The orange tablet is a crafted item you make at a fabricator, not something you find lying around

The orange tablet in Subnautica is built at any fabricator using two ingredients: one coral tube sample and one creepvine sample. You cannot pick one up as loot. The recipe unlocks automatically once you scan both ingredient types in the game world, so your first step is gathering those two samples.

Once you have both samples in your inventory, walk up to any fabricator (the machines found in your base, in the Aurora, or in certain facilities), open the menu, navigate to the Tablets section, and select Orange Tablet to craft it. The fabricator will consume both samples and produce the tablet when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You craft the orange tablet at a fabricator using one coral tube sample and one creepvine sample.
  • Coral tube samples come from coral tube plants in the Kelp Forest and Safe Shallows biomes.
  • Creepvine samples come from creepvine plants scattered throughout the ocean, especially in the Kelp Forest.
  • The recipe unlocks automatically when you scan both sample types, so you do not need to find a blueprint.
  • Once crafted, orange tablets open orange-locked doors in the Aurora and other facilities.

Where to find coral tube samples

Coral tube plants grow as tall, tube-shaped structures in shallow biomes. The easiest place to find them is the Kelp Forest, where they grow in clusters near the seafloor. You can also find them in the Safe Shallows if you explore the deeper edges where the biome transitions to the Kelp Forest.

To harvest a sample, swim up to a coral tube plant and interact with it (the button prompt will appear when you are close enough). One interaction gives you one coral tube sample. You only need one sample to craft the orange tablet, but it is worth grabbing a second or third if you see them, since you may need multiple tablets later.

Where to find creepvine samples

Creepvine plants are vine-like structures with seed clusters hanging from them. They are common in the Kelp Forest and also appear in the Grassy Plateaus and Mushroom Forest. The Kelp Forest is your fastest option because creepvines are dense there and you will likely be gathering coral tubes in the same area.

Swim to a creepvine plant and interact with the seed clusters (the bulbous parts hanging down). One interaction harvests one creepvine sample. Like coral tubes, you only need one for the orange tablet recipe, but grabbing extras is smart if you plan to craft multiple tablets or other items that use creepvine samples.

How to unlock the orange tablet recipe

The orange tablet recipe is not locked behind a blueprint scan. Instead, it unlocks automatically the moment you scan your first coral tube sample and your first creepvine sample using the PDA scanner. Once both samples have been scanned, the recipe appears in your fabricator menu under Tablets.

If you have already scanned both samples but do not see the orange tablet recipe, try opening your PDA and checking the Fabricator section to confirm both scans are registered. If they are, the recipe will appear the next time you open a fabricator menu.

What the orange tablet is used for

Orange tablets open orange-locked doors throughout Subnautica. The most common use is accessing sealed sections of the Aurora, where valuable blueprints and resources are stored behind orange doors. You will also encounter orange doors in some alien facilities and research stations.

Each orange door consumes one orange tablet when you use it, so plan ahead if you know you need to open multiple doors. Some doors are optional (they lead to nice-to-have items), while others block the path to story-critical areas, so prioritize based on your current goals.

Tips for efficient gathering

The Kelp Forest is your one-stop shop for both ingredients because coral tubes and creepvines grow there together. Bring a seaglide or submarine if you have one, since the Kelp Forest is deeper than the Safe Shallows and you will want to move quickly between plants. If you do not have a vehicle yet, bring a high-capacity oxygen tank or rebreather so you can spend more time underwater without surfacing.

Mark the locations of coral tubes and creepvines on your map as you find them. This saves time if you need to craft multiple orange tablets later. Creepvines are easier to spot because of their distinctive hanging seed clusters, while coral tubes blend in more with the seafloor, so scan your surroundings carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find an orange tablet as loot instead of crafting it?

No. Orange tablets only come from fabricators. You cannot find them in wrecks, on the seafloor, or anywhere else in the game world. You must gather the two samples and craft it yourself.

What if I cannot find creepvine samples?

Creepvines are most common in the Kelp Forest, but they also grow in the Grassy Plateaus and Mushroom Forest. If you have not unlocked those biomes yet, focus on the Kelp Forest first. Make sure you are interacting with the seed clusters (the hanging bulbous parts), not the vine stems.

Do I need multiple orange tablets?

Possibly. Each orange door consumes one tablet, so if you need to open three orange doors, you need three tablets. Some orange doors are optional, so check your current objectives to decide how many you need right now.

Can I craft orange tablets before I have a base?

Yes. Fabricators exist in the Aurora, in alien facilities, and in other locations throughout the game. You do not need to build a base fabricator to craft your first orange tablet, though building one later makes crafting much more convenient.