Spoiler warning: This page explains the current audiotape collection loop and the reported 6 of 7 problem. Keep the route checklist closed if you want to find the tapes without guidance.
Achievement requirements
Steam publishes audiotape milestones for finding 1, 5, and 7 tapes. The final requirement is seven valid counts. Steam does not publish seven fixed locations, a coordinate list, or a requirement to find an eighth physical tape.
Treat the unlock notification and recorded count as the achievement evidence. A visible tape model and a counted pickup are not proven to be interchangeable in every affected save.
Current issue reports
The maintained community source records players reaching a displayed 6 of 7 state or seeing the physical display and achievement count disagree. Some players report that another physical pickup caused the final unlock, but that is an issue report, not an official requirement, a universal workaround, or proof that the achievement requires eight tapes.
Do not delete a save or overwrite the only good slot to test that report. Preserve a separate manual save and record what the display, counter, and Steam notification show after each pickup.
Patch-sensitive collection loop
Audiotape collection checklist
Show the audiotape collection loop
Preserve a known-good save
Safety step
Leave the last good save untouched and create a separate manual save before investigating a stalled count.Record all three signals
Baseline
Note the physical display, the in-game count, and any Steam unlock notification before opening more piles.Continue the normal trash-pile loop
Collection phase
Open trash piles during regular yard cycles. The supplied evidence does not support seven fixed tape coordinates.Check the public milestones
Progress control
Verify progress at 1, 5, and 7 valid counts rather than assuming each physical model advanced the achievement.Stop if the signals disagree
Issue boundary
Keep the separate save and record the result. Do not turn a report about an additional pickup into a promised fix.
Because the current reports describe a counter mismatch, a later patch can change both the symptom and the collection behavior. Check the date of any workaround before relying on it, and prefer an official fix note when one becomes available.
Use the achievement guide for the complete public milestone list. If the issue also affects saving, loading, or upgrades, follow the preservation-first save troubleshooting guide.