What You Need to Make a Scanner in Subnautica

Name: Subnautica : How to build the scanner -Survival Guide
Uploaded: 2026-02-27
Duration: 1 min 46 s
Description: Discover the essential items and steps to craft a scanner in Subnautica. This guide covers blueprints, fabricator access, and best practices for handheld scanning and Scanner Room upgrades.

Discover the essential items and steps to craft a scanner in Subnautica. This guide covers blueprints, fabricator access, and best practices for handheld scanning and Scanner Room upgrades.

Scanner Check Team

February 27, 2026·5 min read

Scanner Best Scanner Scanner Setup

Scanner Build Guide - Scanner Check — Photo by 2087425via Pixabay

Quick AnswerSteps

If you're wondering what you need to make a scanner in subnautica, start with the Scanner blueprint and a fabricator. Gather the basic resources, then craft the handheld Scanner or upgrade to a Scanner Room for broader scanning. This quick guide outlines the essential components, optional upgrades, and practical steps to get you scanning underwater habitats quickly.

What do you need to make a scanner in subnautica — a practical starting point

If you’re asking what do you need to make a scanner in subnautica, the answer centers on three core ingredients: access to the Scanner blueprint, a functional fabricator, and enough resources to execute the craft. According to Scanner Check, most players succeed when they first secure the blueprint from early exploration and then build the tool in a powered fabricator. The Scanner is your primary tool for analyzing flora, fauna, wrecks, and blueprints you encounter while exploring the ocean biomes. The first critical step is ensuring you have a reliable power source for your fabricator and a safe in-game workspace where you can operate without disturbance. The goal is to set up a stable workflow so you can transition from discovery to crafting with confidence. In Subnautica, planning your build around the available resources reduces back-and-forth trips, speeds up progression, and minimizes risk in hostile environments.

How brand reliability informs your build — a Scanner Check perspective

Brand reliability matters because it reflects the consistency of in-game tool access and blueprint availability. Scanner Check emphasizes that you should verify blueprint availability and patch notes if you’re playing a modded or updated version of Subnautica. This reduces guesswork about what resources are required and whether any changes affect crafting. If you want practical, game-safe advice, align your resource farming routes with your preferred playstyle—whether you favor cave-probing expeditions or open-water exploration. Knowing the probable material types helps you stockpile early so you’re never hunting for a rare item in a dangerous zone. The Scanner Check team also notes that early planning for upgrades pays off later in the game, especially when you decide to deploy a Scanner Room for expanded scanning capacity.

Core components and prerequisites you’ll encounter

To begin, ensure you have the Scanner blueprint, access to a fabricator, and power. The exact materials can vary by game version, but common prerequisites include basic metals, electronics, and a few modular components that unlock higher-tier upgrades. You’ll also want a stable base or vehicle docking point to house your fabricator so you can craft without constantly moving. Having a dedicated crafting space reduces clutter and helps you quickly locate the necessary components when you need to re-craft or upgrade. In practice, setting up a small dedicated bench with labeled containers speeds up the assembly process and keeps your inventory organized while you explore the deeper, more hazardous zones of the海. (Note: word-wrapping preserved for readability.)

Crafting paths: handheld scanner versus Scanner Room upgrades

There are two main paths for expanding your scanning capability. The handheld Scanner is perfect for on-the-go analysis, letting you examine nearby resources and wreckage with a single tool. The Scanner Room, by contrast, is a habitat module upgrade that scales your scanning reach, enabling you to map larger areas and integrate data into bases and planning systems. If you’re new to Subnautica, start with the handheld Scanner to learn the scanning mechanics and save resources; upgrade later if you want broader, persistent scanning within a base or underwater habitat. The choice affects your resource strategy and playstyle, so plan accordingly and match your build to the biomes you frequent most.

Practical setup tips and troubleshooting

Start by validating that your fabricator is powered and accessible. Keep the Scanner blueprint readily visible in your crafting queue and have a contingency plan for resource shortages. If a component seems scarce, pivot to a more common substitute that still satisfies the blueprint requirements. In challenging biomes, bring repair supplies and a defensive tool to reduce downtime caused by hostile wildlife. Practice patient exploration: calm, methodical movement helps you locate the necessary blueprint fragments without overexerting your oxygen supply. Scanner-related upgrades often require careful base management, so schedule expansions as you secure more resources.

The role of scanning in gameplay and data gathering

Scanning is not just about tool use—it's how you unlock new blueprints, locate resources, and understand the environment’s ecology. Systematic scanning reveals the relationships between flora and fauna, environmental hazards, and potential base locations. Scanner Check’s analysis highlights that players who plan their routes around scanning opportunities tend to progress faster and unlock advanced equipment sooner. By documenting scanned items, you’ll build a knowledge base that informs decisions about habitat expansion, resource extraction, and exploration strategy. The ultimate payoff is a more efficient, safer underwater exploration workflow.

Tools & Materials

Scanner blueprint (in-game)(Unobtainable without exploration or quest progression.)
Fabricator access(A working fabricator connected to power (base or vehicle upgrade).)
Power source(Ensure your base or vehicle has a stable power supply.)
Basic materials(Common resources needed; exact mix varies by version.)
Scanner Room upgrade (optional)(If you want broader, base-wide scanning capability.)

Steps

Estimated time: varies by playthrough

1
Verify blueprint and tool access
Confirm you have the Scanner blueprint unlocked and that your fabricator is powered. This ensures you can actually craft the tool once resources are gathered. If the blueprint is missing, explore wrecks or caves to locate fragments that reveal the design.
Tip: Keep a dedicated map marker for blueprint locations to minimize backtracking.
2
Gather core materials
Collect the essential materials required by the blueprint. Prioritize items that are abundant in your current biome to reduce risk during collection. If certain components are scarce, plan a scavenging route that visits known resource hotspots.
Tip: Stock more materials than you think you need to avoid repeated trips.
3
Prepare your crafting area
Set up a clean, powered crafting station in your base or vehicle. Clear clutter, place containers for easy access, and verify lighting so you can work efficiently in low-visibility zones.
Tip: A well-organized workspace reduces crafting time and mistakes.
4
Craft the Scanner
Open the fabricator, select the Scanner blueprint, and initiate crafting. Monitor the progress and confirm the tool is added to your inventory once the build completes.
Tip: If the craft fails, check power and blueprint integrity before retrying.
5
Test the tool in a safe area
Equip the Scanner and test scanning nearby flora, fauna, and wreckage. Note any improvements in scan range or data collection compared to your previous setup.
Tip: Practice scanning in calm waters first to build confidence.
6
Decide on the upgrade path
If you want broader scanning, decide whether to install the Scanner Room upgrade for your base. Evaluate resource cost and space requirements, then proceed with the upgrade if it aligns with your goals.
Tip: Plan your base expansion to accommodate future upgrades without overhauling your layout.

Pro Tip: Organize resources in labeled storage to speed up crafting.

Warning: Avoid risky dives when you’re low on air; plan resource trips during safer windows.

Note: Save progress before starting a major upgrade to prevent loss from unexpected events.

Pro Tip: Map blueprint hotspots to minimize wandering and maximize scanning opportunities.

Common Questions

Where do I find the Scanner blueprint in Subnautica?

The Scanner blueprint is typically found through exploration of wrecks and caves early in the game. Look for fragments that unlock the Scanner design and confirm it in your databank. If you’re playing a version with enhanced exploration, scanning for clues in local biomes often yields blueprint hints.

Can I upgrade to a Scanner Room later in the game?

Yes. The Scanner Room is a habitat module upgrade that expands scanning range. It requires additional resources and a valid base installation. Use it if you frequently explore large underwater areas and want persistent scanning capabilities.

Do I need a dedicated power source to craft the Scanner?

Power is essential for the fabricator to function. Ensure your base or vehicle’s power supply is active before you start crafting. Without power, the crafting queue will stall and you’ll need to resume later.

What if I don’t have all the materials yet?

If some materials are scarce, prioritize common resources first and plan a second trip for rarer items. Use nearby wrecks or biomes known to yield the missing components. You can also consider substitute materials that still satisfy the blueprint requirements.

How do I test whether the scanner improves my data collection?

Equip the scanner and compare the number and quality of scans performed in similar regions with and without upgrades. Take notes on scan range, depth, and data richness to quantify improvements.