Hauler upgrades
Fleet size · Speed
Sandustry Drone Guide & Troubleshooter
Sandustry Drone Guide & Troubleshooter
Fix a Hauler that won't return, check a Drone's cargo or drop-off state, and learn what Recon and Digger Drones actually do.
What's wrong?
Drone problem?
Already have a save? Analyze a save
Drone Troubleshooter
Diagnose a Drone problem
Why isn't my Sandustry Drone working? Pick the type and the symptom. The first answer is never "it is lost."
Drone type
Drone problem?
Check a Drone job
Choose a symptom to see the likely area and the first checks.
Check Drone status from a save
This is Drone Status from Save, not a Lost Drone Finder. Coordinates stay off the map until they are verified against the live world.
Want a more specific diagnosis?
Analyze a saveWhy isn't my Hauler Drone returning?
Not returned is not the same as lost. A Hauler may still be travelling, carrying cargo, waiting for drop-off, facing a blocked destination, sitting on an incomplete route, or simply far from its origin.
Still travelling
Carrying cargo
Waiting for drop-off
Destination blocked
Route state incomplete
Actually far from origin
A Hauler still carrying material usually means it hasn't completed the destination or drop-off stage yet. Check the endpoint before assuming the Drone is broken.
View database entryHow does the Recon Drone work?
Recon Drone can quickly scout already-explored terrain. It does not reveal unexplored black terrain.
Explored area
✓ Recon can scout
Use it to inspect terrain you have already opened, including creature searches.
Unexplored / black area
✕ Recon does not reveal it
It is not a map-reveal tool. Open the area first, then scout.
Looking for a creature?
Recon Drone can help you inspect already-explored terrain more quickly. Purple candidate markers can be useful community clues, but they should not be treated as guaranteed Voidgrazer locations.
Open Missing Creature FinderHauler, Digger and Recon compared
How Sandustry Drones work: each type has one job. Pick the Drone that matches the work, then diagnose from that job instead of from a generic attribute list.
| Drone | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Hauler | Moving materials | View database entry |
| Digger | Automated excavation | View database entry |
| Recon | Scouting explored terrain | View database entry |
Drone upgrades
Digger upgrades
Cooldown · HP · Gravity · Fleet size
Common Drone problems
Why is my Hauler holding material?
A Hauler still carrying material usually means it hasn't completed the destination or drop-off stage yet. Check the endpoint before assuming the Drone is broken.
Why did my Drone stop?
- Task still valid?
- Route / target?
- Cargo?
- Destination?
- Blocked?
How to find a missing Drone
- 1Return to its original route area.
- 2Check the destination or drop-off.
- 3Look for cargo or a blocked destination.
- 4Check buried or covered areas around the route.
- 5If you exported a save, use Drone Status to inspect recorded state.
Digger Drone basics
Used for automated excavation and digging tasks.
Upgrades
Cooldown · HP · Gravity · Fleet size
Common checks
- Has it been assigned correctly?
- Is the target reachable or valid?
- Is the area already blocked?
- Is the expected task still active?
Current Drone issues
No confirmed current issue affecting this symptom.
Sandustry Drone FAQ
Why is my Hauler holding material?+−
A Hauler still carrying material usually means it has not completed the destination or drop-off stage yet. Check the endpoint before assuming the Drone is broken.
Why did my Drone stop?+−
Check whether the task is still valid, then the route or target, cargo, destination, and whether the endpoint is blocked. A stopped route is not automatically a bug.
Does the Recon Drone reveal unexplored black terrain?+−
No. It does not reveal unexplored black terrain. Recon can scout already-explored areas more quickly.
How do I find a missing Sandustry Drone?+−
Return to the original route, check the destination, look for cargo or a blocked drop-off, then inspect buried areas. If you have a save, use Drone Status. A missing Drone is not automatically lost.
Can this page show my Drone on the map?+−
Not yet. Save coordinates are recorded, but they are not shown on the map until they are verified against the live game world.