What the solver does
The solver starts with the physical state of your cube. After you choose the size, the important task is to enter each sticker color in the correct position. The solver then checks whether the state can exist on a real cube and generates moves that take it back to solved.
The move list is meant to be followed step by step. Turn the cube exactly as shown, keep the orientation consistent, and move through the solution at your own pace. If you lose your place, it is usually better to restart from the current cube state than to continue guessing.
Why color accuracy matters
A cube solver can only work with the state it receives. If one red sticker is entered as orange, or a face is viewed from the wrong direction, the resulting state may be impossible even when the real cube is normal. Good lighting and a careful face-by-face check make a big difference.
Centers are especially useful on a standard 3x3 because they define the face colors. On larger cubes, centers and edge groups add more detail, so checking the full layout before solving helps avoid invalid-state errors later.
If your cube is invalid
An invalid message does not always mean the cube is broken. Most invalid states come from a color-entry mistake, a missed sticker, or a face that was entered while the cube was rotated. Review the colors and compare opposite faces before trying again.
If the colors are correct and the cube is still invalid, the puzzle may have a physical issue. A corner can be twisted, an edge can be flipped, or two pieces can be swapped after reassembly. In those cases, the cube cannot be solved by normal turns until the physical issue is fixed.
Useful next pages
If you know your cube size, start with the dedicated 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 page. If you want to learn the basics before using a solver, read the beginner guide. If your cube is already solved and you want something fun to try, the patterns page has algorithms for visual designs.