Phasmophobia Yurei Door Test: Stop Arresting Innocent Doors

Niels Gys

36 minutes ago

5 min read

A ghost fully closing or slamming a door does not prove it's a Yurei in Phasmophobia. Other ghosts can do exactly the same thing. What makes Yurei different is how it normally interacts with doors outside hunts, its special ability to close one while draining 15% sanity, and its reaction to Incense.

Strangely enough, a door moving partially is often more useful than one slamming shut. Under normal conditions, that points away from Yurei. A complete closure merely keeps it on the suspect list.

So if you've been identifying Yurei every time a door slams, you've essentially been identifying murder suspects by checking whether they know how to use a handle.

Phasmophobia investigator shines a purple UV flashlight on ghostly handprints covering a half-open door, apparently the latest suspect in a Yurei investigation.

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How to actually test for Yurei using doors

During ordinary interactions outside hunts, a Yurei normally moves eligible doors fully open or fully closed. Other ghosts can leave them partially open, although they're perfectly capable of shutting them completely too.

Find a door the ghost regularly interacts with, leave it partially open and observe what happens:

Partially moved door: Points away from Yurei during a normal interaction.
Fully opened or closed door: Yurei remains possible, but this proves nothing by itself.
Door slammed during a ghost event: Other ghosts can do this too.
Door moved during a hunt: The usual distinction doesn't apply.

The problem is that players concentrate on the impressive part. A door slamming shut feels significant. Meanwhile, a door opening halfway and stopping might tell you considerably more.

It's wonderfully backwards. You can spend ten minutes waiting for something spectacular, only to discover the most useful clue was a bedroom door opening six inches.

Certain door types and technical oddities can also interfere with observations, so avoid ruling out a ghost based on one questionable interaction.

The actual Yurei ability involves sanity loss

Yurei can close an open door in its room while draining 15% sanity from players within 7.5 metres. The closure is smooth rather than necessarily producing a dramatic slam, and the interaction can generate EMF Level 2.

This is much stronger evidence than simply finding a closed door.

Unfortunately, Phasmophobia doesn't notify you when the ghost deducts 15% of your sanity for standing near its bedroom.

Imagine checking your bank account and discovering someone has taken 15% of your savings because a door closed nearby. You'd be furious. In Phasmophobia, apparently, that's acceptable paranormal administration. And naturally, there's no refund department.

Monitor sanity while observing suspicious door closures, preferably under conditions where other sources of sanity loss are limited. Players outside the ability's range won't suffer the penalty, so positioning matters.

Even then, remember The Mimic can copy Yurei's ability. One convincing observation doesn't automatically settle the investigation.

A terrifying, decaying ghost approaches through a dark hallway in Phasmophobia, illuminated by a player's flashlight, while the investigation takes a sudden turn from paranormal research to immediate evacuation.

Survived the ghost and escaped to the truck? Congratulations. Your Xbox might now murder the investigation when you check the cameras. Here's the workaround before your television finishes the ghost's job.

Incense gives you another clue

Using Incense near a Yurei restricts its roaming for approximately 90 seconds, keeping it inside its favourite room.

First, establish where the ghost's favourite room is and use motion sensors to observe its movements. Apply Incense to the ghost, then monitor whether it leaves the room during the restriction period.

If it stays inside, that supports Yurei. If you reliably observe it roaming elsewhere, Yurei becomes unlikely, assuming you've identified the correct room and successfully affected the ghost.

There is one obvious problem: the ghost might simply decide not to leave.

You're essentially trying to prove someone has been locked in their bedroom because they haven't come downstairs. Perhaps they're trapped. Perhaps they're asleep. Perhaps they've heard four strangers arguing about door hinges and want absolutely no involvement.

Treat this as supporting evidence, particularly when combined with suspicious door behaviour.

Why Yurei door behaviour caused confusion in 2026

In July 2026, Kinetic Games fixed a bug allowing other ghosts to mimic Yurei's door ability.

Which is spectacular when you think about it. Phasmophobia asks you to identify ghosts through distinctive behaviour, then accidentally gives everybody access to the same supposedly unique ability.

Imagine a police lineup where the suspect wore a bright yellow chicken costume, only for the police to dress every suspect in an identical chicken costume before asking you to identify the culprit.

Well, fucking brilliant. Shall we compare beaks?

Then, in August, Kinetic fixed another issue where door-closing audio could play long after the animation, creating false suspicions of Yurei behaviour.

So other ghosts could perform the wrong ability, while door noises arrived late enough to make things even more confusing. At that point, I'm not sure whether we're investigating ghosts or diagnosing a haunted doorbell installation.

Both issues have since been addressed. The October 7 update introduced no further Yurei door-behaviour changes.

Can doors alone confirm Yurei?

A completely closed door cannot confirm Yurei. Ordinary partial movements outside hunts are more useful for eliminating it, while the special sanity-draining closure and Incense restriction provide additional evidence.

Account for hunts, ghost events, unusual door behaviour and The Mimic before making your decision.

Because there's nothing quite as embarrassing as confidently declaring Yurei, packing up your equipment and discovering it was a Hantu.

The poor bastard only wanted to close a door, and you've accused it of being an entirely different species.

Two Phasmophobia ghost hunters examine equipment inside the investigation truck, surrounded by surveillance monitors and a team sanity display, presumably checking how much of their mental stability the ghost has stolen.

Had enough of ghosts slamming doors in your face? Try being the bastard responsible. In Ghost Keeper, you command the haunting instead of investigating it. See what happens when the ghosts finally get promoted to management.

Phasmophobia Yurei Door Test FAQ

Does a door slamming shut mean it's a Yurei?

No. Other ghosts can fully close or slam doors too, particularly during ghost events. A closed door alone doesn't confirm Yurei, regardless of how enthusiastically the ghost attacks the hinges.

How do you rule out Yurei using doors?

Watch an ordinary door interaction outside a hunt. If the ghost moves an eligible door but leaves it partially open, that generally rules out Yurei. Yurei normally moves eligible doors fully open or closed.

How much sanity does the Yurei's door ability drain?

The Yurei's special ability drains 15% sanity from players within 7.5 metres when triggered. This is separate from ordinary door interactions.

Does Incense help identify a Yurei?

Yes. Incense restricts a Yurei's roaming for approximately 90 seconds, keeping it in its favourite room. However, a ghost staying put isn't proof by itself. It might simply have no plans to go anywhere.

Can The Mimic copy Yurei's door ability?

Yes. The Mimic can imitate Yurei's special ability, so even a convincing door interaction isn't absolute confirmation. Check for Mimic evidence before declaring the case closed.