You're standing on a cliff in the Fadefields, looking at a map that makes absolutely no sense, wondering if Gearbox actually wants you to find these things. Trust me, I've been there. Finding every borderlands 4 vault key fragment locations isn't just a completionist's errand; it's basically the only way to get into the Primordial Vaults where the actual "holy crap" loot lives.
Honestly, the game doesn't do a great job of explaining that these fragments aren't just sitting in chests waiting for you. They’re tied to Order Silos. You can’t just stumble upon a fragment; you have to "unlock" the chance for it to even exist by capturing a nearby silo first.
It’s a bit of a grind, but if you want those legendary drops that everyone is screaming about on Reddit right now—especially after they rolled back the holiday drop rates—you need these keys.
The Fadefields: Coastal Bonescape and Beyond
Most players start their hunt in the Fadefields because it's the first real open area you get to breathe in. It looks like a paradise, but it’s crawling with Idolator Sol’s fanatics.
First, you’ve got to hit the Stockroom SILO. It's in the Coastal Bonescape region. Once you've cleared that out, head West toward the shoreline to a spot called Stillshore. Look for a cluster of houses near the water. The fragment isn’t hidden in some elaborate puzzle; it’s literally sitting on a wooden box outside one of the shacks. Sometimes the simplest spots are the easiest to miss because you're looking for a giant glowing altar.
The second one is in The Howl. You need the Kit Hole SILO for this one. This area is a bit more vertical, which can be annoying if you haven't mastered the new movement mechanics yet. The fragment is tucked into the side of a stone structure. If you’re staring at a wall and the icon says you’re on top of it, look for a crevice or a ledge just below your eye line.
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Finally, for the Fadefields, there’s the Deep Seven SILO in the Dissected Plateau. This one takes you to Rosemary’s Reserve (part of the Idolator’s Noose). You’ll find a vent that looks like decorative background art—it’s not. Use your grapple to rip it open. The fragment is waiting inside.
Once you have all three, the Vault Door is at the top of a hill in The Stubs.
Why the Carcadia Burn Fragments Are a Pain
Carcadia Burn is basically a nightmare of shattered land and urban ruins. It’s messy.
- Lopside Fragment: Unlock the Rustic Hurl SILO first. Then, find the Makeshift Chalet safehouse. Head South toward what looks like an old gas station. You’ll need to climb or glide onto the roof. The fragment is just chilling up there.
- Ruined Sumplands: This one is near Hull’s Handbasket. You’ll need the Judgement’s Lapse SILO. Look for the waterline and find a small cliff. You actually have to drop down off the ledge to find the fragment tucked away near the water.
- Tonnage Peel: Get the Site Unseen SILO active. Look for the "Wreck of the Last Great Hope." It’s a massive crashed ship, so you can't miss it. Go inside and look for another one of those grapple-able vents.
The vault door for this region is tucked under a broken bridge at the Grindstone of the Worthy. It’s easy to drive right over it and never realize there’s a massive alien door beneath your tires.
The Terminus Range: Bringing a Coat
This is where things get genuinely difficult. The verticality in Terminus Range is no joke, and the game expects you to be comfortable with the glider by now.
The first fragment is in Cuspid Climb. After hitting the Reliquary or Covered Charge SILO, you’re looking for a cave. It’s out of the way, far from any side quest markers. Most people walk right past the entrance because it looks like a shadow on the rock face.
For the second one, head to Low Leys. Capture the Deathright SILO. There’s a point of interest called "The Pit." You’ll see a small climbing path—follow it up, and the fragment is sitting at the peak.
The final fragment in the Windspear region is probably the most "traditional" search. It’s near Checkpoint Taupe. There’s a building that looks like an old administrative office. Go to the second floor, check the back offices, and it’s right there on a desk.
The Hardest Vault Door to Find
Finding the door in Terminus Range is a bit of a legendary headache. You have to go to the East side of the mountain starting from Low Leys. Use the Auger Shrine icon as your North Star. You’ll have to perform a massive jump-and-glide maneuver across a chasm to reach a hidden ledge. Inside that cave is the final Vault Door.
Maximizing Your Loot Runs
Now that you know where the borderlands 4 vault key fragment locations are, don't just rush in.
The community is currently up in arms because Gearbox reverted the holiday drop rates. However, they did confirm that Class Mods are now weighted to drop for the character you’re actually playing. If you’re playing as Amon, you’re finally going to get Amon gear instead of a pile of Vex's summoning mods.
If you’re struggling with the bosses inside these vaults, remember that the "Entanglement" mechanic on Harlowe is basically a cheat code for crowd control. If you're playing solo, make sure your ECHO-4 drone is upgraded for ammo capacity because these Vault Guardians are absolute sponges.
Go grab the fragments in The Fadefields first. They are the easiest to reach and serve as a good warm-up for the platforming nightmares waiting for you in the snow. Once you have the fragments, the vaults stay unlocked, so you can farm them whenever you need a gear reset. Just watch out for the nerf cannon—Gearbox has been tweaking the "crit knife" builds lately, so don't rely on one broken mechanic for too long.
Your next move:
Head to the Coastal Bonescape in the Fadefields and secure the Stockroom SILO to begin the hunt for the first fragment. Reach the Stillshore area immediately after to claim your first piece of the key.