We've all been there. You're cruising through your daily Stars puzzle, placing stars left and right, when suddenly...nothing. Every move is wrong. Every empty cell seems impossible. Don't worry—getting stuck is part of the puzzle-solving journey, and we've got some tried-and-true strategies to get you unstuck.
Quick wins (try these first)
Check your work
Many "stuck" moments are actually errors hiding in plain sight. Take a minute to scan your existing stars and X marks. Did anything get placed incorrectly? You can also use the “Check” button to check your work so far. Sometimes fixing one small mistake opens up the entire puzzle.
Use the hint system
Our hint system isn't just there to give you answers—it's designed to teach you new solving techniques. When you're truly stuck, a well-timed hint can show you a pattern you hadn't noticed or remind you of a rule you'd forgotten. Think of hints as your personal puzzle tutor.
Look differently
Fresh eyes strategy
This one's simple but surprisingly effective: step away for 10-15 minutes (or even a few hours or days!). Grab a coffee, take a quick walk, or just look at something else entirely. When you come back, your brain often spots patterns that were invisible before. It's like magic, except it's just how our minds work.
Rotate your device
If you're solving on a phone or tablet, try turning it sideways. Your brain processes visual information differently in landscape vs portrait mode, and this simple shift in perspective can make new solutions pop out.
Start from scratch
Sometimes clearing your progress and starting over isn't giving up—it's strategic. Entering the flow of placing stars from the beginning helps you approach the puzzle differently and often leads to a completely different (and successful) solving path.
Look for the "obvious" move
When we're stuck, we often overthink and hunt for complex patterns while missing simple logical steps right in front of us. Take a breath and look for the most straightforward move available. Sometimes the puzzle is easier than we're making it.
Print the puzzle
Sometimes engaging with paper makes all the difference. The tactile experience of using a pencil, the ability to make quick notes in margins, or just seeing the puzzle in a different format can unlock new approaches. Plus, there's something satisfying about solving puzzles the old-fashioned way.
Get help
Ask a friend
Two brains are often better than one. Even if your friend doesn't know how to play Stars, explaining where you're stuck often reveals the solution. Something about talking through your thinking process out loud helps clarify the next steps.
Email us with a screenshot
We genuinely love helping users learn, and every question helps us improve our hint system too. Don't hesitate to reach out—we're here to help you succeed, not struggle. We’re available at support@inkwellgames.com and try to reply within the day.
Watch a solving video
Sometimes seeing the technique in action makes everything click. Our YouTube channel has walkthroughs that show different solving approaches in real time.
When all else fails
It's okay to not finish
Tomorrow's puzzle is always waiting, and there's no shame in moving on. Every puzzle teaches you something, even the ones you don't finish.
Remember: struggling means you're learning
The best Stars players get stuck too. Every moment of confusion is your brain building new pattern-recognition skills. Getting stuck isn't a sign you're bad at puzzles—it's a sign you're growing as a solver.
The next time you find yourself staring at a half-finished Stars puzzle, try one of these strategies. Most importantly, remember that puzzles are supposed to be fun. If you're getting frustrated, it's always okay to take a break and come back tomorrow.
Happy puzzling!
