If you’ve ever been mid-way through building a planetary base or upgrading your multi-tool’s damage output only to hit a wall because you don’t know how to get a wiring loom in No Man's Sky, you’re not alone. I’ve been in that situation more times than I can count, stopping mid-teleporter build to warp across three systems looking for the last component I need. Wiring looms are one of the most versatile crafting components in the game, used for everything from exosuit upgrades to advanced base tech, so having a steady supply makes every part of gameplay smoother. This guide breaks down every reliable method to get them, so you can pick the option that fits your playstyle best.
Craft a Wiring Loom Yourself: The Most Reliable Method
Crafting is by far the most consistent way to get a wiring loom whenever you need it, no matter where you are in the galaxy. First, you’ll need to unlock the blueprint, which you can get for 2 Salvaged Data from the Construction Research Station on the Space Anomaly. If you’ve progressed past the first hour of the main Awakenings quest, you might already have the blueprint unlocked automatically, so check your crafting menu first to save yourself the Salvaged Data.
The recipe for a wiring loom is 1 Microprocessor and 30 Chromatic Metal. Both components are easy to source even in early game. Microprocessors can be crafted with 40 Copper and 20 Carbon, or bought from space station vendors for around 12,000 units each. Chromatic Metal is made by refining any of the colored stellar metals (Copper, Cadmium, Emeril, Indium) in a refiner, so you can pick whichever is most accessible in your current system.
So, this method is perfect if you don’t want to waste units or run around looking for loot. The only downside is that you need access to a refiner to make the Chromatic Metal and Microprocessor if you don’t have them pre-made. Always carry at least one portable refiner with you when traveling and you’ll never be stuck without the ability to make a wiring loom on demand. If you’re planning a big base build that requires dozens of wiring looms, crafting them in bulk is the most cost-effective approach.
Buy Wiring Looms From In-Game Vendors For Fast Access
If you need a wiring loom right now and don’t have time to gather crafting materials, buying one from a vendor is your best bet. You don’t have to hunt for rare resources or fight Sentinels, just pull out your units and pick up what you need in 30 seconds flat. Space station tech vendors sell wiring looms for 50,000 units on average, which is a small price to pay if you’re only missing one to finish a big upgrade.
You can also find wiring looms for sale from settlement vendors, or even from random NPCs walking around space stations or trading outposts. But be careful, some NPCs will mark up the price by 20-30% compared to the standard space station vendor price, so always check the station’s main tech vendor first before buying from a random passerby. Vendor inventories reset every 20 minutes, or immediately if you warp to a different star system, so if a vendor is out of stock you can just jump to a nearby system and check their station instead.
This method is best for players who have a solid unit income and don’t want to spend time grinding materials. If you regularly sell high-value crafted items like Stasis Devices or Fusion Igniters, you can easily afford to buy 20+ wiring looms at a time to keep in storage for future projects. The only real downside is the cost, which adds up fast if you need a large number for a complex base or full set of ship upgrades.
Loot Wiring Looms From In-Game Locations For Free
You don’t have to spend units or crafting materials to get a wiring loom if you’re willing to do a little exploring. There are dozens of locations across the galaxy where wiring looms spawn as free loot, and you can often pick up multiple at once with a single run. Some of the most reliable spots to find them include:
- Damaged cargo pods on planetary surfaces: You can find these scattered near drop pods, abandoned buildings, and crashed ships, and they often contain high-value crafting components like wiring looms. You don’t need to fight anyone to open them, just walk up and interact.
- Sentinel supply depots: If you don't mind angering a few Sentinels, raiding their supply depots will almost always net you at least one wiring loom, plus other rare upgrade materials like Pugneum and Superconducting Fibers.
- Abandoned freighters and wrecked freighter pods: When you encounter a derelict freighter in space, exploring its interior will give you multiple chances to find wiring looms in storage crates and lockers. You can usually find 2-4 per derelict run.
- NPC manufacturing facilities: Raiding these guarded facilities gives you access to storage rooms that regularly spawn wiring looms, along with other valuable crafting blueprints you can’t get anywhere else.
Abandoned freighters are the most consistent free source of wiring looms, since you don’t have to deal with respawning Sentinels like you do at planetary depots. Just make sure you bring plenty of hazard protection and a few stacks of oxygen, since derelict freighters have no breathable air and some rooms have toxic or radioactive environments. This method is perfect for players who love exploring and don’t mind a little bit of risk for free rewards.
Pro Tips to Stock Up on Wiring Looms Fast
Once you know the basic methods to get wiring looms, there are a few small tricks you can use to build up a stockpile in a fraction of the time. First, never buy wiring looms from roaming planetary NPCs, they almost always charge 1.5 to 2x the standard space station price, and you can get the same component for way cheaper just by warping to the nearest system’s station.
If you play multiplayer, don’t be afraid to ask your friends if they have extra wiring looms to spare. Most long-time players have stacks of 50+ sitting in their storage that they don’t need, and many will happily give you a handful for free to help you finish a build. Just make sure to return the favor later if they need a component you have a surplus of.
If you’re going the crafting route, set up a small automatic farming base for Chromatic Metal and Copper near a portal. That way you can warp back anytime you need to restock on components to make dozens of wiring looms in 10 minutes or less. Keep a stock of 5 to 10 wiring looms in your personal inventory at all times, so you never get stuck mid-exploration when you find a new upgrade that requires one to install.
If you don’t care about sticking to legitimate play, there are well-documented duplication glitches that work for all crafting components, including wiring looms. Just note that using these can take away the sense of progression from the game, so it’s up to your personal preference whether you want to use them or not.
At the end of the day, there’s a way to get a wiring loom in No Man's Sky for every playstyle, whether you prefer grinding materials to craft, spending units for fast access, or exploring for free loot. I personally use a mix of all three: I craft most of my supply in bulk at my base, buy extra when I’m in a hurry, and grab any I find as loot when I’m out exploring. Once you build up a solid stock, you’ll never have to pause your projects again to hunt down this essential component, and you’ll be able to tackle any build or upgrade that comes your way.
