‘Wheel of Fortune’ Puzzle Leaves Fans Scratching Their Heads

A recent Wheel of Fortune puzzle left viewers baffled, prompting a flood of reactions on social media.

On the series’ February 12 episode, contestants tried to win a top prize and the chance to go to the Daytona 500. However, they appeared to be stumped by a strange puzzle answer.

One of the toss-up categories was “Pet Life.” The answer solved was “Wearing my new dog collar.”

Per TV Insider, series host Ryan Seacrest called the answer “strange, but that’s correct.” He added, “I don’t think that’s something anyone would do.”

However, on Reddit, viewers took a different stance. They weighed in with comments on what appeared to be an odd answer.

“Wearing a new dog collar, what was that puzzle?” one fan asked. “My son said that should have been a “Never have I ever” puzzle,” wrote a second.

A third viewer deduced, “It was a bit strange. They are taking it from the dog’s point of view.”

This isn’t the first time Wheel of Fortune viewers have questioned a puzzle answer. In 2022, three contestants famously answered what appeared to be a simple puzzle incorrectly.

The moment has been called one of the most difficult moments to watch in the series’ long history. At the time of the gaffe, Pat Sajak was the series host.

Contestant guesses ranged from “Another feather in your lap,” to “Another feather in your map.” The trio of hopefuls also picked letters that were not in the final answer.

Wheel of Fortune fans cry foul after Pat Sajak allows player to 'break the  rules' and solve puzzle 'incorrectly'

In the comments section of YouTube, where the video was posted, fans appeared dumbfounded. “This is pretty much an SNL skit, wow,” wrote one user. A second penned, “This was absolutely one of the funniest and at the same time saddest things I have ever seen.”

Sajak weighed in on the moment on X. He wrote, “Last night’s ‘Feather in your cap’ puzzle was a case in point. Sitting at home, it seems incredible that they couldn’t solve it, but I knew in real time what was happening.”

He added, “The first attempted solve was ‘Feather in your hat’ which, by the way, is how a lot of people say it. So all three players thought it was a good solve, and were stunned when I said it was wrong.”

Wheel of Fortune airs weekdays in syndication. The series stars Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.