Hollow Knight: Silksong has many detours, and one of the biggest roadblocks you’ll hit during Act 2 is the Whiteward inside the Citadel. To get through it, you need the White Key to unlock the lift. Without it, you can’t go down to Whiteward and will be stuck in the top half of the Citadel. This guide tells the Silksong White Key location, how to get it if you miss the first time, and where to use it to continue your progress in the game.
How to Get White Key in Hollow Knight: Silksong
White Key can be found in Songclave, a settlement that appears once you reach the First Temple in the top right northeast of the Citadel. After ringing the bell inside the temple, go back outside and head east past the main entrance. At the end of the path as marked on the map in the above image, the way forward is blocked by a metal fence, and just before it, you’ll see the White Key on the ground.
What If the Key Doesn’t Appear
You won’t see the White Key at the location if you ring the temple bell before exploring. In that case, Songclave changes—NPCs appear, a job board shows up, and the key disappears. If this happens, you’ll need to complete the Wandering Merchant quest. Head left from Songclave and go down into the lower Citadel tunnels. You’ll encounter the hidden merchant after dealing with a couple of enemies. Speak to them, then return to Songclave. The merchant relocates to just right of the temple entrance. From there, you can purchase the White Key for 220 Rosaries.
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How to Use the White Key in Silksong
With the key in hand, go to the Choral Chambers. Head down toward the lower eastern side of the Citadel until you come across a sealed white lock marked with the surgical symbol. Interact with it, and Hornet will use the White Key to open the mechanism. This unlocks the lift that carries you down into Whiteward—a location that connects the Citadel to the Underworks’ eastern part. Once you get there, you also unlock the Clawline (grappling hook) ability, which is one of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s best movement upgrades.
