[Crank Handle

An item found in a locked box inside the library, used to operate the broken clock puzzle.

Verification: Human verified

The Crank Handle is a quest item in Escape Academy's "Where There's Smoke" / Burning Library level. It is found alongside an Hourglass inside a locked box in the library, and its sole purpose is to replace the missing middle crank on the broken clock puzzle in the main library area. Without it, the clock puzzle cannot be solved and the path deeper into the level stays sealed.

Where to Find the Crank Handle

The Crank Handle is stored in a lock box in the library section of the level, near a box secured with a directional lock. The box opens with the sequence Right, Right, Up, Left, Down, Up, Left, Left [src-e1ae555f25] [src-59f8d3957c]. Input that sequence on the directional lock to open the box, then grab both items inside — the Crank Handle and the Hourglass [src-cc415a0c9f] [src-6bdc604a49]. The Hourglass is needed later for a separate puzzle, so take it now; the door behind you crumbles once you leave this area, meaning you cannot come back for anything you leave behind [src-e1ae555f25].

How to Use It

Return to the main library area and head to the central plinth, looking directly ahead at the wall of clocks. You'll see three clocks but only two cranks installed, with an empty slot in the middle [src-e1ae555f25]. Interact with the bottom slot and insert the Crank Handle to complete the mechanism [src-cc415a0c9f]. With all three cranks in place, you can now rotate the clocks.

Step-by-Step Clock [Puzzle Solution

Each crank controls a different set of clocks [src-e1ae555f25]:

• Left crank: turns the small clock only
• Middle crank: turns the large and medium clocks
• Right crank: turns the medium and small clocks

The target positions are shown above the clocks — hands at 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 10 o'clock — with the large clock needing 6, the medium needing 2, and the small needing 10 [src-e1ae555f25]. Note that some walkthroughs describe the goal as getting a Roman numeral VI at the bottom of each clock [src-cc415a0c9f] [src-6bdc604a49]; both descriptions refer to the same solved state. Solve in this order:

1. Turn the middle crank until the large clock points to 6 o'clock.
2. Turn the right crank until the medium clock points to 2 o'clock (this also moves the small clock — ignore it for now).
3. Turn the left crank until the small clock points to 10 o'clock.

When all three clocks are correct, a button is revealed; press it to open the way forward into the upside-down room [src-6bdc604a49] [src-e1ae555f25].

Tips

• Grab the Crank Handle and Hourglass in the same interaction — the box contains both, and the area locks behind you [src-cc415a0c9f].
• If you're stuck on the clock logic, work from the large clock down: the middle crank is the only one that moves the large clock, so start there [src-e1ae555f25].
• The Crank Handle has no use outside this puzzle; once the clocks are solved, you won't need it again.

Rewards

Solving the clock puzzle opens the upside-down room containing ladder mazes, an inverted chest (code 9896 read right-side up, appearing as 6869 upside down) [src-6bdc604a49], and one of the four Strange Tiles required to unlock the level's secret exit [src-e1ae555f25].

Details

type

Item

Sources

• Escape Academy Walkthrough | ALL Achievements / Trophies
• Escape Academy: How To Escape The Burning Library
• Escape Academy - All Achievements/Trophies Walkthrough - 100% Puzzle Solution Guide (Xbox Game Pass)
• Escape Academy Where There's Smoke Walkthrough