How to Pick a Lock in Fallout 3

Last Updated: April 29, 2020

In Fallout 3, to enter secret areas, you will need to be able to pick locks. This article will help you understand how to pick a lock in case the in-game help wasn't helpful enough.

Steps

1
Find a lock that you can pick. To start out, you probably want to find a very easy lock, as this will make it easy to learn how to lockpick.
2
Next, you need approach the lock and press the correct button (square on Playstation or "x" on Xbox) to attempt to pick the lock.

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3
Pick the lock. You only have bobby pins and a screwdriver to pick the lock with. You need to move the bobby pin around (by using the left analog stick). Once you have found a spot that you think will unlock the door, use the right analog stick to attempt picking the lock.
- The screwdriver will turn the lock until it either opens or doesn't move any more. If it stops moving, you need to move around the bobby pin until the lock keeps moving. Once the lock has turned 90 degrees, it will open.
4
Be careful. If you hold it too long without the lock moving, the bobby pin will break and you will have to use another. Eventually, you will run out of bobby pins, so you will need to search the Wasteland and find some more.

Warnings

If the room name comes up red, it means you will lose karma for attempting to pick the lock. If your karma is good, you probably don't want to do this.

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Be careful how you use your bobby pins. If you run out, the only way to get past the lock is to attempt to force it. Be careful. If you do this, you can risk breaking the lock and the door will be unable to be lock picked again.

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Be careful turning the screwdriver. If you hold it too long, you will break the bobby pin, and you will have to start again. Fortunately the place where the bobby pin needs to be put does not change.

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