How to Play Lights Out

THE PLAYBOOK · CDBRM

How to play Lights Out

Make Lights Out your next activity in the game library. Turn every light off. Every supplied starting state is made by valid flips from an all-off board and is therefore solvable. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Read the objective before making your first input. Use the example below to understand a decision.

A useful comparison

Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board. Use the example to check your reasoning.

Your goal

Turn every light off. Every supplied starting state is made by valid flips from an all-off board and is therefore solvable. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Review the board or playing area as it changes.

Step by step

1. Select a light or an unlit tile.
2. The selected tile and its orthogonal neighbours switch state.
3. Plan flips so that previously cleared rows stay cleared.
4. Use Undo to try another approach.

Controls

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Look at the feedback after the action.

A useful example

Tapping the centre changes five cells. Tapping a corner changes three. Diagonal neighbours are not affected. Apply the same reasoning to the position in your own round. Keep the controls nearby.

Watch out for this

An unlit tile can still be tapped; it may be necessary to solve the board. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.

Common questions