Step 0 – Solve a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube
Solving the 4×4 Rubik’s cube is very similar to solving the 3×3 Rubik’s cube, it just requires a few more algorithms to learn, so the first thing you need to do is solve a 3×3 Rubik’s cube.
Refer to How to Solve a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube in Under 2 Minutes.
Moves
Same move notations apply to the 4×4 as the 3×3 cube, with 2 differences:
1. Lower-case letters mean turning 2 layers of the corresponding face.
2. The number “2” before the face letter (e.g. 2R) means moving only the internal layer of the corresponding face.
3. An additional face notation B for back is added.
The Difference Between a 4×4 and a 3×3 Cube
The Center Block
The center – Unlike a center piece in a 3×3, which is fixed and thus represents the color of it’s face, the 4×4 cube doesn’t have a single center piece, but rather 4 center pieces per face which aren’t fixed in position. We will refer to the 4 matching center pieces as a Center Block.
The Edge Block
The edges – Each edge on a 4×4 cube has 2 pieces instead of the 1 on a 3×3. 2 matching edge pieces paired together are called an edge block.
Step 1 – Solve the Center Blocks
Identify 2 Opposite Centers
The first step to solving a Rubik’s cube is to figure out the faces. On a 3×3 the color of the face matches the center cube – job done. On a 4×4 cube the center blocks are not fixed – job not done, but rather one has to get all the center blocks in the right spot. The “right spot” would have to correspond to the given edges and corners of the Rubik’s cube.
On a standard cube blue is opposite white, green is opposite yellow, and red is opposite orange. However, if your cube is not standard, the way to figure out the opposite centers would be to match 2 corners that have 2 of the same color, the third color of each corner would be opposing color to the other. e.g, in the above image, 2 corners are matched, the third color on one is blue, and the third color of the other is white, meaning the opposing center to blue is white.
Solve 2 Opposite Centers
Start by making 2 rows of each color. In order to align 2 matching pieces, position them like image above and do a 2R move to align.
Do the same for the opposite color without disturbing the opposite row – for instance do it on the top and left of the complete face, and move it to the back of the complete face when done.
Solve the Remaining Centers. At this point the status of the cube can be one of 5:
1. The rest of the centered are already solved and are in the right position. If that’s the case you are all done with the centers and can move to the next step.
2. The rest of the centered are already solved but are NOT in the right position.
If the centers are on opposite sides, to switch them place one of the centers facing you and use d d F F B B d d
If the centers are next to one another, to switch them place one center facing you and the center you would like to switch with on the left and do di B B d d L L di.
3. Your cube has 2 rows of each color solved.
In the case of the rows being next to one another do a d move to solve the neighboring centers.
In the case of the rows being on opposite sides do a d d B B d d.
4. Your cube has an odd number of center tiles.
In this side by side scenario a d Fi di will make these 2 tiles into a row without disturbing the other centers.
In this opposite scenario a 2d F B 2d will turn both sides into solid color centers.
Note: Make sure that the checkered pattern is reversed to the opposite side. If it isn’t do an F move before you start.
In this side by side scenario a 2d L d will complete the center without disturbing the other centers.
In this opposite scenario a 2d F B 2d will turn both sides into solid color centers.
Note: Make sure that the checkered pattern is reversed to the opposite side. If it isn’t do an F move before you start.
Step 2 – Solve the Edges
As mentioned above an additional difference between a 4×4 and a 3×3 cube are the edges, with the edges of a 4×4 consisting of 2 pieces. Once all edge blocks are in place, you will be able to solve the cube like a 3×3 cube.
Pair up the edges and store them safely
Every solved pair would need to be stored safely in wither D or U face, in place of an unsolved edge.
To replace with an unsolved U use Li Ui L
To replace with an unsolved D use L D Li
