knowing where to find it is crucial.

Exact Bunker Location

The Hidden Bunker is located in the southwestern section of the Spaceport map, between Fuel Lines and Fuel Processing. More specifically, it’s positioned west of the Departure Building in a rocky, sandy area that’s easy to miss if you don’t know exactly where to look.

Finding the Bunker Entrances

There are two primary entrances to the Hidden Bunker, both located near each other:

Entrance 1: South Entrance
This is the easier entrance to locate. Head to the area between Fuel Lines and Fuel Processing and look for a large sandy mound with rocks. You’ll find a heavy metal door set into the ground among the rubble and sand. This entrance is slightly south of the main bunker complex.

Entrance 2: North Entrance
Located closer to the Departure Building, this entrance is more concealed. Look for another heavy door embedded in rocky terrain. This entrance is harder to spot but offers a different angle of approach that may be less contested by other players.

Both entrances lead to the same underground complex, so choose based on which is safer to access given the current ARC and player positions.

Navigating to the Bunker

When heading to the bunker after all antennas are activated, be extremely cautious. The area around the Hidden Bunker is one of the most dangerous zones on the Spaceport map during this event:

Heavy ARC Presence: Expect Bastions, Bombardiers, Rocketeers, Hornets, and Wasps patrolling the entrance area. At least two Bastions typically guard the bunker’s immediate vicinity, and you may encounter a Bombardier as well.

Player Competition: Since all players know the bunker is open, this becomes a high-traffic PvP hotspot. Approach cautiously and be ready for firefights.

Limited Cover: The sandy, rocky terrain offers minimal cover from both ARC attacks and player snipers. Move quickly between cover points and consider using smoke grenades if you have them.

Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to find the exact entrance, look for the telltale signs of other players’ activities—bodies, loot drops, and ARC corpses usually indicate you’re in the right area. The bunker entrances are marked by distinctive heavy metal doors with industrial styling that stand out against the sandy terrain.

Downloading Terminal Data Inside the Hidden Bunker

Getting inside the bunker is only half the battle. To complete the Hidden Bunker event and earn maximum rewards, you need to download data from the eight terminals scattered throughout the complex.

Finding Active Terminals

Once inside the bunker, look for computer terminals that resemble old desktop PCs. Not all terminals in the bunker are functional—you can identify active terminals by the green light above them. Only terminals with this indicator can be used for data downloads.

There are exactly eight active terminals spread throughout different rooms in the bunker complex. They’re not all in one location, so you’ll need to explore the entire underground facility to find them all.

The Data Download Process

Downloading data from each terminal requires patience and creates significant vulnerability:

Step 1: Initiate Download
Approach an active terminal (marked by the green light) and interact with it. Select “Start Download” to begin the process.

Step 2: Stay Close
This is critical: You must remain within close proximity to the terminal for the entire download duration. If you move too far away—even just a few meters—the download will fail, and you’ll need to restart the entire process.

Watch the terminal’s left screen where a green progress bar will gradually fill. The download takes approximately 10-15 seconds per terminal, during which you’re extremely vulnerable to attacks.

Step 3: Retrieve Data
Once the green progress bar is completely full, interact with the terminal again to “Retrieve Data.” This completes the download and awards you 500 XP immediately.

Step 4: Terminal Cooldown
After retrieving data, the terminal’s green light turns red and enters a cooldown period lasting about 25 seconds. During this cooldown, no one—including you or other players—can use that terminal.

Download Strategy and Team Coordination

The data download mechanics create interesting tactical decisions:

Solo Strategy: As a solo player, you face the challenge of defending yourself while remaining stationary at terminals. My recommended approach is to quickly scan each room for threats before starting a download. Position yourself so you can see the main entrance while downloading, and be ready to abandon the download if enemies appear. Consider downloading from terminals in less central rooms first, as these are less likely to be checked by other players.

Squad Strategy: With a squad, the optimal approach is to have one designated “data runner” who focuses solely on downloading from terminals while two squad members provide security. Defenders should watch entrances and call out threats. Rotate the data runner role if needed, especially if one player has better combat gear while another has better survival/stealth equipment.

Defensive Positioning: When downloading data, position yourself with your back to a wall and maintain line of sight to the primary entrance. This prevents you from being flanked while remaining close enough to the terminal for the download to continue.

Maximizing Your XP and Rewards

Each terminal awards 500 XP, meaning downloading from all eight terminals provides 4,000 total XP. This makes the Hidden Bunker event one of the highest XP-earning activities in Arc Raiders, especially valuable for Weekly Trial progression.

However, you don’t need to personally download from all eight terminals to benefit from the event. The bunker also contains:

• Raider Caches with rare weapons and gear
• Weapon Bags with blueprint materials
• Breachable Containers holding valuable components
• Standard Loot Boxes scattered throughout rooms

If PvP competition becomes too intense or if you’re low on supplies, focus on grabbing the physical loot and extracting safely rather than trying to download from every terminal. A successful extraction with good loot is better than losing everything while stubbornly trying to complete all downloads.

For more extraction strategies and tips on surviving high-pressure situations, my Arc Raiders Launch Tower Loot Guide covers similar high-stakes events.

Best Loadout for the Hidden Bunker Event

Success in the Hidden Bunker event depends heavily on bringing the right equipment. After countless runs, I’ve developed a loadout specifically optimized for this event that balances ARC-killing power with PvP capability.

Weapon Recommendations

Primary Weapon: You need something with strong ARC armor penetration for dealing with Bastions and Bombardiers. My top choices are:

• Ferro (Common, Heavy Ammo) – 40 damage with Strong ARC penetration, cheap to craft
• Anvil (Uncommon, Medium Ammo) – Balanced performance with Moderate penetration
• Bettina (Rare, Medium Ammo) – Excellent for both PvE and PvP

Secondary Weapon: Bring a fast-firing weapon for player encounters and dealing with swarms of Wasps/Hornets:

• Zephyr (Common, Light Ammo) – High fire rate, perfect for aerial targets
• Bobcat (Uncommon, Light Ammo) – Reliable SMG with good magazine capacity

Essential Gadgets and Utilities

Ziplines (2-3): Absolutely mandatory for this event. You’ll need them to reach certain antenna locations and potentially escape dangerous situations. Bring extras because you never know when you’ll need a quick vertical exit.

Healing Items: Stock up on medkits and bandages. The Hidden Bunker event involves extended combat, and you won’t find many healing opportunities inside the bunker itself. I recommend bringing at least:

• 3 Medkits (full health restoration)
• 5 Bandages (quick healing between fights)

Shield: A durable shield is crucial for surviving both ARC attacks and player firefights. The Heavy Shield provides the best protection, but even a Basic Shield is better than nothing.

Scanner Pulse: Essential for detecting nearby enemies (both ARC and players) before they detect you. Use it frequently when approaching antennas and when inside the bunker.

Armor and Gear Selection

Light to Medium Armor: You need mobility for this event, so avoid heavy armor that slows you down. Medium armor offers the best balance of protection and movement speed.

Backpack Capacity: Bring a larger backpack to carry all the loot you’ll find in the bunker. The extra weight is worth it when you’re extracting with multiple rare items.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After watching countless players struggle with the Hidden Bunker event, I’ve identified the most common mistakes that lead to failure:

Mistake #1: Rushing in Without Preparation

Many players see the Hidden Bunker event active and immediately sprint toward the first antenna they see without checking their loadout, supplies, or even the map. This leads to arriving at antennas without ziplines (when they’re required), running out of ammo mid-fight, or having no healing items for the extended combat.

Solution: Take 30-60 seconds at the start of the raid to properly gear up. Ensure you have ziplines, adequate ammunition for both weapons, healing items, and a shield before heading toward any antenna.

Mistake #2: Activating Antennas Without Clearing the Area

The single biggest cause of death during antenna activation is starting the connection sequence while ARC patrols or enemy players are nearby. Once you interact with the terminal, you’re committed to the fight, and being surrounded before enemies even spawn is a recipe for disaster.

Solution: Scout each antenna location thoroughly before initiating. Take out nearby ARC units first, and check rooftops and ground level for enemy players. Those extra minutes of preparation dramatically increase your survival rate.

Mistake #3: Moving Too Far From Terminals During Downloads

I can’t count how many times I’ve watched players start a terminal download, then wander a few steps away to check a nearby loot box or investigate a sound, only to have their download fail. This wastes time and creates additional opportunities for enemies to ambush you.

Solution: Commit to staying near the terminal for the full download duration. Resist the temptation to investigate nearby items or sounds until after you’ve retrieved the data. Position yourself for maximum visibility of entrances, but don’t move away from the terminal.

Mistake #4: Fighting Every Player You See

The Hidden Bunker event attracts PvP-focused players, but engaging in unnecessary firefights wastes time, ammunition, and healing items—resources you’ll desperately need for completing objectives and extracting.

Solution: Be selective about when you engage other players. If someone isn’t directly threatening you or blocking your access to an antenna/terminal, consider avoiding the fight. Many players will reciprocate this non-aggression, especially when ARC machines are the bigger threat.

Mistake #5: Staying Too Long in the Bunker

The most heartbreaking mistake is successfully activating all antennas and downloading most or all terminal data, only to die inside the bunker because you stayed too long looking for one more piece of loot. Remember: none of your rewards matter if you don’t extract successfully.

Solution: Set a mental timer for your bunker exploration. Once you’ve downloaded from 5-6 terminals and looted the major containers, start planning your extraction. It’s better to extract successfully with 75% of the available rewards than to die trying for 100%.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Extraction Point Locations

Players get so focused on completing objectives that they forget to track where extraction points are relative to their current position. This leads to desperately running across the entire map with low health and valuable loot, often dying within sight of extraction.

Solution: Periodically check your map to identify the nearest extraction points. Plan your route before leaving the bunker, and consider extracting from whichever point is closest rather than your preferred location.

Advanced Tips and Strategies

After mastering the basics, these advanced strategies will help you complete the Hidden Bunker event more consistently and efficiently:

Solo Player Advanced Tactics

The Stealth Approach: If the server is particularly hostile, consider taking a pure stealth approach. Rather than trying to activate antennas yourself, let other players do the dangerous work while you stay hidden near the bunker entrance. Once it opens and initial PvP dies down, slip in for terminal downloads and loot. This is riskier but can be effective when outgunned.

Antenna Timing Strategy: Don’t activate antennas in sequence—instead, activate them opportunistically based on where ARC and player activity is lowest. If everyone is fighting near one antenna, that’s your signal to hit one on the opposite side of the map.

Quick Terminal Runs: Identify the terminal layout on your first bunker exploration, then on future runs, you can efficiently route through the bunker downloading only from terminals in low-traffic rooms. This minimizes your exposure time.

Squad Coordination Tactics

The Split Team Approach: Divide your squad so 1-2 players activate antennas while the third provides overwatch from a central position, ready to assist whoever encounters trouble. Rotate roles as needed based on who’s in better position.

Data Runner Protection: Designate one player as the dedicated data downloader with the other squad members purely focused on security. The data runner should have the lightest loadout for maximum mobility, while defenders carry heavier weapons.

Controlled Extraction: Don’t have your entire squad extract from the same point. Send one player with the most valuable loot to a safe extraction point while others create a diversion or secure a second extraction location.

Managing Multiple Threats

ARC Priority Targeting: When facing both ARC machines and enemy players simultaneously, prioritize based on immediate threat. Hornets and Wasps can be outrun temporarily, while Bastions and Bombardiers require immediate attention. Players are the wild card—if they’re focusing on ARCs too, temporary truces can benefit everyone.

Using ARCs Against Players: Lead pursuing enemy players into ARC patrol areas. The machines will attack anyone nearby, potentially eliminating threats for you or at least distracting them long enough for you to escape.

Environmental Awareness: The bunker’s underground sections offer protection from aerial ARC units but create chokepoints that favor players with CQC weapons. Play to your loadout’s strengths when choosing which areas to fight in versus which to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the Hidden Bunker event in Arc Raiders?

The Hidden Bunker event is not player-initiated—it appears as a special map condition on Spaceport during specific hours. When selecting your raid, check if “Hidden Bunker” is listed as the active map condition. If it is, the event will be available for that 40-minute session. Event times typically rotate every 4-6 hours at specific times like 4:00 AM UTC, 10:00 AM UTC, and 7:00 PM UTC, though exact schedules may vary.

Can I complete the Hidden Bunker solo?

Yes, the Hidden Bunker can be completed solo, though it’s significantly more challenging than running with a squad. Solo players need to be extra cautious during antenna activations and terminal downloads since you have no teammates to watch your back. I recommend bringing strong ARC-penetration weapons, plenty of healing items, and playing more conservatively than you would with a team. Many solo players find success by being patient and opportunistic rather than rushing objectives.

Do I need to activate all four antennas myself?

No, you don’t need to personally activate all four antennas. Any player in the match can activate any antenna, and once an antenna is activated, it counts toward opening the bunker for everyone. This means you could theoretically never activate a single antenna yourself and still access the bunker once other players complete the four activations. However, actively participating in antenna activation gives you more control over the timing and allows you to position yourself closer to the bunker entrance when it opens.

What happens if I die during the Hidden Bunker event?

If you die during the Hidden Bunker event, you’ll respawn at one of the reduced Return Points on the map. However, since the event features fewer Return Points than standard raids, respawning might place you far from your death location. All loot you were carrying will drop at your death position, meaning other players or ARCs may claim it before you return. The bunker remains accessible after death, so you can attempt to re-enter and continue downloading terminal data if you didn’t complete all eight terminals before dying.

Can I extract with terminal data, or is it automatically saved?

Terminal downloads are not physical items you need to extract with—the 500 XP per terminal is awarded immediately upon retrieving the data and counts toward your Weekly Trial progression regardless of whether you successfully extract from the raid. However, any physical loot you collect from the bunker (weapons, gear, materials) must be extracted with to keep. This means you could theoretically complete all terminal downloads, die before extracting, and still receive the XP and Trial progress, though you’d lose any physical items.

What are the best weapons for the Hidden Bunker event?

The best weapons combine strong ARC armor penetration with PvP capability. My top recommendations are the Ferro (Common, Heavy Ammo) for its incredible ARC-killing power and affordability, the Anvil (Uncommon, Medium Ammo) for balanced performance, and the Bettina (Rare, Medium Ammo) for versatility in both PvE and PvP situations. Pair these with a fast-firing secondary like the Zephyr or Bobcat for dealing with swarms of flying ARCs and you’ll have a well-rounded loadout. Check out my complete Arc Raiders weapons tier list for detailed weapon analysis.

Is the Hidden Bunker worth the risk?

Absolutely, provided you approach it strategically. The Hidden Bunker offers some of the best XP gains in Arc Raiders (4,000 XP from terminals), rare weapon blueprints, high-tier gear, and valuable crafting materials. The Weekly Trial progress alone makes it worthwhile for players focused on seasonal progression. However, the high risk means you should only attempt it when properly geared and prepared. If you’re low on resources or still learning the game, consider observing the event or participating minimally until you’re more confident in your abilities.

How long does the Hidden Bunker event last?

The Hidden Bunker event runs for the entire 40-minute raid duration once active as a map condition. Unlike some timed events that appear and disappear during a raid, the bunker remains open for the full match after the four antennas are activated. This gives you plenty of time to download terminal data, loot containers, and extract safely. However, remember that extraction points close as the timer runs down, so don’t wait until the last minute to leave the bunker.

Can ARC enemies enter the Hidden Bunker?

Yes, ARC machines can and will follow you into the bunker if they’re already aggro’d when you enter. However, new ARCs don’t spawn inside the bunker itself—all ARC threats inside are ones that were chasing players or wandered in from outside. This means if you clear the area around the bunker entrance before descending, you’ll have a relatively safe interior environment, with player competition being your primary threat inside.

What if another player steals my terminal download?

Terminal downloads cannot be “stolen” in the traditional sense. Each player can download from each terminal once, so multiple players can use the same terminal (after the cooldown period). If you’re mid-download and another player kills you, they don’t get your progress—they’ll need to start their own download. However, each terminal has a cooldown after someone successfully retrieves data, during which no one else can use it. This creates competition for terminals, making speed important if multiple players are inside the bunker.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Hidden Bunker

The Hidden Bunker event represents Arc Raiders at its best—challenging PvE encounters, strategic decision-making, high-stakes PvP competition, and rewarding loot for those brave enough to take the risk. Success requires preparation, map knowledge, combat proficiency, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

My most important piece of advice: don’t expect to master this event on your first attempt. Each run teaches you antenna locations, terminal positions, optimal routes, and how to better manage the chaos of simultaneous ARC and player threats. Treat early attempts as learning experiences, focus on completing one or two objectives successfully rather than everything, and gradually build up to full completion runs as your confidence and skill improve.

The 4,000 XP from terminal downloads, combined with the rare loot available in the bunker, makes this event one of the most efficient progression activities in Arc Raiders. Whether you’re a solo player looking for a challenge or a coordinated squad seeking maximum efficiency, the Hidden Bunker offers gameplay depth that rewards skill and strategy.

Remember to check the official Arc Raiders Discord for community tips, team formation, and event schedule updates. The Arc Raiders community is remarkably helpful, especially for newer players tackling these challenging events.

Good luck, Raiders! May your antenna activations be smooth, your terminal downloads uninterrupted, and your extractions successful. See you in Spaceport!

Related Arc Raiders Resources

Looking to further optimize your Arc Raiders experience? Check out these comprehensive guides:

• Arc Raiders PS5 Release Guide – Everything console players need to know about performance, features, and platform-specific tips
• Is Arc Raiders Free? Pricing Breakdown – Complete information on Arc Raiders’ pricing model, editions, and whether it’s worth the investment
• Arc Raiders System Requirements – Ensure your PC can handle the game with this detailed hardware guide
• Arc Raiders Weapons Tier List – Comprehensive weapon rankings and loadout recommendations
• Arc Raiders Launch Tower Loot Guide – Another challenging Spaceport event worth mastering
• Find Toasters in Arc Raiders – Essential crafting material locations and strategies
• Arc Raiders Pre-Order Guide – Everything about pre-order editions, bonuses, and platform-specific information