Borderlands 4’s “Recruitment Drive” mission throws you into an elevator puzzle that has left plenty scratching their heads. When Claptrap asks you to secure clearance for the lift, it might feel like you’re in for a long and complicated task. The good news is that the puzzle isn’t nearly as tricky as it first appears, and with the right steps, you’ll be moving upward in no time.
Instead of overthinking the challenge, the solution lies in a straightforward process that many tend to overlook. By following a series of simple steps, you can quickly obtain the elevator clearance and keep the mission flowing smoothly. It’s one of those moments where Borderlands 4 rewards sharp observation over complex problem-solving, ensuring you stay immersed in the chaos of the adventure without unnecessary frustration.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting clearance for the elevator in Borderlands 4.
Where to find the elevator clearance in Borderlands 4
The elevator clearance you’re looking for is hidden in plain sight, and it’s tied to a corpse near the rooftop elevator. At first glance, the area may look cluttered with fallen Timekeeper goons, but only one of them holds what you need to move forward.
Start by carefully checking the southeastern corner of the rooftop. There, against a crate near the railing, you’ll find the body that stands out from the rest. When you approach, you’ll notice a faint green glow that helps you pinpoint the right corpse. This glow only becomes visible once you’re close enough, so make sure to scan the area systematically instead of rushing past it.
Once you’ve found the right body, focus on its neck area. You’ll spot a green collar chip that acts as your clearance device. Interact with it to extract the chip, and you’ll have exactly what you need to proceed.
With the collar chip in hand, return to the elevator panel and use the clearance device to activate it. From there, Claptrap gets brought up to your level, letting you continue the mission.
Importance of finding the elevator clearance in Borderlands 4
This puzzle highlights one of the most important mechanics in Borderlands 4: watching for glowing green objects that mark interactable items. Mastering this early on is key, as the same mechanic will appear in later missions and side quests where environmental awareness is critical to progression.
The “Recruitment Drive” mission is the second main quest after the tutorial, and solving the elevator clearance puzzle is mandatory if you want to establish your first safehouse. This safehouse quickly becomes a central hub, giving you access to vending machines, bounty boards, and the all-important fast travel system.
Interestingly, while the clearance seems like a big focus at first, its importance shifts as the mission moves forward. Claptrap eventually redirects you to open a nearby door with melee attacks, but securing the clearance is still a required step to check off the main objective.
What makes this puzzle valuable is less about its difficulty and more about what it teaches. By searching the environment for corpses with glowing green objects, players get their first real introduction to a mechanic that will repeat throughout the story. This lesson ensures you’ll recognize similar environmental cues in future missions, making the game feel more intuitive as you progress.
For more on Borderlands 4, check out PC system requirements and the post-launch roadmap.
