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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHere are spoiler-light hints and the reported answers for the Tuesday, February 24, 2026, NYT Connections puzzle. One archive labels the date as puzzle #990 rather than #989, so published guides do not agree on the number/date pairing.
Hints for Connections on February 24
Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. You can make up to four mistakes, and you can shuffle the board to see the words differently, according to Mashable’s guide syndicated by Yahoo Tech.
Try these hints before reading the solution:
- One group consists of hard structures found in nature or the body.
- One group points to Scotland.
- One group is made up of well-known theatre writers.
- Each word in the last group can come before “beam.”
Before submitting a group, check that all four words fit the same relationship. A plausible connection between two or three words can be a distraction rather than the intended category.
February 24 Connections answers
Spoilers below: The category names and solutions follow the reported groupings in WePC, Mashable via Yahoo Tech, and Insider Gaming.
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- Calcium-based structures: BONES, CORAL, SHELLS, TEETH
- Symbols of Scotland: BAGPIPES, SCOTTIE, TARTAN, THISTLE
- Famous playwrights: CHEKHOV, COWARD, MILLER, SHAW
- ___ BEAM: BALANCE, JIM, LASER, TRACTOR
Why the “beam” group fits
The final set completes familiar phrases: balance beam, Jim Beam, laser beam, and tractor beam. The Lifehacker guide syndicated by Yahoo Tech notes that “Jim” can also evoke a liquor brand, which may steer attention away from the shared word “beam.” See its explanation in Lifehacker’s February 24 guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why sources disagree on puzzle number
Several guides identify the February 24 puzzle as #989, including WePC, Mashable via Yahoo Tech, Insider Gaming, and Lifehacker via Yahoo Tech. The WordFinder by YourDictionary archive instead lists February 24 as #990 and February 23 as #989. The answer groups above are reported for the February 24 date; the puzzle-number label is the part that varies across those publications.
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