How to Open the Door in Vault 81
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
To open the door in Vault 81, you need to use your Pip-Boy on the external control console, similar to how you did on the internal console in Vault 111, which will trigger a conversation with Vault 81 security that will eventually let you open the door. The process involves interacting with the console, which is a crucial step in gaining access to the vault and progressing through the game.
Accessing Vault 81
Initial Access
Accessing Vault 81 for the first time requires a specific approach. When you try to open the vault, you’ll have a conversation with Overseer McNamara, who will request that you trade three fusion cores. Once you have those cores, she’ll give you free roaming privileges in the vault, and the Vault 81 quest will conclude.
FAQs
General Questions
- Why can’t I open the door in Vault 81? You need to use your Pip-Boy on the external control console like you did on the internal console in Vault 111. When you do that, it will trigger a conversation with Vault 81 security that will eventually let you open the door.
- How do you get into the secret room in Vault 81? There are two entrances from the main vault to the secret vault: an elevator located in the lobby, and a secret door in the reactor room. The elevator cannot be used until the end of the quest Hole in the Wall, and the secret door is not unlocked before the beginning of the same quest.
- How do you open the vault door in Fallout? When you’re ready to continue, bring up your security baton and take out the bug. Next, make your way forward, passed the half-digested corpse, and grab the Pip-Boy lying on the floor ahead. Finally, look for the red Vault Door Controls button nearby and push it.
Room and Living Quarters
- Can you get a room in Vault 81? Being located directly across from the depot inside the atrium, the room serves as a storage unit, and contains several metal shelves and boxes. It gets refurbished into a living room for the Sole Survivor, if they decide to assist Dr. Penske during the quest Hole in the Wall.
Bobbleheads and Collectibles
- Is there a bobblehead in Vault 81? It can be found in Vault 81, in Curie’s office, southeast corner of the vault. The portion of Vault 81 that contains the bobblehead is not accessible until the Hole in the Wall quest has been started.
Diseases and Infections
- Can you go through Vault 81 without getting infected? If a companion gets bitten, then the Sole Survivor will become infected. The best way to avoid contracting the disease is to go in alone and use rapid-firing weapons in order to kill the mole rats quickly.
Vault Mechanics
- Why isn’t the Vault 111 door opening? If you are starting a new game with Creation Club and/or Mods installed, you will need to allow the content to load before attempting to access the Vault door. To do this, once you have acquired your Pip-Boy, open your inventory and allow your items and quests to populate.
Design and Construction
- Do vault doors open in or out? Most of the time an out-swing vault door is chosen for smaller vault rooms so opening the door doesn’t take up valuable space. The benefit of an in-swing vault door is that it’s quicker and easier to enter the room if you are using it as a storm shelter or to protect yourself from a home intrusion.
Exploration and Quests
- Is there anything in Vault 81? Completing quests and speaking to the vault dwellers will reveal a few secrets in the vault. There are also random encounters around the Commonwealth that give reference to Vault 81. Players who search around the vault can also find symbols and references to the Great War that they might have otherwise meant.
Diseases and Cures
- How do you get rid of Vault 81 disease? On PC, the condition can be removed by spawning an additional cure via console command player.additem 00055f10, by directly removing the effect via player.
Characters and Companions
-
Where is Erin in Vault 81? You can usually find Erin in the Vault 81 Depot or wandering near the classroom. Talk with her and she’ll tell you about her lost kitty, Ashes. Once you accept the quest, your Pip Boy will lock on to Ashes outside the Vault.
-
Can you get Tina to leave Vault 81? If asked, she may initially agree only to immediately express confusion at the idea; even if she agrees, the workshop assignment menu will not come up, keeping her stuck in Vault 81 indefinitely.
Other Vaults and Locations
-
How do you unlock the door in the vault of secrets? Head to The Vault of Secrets and enter ‘The Challenge’ in the code box. This will unlock a secret quest that leads to The Chamber of Time. From here, you’ll need to pay 200 Diamonds to progress on this quest. Next, you must enter the door underneath this level and speak with the person inside the jail.
-
Can you open the vault 79 door? The Vault door could not be opened until the Wastelanders update when the interior became accessible. Another entrance to Vault 79 is inside of a shack northeast of the Bailey family cabin (but not as far north as the mysterious cave).
History and Background
- How long were you in Vault 111? Overall, Vault 111 is one of the most interesting locations in the game, not only because the player was frozen there for 200 years, but also because of the nature of the experiments that were being performed inside of the Vault.