Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need Before Starting
- Method 1: Using OptiFine (Most Popular)
- Step 1: Download OptiFine
- Step 2: Install OptiFine
- Step 3: Create OptiFine Profile
- Method 2: Using Iris with Fabric (Better Performance)
- Install Fabric Loader
- Add Iris and Sodium
- Installing Your Shader Pack
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Performance Optimization Tips
- TL;DR
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to enhance their game’s visual experience with realistic lighting and effects.
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What You’ll Need Before Starting
Installing shaders in Minecraft 1.20.4 requires two main components: a shader mod (like OptiFine or Iris) and the actual shader pack files. Think of the shader mod as the engine that makes shaders work, while shader packs are the visual effects themselves.
Method 1: Using OptiFine (Most Popular)
OptiFine remains the go-to choice for many players due to its stability and wide shader compatibility.
Step 1: Download OptiFine
- Visit the official OptiFine website
- Look for the Minecraft 1.20.4 version (it might be listed as 1.20.x)
- Download the .jar file to your computer
Step 2: Install OptiFine
- Double-click the downloaded OptiFine .jar file
- Click “Install” in the popup window
- Wait for the installation to complete
Step 3: Create OptiFine Profile
- Open Minecraft Launcher
- You should see a new “OptiFine” profile automatically created
- If not, create a new installation and select the OptiFine version
Method 2: Using Iris with Fabric (Better Performance)
Iris offers superior performance and works with Fabric mods, making it ideal if you want other mods alongside shaders.
Install Fabric Loader
- Download Fabric installer from the official Fabric website
- Run the installer and select Minecraft 1.20.4
- Click “Install”
Add Iris and Sodium
- Download Iris and Sodium mods from Modrinth or CurseForge
- Place both .jar files in your .minecraft/mods folder
- Launch Minecraft with the Fabric profile
Installing Your Shader Pack
Once you have either OptiFine or Iris installed, adding shader packs follows the same process:
- Download a shader pack compatible with 1.20.4 (popular options include BSL, Complementary, or SEUS)
- Don’t extract the downloaded .zip file
- Launch Minecraft with your shader-enabled profile
- Go to Options → Video Settings → Shaders
- Click “Shaders Folder” to open the shaderpacks directory
- Copy your downloaded shader .zip file into this folder
- Return to the Shaders menu and select your shader pack
- Click “Done” to apply the changes
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If shaders aren’t working, try these solutions:
- Game crashes: Lower your render distance and disable other graphics-intensive settings
- Poor performance: Reduce shader quality settings or try a lighter shader pack
- Shader not appearing: Ensure the shader pack is compatible with 1.20.4 and placed in the correct folder
- Black screen: Update your graphics drivers and check if your GPU supports the shader requirements
Performance Optimization Tips
Shaders can be demanding on your system. Here’s how to get the best experience:
- Allocate more RAM to Minecraft (4-6GB recommended)
- Lower your render distance to 8-12 chunks
- Disable unnecessary OptiFine features like animated textures
- Use Sodium with Iris for better frame rates
- Close other applications while playing
With these steps completed, you’ll be ready to explore the enhanced visual world that quality shader packs bring to your Minecraft adventures.
TL;DR
Install OptiFine or Iris+Fabric for Minecraft 1.20.4, then download compatible shader packs and place them in the shaderpacks folder through the game’s shader menu.
