Crisis at Hyrule Castle is a long Main Quest in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It starts soon after Link reaches Lookout Landing, but the story pauses while he investigates the four Regional Phenomena. The castle section begins after those regional storylines are finished. Here is everything you need to do to complete the Crisis at Hyrule Castle mission in TOTK!

How to complete the Crisis at Hyrule Castle mission step by step

Follow these steps to complete the mission:

1. Finish Regional Phenomena and report to Purah

Complete Tulin of Rito Village, Yunobo of Goron City, Sidon of the Zora, and Riju of Gerudo Town. Return to the telescope at Lookout Landing and speak with Purah. A Blood Moon scene shows Zelda at the floating castle, and Purah sends Link after her.

2. Reach the floating Hyrule Castle

Launch from Lookout Landing Skyview Tower and glide north. Use stamina food if Link cannot make the full trip. Aim for the southeastern side of the castle, where a small drawbridge leads toward the Second Gatehouse.

The castle visit does not start the final Ganondorf battle.

3. Clear the Second Gatehouse

Drop through the roof into the Second Gatehouse. Zelda vanishes and leaves Link against a Black Boss Bokoblin and several Bokoblins. Remove the smaller enemies first if they keep interrupting you, then attack the boss.

Use Ascend to return to the roof after the fight. Follow the yellow quest marker instead of heading straight to the Sanctum.

4. Activate Serutabomac Shrine and enter the Library

Glide northeast through the open doorway and follow the path toward B2. Climb the rocks near Serutabomac Shrine and activate it. This creates a useful fast-travel point near the castle route.

Take the stairs below the shrine to B3 and enter the Library. Shoot the Black Hinox in the eye, then attack while it sits dazed. Elemental Chuchus also enter the fight. Their bursts can hurt the Hinox, but stay clear of the blast.

5. Defeat the Gibdos north of the Library

Take the eastern staircase from the Library. Three Gibdos and one Moth Gibdo block the next marker. Hit them with an elemental attack first. Once their pale armor changes, normal weapons can damage them.

The corridor is narrow, so do not use explosive materials at close range.

6. Search Princess Zelda's Room

Continue past the shrine area and through the cave path. Horriblins and several stronger enemies patrol this section. Use Ascend at the dead end, then drop into Princess Zelda's Room.

Three Fire-Breath Lizalfos attack here. Ice arrows or ice-fused weapons can remove them quickly. Take the Royal Bow from the wall before you leave.

7. Clear the Water Pump Room and corridor

Return to the upper room, drop from the western side, and glide down to the B3 Water Pump Room. Defeat the Ice Keese and Silver Moblin, then use Ascend to leave.

Follow the route toward the corridor east of the round spiral staircase. Three Shock Likes guard the final marker. Wait for each mouth to open, shoot the weak point, and attack while it reels.

8. Enter the Sanctum and defeat Phantom Ganon

Follow Zelda's final call to the Sanctum. The scene reveals that Ganondorf created the Zelda impostor inside the castle.

The first wave has three Phantom Ganons. Focus on one while the Sage avatars distract the others. Use a side hop or backflip to trigger Flurry Rush. Headshots can stop a charging Phantom Ganon.

The second wave has five Phantom Ganons. One copy moves away and spreads gloom across the floor. Shoot that enemy in the head as soon as the gloom starts moving, then return to the nearest target.

How to fully finish Crisis at Hyrule Castle

Defeating Phantom Ganon does not immediately close the Main Quest. Collect the Heart Container, return to Lookout Landing, and speak with Purah. The group realizes that a fifth Sage is missing, which starts Find the Fifth Sage.

Complete Secret of the Ring Ruins and Guidance from Ages Past to find Mineru, the Sage of Spirit. Report to Purah again after Mineru joins Link. Crisis at Hyrule Castle will then move to the completed section of the Adventure Log.

Players who find Mineru early can still complete the Crisis at Hyrule Castle mission in TOTK. The game changes the dialogue and closes the related quests after the castle report.