Main Sequence: I Don't Know If This Is Me or the Game Being Dumb, but How Do I Load…

What you need to know

Loading items from a dock to a ship relies on the conveyor belt and the load order filters. The belt processes items from the bottom of the source container first, and the ship’s filter counts every matching item already in its inventory, not just what the dock is trying to move. If the belt or the ship’s filter is blocked, loading will stop.

Step by step

1. Check the belt’s source container – Open the container that feeds the belt and verify the items are arranged so the ones you want to load are at the bottom. Items higher up will be processed later.
2. Inspect the belt for obstructions – Look for any item in the belt’s path that isn’t on your load list. Even a single mismatched item can halt the entire transfer.
3. Delete and rebuild the belt – If you suspect an obstruction or a glitch, remove the belt entirely and place a new one, reconnecting it to the dock and the ship.
4. Review the ship’s load filter – Open the ship’s filter settings and see what quantity is set for each item. Remember that the number reflects the total amount already on the ship.
5. Adjust the filter quantity if needed – If the ship already holds the amount specified (e.g., 50 of an item), increase the filter limit or remove some of that item from the ship’s inventory so the dock can add more.
6. Test the loading – After rebuilding the belt and confirming the filter limits, start the loading process again and watch the belt move items onto the ship.

Tips

• Keep the source container organized so the desired items sit at the bottom; this prevents unwanted items from blocking the belt.
• Regularly monitor the ship’s inventory counts; the filter limit includes everything already on board, not just what’s being transferred.
• If loading stops unexpectedly, the quickest check is to delete and replace the belt—this often clears hidden glitches.
• When using multiple load orders, make sure each order’s filter quantity is higher than the current amount on the ship to avoid silent stalls.