Starfield: How to hide contraband on a spaceship from the scanner? Starfield guide, tips

In Starfield, the scanner jammer and shielded cargo bay help hide contraband on your ship. From this guide page, you'll learn how to install new parts on your ship and how to successfully pass scans on orbits.

Last update: 31 August 2023

In Starfield, you must hide your contraband from being detected by the scanner. Our guide explains in detail how the scan jammer and the shielded cargo hold work. You'll also learn where to buy these components, how to install them, and how to reduce the risk of being detected by an on-orbit scanner.

• The problem of scanning a ship for contraband
• Reaching The Key - base of the Crimson Fleet
• Scanner jammer
• Shielded cargo hold
• Moving contraband into the shielded cargo hold
• Avoiding detection by the scanner

The problem of scanning a ship for contraband

1. Contraband in the world of Starfield is treated as smuggling illegal goods and is actively pursued. This means that you can easily fall foul of the law if you are caught in possession of contraband.
2. Your spaceship can be scanned for contraband after you reach a colonized system under the control of the UC, specifically when you are in the orbit of a planet or moon. You'll receive an order to maintain the course for the duration of the scan.

In the beginning, you cannot hide contraband on the ship in any way - it'll be detected by the scanner if it's in the inventory of one of the companions or in the hold. You'll be called by a military ship and you have 2 main options:

1. Voluntary Arrest - you'll be transported to a prison and you'll lose all contraband, stolen items, and some XP.
2. Escape - you'll be treated as an enemy and you have to hurry before you are shot at by (strong) opponents. This isn't a good idea, because even with a successful escape or a won battle, the bounty imposed on you'll increase.

If you acquired contraband early in the game, avoid the scanned systems or leave the contraband in a built outpost.

Reaching The Key - base of the Crimson Fleet

Space pirates from the Crimson Fleet will help you hide the contraband. The space pirates are hiding in the game world and you have to establish a relationship with them - we discussed this on a separate page How to join the Crimson Fleet? The most important steps are:

1. Detection of contraband by scanner, getting arrested and starting a spy mission Deep Cover.
2. Complete the next mission Rook Meets King.

Eventually, you'll learn that the Crimson Fleet's space station is located in the Kryx system. By making contact with the space pirates, you can dock at their base.

1. Once you are at the Key station, head to the Ship Services shop run by Jasmine Durand. Choose the dialogue option I'd like to view and modify my ships.
2. Once the ship window is loaded, choose a Frontier ship or another of your own. You must personally install components to hide the contraband, so open the Shipbuilder (B key).

Scanner jammer

1. You have to install components from two different categories. Scanner jammer allows you to manipulate the scanner, which is used by the UC to check incoming ships. It doesn't guarantee 100% effectiveness, but it can reduce the risk of detection.
2. The perfect place to install the scanner jammer on the Frontier is above the cabin - we marked it in the picture.

Press the key to add new components (G on the keyboard). In the upper right corner of the screen, tabs for browsing parts to purchase will appear. Go to the Equipment tab, where there should be 2 scanner jammers:

1. The single frequency jammer is cheaper and widely available, but it works weaker.
2. The dual frequency jammer gives you a better chance of evading detection when scanning. Unfortunately, besides paying a higher price, you have to unlock the Ship Builder skill, which allows you to install more advanced components.

Place the selected scanner jammer in the previously marked section, so above the cabin in our example.

Shielded cargo hold

1. The shielded cargo hold allows you to place contraband inside, which can be hidden during scanning. Note that just installing a new cargo hold isn't enough, and you must also have the scanner jammer described above installed.
2. For the Frontier ship, you won't find a free slot for a new cargo hold. The simplest way is to dispose of the current cargo hold - select it in the creator (the picture above) and press the delete key (DEL on the keyboard).

1. Select the spot after the old cargo hold and press the add component key. Go to the cargo hold tab. The list should include the Ballast shielded cargo hold in 2 sizes and the Frontier ship will fit the one identical to the starting one, namely 100CM. You can place it in the empty spot where the old removed cargo hold used to be.
2. Sadly , the shielded cargo hold has a smaller capacity than the traditional one. Certain ship parameters, such as jump range or mobility, may also change to the disadvantage. Later in the game, we suggest getting a larger ship so that even with a shielded cargo hold you can carry a large cargo.

1. After installing both parts, you can close the Shipbuilder. You must confirm the changes and pay for the components.
2. The game may not allow you to add components if there is an error message in the creator. It can mean, for instance, that the components were installed in the wrong places. You have to fix that. If you can't find the errors, exit without saving and reload the creator.

Moving contraband into the shielded cargo hold

1. Aboard the ship, use the cargo hold terminal - usually it's located behind the cockpit as shown in the picture.
2. Choose the option transfer items (R key). The items classified as contraband are in the Misc tab. Move them one by one to the cargo hold.

Avoiding detection by the scanner

1. With your contraband hidden and the scanner jammer installed, return to any system where ships are scanned. The percentage chances of avoiding detection of contraband will appear (65% in our example). Wait until the scan is finished.
2. We suggest saving the game before making the jump to the scanned system, as you don't have a 100% chance. Also, try to replace the scanner jammer with a better one quite early.