How to Solve the Fuse Box Puzzle in Fear the Spotlight Guide

Fear the Spotlight is a nostalgic nod to the classic survival-horror genre from the PS1 era. Combining tense atmospheres, eerie surroundings, and brain-teasing puzzles, it takes you on a thrilling ride as you guide Vivian through the shadowy halls of a dilapidated school. One of the trickiest puzzles you’ll encounter is the fuse box puzzle, a multi-step challenge located in the Webber Building.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of solving this puzzle, breaking down each step so you can keep moving forward in Fear the Spotlight without missing a beat.

The Objective: Clearing Out the Smoke in the Webber Building

Upon reaching the Webber Building, you’ll notice smoke blocking your way. Your task is to clear this smoke by powering up the HVAC unit, which is controlled by a complex fuse box located in the gymnasium. While the puzzle may seem overwhelming at first, taking it one piece at a time will help you solve it.

Step 1: Reaching the Fuse Box

After passing through the Rose Door, you’ll find yourself in the School Courtyard. The Webber Building is right in front of you, but as you interact with its door, the thick smoke inside will stop you from entering.

In the courtyard, there’s an HVAC unit, but it’s not powered yet. You’ll need to access the gymnasium and go to a room marked “Mechanical” to get started. This is where you’ll find the Power Diverter, but you can’t activate it until you unlock the fuse box.

Step 2: Unlocking the Fuse Box

Once inside the gym, head downstairs, and you’ll come across the fuse box. At first glance, the fuse box is locked, and to open it, you’ll need to enter the correct symbol sequence.

Look to the left of the fuse box, where you’ll see a note with the numbers “3451.” You’ll also find a clue called “Coupled Attenuations” that relates these numbers to specific symbols. The goal here is to match the symbols to the corresponding numbers and click them in the right order to unlock the fuse box.

Once you’ve entered the correct symbol combination, the fuse box will open, revealing multiple panels, dials, and slots for wires. This is where the real challenge begins.

Step 3: Powering the HVAC Unit

The first thing you’ll notice inside the fuse box is a screen, a yellow multimeter dial, and two wires (red and black). There are also six slots where the wires can be placed, and on the right side, nine panels that need to be unlocked.

• Step 3.1: Place the Wires: Insert the red and black wires into the first set of slots. This action will light up the first panel, allowing you to open it. Once opened, you’ll see a missing fuse.
• Step 3.2: Insert Fuse B: Earlier, you should have picked up an item called “Fuse B” from a nearby table. Insert this into the empty slot in the first panel to power up the next section.
• Step 3.3: Set the Multimeter Dial: Now, go back to the multimeter dial on the left side of the fuse box. Rotate it until the top screen turns green and shows the number “4.” The dial should be set to “x100” on the gray section.

Next, you’ll want to adjust the second panel on the right side:

• Step 3.4: Adjust the Second Panel Dials: Open the second panel and set the left dial to “4” (matching the top screen). Set the right dial to “00” and move the slider all the way to the left. This unlocks the final panel in this row.
• Step 3.5: Open the Last Panel: Lift the last panel’s cover and pull down the lever to open the shutters, granting you access to the Storage Room and Bathrooms.

Step 4: Finding Fuses C and D

With the shutters now open, head back to the main gym hall. Although the path to the bathrooms is malfunctioning, you can now access the storage room.

• Step 4.1: Pick up the Flashlight: Inside the storage room, you’ll find a flashlight under the table. Use this to navigate darker areas.
• Step 4.2: Access the Bathroom via the Vent: There’s a vent you can unscrew using the screwdriver in your inventory. Crawling through it will take you to the girl’s bathroom.
• Step 4.3: Retrieve the Cabinet Keys: In the bathroom, you’ll encounter a locked stall. Upon interacting with it, the stall will open, allowing you to pick up the Cabinet Keys.

Now, exit the bathroom and head to the boys’ bathroom:

• Step 4.4: Flush the Urinal: Interact with the middle urinal, where you’ll see something lodged at the bottom. Vivian will refuse to grab it until the sludge is flushed away. Once flushed, you can retrieve Fuse C from the urinal.

Return to the storage room and use the Cabinet Keys to open the locked cabinet, where you’ll find Fuse D.

Step 5: Powering the Pool and Office Area

With both Fuse C and D in hand, it’s time to head back to the fuse box:

• Step 5.1: Insert Fuses C and D: Place these fuses in the second row’s first panel. Then, on the left side of the fuse box, rotate the dial to “x10” and ensure the top screen shows “8.”
• Step 5.2: Adjust the Second Panel in the Row: Set the left dial to “8” and the right dial to “0.” Move the slider all the way to the right, unlocking the third panel.
• Step 5.3: Open the Pool and Office Shutters: Pull down the lever in this panel to open the shutters leading to the pool and office areas.

Step 6: Draining the Pool and Finding Fuse E

Now that you’ve unlocked the pool and office areas, you’ll need to retrieve more fuses:

• Step 6.1: Retrieve the Pool Pump Handle: Head to the office near the pool, where you’ll find a sticky note on the computer screen with a password clue. You’ll also notice a locked safe nearby. The combination for the safe is 1987 (the year both boys’ and girls’ teams won gold). Inside the safe, you’ll find the Pool Pump Handle.

Next, head to the pool drain pump:

• Step 6.2: Drain the Pool: Use the Pool Pump Handle on the control panel, then turn it to drain the black sludge from the pool. Head down the ladder into the drained pool, where you’ll find a note and the Raffle Crank.

Step 7: Unlocking Fuse F

Now, return to the gym and use the Raffle Crank on the tumbler located on the stage. Spin it counterclockwise to release Fuse F. You can give it an extra spin for a bonus achievement!

Step 8: Final Power Configuration

With Fuses E and F in hand, return to the fuse box:

• Step 8.1: Insert Fuses E and F: Place them into the bottom slot of the fuse box.
• Step 8.2: Adjust the Dials: Set the left dial to “1” and the right dial to a dot. Move the slider all the way to the right.
• Step 8.3: Open the Last Panel: Pull down the lever to complete the puzzle and transfer power to the HVAC unit outside the Webber Building.

With the fuse box puzzle solved, you can now divert power to the HVAC system, clear out the smoke, and continue your journey. This puzzle, while complicated, is manageable with careful attention to detail and patience.

FAQs

Q: How do I find the symbols for unlocking the fuse box?
A: The symbols are linked to the numbers on the note titled “Coupled Attenuations” near the fuse box. Match the numbers to the correct symbols and click them in order.

Q: What should I do if the pool is filled with black sludge?
A: Use the Pool Pump Handle on the control panel to drain the sludge from the pool. This will allow you to explore the bottom and find the Raffle Crank.

Q: Where do I find the Cabinet Keys?
A: The Cabinet Keys are located in the girl’s bathroom. The stall will unlock after you interact with it.

Key Takeaways

1. Solve the fuse box puzzle by carefully placing wires and adjusting dials according to screen prompts.
2. The Pool Pump Handle and Raffle Crank are essential items for progressing through the puzzle.
3. Don’t forget to spin the Raffle Crank for an extra achievement!