Crash on Startup
Mojang Minecraft
Severity: CriticalWhat Does This Error Mean?
Minecraft crashing on startup is usually caused by incompatible mods, outdated Java, outdated graphics drivers, or corrupted game files. Check the crash log for the specific error, and try running without mods first.
Affected Models
- Minecraft Java Edition
- PC
- macOS
- Linux
Common Causes
- Incompatible or corrupted mod
- Outdated graphics drivers
- Wrong Java version
- Corrupted Minecraft installation
- OptiFine or shader incompatibility with the Minecraft version
How to Fix It
-
Try launching without mods (vanilla).
If vanilla works, a mod is causing the crash. Add mods back one at a time to find the culprit.
-
Update your graphics drivers.
NVIDIA: geforce.com/drivers. AMD: amd.com/drivers. Outdated drivers cause OpenGL crashes.
-
Make sure you have the correct Java version.
Minecraft 1.17+ requires Java 17 or later. Older versions use Java 8. The official launcher bundles the correct version.
-
Delete the .minecraft folder and reinstall (backup worlds first).
Copy your saves folder first. Then delete .minecraft (in %appdata% on Windows). Reinstalling gives you a clean slate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the crash log?
In .minecraft/crash-reports/ folder. Open the latest .txt file — the error message near the top tells you what crashed.
Can OptiFine cause crashes?
Yes, if the OptiFine version does not match the Minecraft version. Always use the OptiFine version that exactly matches your Minecraft version.