- Broken guidance system in ARC Raiders usually means the objective marker stops tracking or displays incorrect directions during a raid.
- Most common causes: outdated game client, corrupted cache files, active event conflicts, and quest-state desync.
- Fastest fix: verify game files, restart the client, and re-enter the raid so the objective refreshes.
- If it persists: report it through the official ARC Raiders Discord or the Embark support portal.
- Prevention: keep the game updated and check the official news feed before long sessions after patches.
What a Broken Guidance System Looks Like
In ARC Raiders, the guidance system is the layer of on-screen and compass information that points you toward active mission objectives, tracked items, and extraction-relevant markers. When players describe it as "broken," they are usually referring to one of a small set of symptoms that appear mid-raid or right after a patch.
The symptoms reported most often by the community include:
- The objective marker disappears from the compass while the quest is still active in the hub.
- The marker points to a landmark that does not match the one named by the mission text.
- Guidance works in one raid but fails to initialize in the next deployment.
- Quest progress registers in the hub but the in-raid tracker never updates.
- Markers for event or trial objectives remain after the objective has been completed.
Some "broken" markers are actually correct behavior. Missions that name a specific landmark can appear broken if you are searching the right general area but the wrong named building. Always confirm the exact landmark name in the mission panel before assuming a bug.
Symptom-to-Cause Reference Table
| Symptom | Most Likely Cause | Severity | First Fix to Try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marker missing entirely | Quest-state desync | Medium | Re-enter raid, reselect the mission |
| Marker points to wrong landmark | Misread objective or map change after patch | Low | Verify landmark name in mission panel |
| Tracker never updates | Client not registering progress | Medium | Restart client, verify game files |
| Event markers stuck after completion | Event UI state error | Low | Return to hub and relog |
| Guidance fails every raid after update | Outdated or corrupted client | High | Full file verification and update |
Most guidance problems fall into the "medium" category: annoying, run-ending in the worst case, but fixable without reinstalling the game. Only a small number of cases trace back to a genuine bug on the server side, and those are typically acknowledged in official patch notes shortly after a major update drops.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Work through these fixes in order. Each step resolves the most common cause first, so you avoid doing a full file verification when a simple relog would have solved the problem.
Confirm the Objective in the Hub
Before deploying, open the mission panel and read the exact landmark or item the objective names. A large share of "broken guidance" reports come from searching the right map but the wrong named structure. Compare the landmark against your map knowledge of Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, Stella Montis, or Blue Gate.
Restart the Client and Reselect the Mission
Fully close ARC Raiders and relaunch it. In the hub, deactivate and reactivate the mission so the tracker re-initializes. This clears the most common desync between the hub quest state and the in-raid guidance layer.
Verify Game Files" num="3
On Steam, right-click ARC Raiders, choose Properties, then Installed Files, and use Verify integrity of game files. On PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, use the platform's equivalent check or reinstall option. Corrupted or partially downloaded files after an update are a frequent cause of UI layers failing to load correctly.
Check for a Pending Update or Known Issue
Visit the official news feed and the ARC Raiders Discord. If a recent patch changed landmarks, mission text, or event logic, the guidance system may be working as intended against changed data. Patch-note threads usually confirm whether others are seeing the same behavior.
Submit a Report if It Persists
If the marker still fails after a clean, updated client, report it through the Embark account and support portal. Include the mission name, the map, the platform, and the date the issue started. Specific reports get fixed faster than generic "markers broken" posts.
Take a screenshot of the mission panel before deploying. If guidance fails mid-raid, you will have the exact objective text and landmark name ready for your bug report, which dramatically shortens back-and-forth with support.
Preventing Guidance Issues Before They Start
Most guidance problems cluster around update days and event transitions. A few habits reduce how often you run into them at all.
Patch-Day Discipline
- Update before deploying, not mid-session
- Read the patch notes for landmark or quest changes
- Expect higher bug frequency for 24-48 hours after major updates
Event and Trial Awareness
- Check the active trial or event page in the hub
- Confirm whether objectives depend on a specific map
- Expect contested event locations to also attract other squads
Clean Session Habits
- Verify files after any interrupted download
- Relog between long raid sessions
- Keep one mission active at a time to avoid tracker confusion
Platform Verification Quick Reference
| Platform | Verification Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | Properties > Installed Files > Verify | Fastest and most thorough option |
| Epic Games Store | Library > game menu > Verify | Same effect as Steam verification |
| PlayStation 5 | Reinstall or system database check | slower; use only after other fixes fail |
| Xbox Series X | S | My games > Manage > Verify or reinstall |
| GeForce NOW | No local files; restart the session | Cloud clients cannot verify files locally |
If you play through GeForce NOW, file corruption is not a factor since the game runs on remote hardware. Focus on steps 1, 2, and 4 instead, and report persistent issues through the same Embark channels.
When the Marker Is Not Actually Broken
Before filing a report, rule out the three situations that most often look like a broken guidance system but are working as designed.
False-Positive Situations
| Situation | Why It Looks Broken | What Is Actually Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Map rotation after update | Landmark moved or was renamed | The update changed the map data; guidance follows the new data |
| Wrong item variant for a collection objective | Tracker does not tick after pickup | The mission requires a specific variant; check the item description |
| Progress not saved after death | Hub shows the objective incomplete | Mission progress generally requires a successful extraction to register |
That last row is the one that catches the most players. As with loot, mission completion in an extraction shooter is tied to actually getting out. If you interacted with the objective but died before extracting, the guidance system marking the objective as incomplete in the next raid is correct behavior, not a bug.
Extract immediately after completing a mission interaction rather than extending the raid for optional loot. This guarantees the progress registers and removes any ambiguity about whether the tracker is functioning.
Before You Report a Bug, Confirm:
- The exact landmark name matches the mission panel
- You extracted successfully after completing the interaction
- Your game client is fully updated
- You restarted the client and reselected the mission
- You checked the official news feed for known issues
FAQ
Q: What does a broken guidance system mean in ARC Raiders?
It refers to the objective and marker tracking layer pointing incorrectly, disappearing, or failing to update during a raid. Most cases are caused by quest-state desync, an outdated client, or misreading the landmark named by the mission rather than a true bug.
Q: Does mission progress save if I die after completing the objective?
Generally no. Like loot, mission progress is tied to a successful extraction. If the tracker resets after a death, that is expected behavior, not a broken guidance system. Interact with the objective and extract in the same raid.
Q: How do I verify game files on Steam?
Right-click ARC Raiders in your library, choose Properties, then Installed Files, then Verify integrity of game files. This repairs corrupted or partially downloaded files that can prevent UI layers like guidance markers from loading correctly.
Q: Where should I report a genuine guidance system bug?
Use the official Embark support portal linked to your account, or post in the bug-report channels of the official ARC Raiders Discord. Include the mission name, map, platform, and screenshots to speed up the fix.