You know that feeling when you're one short? You’ve spent forty-five minutes running around the Citadel, your squadmates are probably judging you, and you’re staring at a quest log that says 20/21. It’s infuriating. Honestly, the keepers mass effect locations are designed to be just sneaky enough to make you doubt your own eyesight.
The "Scan the Keepers" quest is one of the first major distractions you hit in Mass Effect. You meet Chorban, a Salarian who is definitely doing something illegal, and he hands you a scanner. From that moment, you’re basically a glorified space-entomologist. But finding these green, multi-legged maintenance workers isn't just about the XP—it’s about not letting the game win.
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The Tower: Where the Hunt Begins
Most players start right at the top. The Citadel Tower is home to four keepers. You’ll find the first one literally right next to Chorban. If you missed that one, well, maybe the Reapers have a point.
Once you’ve scanned Chorban’s target, head up toward the Council Chamber. Don’t go all the way to the top just yet. Check the side areas. There’s a keeper tucked away in a corner near Admiral Kahoku. Another is on the opposite side, near a balcony overlooking the fountain. The final one in this area is way up at the top, behind the Council’s main platform. It’s hiding in a corner near a locked door. People always miss that one because the cutscenes usually teleport you away before you can poke around.
Navigating the Presidium Maze
The Presidium is huge, beautiful, and full of keepers that blend into the scenery. There are eight here. If you’re playing the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, the good news is you only need 20 out of 21 to finish the quest, but completionists usually want the full set anyway.
- Near the Tower Elevator: As soon as you step off the lift from the Tower, there’s one right by the Avina terminal.
- The Embassies: This is where things get glitchy. There’s one in the Volus/Elcor office next to Udina’s. Sometimes it doesn't spawn. If it’s not there, save your game and reload. It usually pops back in.
- Embassy Lounge: Go through the lounge to the back balcony. There’s a keeper chilling out there, probably enjoying the view of the fake sky.
- The Consort’s Chambers: Check the entrance to Sha’ira’s place. There’s a keeper right outside.
- The Emporium: This is the "hidden" one. Go to the back of the Hanar’s shop, find the stairs, and go to the upper storage room. It’s tucked away in the back left.
The Wards and C-Sec: The Gritty Hunt
The Wards are a bit more vertical, which makes the hunt more annoying. You’ve got keepers in the markets, the alleys, and even the casino.
In the Upper Markets, look in the corner near Expat’s stall. Then, head to the "Alleyway"—the red-tinted area where you first meet Tali. There’s one in a side room there. Don’t forget Flux. Go upstairs to the gambling area; a keeper is hanging out behind the Quasar machines.
C-Sec Academy holds two more. One is in the Requisitions Office (down the stairs from the main hub). The other is in Traffic Control, which you reach by heading up the stairs past the C-Sec offices. You have to get really close to the one in Traffic Control for the scan prompt to even show up.
The Most Forgotten Keeper
If you are at 20/21, I can almost guarantee you’re missing the one in the Docking Bay. You have to take the central elevator in C-Sec Academy up to where the Normandy is parked. Run all the way to the very end of the docking gantry, past your ship.
There it is. Just standing there.
Why Bother Scanning Them?
The rewards are mostly early-game XP and credits. However, there’s a narrative payoff later. If you complete the quest, you get a special email in Mass Effect 2 from Chorban. He actually figures out some pretty dark stuff about what the keepers are and why they exist.
If you decide not to help Chorban, you can talk to Jahleed in C-Sec. You can actually get Chorban arrested, which is a very Renegade move, but you lose out on the scan data. Honestly, just do the scans. It’s the easiest way to hit Level 5 or 6 before you even leave the Citadel for the first time.
Quick Checklist for the Frustrated
- Tower: 4 total (Check the Council platform corner!)
- Presidium: 8 total (Don't forget the Emporium back room)
- Wards/Flux: 6 total (Check the Alleyway and Flux Casino)
- C-Sec/Docks: 3 total (One in Requisitions, one in Traffic, one at the end of the Docking Bay)
To make this faster, I recommend doing a "lap." Start at the Tower, hit the Presidium, go through the Wards Access corridor (there's a keeper in a side room there too!), finish in the Wards, and end at the Normandy docks. It saves you from running back and forth across the station five times.
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The next time you’re playing, keep an eye on the keeper in the Embassies. It’s the most common "missing" one due to the spawn bug. If your counter is stuck, that’s your first stop.