THE PLAYBOOK · AHETV
How to play Lights Out
Open Lights Out, check the instructions and begin a round. Turn every light off. Every supplied starting state is made by valid flips from an all-off board and is therefore solvable. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Treat the first round as a chance to learn the controls. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions.
Review a difficult moment
When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round. Keep the objective visible.
Your goal
Turn every light off. Every supplied starting state is made by valid flips from an all-off board and is therefore solvable. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Follow this game’s rules rather than another version’s.
Step by step
- Select a light or an unlit tile.
- The selected tile and its orthogonal neighbours switch state.
- Plan flips so that previously cleared rows stay cleared.
- Use Undo to try another approach.
Controls
Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. 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. Your next round may have a different position, so inspect it before acting. Choose a deliberate next step.
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. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.
Common questions
When I return, what is the goal of Lights Out?
Turn every light off. Every supplied starting state is made by valid flips from an all-off board and is therefore solvable.
For a quick reminder, how do I control Lights Out?
For clarity: Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.
For this browser game, what example helps explain Lights Out?
Tapping the centre changes five cells. Tapping a corner changes three. Diagonal neighbours are not affected.
For this browser game, what should I watch out for in Lights Out?
The key detail is this: An unlit tile can still be tapped; it may be necessary to solve the board.
As a new player, what format does Lights Out offer?
Here is the relevant explanation: Play using the solo mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For this browser game, which play mode does Lights Out use?
The key detail is this: The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.