Escape from Tarkov Blackout is a limited-time endgame event centered entirely around The Lab. It transforms the map by disabling lights, adding a new boss, changing extractions, and adding valuable loot. In this EfT Blackout Guide, we’ll explain how the event works, which rewards you can get, the basic Blackout strategy, and more!
Escape from Tarkov Blackout Event Key Takeaways:
- EfT Blackout is a limited-time endgame event focused entirely on The Lab.
- Release date is July 14, 2026, with update 1.0.6.5.
- No official end date for Blackout has been announced yet.
- The Lab is completely dark during the event, which completely changes how the raids are played.
- New boss Wedge leads the Black Division in Labs during the Blackout event.
- Five exclusive event quests available from Skier and other quest givers.
- You can earn the “Going Dark” legendary achievement by completing the event questline.
- During the event, the raid timer is reduced to 25 minutes.
- Only Hangar Gate and Parking Gate remain available for extraction.
- Emergency access code replaces normal Labs keycards.
- One 4-digit code unlocks every keypad door during Blackout.
- EfT Blackout event rewards include EXP, Roubles, thermal optics, rare keycards, and weapons.
- While the event is active, Labs offer some of the best loot currently available in the game.
4.9What is Escape from Tarkov Blackout
EfT Blackout is a special event that completely changes how The Lab works. The power outage has disabled most of the map’s systems, forcing players to rely on emergency procedures to access locked rooms and leave the map.
Here are some of the most important Escape from Tarkov changes that have occurred during the event:
- New exclusive Blackout questline with 5 quests.
- New boss: Wedge and Black Division soldiers.
- “Going Dark” Legendary Achievement.
- Labs raid timer reduced to 25 minutes.
- Most extractions disabled.
- Every keypad door uses the same randomly generated 4-digit code.
- Emergency power system replaces normal keycard access.
📌 Because nearly every valuable room can now be opened with a single code, Labs has become one of the most profitable locations in the game.
The biggest addition that EfT Blackout brought into the game is Wedge, the new Black Division commander. He patrols Labs alongside heavily armed guards using top-tier weapons loaded with high-end ammunition such as M62, M993, and AP SX rounds. Defeating Wedge gives players a chance to obtain the TerraGroup Labs Arsenal Storage Key (Blackout), which is required for later quests.
If you want to obtain the rewards from this event but don’t have the time to do it yourself, our Blackout Event service is exactly what you are looking for!
Escape from Tarkov Blackout Release Date
Escape from Tarkov Blackout launch date is July 14, 2026, alongside update 1.0.6.5. The event transformed The Lab into a blackout zone, introduced the Black Division boss Wedge, added a five-part questline, and completely changed how players access loot rooms and extract from the map. EfT Blackout is considered a pre-season event leading into Season 1, making it one of the biggest updates since the game’s full release.
📌 At the time of writing, Battlestate Games has not announced an official end date for the Escape from Tarkov Blackout Event.
Escape from Tarkov Blackout Event Quests
Escape from Tarkov Blackout quests are time-limited objectives that guide players through every major mechanic introduced during the event. This 5-quest storyline introduces the emergency access codes, new extraction system, and Black Division enemies. Here is the full list of EfT Blackout Quests:
| Quest | Quest Giver | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Wrench and Waterboarding | Skier | Visit The Lab |
| Key to Every Door | Skier | Locate the emergency access code in The Lab. Check if the emergency access code works. |
| My Blood Type Mark is on the Sleeve | Sanitar | Locate and obtain the TG-y blood sample from the experiment room in The Lab. Locate and obtain the TG-y blood sample from the second floor laboratory block in The Lab. Locate and obtain the documents from Sanitar’s room in The Lab. |
| Patch the Vulnerability | Unknown | Plant a signal jammer in the system admin’s office in The Lab. Plant a signal jammer in the garage gate control room in The Lab. Plant a signal jammer in the central security monitoring room in The Lab. Eliminate 10 Black Division operatives. |
| If I Can’t Have It | Unknown | Eliminate 15 PMC operatives in The Lab. |
Each quest in Tarkov Blackout builds on the previous one, encouraging players to explore different parts of The Lab while fighting Black Division soldiers and learning the new mechanics. Successfully completing the full questline rewards the exclusive Going Dark achievement.
EfT Blackout event quests can be quite difficult, especially if you don’t have good teammates on your side, which is why our Elite Players can always help you out!
EfT Blackout Rewards
Tarkov Blackout rewards include exclusive achievements, quest rewards, rare loot, and access to some of the best valuables currently available in the game. Here are all the rewards you can obtain by finishing quests:
| Quest | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Wrench and Waterboarding | +15,000 EXP 75,000 Roubles 78,750 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1 86,250 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2 2× Cyclone Shakhin 3.7x thermal scope 2× Torrey Pines Logic T12W 30Hz thermal reflex sight |
| Key to Every Door | +33,000 EXP 165,000 Roubles 173,250 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1 189,750 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2 1× Trijicon REAP-IR thermal scope 1× FLIR RS-32 2.25-9x 35mm 60Hz thermal riflescope |
| My Blood Type Mark is on the Sleeve | +40,000 EXP 185,000 Roubles 194,250 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1 212,749 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2 1× TerraGroup Labs keycard (Black) 1× TerraGroup Labs keycard (Red) 1× TerraGroup Labs keycard (Violet) |
| Patch the Vulnerability | +55,000 EXP 270,000 Roubles 283,500 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1 310,500 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2 2× Colt M4A1 5.56×45 assault rifle 3× AR-15 5.56×45 SureFire MAG5-100 STANAG 100-round magazine 3× 5.56x45mm M995 ammo pack (100 pcs) |
While the quest rewards are very good and useful for most players, the larger rewards come from exploring Labs itself. Here are the EfT Blackout rewards that players can earn during the event:
- Going Dark Legendary Achievement.
- TerraGroup Labs Arsenal Storage Key (Blackout).
- Access to nearly every locked loot room.
- High-tier military equipment.
- Rare weapon attachments.
- Valuable barter items.
If you want to obtain the best gear and rewards from Blackout without having to risk your equipment in raids, our Loadout Bundle can help you with that!
How to Extract from Labs in EfT Blackout
Knowing how to extract from Labs in Escape from Tarkov Blackout is one of the most important parts of surviving. Unlike normal Labs raids, almost every extraction has been disabled. Only these extracts remain available in EfT Blackout Labs:
- Parking Gate;
- Hangar Gate.
Neither extraction works immediately. Before either exit can be used, players must visit the System Administrator Room and activate the emergency switch on the wall. This powers the extraction system and allows both exits to function.
Here are some things you can keep in mind to extract from Labs in Tarkov Blackout more successfully:
- Wedge frequently patrols one extraction.
- If Wedge is guarding one exit, running to the other is often the safer option.
- Black Division soldiers appear throughout the map.
- The raid timer is only 25 minutes, leaving very little time to complete objectives.
Many experienced players recommend checking the extraction areas early in the raid. Since Wedge always has a chance to drop the Arsenal Storage Key, defeating him early can save valuable time.
Labs Code in EfT Blackout Event
The Labs Code in EfT Blackout Event replaces the normal Labs keycard system. During every Blackout raid, all keypad doors on The Lab use the same randomly generated 4-digit emergency code instead of individual keycards, allowing players to unlock nearly every locked room once the code has been discovered.
Here is how to obtain the Labs code in Escape From Tarkov Blackout event:
- Defeat Wedge or another Black Division fighter carrying the TerraGroup Labs Arsenal Storage Key (Blackout).
- Use the key to enter the Arsenal Storage Room.
- Find the emergency access code inside.
- Enter the code on any keypad door throughout the raid.
- Repeat the process in future raids, as the code changes every time.
One code reported by players during the event is 5619, but it should only be treated as an example since the emergency code is different in every raid. After obtaining the correct code, you can open every keypad-locked room without using the standard colored keycards, making it much easier to reach valuable loot and complete the remaining objectives in Tarkov Blackout.
Escape from Tarkov Blackout FAQ
In this EfT Blackout FAQ section of the guide, we will answer some of the most common questions regarding this new game mode.
What Is Escape from Tarkov Blackout?
The Escape from Tarkov Blackout is a limited-time endgame event that completely changes The Lab. It introduces a power outage, a new boss named Wedge, Black Division enemies, a five-quest storyline, a new extraction system, and an emergency code mechanic that replaces the normal Labs keycards.
When Did the Escape from Tarkov Blackout Event Start?
The Escape from Tarkov Blackout Event launch date is July 14, 2026, with update 1.0.6.5. At the time of writing, Battlestate Games has not announced an official end date.
What Is Labs Code in EfT Blackout?
To obtain the Labs emergency code in Tarkov Blackout, defeat Wedge or another Black Division operative carrying the TerraGroup Labs Arsenal Storage Key (Blackout). Use the key to enter the Arsenal Storage Room, where you can find the current raid’s 4-digit emergency access code.
Does the Labs Code Change Every Escape From Tarkov Blackout Raid?
Yes. The Labs Code in EfT Blackout Event is randomly generated for every raid. Any code shared by other players only works for that specific raid and cannot be reused later.
How Do You Extract from EfT Blackout Labs?
Only the Hangar Gate and Parking Gate are available during the Blackout event. Before you can use any of the extractions, you must activate the emergency switch inside the System Administrator Room. Once activated, both extraction points become available.
What Rewards Can You Earn During the EfT Blackout?
Players can earn large amounts of EXP, Roubles, thermal optics, rare TerraGroup Labs keycards, weapons, valuable loot, and the exclusive Going Dark Legendary Achievement. Completing quests also grants access to some of the best rewards currently available in Escape from Tarkov.
4.9The Escape from Tarkov Blackout event turns The Lab into one of the hardest and most rewarding locations in the game. With a new boss, exclusive quests, limited extractions, and the emergency code system, every raid requires good planning and quick decisions. Learning how these mechanics work will help you finish the questline, earn the event rewards, and survive more raids.
