How Do I Solve the Clock Puzzle in Resident Evil Village?

Resident Evil Village is packed with unsettling enemies, gorgeous Gothic architecture, and a handful of memorable puzzles that blend tension and logic. Among these brain teasers, one of the most atmospheric and deceptively simple is the clock puzzle, located in House Beneviento, a sequence that is as eerie as it is fascinating.

But like many of Village’s best moments, this puzzle isn’t just about turning gears — it’s layered with psychological horror, clues hidden in plain sight, and an environment that plays tricks on your perception. Whether you’re stuck staring at the antique clock or just want to avoid missing key details, this guide will walk you through the complete solution, while offering tips and context to enhance your experience.

Where Is the Clock Puzzle Located?

You’ll encounter the clock puzzle during your time in House Beneviento, which becomes accessible after defeating Lady Dimitrescu in Castle Dimitrescu and obtaining the Four-Winged Key.

As Ethan Winters, your visit to House Beneviento marks a dramatic shift from combat-heavy sequences to psychological horror and puzzle-solving. You’re stripped of your weapons and must explore the house to find your way out — unraveling the mystery behind Donna Beneviento and her disturbing puppet companion, Angie.

The clock puzzle appears in a dimly lit hallway adjacent to the Study Room, after progressing through the early portions of the house, including:

  • Performing an autopsy-like examination on a doll replica of Mia
  • Unlocking several doors using silver keys
  • Collecting key items like the Winding Key and Music Box Cylinder

Eventually, you’ll come to a hallway with a large grandfather clock ticking ominously in the background. This is where the clock puzzle begins.

Puzzle Objective: What Do You Need to Do?

The goal of the clock puzzle is simple in theory: set the time correctly on the grandfather clock to unlock a hidden door and progress through the house. However, like many puzzles in the Resident Evil franchise, the solution isn’t immediately obvious — and requires attention to detail and exploration.

Step-by-Step Solution to the Clock Puzzle

Step 1: Listen for the Clue

As you approach the grandfather clock, you’ll hear the ticking sound — a subtle prompt that this item is interactive. If you inspect it, you’ll see movable clock hands and a small plaque that hints at something being “off” about the time.

What you need to do now is find a matching time somewhere else in the house. This is a classic Resident Evil trick: mirroring objects in one area to unlock another.

Step 2: Explore the Bedroom for the Matching Clock

Backtrack slightly to the bedroom section of the house, near where you examined the Mia doll. In this room, you’ll find another smaller clock — a mantel clock on a nightstand or dresser.

Inspect this secondary clock carefully. It’s not just background detail. The correct time is shown on its face — usually:

đź•’ 11:05

This time may vary slightly depending on your version or platform, but in most standard versions of the game, 11:05 is the correct solution.

Step 3: Return to the Grandfather Clock

Now head back to the large clock in the hallway. Interact with it and:

  • Rotate the hour hand to 11
  • Rotate the minute hand to 5
  • Confirm your selection

If done correctly, the clock will chime loudly, and the wall beside it will open to reveal a hidden passageway leading deeper into the house.

This sequence not only progresses the story, but marks a shift in tone — signaling that you’re about to descend into one of the most unnerving parts of Resident Evil Village.

What Happens After Solving the Puzzle?

Once you’ve unlocked the hidden passageway, you’ll enter a dark elevator shaft that leads to a subterranean section of the house. What follows is a disturbing encounter that blends sound design, lighting, and tension — culminating in a terrifying chase sequence involving a grotesque, crying baby creature.

This area, while combat-free, is one of the most iconic horror segments in modern gaming, and solving the clock puzzle is your entry ticket into it.

Tips for Solving the Clock Puzzle Smoothly

  • Don’t rush. The eerie atmosphere can be overwhelming, but patience is key.
  • Examine everything. Resident Evil puzzles often rely on item descriptions or hidden visual cues.
  • Use the map. If you’re lost, the in-game map marks areas where items are still to be discovered.
  • Adjust brightness if needed. House Beneviento is dimly lit, and some players miss the bedroom clock due to darkness or glare.
  • Sound matters. The ticking clock, chimes, and background sounds all serve as subtle guides — wear headphones if possible for immersion and spatial awareness.

The Puzzle’s Role in the Bigger Picture

Unlike some puzzles that feel like roadblocks, the clock puzzle in Resident Evil Village is masterfully integrated into the narrative and environmental storytelling.

It:

  • Reinforces the theme of time, memory, and trauma that runs through House Beneviento
  • Acts as a metaphor for the psychological unraveling of the protagonist
  • Uses classic Resident Evil mechanics (matching objects, symbolic unlocks) in a fresh, atmospheric way

Rather than pulling players out of the experience, the puzzle deepens the immersion — reminding you that in this part of the game, you’re not just fighting monsters, you’re uncovering layers of psychological horror.

Final Thoughts: A Small Puzzle with Big Impact

The clock puzzle in Resident Evil Village is a prime example of how Capcom balances tension, logic, and storytelling. While the solution (11:05) might seem minor, the process of discovering it — and the eerie journey it initiates — leaves a lasting impression.

By:

  • Paying attention to environmental cues
  • Exploring thoroughly
  • Applying subtle logic

…you can solve the puzzle with confidence and enjoy one of the game’s most impactful sequences.

If you’re stuck or overwhelmed by the horror, take comfort in this: the scariest parts are often behind the doors we just unlocked.